We have prepared 11 easy Tips & Tricks for getting the best performance of your 12volt fridge:
1. Wire it up right (or have it wired up right by an expert)
We recommend using a cable size of 6mm for your fridge, so that your fridge can draw the current it needs to power itself efficiently.
2. Use home fridge before leaving home
Use your home fridge to cool down your food, this will help make sure that your 12volt fridge doesn’t have to work over time and relieves the load of your fridge to cool everything down.
3. Use Vacuum Seals
Fishing or on long trips away camping? Vacuum seals will save you space in your 12volt fridge, and they will keep your food fresh for longer.
4. Keep your fridge in the dark (shaded)
Sun exposure, high heat can affect the performance of your 12v fridge.
When you park up for the day, set up for camp, make sure you are able to protect your 12volt fridge from high heat, cover it up with a fridge cover.
5. Keep your fridge full
Items in your fridge act as ice bricks. Keeping your fridge full means it has less empty space to cool. Meaning it doesn’t need to draw more power from your battery and works more efficiently.
6. A Fridge Cover
Ah yes! As mentions above, using a fridge cover will keep your fridge cooler and protected from extreme heat, but that is not the only thing a fridge cover will do. A fridge cover is also designed to prevent damage from dust, and dirt. It also stops it from getting scratches!
7. Storage Baskets
Did you know using storage baskets allows the cold air to circulate the items in the fridge easier. Therefore keeping the items in the fridge/freezer nice and cold.
8. Clean after every use
No one likes the smell of fish lingering around right? Or 7 week old rotten apples. Read the instructions provided from the manufacture on what chemicals you can or cannot use to clean it out. Usually soapy water should be fine however. Once you have cleaned it out, make sure to leave the lid open until you plan to use it again, to let airflow through it, to prevent any bacteria from growing.
9. Limit opening the lid
Opening and closing the lid constantly is ideal if your hammering through those beers, but lets face it, you don’t want warm food n drinks. Limiting how many times you open the lid will help keep your fridge running an optimum and keeps battery usage low. Remember don’t leave it open while working out what you are feeling hungry for, make the decision before you open the lid.
10. Ventilation
Make sure your fridges vents are never blocked when running. Your fridge needs to breathe so it can do its job properly. When setting up at camp, place your fridge in a clear, well ventilated, shady area if you’re taking it from your vehicle for best performance. If you leave your fridge in your vehicle, it is recommended to get a fridge cage to help keep objects clear of the fridge that may shift when traveling.
11. Open your the Fridge slowly
Open the fridge about 10cm slowly instead of opening it how you would normally. When you open the fridge normally you allow cold air to be sucked out. Meaning you’ll need to use more power to get your fridge cool again.
Share with us your camping tips and tricks by commenting below, we would love to hear from you.
To view our 12v fridge range, click here.