We evaluate the 15L Brass Monkey fridge after 4 months of arduous yakka. Is it the most effective funds choice? Learn our evaluate to search out out.
We’re all for giving the cheaper choice a crack to see in the event that they’re simply low-cost and nasty or really a strong funds choice. So it was with this in thoughts I went and grabbed just a little 15L Brass Monkey fridge from Highway Tech Marine (you may get them at Jaycar too), simply to take a seat on the backseat of Dusty the HiLux, and be the easy-access drinks fridge.
As at all times, I’m going to be sincere with you, I didn’t maintain out a lot hope. Particularly for a 12-volt fridge that was as low-cost because the Brass Monkey. I imply, sub $300 for a 12-volt fridge? However sufficient about how low-cost it’s, how does it stand as much as life on the highway?
I normally take care of my gear – besides after I’m testing it
In the case of my gear, I’m at all times cautious and respectful with it. I take care of my equipment, and it takes care of me. Besides, after all, when it’s a chunk of substances to be examined. Then it will get flogged from pillar to submit and put by means of about as tough a time because it’ll get. The large black canine you’ve most likely seen in our movies additionally determined his 45kg of “I’ll sit the place I need” belonged perched on high of the fridge whereas it was on the again seat of the Hilux. That stated, I went and purchased this little jigger with my very own beer tickets as a result of I needed a drinks fridge for the again seat. Additionally, I figured it’d be a very good little bit of equipment to place by means of the wringer.
So, imagine me after I inform you, that this Brass Monkey 15L moveable fridge has had a correct evaluate. I’ve put that little fridge by means of about 12 months’ price of normal use within the 4 months since I bought it. It has sat in Dusty on the again seat (and within the cover now and again), had the massive black German Shepherd drool, kick, and stroll throughout it, and it’s run the entire time whether or not stuffed with cans or empty. Even now, it’s not missed a beat.
Sufficient chit-chat, let’s evaluate the Brass Monkey fridge already
The fridge itself is a slightly high quality little bit of equipment, comprised of respectable mouldings and elements, together with the LG-branded compressor. It’s bought a three-stage voltage cutout system, so it doesn’t trash your batteries attributable to over-discharging. It has the usual digital temp gauge and controls, high-density foam insulation, and it’ll run all the way down to a strong -20°C, so you should use it as a meat freezer in a pinch for a bit of additional storage.
As you’ll discover from the title, it’s bought a 15-litre capability. Nonetheless, the final time I used to be at Highway Tech Marine, I seen which have a couple of little equipment for the fridge. Particularly, an insulated cowl to maintain the warmth out and chilly in, and an extension ‘bubble’ lid that will increase its capability an additional 5 litres, so you may broaden this as much as 20 litres of storage and fridge house if you could. These Brass Monkey fridge equipment are nice however we haven’t had an opportunity to evaluate them but.
One thing that basically intrigued me is that with most large fridges I’ve used, you could set them to round -2°C to get the beer *comfortable drinks* on the backside correct chilly. With this one, I set it to -2°C and exploded a couple of cans; it really froze them strong. So, if you’ll get certainly one of these, keep in mind that the temperature gauge is correctly correct, particularly attributable to its dimension and the minimal quantity of air required to lose cooling transmission from one aspect to the opposite.
On the within
Talking of *soft-drink* cans, it’ll additionally maintain 16-17 cans in the usual format, with an additional bunch when you’ve connected the additional 5-litre lid on high. There’s a pair of semi-recessed seize handles on the ends, a foam/rubber type seal across the lid, and it comes with the usual 12-volt ciggy socket plug on the tip. Oh, and it’s bought a full 36-month guarantee, too!
With out chopping it open to take a look on the guts, it seems that the cooling plates go the entire method across the fridge, too, as a substitute of simply being near the compressor like another cheaper small fridges. So that you get fairly uniform cooling the entire fridge throughout.
Will this particular fridge change your full-size fridge? No, after all not, until you’re on the world’s angriest weight loss program. Will it knock numerous the smaller ‘console’ kind fridges out of the water? You wager your bottom it is going to. Particularly seeing the way you’re getting a correct compressor-driven fridge for the cash, whereas you’d usually get a ‘thermo-cooler’ for almost as a lot.
Plus, the compressor-style of fridge is far more environment friendly in energy utilization and cooling skill. It’s additionally price mentioning that if it’s simply you and the opposite half away for an evening or two, it’s lots large enough for a little bit of meat for dinner, some milk, and your salad stuff – so it’ll work in a pinch if travelling mild is a requirement, otherwise you simply wish to lob it within the grocery getter for whenever you’re not tenting.
Right here’s the draw back of our Brass Monkey fridge evaluate
The one downfall of the 15L Brass Monkey moveable fridge is you lose a little bit of expertise. There’s no Bluetooth connectivity, there isn’t any stand-alone/removable temp gauge/controller, there’s no mild contained in the fridge cavity, and it’s a reasonably rudimentary lid-latching setup (it’s just a bit dimple that the plastic friction-locks into). That stated, because it’s getting used on Dusty’s backseat, I don’t want any of these issues. I’m very happy to not have them and save on the value for just a little drinks fridge that’s straightforward to get to and takes up bugger all house.
All in all, I completely price the fridge, and it has earned a spot on the backseat of the HiLux, to be overwhelmed from pillar to pet canine, maintaining the drinks and snacks chilly whereas we’re out on the highway.
15L Brass monkey fridge evaluate – Specs
For extra data, verify them out on Highway Tech Marine’s web site right here.
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