Compressor Fridge

Have finally installed the new Waeco CR110 12/24volt fridge. Seems to work great but the test will come when we hit the road in two days time.

Removal of old 3Way fridge was fairly simple and the new one fits in with about 70mm to spare for height and very little on the sides. The cavity had 40mm clearance inside so I have lined it with 40mm of Styrofoam on both sides and the top. So once it is cold that should help to hold it there. I filled the space left below the fridge with a shallow drawer which I am sure we will soon fill with whatever.

These fridges work on either 12 or 24 volts, so I got a transformer thing which converts 240volt ac to 24volt dc and that is the default supply when mains power is available. When mains power is disconnected, it switches to 12volt from the van battery. I have also fitted a relay so that when mains power is not connected, and the fridge is running from the van battery, it will switch to the car battery when it can see 12volt power from there. When the car engine is stopped, the Redarc Isolator switch under the bonnet will quickly switch off so the car battery does not get flattened, and it switches back to the van battery. Are you keeping up??

I bought a new Fullriver DC120-12 Battery, via eBay, which is installed under the Dining Seat, and is dedicated to the Fridge only. Everything else runs off the original van battery, but this will probably change if and when I ever get a few solar panels.

A few weeks ago I also installed a XANTREX 20Amp Charger as the old "SmartCharger" finally died. Another eBay purchase as it costs $560 in Gympie and I got it delivered from Florida for $320. Makes it hard to support the local bloke. This is supposed to be one of the best battery chargers available, at least I hope it is, as when we "free camp" I have the car alternator power rigged,via Anderson Plug, to work the charger through an inverter, so that the batteries both get charged when the engine is running.

Monduran Dam

November 26th, 2009.

Brett and Scott, our two sons, came up from Ipswich with Scott's boat and we towed the caravan to Monduran Dam, near Bundaberg, in search of the elusive Barramundi.

Set up the van and annex (for Brett and Scott to sleep in) then about 2:00pm went out in the boiling hot sun fishing. Stayed out until about 8:00pm and only fish caught was a catfish, by Kathy. Only lures used, no bait allowed in Scott's boat.

Hit the water at 5:30am on Friday and came back about 10:30am for two more catfish, one for Brett and one for Scott. Went out again about 4:00pm and got nothing.

Next morning, Saturday, went out about 4:30am and about 9:00am Scott got a 95cm Barra. Very nice fish, he can't get the grin off his face. About half an hour later he hooked up again but lost this one to a log. He was using his 12lb Bass gear so did well to get the first one, but don't tell him. We reckon we did not SEE the fish so it counts as a log.

Same afternoon, we went out at 4:00pm ish and cast lures around. You wouldn't believe it. Scott hooked up again and landed a 92cm barra. He is in grave danger of a mutiny. Very lucky it is his boat. Ten minutes later Brett hooks up and lands a catfish about 40cm long. Gee he was ever so thrilled. Just check the photo.

I never got a touch in the four days. And broke about a foot off my $500 Egrell Fishing Rod.

I guess it was an outing more than a fishing trip.

Never mind, we are spending January, 2010 at Arno Bay SA where apparently you have to hide in the bottom of the boat to bait your hook. Can't wait.

Up early Sunday and fished a couple of hours before admitting defeat, so packed up and headed for home. Brett fueled up at Appletree Creek so we stopped too and when I started the car it looked a if I had a fire under the bonnet, but soon woke up it was Airconditioner gas. The plastic cover over the engine had been rubbing on a hose and eventually wore through it. All fixed now. I can thoroughly recommend Hyundai for their warranty.

While we were away the 3way Dometic fridge did its usual trick of getting down to 1°C at night and up to 9°C during the day. Therefore I have now ordered a Waeco CR110 compressor type fridge to replace it. Should be here tomorrow with any luck. Will probably get another battery to power it as well. I wonder do we ever finish with van alterations???

Waz

Inskip Point

A belated report into our Melbourne Cup this year. Spent the day before and after at Inskip Point, doing very little really.

Used the Toyota Landcruiser farm ute to tow with this time. Useless compared to the Terracan.
I doubt we will try that again. Mainly took the ute so we could drive on the beach but without sand tyres, it was still a bit of a struggle. Probably should have let the tyres down a lot more but couldn't really be bothered. Just lazed around for a few days.

We went to Inskip at this particular time because there was no school holidays and thought it would be fairly desserted. Wrong! Dozens of people there, some are there full time although there is supposed to be a maximum stay of thirty days.

I picked the winner of the Cup which was just about a cert when I forgot the password for my internet TAB account and it locked me out. Oh well, I would only have bet a few dollars anyway.

All in all, not my favourite trip, I am not into sand between the toes all the time. But it is a nice place to visit with great beach scenery etc.