Brass Monkey 15L Fridge Review

[@LockyourHubs4WDing]

Has this episode changed your mind about Brass Monkey Fridges?

[@einfelder8262]

No, I had one I thought to use as a shopping cooler on hot days in Melbourne, but gave it away because the insulation is crap and it has no tie down points.

[@LockyourHubs4WDing]

@@einfelder8262 I think there needs to be a solution to the tie downs!

[@davehoward8745]

@@LockyourHubs4WDing fitted a couple of handles to mine. Just screwed straight into the plastic. No smoke when started up again 😀

[@djrose84]

The most comprehensive test for a fridge I've ever watched. Actual real world info

[@LockyourHubs4WDing]

Thanks mate, exactly what I'm aiming for!

[@Sydneywizard]

I've got this fridge, non-battery version and it lives in the boot of the car. Excellent fridge, low noise and doesn't take up a lot of space. I also bought the Rovin brand of insulated cover. A perfect fit for $30. They are available from Jaycar and BCF. Yes please on the no drill tie down. I also have the expansion lid for the 15lt. It turns it into a 20lt fridge when required. Note that if you fit the expansion lid, you won't be able to zip up the insulated cover.

[@LockyourHubs4WDing]

How do you find the lid? Is the stuff up top still cold?

[@tonycaruana3281]

Yes please on the no drill tie down. I've got this fridge, battery version and it lives in the boot of the car. Excellent fridge,

[@CRIZS_CREATIONS]

I have 2 brass monkey fridge freezers 55litre & 75litre With camo covers Bluetooth there awesome.

[@LockyourHubs4WDing]

Mine's running 24/7, so far hasn't missed a beat

[@davehoward8745]

Got the Kolner 15 ltr from China which is basically the same unit. Had it for about three years now and hasn't missed a beat. Got the LG compressor in them so they go pretty good.

[@LockyourHubs4WDing]

Hopefully I get a decent run out of this one in the work truck!

[@Dnotmans]

Iv been running brass monkey fidges in my truck at work for 3 years now, had a 15L but ended up buying a 9L one (to fit better) no tie downs sucks but other than that they have been good to me! Even ran my 15L one as a freezer over a 3 day weekend where the temp was high 30’s every day and did well considering!

[@Dnotmans]

Also,Really appreciate the effort you put into these videos.

[@LockyourHubs4WDing]

Great to hear they have both been good to you.

[@whatupg1]

Good timing and thanks. I bought a 30L Brass monkey on sale for $199 4weeks ago. Gave it a good run yesterday in the car. So far happy with it. Cools down quickly. Compressor runs around 3.2Amps. I didn't get the cover at the time around $90. I would be interested in tie down points. I have a 15 year old 70L Evakool(yellow) which hasn't missed a beat. The BM is for day trips or over nighters. Cheers

[@LockyourHubs4WDing]

I think that's what a lot of people use the BM fridges for, a second fridge.

[@Maikool180sx]

I love my 15brass for day trips or solo trips. Only thing I hate is it uses more power than my 60L engel

[@LockyourHubs4WDing]

It's pretty thirsty!

[@sarinsarin7898]

Bought 1 for the boat a few years ago. Don't have the boat anymore but still got the fridge. Still going strong. Mine doesn't have the battery.

[@LockyourHubs4WDing]

I was using mine today in the work vehicle, still working great!

[@thomaslincoln401]

Really appreciate the systematic testing with numbers! I bought a 45L dual zone a few years ago on special with cover, 12V only version. It also came with the 240V adapter. Just bought a kings 24Ah battery pack with 12V outlet plus the fridge adapter lead for $220 which is what I plan to use when not running the engine. I haven't really pushed it, but I love being able to take the fridge in to the motel to run on mains and actually have a decent fridge in the room. Mine has wheels and extended carry handle (plastic - so I don't really tie it down with much force.)

[@LockyourHubs4WDing]

Some of the larger models (not sure about your particular fridge) have bolt on handles and Jaycar sells a steel tie down plate that sandwiches between the body of the fridge and the plastic handle.

[@thomaslincoln401]

Thanks for that info. I'll have to have a look next time I drop in there

[@drew5763]

@@LockyourHubs4WDingTakes minimal time and effort to fit too 😀

[@matthewrendle9321]

Thanks for your professional version on a fridge

[@LockyourHubs4WDing]

You're welcome!

[@Bigcountry_littlelegs]

Great vid, got a 8L bm console fridge that swmbo has stolen for her work and loves it

[@LockyourHubs4WDing]

Is that the one with the wireless phone charger?

[@Bigcountry_littlelegs]

@LockyourHubs4WDing yep, the wireless works well even through a phone cover, and narrow enough to go between the seats on a ln106

[@LockyourHubs4WDing]

@@Bigcountry_littlelegs I'm going to have to resist temptation next time I'm at Jaycar!

[@PhilWatt-sf6zs]

I have this 15L fridge and am disappointed by the battery performance in car and long charge times. Had at 0.5 for days with 4x 1.5L bottles and a few v cans, drove 6.5 hours then parked car in sun, came out 6 hours later and battery flat. Although fridge was still cool. But then had to take inside hotel to charge overnight. Looks like I need to add dual battery just to maintain it. Makes it an expensive fridge.Would be interesting to see tests at higher ambient like would be in car. Great test though.

[@LockyourHubs4WDing]

High ambients (I've logged nearly 50C in a white LandCruiser on a 33C day) would really punish the small battery. Some of the slightly larger models can take 2 batteries, though they would have a higher current draw as well.

[@rompastompa8598]

Well done that review was awesome, and yes please can we have a tie down option ? As a truck driver I think this may end up through the windscreen if I cant tie it down.

[@LockyourHubs4WDing]

That's my issue as well!

[@stefanwulf4062]

Great vid. I love the data analytics!

[@LockyourHubs4WDing]

Thanks mate! I do like a datalog :)

[@stefanwulf4062]

I saved $330 on my new Brace Monkey 30L fridge. I paid $458 For the fridge, bag and battery would normally be $788. 🍆🍒

[@LockyourHubs4WDing]

@@stefanwulf4062 they've got some rippa deals on the Brass Monkey range at the moment!

[@gameuck17]

I have maybe the next size down, and was also having a concern with tie down as its in the back next to kids and they dont always zip it up. I ran a strap under the lid and cut a hole in bag to clip to from below. If it forgets to be zipped up it at least wont kill one of my kids.

[@LockyourHubs4WDing]

That's definitely a concern, I think I'll have to put on the thinking cap and come up with a solution!

[@gameuck17]

@@LockyourHubs4WDing I was tempted to drill a hole in the side, but no idea where the pipes are. Also thought about the handle but they are just plastic and thought it would eventually tear though. I think a thin bommer strap and some carabiner clipped to a eye bolt in the floor of the car is the last line of defence of it moving. Interested to see what you think of. Always open to better ways. Thank you for your review.

[@kietdiep1875]

Thank you for this informative and valuable video that's well put together. Great test results that are very useful.

[@LockyourHubs4WDing]

You're welcome!

[@kietdiep1875]

Thanks

[@LockyourHubs4WDing]

Thanks mate, I appreciate it!

[@HSVR383SC]

Great video. Only thing I could see maths wise is that temperature difference between average measured and set temperature should have been the result and not percent difference. I'm not sure how you measure percentage at zero temperature?👍

[@Disco_Stu956]

Why do all these fridge companies put the reflective layer on the inside of the covers, and then put a dark colour on the outside? Nice review as usual

[@LockyourHubs4WDing]

I agree, radiation heating is an issue, and dark colours definitely don't help.

[@JamesSecretofski]

Where dod you go, mate? More of this awesome content 🎉

[@LockyourHubs4WDing]

It's been a while! I've been messing with 3D printers of late.

[@WesternAustraliaNowAndThen]

Generally it isn't how well a fridge performs, it is how long it lasts. We have been through so many different fridges over the years and they have all worked well enough, when they work. The problem kicks in when the fridge dies and we have had WAECO, Dometic and Vitrifrigo all expire with the WAECO lasting longest and the Virifrigo dying fairly quickly. The only fridges we have had that perform very badly are the old gas fridges when used up north in real heat. One thing I am confused about, why would you use such a small battery to run a fridge? It may be ok for day trips or even overnight but it is useless for anything else. As for fridge covers, we only use 1 on our big Engel and it isn't to keep it cooler. it is purely to protect the outer casing from all the bumps in the back of the 4x4. Our choice of brand after decades of using portable fridges, well we have 3 Engels and 1 WAECO upright. Our oldest Engel is about 15 years old so we are pretty happy with that. Would I buy a cheapie fridge? Well we do have an Adventuridge from Aldi running 24/7 to test it out and to date it has been surprisingly good.

[@LockyourHubs4WDing]

I do still love my Engel 75 Combi, I dragged that poor thing all around this country and it keeps coming back for more. I think the Brass Monkey fridge is marketed for the day tripper, or tradie/courier. For that purpose (where you're using maybe the company vehicle and can't install a second battery) this could be ideal for lunch and a few drinks.

[@Scotts-Pathfinder-Adventures]

3 years and mine is still going strong, the battery is not as good as it was from new, gets about 2 hrs before it dies. On a different note did you end up buying one of those 12v air fryers to test to see if it can claim to cook a frozen pie in 20mins 😂😂

[@LockyourHubs4WDing]

That's a shame the battery has lost capacity. When it eventually happens to mine, I'll see if it's feasible to replace just the cells.

[@Scotts-Pathfinder-Adventures]

You've been a little quiet hope you're doing well, has the battery died on fridge yet?

[@LockyourHubs4WDing]

Just busy with other side projects! The fridge works 24/7 and still working fine.

[@matthewrendle9321]

What about solar energy could you please give some information on this matter

[@simonlivsey7425]

Yes to tie downs!

[@LockyourHubs4WDing]

Pretty sure I'll be heading down that path soon!

[@Inserico]

Really loved your episode mate I find myself keep coming back to it! Just wondering what your thoughts on the practicality of the taller/esky-style (white) 18L compared to something flat like this? I'm tossing up between the two at the moment... 😅

[@einfelder8262]

I gave my 15L BM (no battery) fridge away because it has no tie down points. The receiver uses it in his boat to keep bait frozen, which it does nicely, but the sun on the lid buckled it in no time. He replaced it with the dome lid, but it proved that the plastic it's made from is very low grade. When it comes to fridges, avoid cheap plastic ones - they all have poor insulation. Pay for a good one - my Evakool 55l is 18 years old and can't put it higher than 1.5 on the dial else it freezes everything. No stupid cover needed even at the tip of the Cape or in the middle of the Simpson. If the fridge offers a cover, it has poor insulation.

[@LockyourHubs4WDing]

There's something to be said for decent insulation then the compressor doesn't have to work as hard. I would love to have more insulation on my Engel. The lack of tie down points is an issue.

[@matthewrendle9321]

I bought one of these fridges the first two were falting so I returned thjcJ to JCAR the guy was a pleasant surprise and felt bad so I thought I might as well get a larger fridge fridge for a few dollars more this one seems to be working well but I don't know weather i would trust it with a thousand dollars worth of meat in it

[@terrencethompson1343]

What is the f1 settting

[@LockyourHubs4WDing]

Low voltage protection, if it's flashing up F1, change the battery protection mode to L.

[@xaerusblade7854]

where is the tie down? bought one. its on half price..

[@LockyourHubs4WDing]

I really need to sit down in front of SolidWorks and knock one of those things out!

[@Joel-mp2oo]

Please make a video on tie downs for it

[@LockyourHubs4WDing]

I think I will!

[@lucysoutdoors]

I looked at this fridge, but the no tie down points stopped me,ended up with the other brand the one most people put💩💩💩on (k..gs)🤣🤣

[@LockyourHubs4WDing]

One of the daughters has a King's dual zone 80L, I should compare it against the 75L Engel !

[@einfelder8262]

@@LockyourHubs4WDing My mate bought the 80L dual zone better Kings one, it's not as good as his 75L 18 year old Evakool.

[@matthewrendle9321]

I found the child lock because I put it on frost so the fridge doesn't get cold thumbs up

[@matthewrendle9321]

The cover is worth one hundred dollars

[@Warren-g8t]

Why does your nonsense depth measurement have a different dimension form the casing to the fridge compartment. To educate you there is NO nonsense depth measurement. There is "length Width and Height".

[@matthewrendle9321]

Brass monkey is not a bad fridge but when it comes down to trust i think i would put my money on coolman fridge eny day

[@kietdiep1875]

Thanks

[@LockyourHubs4WDing]

Thanks mate, much appreciated!