Kings Stayzcool 75L fridge power consumption test

This is a long and boring video about amp hours, current draw and solar input current. I test my new Kings 75L dual-zone fridge on fridge (2 degrees) and freezer (-10 degrees) for 24 hours, starting at 5pm Friday and finishing at 5pm Saturday. I test the 13 hours over-night power usage and then I use a 200W solar blanket to replenish the battery and I give you my conclusions at the end of the video if a 98AH AGM battery is up to the task. Cheers.

[@goldyandrobbo6540]

This is a worthy clip Derek. Very interesting thank you.

[@Grizzbiz57]

Great stuff, Derek. Super data you've presented there.

[@user-xk6bf3vj2z]

Thank you for the work you did.

[@Grizzbiz57]

Thanks, Derek. Not boring at all. I have just purchased the Stayzcool 75 litre and will be running it somewhat harder than your test. For the first week away, I will be running both sides at -10°C . The second week I should be able to squeeze all the frozen food into one zone and drop the second zone to 2°C to bring me right into line with your test results. I reckon the current at those target temperatures. I will be using a 100Ah lithium battery in conjunction with a 200w fold out solar panel. I calculate I will need to shut the fridge off at bedtime and switch back on in the early hours so as not to run the lithium under 12volts. I can also run the fridge from the caravan power system which has a lithium system of 210Ah capacity. Thanks for the informative video.

[@derekeasterbrook6791]

Hi, I just uploaded a video and I tested the fridge, on fridge only at zero degrees both sides, to compare the cheap watt meter with my new Renogy battery monitor and the results are surprising. Cheers.

[@BradGryphonn]

G'day, Derek. Even though you may think your video will be boring (I read the descriptions). I have the Kings (not Stayzcool) 75L dual compartment/dual zone fridge. I've been running it on 240V as my home fridge (my home is a non-running bus) since March last year and it's been a gem. Perfect for a single bloke like me who only has to feed a dog and some wild birds. However, I'm keenly interested in what it will consume once I get my next home on wheels sorted. I'll have about 300W of solar, a couple of deep-cycle batteries (115s), and a 5000W inverter. Your video will hopefully give me an idea of what I can expect from mine.

[@cameronbethune189]

awesome video mate

[@benos4x4adventures49]

I have the Exact same set up mate. 👍👍

[@Doppelfrog]

Thanks Derek, this information is gold! Kings are a bit cagey on the exact power consumption of these fridges. Did I understand your final numbers correctly? Over 24 hours total consumption was 62 amp-hours?

[@derekeasterbrook6791]

Yes, the dual zone fridge used 62 amp hours in 24 hours with one side on 10 degrees below zero and the other side on zero degrees. I've used it on fridge only in both sections and it uses a lot less power. I've got a lithium battery now and the battery gets a full charge when I use the 200 watts solar blanket during the daylight hours. Cheers.

[@BradGryphonn]

2:20 I run mine at 0C - 2C on one side, and -15C on the other. The higher temp side is the one with the step-down section that accommodates the compressor I think. I run the 'fridge' side 5C because that side gets opened often. Having that temp buffer helps keep food cold

[@derekeasterbrook6791]

Hi Brad, That sounds like a good idea to run the freezer at -15 because those water bottles I put in only froze to 75 percent in 24 hours. Normally the items that go into the freezer side would fully frozen before they go in. Thanks for the comment. Cheers.

[@BradGryphonn]

@@derekeasterbrook6791 Probably a good idea for before you head off away from mains power. Get the freezer super cold. I don't have a cover for mine yet but it's on 'the list' because I notice condensation forms on the freezer side lid, and between the two lids when it gets humid. I'd suggest the 'Stayzcool' fridges have that issue sorted. I'm interested in how long mine lasts. It was a very good price for what I got so if I get three years out of it, it'll have paid for itself. By then newer, more efficient options will be around I hope.

[@Malc664]

@@derekeasterbrook6791 Did you try a seperate temperature gauge to see how cold it actually is? It should freeze solid like your fridge/freezer in your home shouldn't it?

[@derekeasterbrook6791]

@@Malc664 Hi Malcolm, I didn't expect the bottles to be fully frozen in 24 hours. When I work on domestic house fridges, and they're set to -18 for the freezer, I find the bread or the ice cream isn't frozen really hard then it either has a gas leak or it has a defrost problem. When I check the freezer air temperature and it's less than -18 but at -12, then the fridge generally has a gas leak. Normally, if you fill the Kings fridge on the freezer side with hard frozen food, the food would still be frozen and, after a couple of days, it would be softer if set to -10, if this makes sense. I probably should have set the freezer side to -15 or -18 for the test but I was worried about the battery going flat. Cheers.

[@tucker2074]

Thankyou

[@boltcutter5232]

Just what I was interested to see, Derek, I've got a 115 Ah battery and two 100W panels, so from what I've seen that will be sufficient to run this fridge on a permanent basis during the sunnier times of the year here in SA?

[@Grizzbiz57]

I see you live in Qld. and have the fridge out in the elements. How does the fridge handle the tropical rain? I plan to run mine on the back of a ute , also. Let me know what additional water protection you deploy, please.

[@derekeasterbrook6791]

The new Kings Stayzcool 75L dual zone fridge looks like it's fairly well protected from the elements and a light shower here and there wouldn't worry it. If it's forecasted to rain I probably wouldn't go camping. If I'm out camping and it begins to rain heavily I have a small tarp I throw over it. It's not a perfect solution but it works for me and I'm sure I'll work out something better over a few beers. I always do. Cheers.

[@Grizzbiz57]

@@derekeasterbrook6791 Thanks a lot, Derek. Love your work, mate.

[@MrChrisp300]

Hi Derek. Good information. The compressor on your fridge is the Huayi version. There is next to none information I can find. What are your thoughts about it? Thanks

[@derekeasterbrook6791]

When I bought this fridge I was told there were two versions of compressors in them and the 4x4 Supacentre explained that this compressor was the latest and best available and I assumed it was Secop . You're right about the brand, Huayi, but I researched Huayi after I bought the fridge and they are presented as the number one compressor manufacturer in the world. I've only used the fridge two times, but I'm planning a trip away at Easter. Since I did this test I've upgraded my secondary battery to a 120AH lithium and, with Kings 5 years warranty, I don't think I'll have any problems. Cheers.

[@derekeasterbrook6791]

I just unscrewed the cover off the compressor found it's actually a Secop BD50F compressor. That's probably what the salesman said, the first batch were Huayi compressors and the second shipment of these fridges were Secop. I remembering him giving me one of the newer ones and saying, these have the new Secop compressor. Cheers.

[@MrChrisp300]

@Derek Easterbrook interesting because the box the fridge came in said Huayi!

[@roberthanford9111]

​​@@MrChrisp300 I just bought the 90ltr version and definitely comes with Huayi compressor Bought 2 weeks ago

[@MrChrisp300]

​@Robert Hanford I bought the 75L and did a 48 hour test with the unit placed inside my camper outside. Though I didn't measure the temperature the weather got to a hot 30 degrees during the day. I'm guessing it would be some what hotter in the camper slide. Set the fridge -10 larger area and 2 degrees smaller area. Empty fridge. Average consumption over 48 hours was 1.4amps per hour. I also noticed the compressor to be very quiet. So happy..... so far

[@benos4x4adventures49]

how low is too low on a 138 ah deep cycle? when using to run a fridge. I also have the kings 200w solar blanket.

[@derekeasterbrook6791]

I wouldn't like to drop a deep cycle battery below 60 percent capacity(83AH). You need to keep some power in reserve in case the next day is overcast or your camp is in the shade until mid-morning.

[@michaelmedicworldoftanks33fps]

I am assuming it's one of those AGM stop/start batteries under your bonnet? That's the kind of battery I installed in ny car and can run my Brass Monkey for up to 3h non stop without falling below 12.2v 😊

[@derekeasterbrook6791]

I had a dual battery system under the bonnet and the second battery was a 98AH AGM. When I looked further into AGM batteries I found they weren't recommended to be placed in that location where there's excessive heat. I've since removed that battery and relocated the second battery into my rear toolbox and replaced it with a 120AH Lithium battery. This is a much better system, because as voltage drops the current rises, and the Lithium battery maintains its voltage as the current is being used. Power (Watts) = amps x voltage. From this formula Watts is what your appliance is rated at so the other 2 variables are voltage and current. Cheers.

[@michaelmedicworldoftanks33fps]

Yes I bought King's 120AH Lithium battery too from 4WD Supa Center for insode and very happy with that but I also bought for under the bonnet AGM stop/start battery from RELIABLE BATTERIES designed specifically for under bonnet and it`s very hot under my Toyota there and very happy with that too, had it for 1y now($280) but it`s holding voltage much batter than any of the previous "good" lead calcium ones. STOP/START AGM`s are designed for high temperature under bonnet so it`s all good@@derekeasterbrook6791

[@neilkearns7744]

Can you tell me how many amp hours it used in the 24 hours?

[@derekeasterbrook6791]

It used 57 Amp hours out of the battery in 24 hours when one side of the fridge was set to -10 degrees Celsius and the other side set to 2 degrees Celsius. Cheers.