Bushman 130L Upright Fridge - 124L Fridge & 6L Freezer

The Bushman 130L fridge is a heavy-duty, upright fridge and freezer designed for off-grid installations. It combines a generous 124-litre refrigerator compartment with a compact 6-litre freezer, providing substantial food and drink storage in an under-bench format.

Operating directly from either 12V or 24V DC power, this fridge uses a heavy-duty Secop Danfoss variable-speed compressor designed for demanding mobile and off-road applications. Its low average power consumption, tropical climate rating, vibration-resistant storage and straightforward electronics make it well suited to extended touring in Australian conditions.

This unit is supplied in a matte black finish with the door hinged on the right-hand side. The hinges and handle can be reversed where a left-hand opening arrangement is required.

Capacity

• Total capacity: 130 litres
• Refrigerator capacity: 124 litres
• Freezer capacity: 6 litres
• Deep, narrow freezer design preserves more usable refrigerator space
• Generous main compartment suitable for couples, families and extended trips

Heavy-Duty 12V/24V Cooling System

Equipped with a Secop Danfoss BD35HD variable-speed compressor. Compressor current varies between approximately 2A and 4.5A, allowing the cooling system to respond efficiently to changing temperature and load conditions.

The compressor is mounted at the top of the cabinet, while the integrated cooling element surrounds the freezer compartment to provide effective heat transfer and consistent cooling performance.

• Direct 12V and 24V DC operation
• Secop Danfoss BD35HD variable-speed compressor
• Approximate compressor current range of 2A to 4.5A
• Top-mounted compressor layout
• 360-degree integrated cooling element around the freezer compartment
• Internal circulation fan for more even cabinet temperature
• Simple electronic control system
• Designed for heavy trucking and off-road applications
• Tropical rating for operation in ambient temperatures up to 43°C

Low Power Consumption

The efficient cooling system is designed for operation from vehicle and off-grid battery systems. Under Bushman’s stated test conditions, the refrigerator averages approximately 1.4 to 1.5Ah per hour over a 24-hour period at a 25°C ambient temperature with the refrigerator set to approximately 4°C.

• Average consumption: Approximately 1.4–1.5Ah per hour under stated test conditions
• Test conditions: 25°C ambient temperature and approximately 4°C refrigerator temperature
• Variable-speed operation reduces unnecessary compressor load
• Internal fan assists with temperature distribution

Actual power consumption will vary according to ambient temperature, ventilation, thermostat setting, door openings, food temperature and installation conditions.

Temperature Performance

• Refrigerator temperature: Approximately 4°C, with a stated tolerance of ±2°C
• Freezer temperature: Approximately -12°C, with a stated tolerance of ±2°C
• Integrated cooling element surrounds the freezer compartment
• Internal fan helps distribute cool air throughout the refrigerator

Practical Internal Storage

The cabinet is designed to maximise usable storage while helping secure food and drinks during vehicle movement. Heavy-duty wire shelves can be repositioned to suit different loads, while the deep and narrow freezer leaves additional vertical room in the main refrigerator compartment.

• Height-adjustable heavy-duty wire shelves
• Wire shelves approximately 440mm wide and 340mm deep
• Large door balconies capable of holding 2-litre milk bottles
• Steel door rails help retain bottles and containers during travel
• Removable crisper drawer
• Heavy-duty single-piece Perspex crisper shelf
• Internal LED light
• Internal crisper dimensions of approximately 420mm wide x 320mm deep x 90mm high

Compact Freezer Compartment

The integrated freezer is shaped to minimise its impact on the main refrigerator compartment. Its deep, narrow layout provides space for smaller frozen items while leaving greater vertical storage room below for bottles and everyday refrigerated food.

• Approximate freezer dimensions: 210mm wide x 350mm deep x 90mm high
• Nominal 6-litre freezer capacity
• Rounded internal corners
• 360-degree integrated cooling element

Strong, Lightweight Cabinet

The refrigerator uses a strong but lightweight cabinet construction suited to mobile installations. Soft custom rubber feet help isolate the unit from vibration, while the included mounting kit allows it to be secured into suitable cabinetry.

• Strong, lightweight cabinet construction
• Soft custom rubber feet for vibration isolation
• Mounting kit included
• Suitable for fixed installation in mobile and off-grid applications

Cabinet and Door Design

• Matte black exterior finish
• Right-hand hinged door as supplied
• Reversible hinges and movable handle
• Interchangeable front panel
• Steel retaining rails fitted to the door storage
• Door remains within the cabinet width when opened to 90 degrees
• Door handle extends approximately 20mm beyond the cabinet side when opened to 90 degrees

The reversible door allows the refrigerator to be adapted to different cabinetry and floorplans. Both the hinges and handle can be repositioned to create a left-hand opening arrangement.

Dimensions and Weight

• Cabinet height: 750mm
• Height including handle: 755mm
• Width: 525mm
• Depth: 550mm
• Weight: Approximately 27.2kg
• Door height including handle: Approximately 745mm
• Door height without top-mounted handle: Approximately 730mm

Recommended Installation Cut-Out

• Minimum cut-out height: 755mm
• Minimum cut-out width: 530mm
• Minimum cut-out depth: 550mm

The minimum cut-out dimensions allow for an approximately 50mm ventilation gap behind the refrigerator when installed with the door sitting proud of the surrounding cabinetry. Adequate ventilation must be provided around the compressor and cooling system for efficient operation.

Flexible Mounting Options

The DC130-X can be flush-mounted into suitable cabinetry or installed using the supplied mounting kit. Its compact dimensions, reversible door and interchangeable front panel make it adaptable to a wide range of custom layouts.

• Mounting kit supplied
• Suitable for flush installation into cabinetry
• Internal mounting sleeves can also be used
• Compatible with custom brackets or a suitable Bushman aluminium fridge enclosure
• Reversible door supports left- or right-hand opening layouts
• Interchangeable front panel allows the exterior appearance to be adapted

Power Connection

• 12V or 24V DC operation
• Supplied with a 1.2-metre Anderson plug power lead
• Secure Anderson connection suited to mobile installations

The refrigerator can also be operated where 240V mains power is available by using a suitable 240V-to-12V power supply. In many off-grid installations, the refrigerator remains connected to the battery system while a mains-powered battery charger maintains the battery bank.

Suggested Off-Grid Power System

Bushman recommends approximately a 180Ah deep-cycle AGM battery or a 100Ah lithium battery for around three days and nights of refrigerator operation under suitable conditions. For solar-supported installations, approximately 300W of solar capacity is recommended alongside the suggested battery bank.

These figures are general recommendations only. Actual battery and solar requirements depend on climate, refrigerator usage, available sunlight, other electrical loads and the overall efficiency of the vehicle’s power system.

Included Equipment

• Bushman 130L upright refrigerator and freezer
• Mounting kit
• 1.2-metre 12V/24V Anderson power lead
• Adjustable heavy-duty wire shelves
• Door balconies with steel retaining rails
• Removable crisper drawer
• Heavy-duty Perspex crisper shelf

Ideal Applications

• Motorhomes
• 4x4 touring vehicles
• Expedition trucks
• Canopy and service-body installations

Important: Reliable refrigerator performance depends on correct installation, adequate ventilation and appropriately sized wiring, battery and charging systems. Final installation should follow the manufacturer’s mounting, ventilation and electrical requirements.