12/24V Ice Maker | Portable Caravan & Camping Ice Maker

🧊 ROAD CHEF 12/24V ICE MAKER – PORTABLE COMPRESSOR ICE MAKER FOR CARAVANS, CAMPING & BOATING

Fresh Bullet Ice in Around 10 Minutes – Direct from 12V or 24V DC Power

🧊 Make fresh ice wherever the trip takes you with the Road Chef 12/24V Ice Maker – a purpose-built portable compressor ice maker designed for caravans, motorhomes, boats, 4WD setups, camping and off-grid use.

Operating directly from either 12V or 24V DC power, there is no need to rely on mains power or run a large inverter just to make ice. Fill the generous 2.2-litre water reservoir, select your preferred ice size and the Road Chef can begin producing fresh bullet-style ice in approximately 10 minutes per batch.

With three selectable ice sizes, automatic low-water and ice-full sensors, a digital control panel and a high-performance freezer compressor, it is designed to provide reliable portable ice production even when travelling in demanding Australian conditions.

Whether you're keeping drinks cold around camp, entertaining beside the caravan or heading offshore for a day on the water, the Road Chef Ice Maker brings the convenience of fresh ice to places where a conventional household ice machine simply isn't practical.

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⚡ KEY FEATURES

🧊 Fresh Ice in Approximately 10 Minutes
Produces bullet-style ice in approximately 10 minutes per batch, allowing you to start making fresh ice soon after switching the machine on.

🔌 Dual 12V & 24V Operation
Runs directly from compatible 12V or 24V DC electrical systems, making it ideal for caravans, 4WDs, boats, motorhomes and off-grid setups.

🧊 Three Ice Cube Sizes
Choose between Small, Medium or Large bullet ice to suit drinks, rapid cooling and different everyday uses.

💧 Large 2.2L Water Reservoir
The generous easy-fill reservoir reduces the need for constant refilling during normal operation.

❄️ High-Performance Compressor
Uses a dedicated freezer compressor designed to provide dependable cooling and ice production in portable applications.

🌡️ Designed for Australian Conditions
Engineered with demanding touring environments and warmer operating conditions in mind.

⚙️ Digital Control Panel
Simple controls make it easy to switch the machine on, select functions and manage everyday ice production.

💧 Automatic Low-Water Sensor
Alerts the user when additional water is required and helps prevent unnecessary operation without sufficient water.

🧺 Ice-Full Sensor
Automatically detects when the ice basket is full so you don't need to constantly monitor the machine.

⏱️ On/Off Timer
Adds additional convenience when managing the machine around camp or in your caravan.

♻️ Reuses Melted Ice Water
Unused ice that melts can drain back into the reservoir and be reused during the next ice-making cycle.

🛡️ 304 Stainless Steel Construction
Combines 304 stainless steel and durable plastic construction for a practical portable appliance suited to touring environments.

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🧊 FRESH ICE WITHOUT 240V MAINS POWER

The biggest advantage of the Road Chef Ice Maker is its ability to operate directly from a compatible 12V or 24V DC electrical system.

For caravanners, campers and boat owners, this removes the need to run a 240V household ice maker through an inverter.

Simply connect the unit to a suitable DC power system and you can produce fresh ice while camping off-grid, travelling or spending the day on the water.

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⚡ POWER REQUIREMENTS

Current Draw at 12V: 7.6A

Current Draw at 24V: 3.8A

Both figures represent approximately 91W of electrical input at their respective nominal voltages.

This makes the ice maker relatively manageable for a correctly designed auxiliary-battery system compared with many high-powered 240V appliances.

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🔋 HOW MUCH BATTERY CAPACITY DOES IT USE?

At the stated 7.6A current draw on a 12V system, approximate battery consumption would be:

• ⏱️ 30 minutes – approximately 3.8Ah
• ⏱️ 1 hour – approximately 7.6Ah
• ⏱️ 2 hours – approximately 15.2Ah
• ⏱️ 3 hours – approximately 22.8Ah
• ⏱️ 4 hours – approximately 30.4Ah

Actual battery consumption can vary as the compressor cycles and according to ambient temperature, water temperature and operating conditions.

On a 24V system, the stated current draw is approximately 3.8A.

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❄️ HIGH-PERFORMANCE COMPRESSOR COOLING

Portable ice makers can look very similar externally, but compressor performance plays a major role in how effectively the machine operates in warmer environments.

The Road Chef uses a high-performance freezer compressor designed to keep producing ice in demanding touring and outdoor conditions.

This makes it particularly useful for Australian caravanning and camping where ambient temperatures can be significantly higher than those encountered in a typical indoor kitchen.

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🧊 THREE SELECTABLE ICE SIZES

The Road Chef gives you three bullet ice size options:

• 🧊 Small
• 🧊 Medium
• 🧊 Large

Smaller cubes can be useful where fast drink cooling is the priority, while larger ice may be preferred for general drinks and entertaining.

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💧 LARGE 2.2-LITRE WATER RESERVOIR

The 2.2-litre reservoir provides a generous water supply while remaining practical for portable use.

Simply add clean water, select the required settings and allow the machine to begin its ice-making cycle.

The reservoir is designed to be easy to fill and empty, making the machine practical for regular use around a caravan, campsite or boat.

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♻️ RECYCLES MELTED ICE WATER

During operation, any unused ice that melts can drain back into the water reservoir and be reused by the machine.

This helps minimise wasted water – a particularly useful feature when travelling or camping where fresh water supplies may be limited.

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⚙️ AUTOMATIC SENSORS MAKE OPERATION EASY

The Road Chef includes automatic functions designed to simplify everyday use:

• 💧 Low Water Sensor
• 🧊 Ice Full Sensor
• ⏱️ On/Off Timer
• ⚙️ Digital Control Panel

These features reduce the need to constantly monitor the ice maker while it operates.

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🚐 IDEAL FOR TOURING & OFF-GRID USE

The dual-voltage design makes the Road Chef Ice Maker suitable for a wide range of mobile and off-grid applications.

• 🚐 Caravans
• 🚍 Motorhomes
• 🏕️ Camping setups
• 🚙 4WD touring
• 🛻 Ute canopies
• 🚤 Boats
• 🎣 Fishing setups
• 🏠 Off-grid systems
• 🛠️ Sheds and workshops with suitable DC power

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🌬️ VENTILATION IS IMPORTANT

Like any compressor refrigeration appliance, the Road Chef Ice Maker needs adequate airflow to remove heat generated during operation.

Side and rear ventilation must remain clear.

⚠️ IMPORTANT: Do not operate the ice maker inside a tightly enclosed cupboard or compartment without adequate ventilation. Restricted airflow can reduce ice-making performance and place additional load on the refrigeration system.

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📐 SIZE & WEIGHT

Dimensions: 340mm × 328mm × 360mm

Weight: 9616g / approximately 9.6kg

Water Reservoir: 2.2 Litres

Colour: Silver & White

Construction: 304 Stainless Steel & Plastic

Before installing the unit permanently into a caravan or canopy kitchen, allow additional space around the appliance for the required side and rear ventilation.

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📋 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Product Type: Portable 12/24V Ice Maker

Power Supply: 12V / 24V DC

Current Draw at 12V: 7.6A

Current Draw at 24V: 3.8A

Ice Type: Bullet Ice Cubes

Ice Cube Sizes: Small / Medium / Large

Ice Production Time: Approximately 10 Minutes Per Batch

Water Reservoir Capacity: 2.2 Litres

Compressor: High-Performance Freezer Compressor

Controls: Digital Control Panel

Functions: Ice Full Sensor / Low Water Sensor / On-Off Timer

Material: 304 Stainless Steel & Plastic

Colour: Silver & White

Ventilation: Side & Rear Ventilation Required

Weight: 9616g

Dimensions: 340mm × 328mm × 360mm

Applications: Caravan, Camping, Boating, Off-Grid & Home Use

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⚠️ INSTALLATION & OPERATING CONSIDERATIONS

• Use a suitable 12V or 24V DC electrical system
• Ensure the circuit is capable of supporting 7.6A at 12V or 3.8A at 24V
• Use appropriately sized cable for the circuit length
• Provide suitable fuse protection
• Maintain side and rear ventilation
• Keep the unit on a stable surface during operation
• Do not block compressor ventilation openings
• Allow space around the appliance for heat dissipation
• Use clean water suitable for ice production

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❓ FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Can I run this directly from my caravan's 12V lithium battery?

Yes, provided the battery system, BMS, wiring, power outlet and fuse protection can comfortably support the 7.6A operating current. This is a relatively modest load for many properly designed lithium auxiliary systems.

Will it work from an AGM battery?

Yes. The ice maker can operate from a suitable 12V AGM auxiliary-battery system. Runtime will depend on available battery capacity, battery condition and what other appliances are running at the same time.

Can I connect it directly to a 24V truck or boat system?

Yes. The ice maker is designed for both 12V and 24V DC operation. Current draw reduces from 7.6A at 12V to approximately 3.8A at 24V.

Do I need an inverter to use it?

No. That is one of its main advantages. It operates directly from 12V or 24V DC, avoiding the need to convert battery power to 240V AC.

How quickly will I actually get ice?

The machine can produce a batch of bullet ice in approximately 10 minutes. Actual time will vary with ambient temperature, incoming water temperature, ventilation and operating conditions.

Will it still make ice on a 35°C or 40°C day?

It is designed with hot Australian touring conditions in mind and uses a high-performance compressor. Like all refrigeration equipment, higher ambient temperatures can increase compressor workload and slow ice production, so good ventilation becomes especially important in hot weather.

Can I install it permanently into my caravan kitchen?

Potentially, but you must allow sufficient side and rear ventilation. Do not tightly box the machine into cabinetry without providing adequate airflow around the refrigeration system.

How much clearance should I allow around it?

Side and rear ventilation are required, but exact minimum clearance dimensions are not listed here. If you're designing cabinetry around the unit, allow generous airflow and confirm any minimum clearance requirements before finalising the installation.

How much battery will it use over a couple of hours?

At the stated 7.6A draw on a 12V system, two hours of continuous operation would represent approximately 15.2Ah. In practice, consumption can vary because the compressor cycles rather than necessarily drawing maximum current continuously.

Can I run my fridge at the same time?

Yes, provided your battery, BMS, wiring and charging system can handle the combined load. For example, the ice maker may draw 7.6A while your fridge compressor and other appliances add additional current.

Will a 100Ah lithium battery be suitable?

For many setups, yes. The ice maker's 7.6A current draw is well within the discharge capability of many 100Ah lithium batteries. What matters more is your total daily energy use once the fridge, lighting, chargers and other loads are included.

Could I run it from a portable battery box?

Yes, provided the battery box has a correctly rated 12V outlet, suitable internal cabling and enough battery capacity. Check the outlet and wiring rating rather than assuming every portable battery box can support the load.

Can I run it from solar while camping?

Yes, indirectly through a suitable battery and charging system. Solar panels normally charge the auxiliary battery through a regulator or DC-DC charger, while the battery supplies stable power to the ice maker. Your solar system needs to produce enough daily energy to replace what the ice maker and your other loads consume.

How large is the ice basket?

The water reservoir capacity is 2.2 litres, but a separate ice-basket capacity has not been specified. The machine uses an ice-full sensor to stop or manage production as the basket fills.

Does it store the ice frozen like a freezer?

The basket is insulated, but this is an ice maker rather than a dedicated freezer. Ice will gradually melt if left in the basket, with melted water able to return to the reservoir for reuse.

Can I make a large amount of ice and leave it in the machine overnight?

For long-term storage, transferring finished ice to a freezer or suitable insulated storage is the better option. The machine is designed primarily to make fresh ice rather than permanently store frozen ice.

What is the advantage of having three ice sizes?

Smaller ice can provide faster cooling due to greater surface area, while larger bullet ice can be better suited to drinks where you want the ice to last longer. The three settings let you choose depending on how you're using it.

Can I use it for fishing or keeping bait cool?

Yes, fresh ice can be useful for fishing and cooling applications. For food safety or bait storage, always use appropriate insulated storage and follow relevant temperature and hygiene requirements rather than relying on the ice maker itself as a refrigerated storage appliance.

Would this be useful for entertaining at a caravan or campsite?

Yes. This is one of the strongest applications for the machine. Rather than carrying multiple bags of ice or relying on access to shops, you can produce fresh ice progressively while entertaining.

How big is it compared with a portable fridge?

At approximately 340 × 328 × 360mm, it has a relatively compact benchtop footprint, but you need additional space around the sides and rear for ventilation. It weighs approximately 9.6kg.

Should I choose a 12/24V ice maker instead of a household 240V model?

If you're primarily using it in a caravan, boat, 4WD or off-grid setup, direct 12/24V operation is a major advantage because you don't need an inverter. A household model may make sense where mains power is always available, but the Road Chef is specifically aimed at mobile and off-grid use.

What should I check before buying?

Measure the available installation or storage space, allow additional room for side and rear ventilation, confirm your 12V or 24V circuit can support the required current and consider how much battery capacity and solar or DC-DC charging you have available if you plan to use it regularly off-grid.

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🧊 FRESH ICE. ANYWHERE. ANYTIME.

The Road Chef 12/24V Ice Maker gives caravanners, campers, boat owners and off-grid travellers the convenience of producing fresh ice without relying on 240V mains power.

With dual-voltage operation, approximately 10-minute ice production, three selectable cube sizes, a 2.2-litre reservoir, digital controls and automatic water and ice sensors, it is built to make fresh ice simple wherever you're travelling.

Whether you're cooling drinks around camp, entertaining beside the caravan or heading out fishing, the Road Chef 12/24V Ice Maker is a practical addition to a well-equipped touring setup.