12 volt refrigerator/freezers can't do both at the same time

[SoulRaven]

I am trying to decide on what 12 volt refrigerator/ freezer to get. I have a few in mind but the only thing that is keeping me from going ahead and getting one is the fact that they will either freeze or refrigerate things. Not like the ones in the home which do both. Now, there is one that will do both but, it is around $900, where the regular ones are around $400 - $500. Any Ideas on how to overcome this shortfall of them not being able to do both? Maybe someway to isolate the things that are to be frozen from the things to just keep cold.

 

[SoulRaven]

A piece of ½” to 1” Styrofoam insulation with a variable sliding door will do the trick.

 

[SoulRaven]

I don't quite know what you mean, but I am assuming that the styrofoam would go around 4 sides of the basket area that I want to keep from freezing with a shorter one on the side that is next to the stuff to be frozen?

 

[highdesertranger]

I believe all the manufacturers make a dual zone. they are however in the upper price range. on my engel you really cannot isolate one side because the evaporator plate goes all around the inside. I don't no why they charge so much for the dual zone, you could just buy 2 smaller units and use one for each, this is what I did. highdesertranger

 

[cdiggy]

A small styrofoam box for refer stuff or the styrofoam on top of frozen with refer stuff on top of the foam.

 

[akrvbob]

I have my doubts about the styrofoam trick, but I've never tried it.

Whytner makes a 62 qt dual zone for $640. I have two friends with it and they are both happy so far:

http://www.amazon.com/Whynter-FM-62DZ-Portable-Refrigerator-62-Quart/dp/B008VX01P2/

Bob

 

[cdiggy]

I have my doubts about the styrofoam trick, but I've never tried it.

Whytner makes a 62 qt dual zone for $640. I have two friends with it and they are both happy so far:

http://www.amazon.com/Whynter-FM-62DZ-Portable-Refrigerator-62-Quart/dp/B008VX01P2/

Bob

I have never tried it either but people have sworn that it works. Good to know you can get a dual zone that inexpensive.

 

[Reducto]

Or you can get two small ones. This gives you the benefit of shutting one down if you don't need it, converting both to freezer if you have a huge fishing haul, etc.

 

[ccbreder]

if you the room, two smaller units will work well. the duel whynter has consistent good reviews.

 

[SoulRaven]

Bob, that is the exact same unit I ordered last night (sorry I didn't let this posting know that sooner). Only I ordered it from Home Depot. http://www.homedepot.com/p/Whynter-...-_PP_OMS_Ord_Conf-_-pip_203569129__W350918822 . It was a little cheaper there. With the Florida sales tax they collect it came to $616. It does seem a little big for the Runaway, but I remember dealing with ice type of coolers and it gets old real quick, and expensive, refilling that everyday, and this unit will be nice. If I don't have enough room in the Runaway I could just carry it in the back of my Ford Escape (tow vehicle). There is a 12 power receptacle in the rear that could power it. But I really want to have it convenient to get to. I will just have to see how that works out when I have the camper (next week), and can actually sit it in there.
Thanks everyone for the suggestions.

 

[LeeRevell]

That WHYNTER Dual Zone looks like a mighty nice unit!

 

[Willy]

I had a Waeco CF-50 which had a small 'cooler' section (for milk, eggs, beer, etc) and it would both freeze and cool. ..Willy.

 

[akrvbob]

You can get a 25 quart Dometic for $400, so two of them would be $800, but you have two of them.

Steve, that's a big fridge for the Ruanaway. Be very, very careful with where you put it so it gets plenty of ventalation!

Are you going to do a thread here on the forum when you build it? I hope so!! There are some very creative people here so if it were me I'd post pictures and the deminsions and get ideas on the build before you start.

I also bought my Whytner from Hope Depot! I figured if I had problems with it would be much easier to return to the store than to ship it back to Amazon!
Bob

 

[LeeRevell]

I fund that Home Depot also sells (online only) the WHYNTER  in a single mode 45 Qt. size - use it as fridge OR freezer but not both.  Likely my preference, as I really wouldn't need a freezer.   It still has two compartments, and costs a C-note less. 

 

[SoulRaven]

I think it will do well. I wanted something that would act as both a freezer and cooler at the same time. I didn't like spending the extra money but I figure it will save me in the long run so I can keep things frozen and not have to make as many trips to the store to get supplies and especially ice. And at the same time can keep things such as milk, cheese, salad mix, yogurts, etc that wouldn't do well frozen.

Bob, yes I will put up some pics and information when I get the Runaway. Marvin said it would be completed in a couple weeks, and that was a week ago. So I am assuming that it might be ready next week. I don't know how great of a "Build" it will be when I get done with it. I wanted to keep it as simple as possible, but.......I do like those creature comforts, hence, the refrigerator....and other things I am thinking I can't, or at least, don't want, to live without. So far besides the fridge, I have the trifold sofa/sleeper, 2000 watt I Gen, fold up toilet, ordered. And am thinking on which size fuel container (2.5 gal??), to get, along with what size deep cycle battery also.
Like you said, I have to be careful or I will be overdoing this little Runaway and defeating its purpose.

As far as the fridge is concerned, I figured that if it was too crowded or for whatever reason in the Runaway I can put it in the back of my Escape which has 12 volt power outlets all over the place including one in the rear hatch area.
Hey, any suggestions or tips and advise are always welcome. I am a little apprehensive about this thing in a few different areas and different ideas and perspectives on how to make this work smoothly and comfortably as possible does help me a lot. Thanks

 

[oldogre]

I have a whynter dual zone and I really like it, had it almost 2 years now.

 

[oldogre]

My only concern with putting it inside the trailer would be vibration, been thinking about that because I would like to get a trailer like the runaway, and most likely would be in rear of trailer, don't know how bouncy trailer would ride back there and the effect on internal parts.

 

[SoulRaven]

oldogre I have heard from some owners that these do bounce some. I would probably put it up next to the front of the Runaway. Trying to push and drag the refrigerator to the back of the camper could be rough. So if the little Runaway bounces too much I will carry the fridge in the tow vehicle and connect it to the 12 volt receptacle in the hatch area.
Thanks for the heads up on that potential problem.
And giving me a review on your experience with your unit for the last two years. That is good to know.

 

[akrvbob]

Steve, I think it's going to be too heavy to put in the trailer. They are heavy! I remember hoisiting my 65 quart Whytner up onto a flat bed at Home Depot and then up to the van and it's heavy. Amazon says shipping weight is 80 pounds.

Then when you load it up with food, it gets much heavier. I think it could easily be 150 pounds or more. There is nowhere inside you could put that much weight in that small a space and not have it mess up the trailers balance. It would have to be right over the axle. It has to go inside the Escape and that's putting a lot of weight on the back of it. You'll want it as far forward as you can get it. Put the back seat down and have it right behind the front seats.
Bob

 

[jimindenver]

I have no experience with this type of 12v fridge so I'll ask. Is the wiring of the basic cigarette plug up to running one of these?