Fridge /Freezer

[1977dodge]

Has any one here used or own one of these i have seen good reports and they have low current draw a lil expensive but would be nice to have ready made cold /food .drinks available .i only have a cold box in my van and i think this would make a good replacement.



http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002Q1INDM...20&ascsubtag=4a251a2ef9bbf4ccc35f97aba2c9cbda

 

[akrvbob]

The ARB compressor fridge is a very good unit. But I think it's overpriced. You can usually get a Dometic, on sale for less. Here is a Dometic 50 quart for $609
http://www.americanrvcompany.com/Do...ridge-Freezer-DC-Only-CF-50-Trailer-Camper-RV

I own a Whytner which is made in China and so far I am very pleased with it. In every way I consider it better quality that the Dometic. But one member here just had one fail after 17 months and I have only had mine for a year.

They draw between 3-5 amp per hour, but they have a very short duty cycle (they don't run much). I figure mine draws 10 amps a day in the winter and maybe 15-20 in the summer. Even a 100 watt solar panel should be able to run it okay until you hit a storm and lose the sun. Then if you are charging from the alternator that should do it easily.

If you can afford it, they are wonderful to have!
Bob

 

[karl]

I recently installed a TF65 TruckFridge in a Sprinter conversion, I am impressed enough to finally order one for Thirsty(my step van)
I'm pretty sure it is a relabeled Dometic....a bit cheaper though.

http://www.truckfridge.com/

 

[highdesertranger]

arb has a very good name. from what I have read, people seem real happy with them. I think you will like it. I don't have one I have two engels. highdesertranger

 

[psytechguy]

I have this exact model ARB fridge/freezer in my truck camper. Camper power is supplied by a 240 watt solar panel, 105 AH battery, MPPT controller.

The ARB's been running 24/7 since last March or so. I have it set at 32 degrees and use it as a fridge, but it will freeze water easily if you set it much lower.

It's super efficient. In 75-85 degree weather it will cycle perhaps 3 times an hour. Typically it will use only around 10% of my battery charge overnight.

Two thumbs up. Well worth the $'s.

My only complaint is that I don't have 2 of them! I'd use one for fridge stuff and dedicate one for ice cream storage.

 

[Canine]

psytechguy, I've seen people put the stuff they want frozen on the bottom of the ARB then place a piece of Styrofoam or something like that on top, then milk, bread, etc. on top of the foam which keeps that stuff cold and not frozen. Do you think that is an effective fridge/freezer?

 

[psytechguy]

I've heard of folks doing that, but have never tried it myself.

 

[1977dodge]

So Amazon just delivered my fridge /freezer which turned out to be the wrong one 110v as opposed to 12/24 volt 
they have offered a reasonable discount if i keep the unit 
my question is this being a 110volt unit would require connection to an inverter
 which is raises a concern at present i only have a 600watt MSW would it run this fridge ok

Rated power is 80 watts and 1.0 amp rated current 
room is not an issue infact being an upright its fits better than what i had planned originally
Thanks

 

[1977dodge]

So Amazon just delivered my fridge /freezer which turned out to be the wrong one 110v as opposed to 12/24 volt 
they have offered a reasonable discount if i keep the unit 
my question is this being a 110volt unit would require connection to an inverter
 which raises a concern at present i only have a 600 watt MSW would it run this fridge ok

Rated power is 80 watts and 1.0 amp rated current 
room is not an issue infact being an upright its fits better than what i had planned originally
Thanks

 

[akrvbob]

Can you give us a link to the one they delivered to you?
Bob

 

[1977dodge]

Can you give us a link to the one they delivered to you?
Bob

http://www.amazon.com/Whynter-Appli...26901676&sr=1-4&keywords=whynter+refrigerator


Thanks

 

[cdiggy]

Unless it was a very good deal I would send it back. Or if I could sell it locally... My luck it would blow up my inverter

 

[akrvbob]

I wouldn't keep it unless you have a lot of solar and batteries.
Bob

 

[johnny b]

So Amazon just delivered my fridge /freezer which turned out to be the wrong one 110v as opposed to 12/24 volt 
they have offered a reasonable discount if i keep the unit 
my question is this being a 110volt unit would require connection to an inverter
 which is raises a concern at present i only have a 600watt MSW would it run this fridge ok

Rated power is 80 watts and 1.0 amp rated current 
room is not an issue infact being an upright its fits better than what i had planned originally
Thanks

Remember, 1 amp at 110-120 VAC equals 10 amps at 12VDC (plus inverter losses).

Not practical....send it back.

 

[basin+range]

I used to have the ARB 50 qt and recently downsized to a 38 qt (ARB switched at no charge; they have an amazing warranty) since I'm solo most of the time.

I bought this fridge a few years ago when I had a much higher paying job.  It definitely is pricey but a good investment if you're truly going to be doing a lot of traveling/living in your rig -- it sure is nice not having to deal with food floating around in water, having to find ice, etc.

 

[ramblingvanman]

I am new to this part of van dwelling, but wouldn't it be cheaper to just use a 7 day cooler and buy ice? I currently use a 3 day cooler and get free ice where I work, but I know that won't last when I really hit the road. It seems that with a 7 day cooler you would only spend ~$3/week for ice or ~$160/year. The fridge he linked to is $600+. Will that fridge even last 4 years?

 

[bcbullet]

I am new to this part of van dwelling, but wouldn't it be cheaper to just use a 7 day cooler and buy ice? I currently use a 3 day cooler and get free ice where I work, but I know that won't last when I really hit the road. It seems that with a 7 day cooler you would only spend ~$3/week for ice or ~$160/year. The fridge he linked to is $600+. Will that fridge even last 4 years?

The thing about the ice is that even if you pre-chill everything going into the cooler, it will never get colder than when it hits the chest. If you need to add anything, the temp in the cooler goes up, as does the temperature of everything else until the ice removes the heat from the food. This is the part that everyone tends to forget...putting ice in a cooler does not "make cold", it merely absorbs heat from the surrounding air and hence the food in contact with that air. The energy is still in the cooler, it is just now within the ice. With the 12v fridge, you can keep replenishing the fridge with warm products and the refrigerant absorbs the heat and then puts it OUTSIDE the box. The difference is night and day. With your 7 day cooler, the second you add anything warmer than the ice, you do not have a 7 day cooler anymore. With the fridge, you only need a fraction of the cooler capacity as well assuming than some of your cooler contents come in cans   :blush: ...take one out, put one in. Same goes for "refrigerate after opening"; you can drive around with warm mayonnaise for months and it only needs to be refrigerated once it is opened


I used to think the same about cost...I filled a 10 litre jug of phase change material (google it) and would freeze it at work in and use it on weekends. It worked fine, but the 12v fridge is an epiphany; I no longer ask how I could afford the fridge, I now ask myself how I could NOT afford it. Literally a game changer. I know this response does not really speak to your post entirely, but these are the reasons fridges are so popular. It truly is not all about the cost.

 

[ramblingvanman]

The thing about the ice is that even if you pre-chill everything going into the cooler, it will never get colder than when it hits the chest. If you need to add anything, the temp in the cooler goes up, as does the temperature of everything else until the ice removes the heat from the food. This is the part that everyone tends to forget...putting ice in a cooler does not "make cold", it merely absorbs heat from the surrounding air and hence the food in contact with that air. The energy is still in the cooler, it is just now within the ice. With the 12v fridge, you can keep replenishing the fridge with warm products and the refrigerant absorbs the heat and then puts it OUTSIDE the box. The difference is night and day. With your 7 day cooler, the second you add anything warmer than the ice, you do not have a 7 day cooler anymore. With the fridge, you only need a fraction of the cooler capacity as well assuming than some of your cooler contents come in cans   :blush: ...take one out, put one in. Same goes for "refrigerate after opening"; you can drive around with warm mayonnaise for months and it only needs to be refrigerated once it is opened


I used to think the same about cost...I filled a 10 litre jug of phase change material (google it) and would freeze it at work in and use it on weekends. It worked fine, but the 12v fridge is an epiphany; I no longer ask how I could afford the fridge, I now ask myself how I could NOT afford it. Literally a game changer. I know this response does not really speak to your post entirely, but these are the reasons fridges are so popular. It truly is not all about the cost.

I am sorry, but you are wrong. The heat energy is absorbed by the ice and "removed" by the change in enthalpy(aka latent heat in this example) as the ice changes phase to water. If you then drain the water and add fresh ice, you have effectively removed the heat from the cooler since the heat is now "in the water". Thermodynamics explains this process, but that may be too "deep" for this forum. I do agree that the fridge is way more convenient, I just question whether the convenience outweighs the cost.

 

[akrvbob]

I hear a lot of claims about how much people spend on ice, but I've been writing it down all summer and I average $6 a week, and I've added extra insulation and I'm not where it's very hot. $6 tines 52 weeks a year is $312 a year. Add in the fuel for emergency trips for ice and food thrown away because of ice water and I believe it will pay for itself in a year and certainly in 18 months.

My first 12 volt fridge cost $400 and lasted 4 years (Dometic Waeco CF25).

I agree with bcbullett, I can't afford NOT to buy another one!
Bob

 

[bcbullet]

I am sorry, but you are wrong. The heat energy is absorbed by the ice and "removed" by the change in enthalpy(aka latent heat in this example) as the ice changes phase to water. If you then drain the water and add fresh ice, you have effectively removed the heat from the cooler since the heat is now "in the water". Thermodynamics explains this process, but that may be too "deep" for this forum. I do agree that the fridge is way more convenient, I just question whether the convenience outweighs the cost.

Semantics my friend...I am not wrong, I just provided a simple explanation as you yourself did.. You said it yourself...the only time the heat is removed from the cooler is after the phase change has occurred from ice to water. At this point, the temperature within the cooler skyrockets because the phase change has occurred unless the water is immediately removed. Most people I know don't dump the water until the ice is gone, ergo, unless they are standing in front of the ice bin at the convenience store when the phase change completes, the food is going to get warmer as the food removes the heat from the water.
Having done both, there is no comparison whatsoever.