Fridge /Freezer

[ramblingvanman]

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

Doubling my projected cost would change things for sure. That is why I am here asking questions because you guys know since you have done it. Convenience is of little importance to me, but a real life cost vs benefits analysis is exactly what I am looking for. Thanks.

 

[highdesertranger]

I will chime in. not about who is right or wrong in where the heat goes, I for once will not get involved in another argument. however I will chime in about the cost of ice. 1st off in a drink cooler that is open several times a day and replenished with warm drinks the ice will not last even close to seven days. maybe in a food cooler that gets opened once or twice a day. the test that I have seen they open them once a day. in some of the places I go ice could be 50 miles of dirt roads away. that's if the small store has any ice left. on top of that I have paid up to 7 bucks for one small bag. it was not uncommon to spend 20 bucks or more on ice. now if you have to drive 50 miles one way and spend 20 bucks on ice, it's a no brainer. btw these ice runs would take all day, so you blow a day, spend x amount on gas, plus ice, we are talking much more than all the previous posts on the cost of ice. believe me when I say, I tried everything. I tried RV refers that run on propane, so instead of ice runs we where making propane runs. I tried dorm refers, who ever does the energy consumption figures on those is on crack, out in the desert in the heat they draw 4-5 times what they claim, tried dry ice, tried burying the ice chest(this actually worked the best), tried the electric coolers(don't even waste you money), I taped the lids on ice chest closed and put added insulation around them. all of this with sub par results. then I saw the 12v refers and thought why not I have tried everything else. at first I didn't believe their energy consumption figures but the where so low I figure even if they where fudging a little it would still work. so I bought an Engel 40qt. boy o boy why didn't I do this right off the bat if I would have taken all that money I spent on other systems and just bought one of these to begin with I would be dollars ahead. I now have 2 Engels, and will add a third for use as a freezer when I build my trailer. I will be easily be able to stay out for a month, more if I stretch it. so there is my long and winding road to 12v refers. in review, if you like cold stuff and want to truly boondock in the boonies this is a no brainer. my experience. highdesertranger

 

[highdesertranger]

you know what, I think I have posted this story on this forum 3 or 4 times. just saying. highdesertranger

 

[Willy]

Common sense ain't all that common and, thus, bears repeating. ..Willy.

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

It's actually misnamed.  It should be called GOOD sense.  As in, "That fool ain't got a lick of good sense!".

Regards
John

 

[SternWake]

I did the cooler and block ice for 6 years. Then I got a 12v compressor fridge and solar and was in Heaven. No more stinky cooler water, no more travelling just to get ice, no more ziplock baggies filled with contaminated food. Just a sub 40f box at all times with no worries about power.

That Norcold lasted 5 years before failure, and while researching options and waiting on Delivery of my Vitrifrigo c51is, I went back to the cooler and Ice, and was in hell. Block Ice was not easy to find, nor cheap in my location, and I am in Suburbia, Well over a dozen supermarkets within 4 miles.

My VF fridge is even more efficient, and quieter, and I make my own Ice, and I never worry about enough power for it.

i've not had a dedicated house battery for 2 months now either. The same group 27 AGM battery which powers my fridge starts my engine, and has me rethinking even having a dedicated house battery. I can pull this battery down below 50% overnight, and it still easily starts my Engine, and my alternator and 198 watts of solar, at this time of year has it near or at 100% by early afternoon.

 

[Willy]

My buddy Nick, after YEARS of using a cooler (and being envious of my Waeco) bought my Waeco when I got the Engel. He's totally in LURRRRRve with it. He also has meds which need to be kept cool and dry, so even better. ..Willy.

 

[LoupGarou]

With ice and a cooler there's no reason anything you put in there should be swimming in water.
http://theboatgalley.com/ice-box-cooler-food-storage/

 

[66788]

I have this same ARB. Very low amperage use, even in 100 degree weather.

My philosophy on purchases has changed from "what's the best value?" to "what do I really want?" I wanted the ARB and the extra bucks did not deter me from this purchase. I like it, it works, and I smile every time I open it and find ice cold food and drinks.

A 3 year warranty is great too.

 

[Paisley777]

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.

Any update on the Whytner ?  Still going strong?

 

[akrvbob]

My Whytner is still working great. It's a little over 2 yeas old and still working great. On the other hand my Dometic CF25 just died after 4 years and I have a friend with the Dometic 45 quart and it failed just before it was 2 years old. But we both drive really bad places and they get beat up pretty good.
Bob

 

[GotSmart]

My Whytner is still working great. It's a little over 2 yeas old and still working great.  On the other hand my Dometic CF25 just died after 4 years and I have a friend with the Dometic 45 quart and it failed just before it was 2 years old. But we both drive really bad places and they get beat up pretty good.
Bob

Do you think the 4 year extended warranty for $55 would be worth it? (On top of the $431 price tag)
.

 

[akrvbob]

The problem with all of them is the cost of shipping. It's very unlikely you are going to find anyone locally to fix it so you are going to have to pay shipping both ways. I don't know but I'd guess that will be at least $100. What if they don't get it fixed right the first time?

My inclination would be to consider them disposable.
Bob

 

[Willy]

Y'know wut? I can very easily MAKE ice with my Engel and could even SELL it.. at $10 a bag. KA-chingg! ..Willy.

 

[ahh_me2]

I make ice with my Engel, but I have to buy another one if I want a fridge...  

And I have been pondering using my Engel as a freezer/ice maker( or the blue ice packs) and using the ice packs in a cooler to act as a fridge.
I have found that I can fit the frozen food I need and 10 small ice packs at the same time, so by swapping out 5 ice packs at a time, once or twice a day, I might manage to not need a second Engel.
This is based on the cooler I have been using for the past 6 months where I insulated it with blue styrofoam and reflectix, and with 5 of those Ice packs, I can keep the cooler at 34F for approx 22 hrs with a fair amount opening/closing.

 

[Ballenxj]

How are these working out for you guys? Still happy with your choices? Would you buy the same one again? If not, which one?

 

[psytechguy]

I'd buy another ARB. Mine's been great. I was actually contemplating buying the smaller one to use as a dedicated freezer, but I'm pretty much out of room in this camper! Maybe for the next rig.

 

[LeeRevell]

I like my wee Dometic CF-18.  Works great and is a convenient size.  For longer roadtrips I am considering a second one to act as a freezer.

 

[Willy]

I really like the Engel because it's 'old style' with the rotary (mechanical) temperature control and no voltage cutoff. The one thing I would've wanted is a separate cheller section (for milk/veggies) like the Waeco CF-50 had. ..Willy.

 

[highdesertranger]

I have 2 of these Engel's, http://www.amazon.com/Engel-Portable-Fridge-Freezer-MR040/dp/B003AATY4A . yes I would buy another in fact I plan to, to use as a freezer. highdesertranger