Fridge Review

[Optimistic Paranoid]

The Spring 2017 issue of OVERLAND JOURNAL just arrived.  They conducted tests on six 12 volt fridges they consider suitable for overlanding.  They've been in business for 10 years now, and this is the fourth such test they've published.

Summary:

Arb 47 liter - $924 - ARBUSA.COM

Pros:
Convenient lid design
Strong built-in handles
Shallow depth
Front-placed control panel
Many available accessories
Lightweight

Cons:
Average performance
Plastic lid
Large footprint relative to internal volume

Dometic CFX-50 - $766 - DOMETIC.COM

Pros:
Well-placed control panel
Multiple low-voltage cutoffs
Large handles
Left/right lid configurations
Available accessories
Lightweight

Cons:
Poor insulation performance
Large external size
Almost entirely made of plastic

Engel MT45F-U1 - $910 - ENGELCOOLERS.COM

Pros:
Reliability
Durable all-metal construction
Several useful accessories available
Removable lid for easy loading
High-placed vents
Low peak amp draw
Most energy efficient at constant temperature.

Cons:
No temp gauge
Difficult to precisely regulate temperature
Weight (64 lbs)
No internal light

Indel B TB51A - $570 - INDELB.COM/EQUIPT1.COM

Pros:
Excellent technical performance
Unbeatable value
Compact overall size relative to capacity
Three level low voltage cutoff
Digital readout atop the unit

Cons:
Control panel is backwards
Crisper may be too large for some users
Tall exterior height and deep interior
Predominantly plastic construction

National Luna 52 - $1,650 - NATIONALLUNA.COM/EQUIPT1.COM

Pros:
Solid construction
Multi-level low-voltage cutoffs with audible alarm
Front or side opening
Superb cooling and insulation properties
Legendary reliability
Best internal basket system

Cons:
Side-mounted control panel
Buttons and labels on the control panel are small
Dark interior color

Snomaster Traveler BD/C-42S - $1,000 - SNOWMASTERUSA.COM

Pros:
All-metal construction
Excellent cooling and insulating performance
Front control panel
Large buttons and display readout
Lid open alarm
Interior light
Included wireless remote/display
Superb value

Cons:
Small handles
Front opening only
Power cord placement
Not as energy efficient as some

Conclusions:
They start out by saying that NONE of these would be a BAD choice.

The National Luna was their EDITOR'S CHOICE
The INDEL B won their VALUE AWARD

 

[Trebor English]

Does OVERLAND JOURNAL give power consumption / temperature information?

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

They describe their testing procedure as follows:

"To ensure consistent results, our sample subjects were tested in pairs, each connected to identical capacitors (lithium) and 13.6 volt supply systems delivering a constant output commensurate with a typical 12 volt power source.  We used 23 cans of beer placed in each fridge at a controlled temperature for our thermal load.  Inside the main compartment we inserted two temperature gauges to monitor cool down and warm up times.

To judge energy expenditure, we determined how much power was required to cool the contents to our target temperature of 40 degrees F, the minimum food-safe number established by the Food and Drug Administration.  We then observed the amount of power used to maintain that target.  The ambient temperature was regulated for every session at a consistent 72 degrees F, established as a median value between a typical trip's high and low.  At the end of each cool down period, we simulated a loss of power and recorded the speed at which the thermal load warmed to the ambient outside temperature."

And no, they didn't publish their figures.  There were a couple of time vs temperature charts for for warm up and cool down.  It looks like it took the National Luna longer to cool things down, and the Engel and Snomaster warmed up quicker than the others when the power was cut.

I'm not going to post too much more on this, I think we'd start to slide beyond fair use and into infringement . . .

 

[John61CT]

On longevity / reliability, doubt anything beats the Engels.

While we're at it anyone know of top-notch propane freezers, ideally but not necessarily designed for mobile use?

 

[mayble]

They describe their testing procedure as follows:

..We used 23 cans of beer placed in each fridge at a controlled temperature for our thermal load. 

23 for the frig, 1 for the tester

 

[highdesertranger]

if they would have given me a case of beer I would have tested the Engel for free. LOL highdesertranger