Someone needs to come out with 12v self-contained compressor-based refrideration unit

[WheelEstate USA]

They're still out there but I think they climbed in bed with Dometic.

 

[SoulRaven]

Spaceman Spiff Wrote:

So, we come full circle.  Why buy a cheaply made refrigerator that will last maybe 5-7 years when one can buy a well made 12 volt refrigerator that will last 30+ years?

-- Spiff

---

The problem I see with this is that of the three $500-$700 12v compressor chest type fridges I have owned, one lasted 2.5 years, one lasted 3 years, and the longest one still only lasted 5 years.  The most expensive one, the Engel @ $699 was the one that only lasted 2.5 years.

I just can't justify the cost of these, AND the power they consume.  Now I had an old 3 way fridge, that I paid $50 for used, that lasted over 10 years.  I never ran it on shore power, but it was a power hog on 12v, and the propane was a pain in the butt, even though that was what I used once parked.

So I switched back to an ice chest with ice.  Absolutely no hassle, no power consumption, add ice once a week and forget about it.  It's not free, it still costs me $50-$60 a year in ice, but it is hassle free and worry free.  It won't break and spoil $100+ worth of food, and I don't need to worry whether or not I have enough power to run the thing, or whether it will drain my house power to where I don't have power for other things.

My friend has an old kerosene fridge/freezer that he salvaged out of a boat.  Gimbal mount, so the rig doesn't need to be level.  He's had it for many years, and it is hassle free.  Now if I could find one of those, I believe I'd switch, but until them, I'll stick with ice.

 

[Every Road Leads Home]

I don't know how my grandmother did it, but she sure knew how to make stuff last. She passed away in 2010 but man going through her house she had a $20 toaster oven that had to be 40 years old and was cleaner and better looking than my six month old one. 40 year old stove, dishwasher, refrigerator, all looked brand new. No dust on her mini blinds or ceiling fan blades. I inherited her 92 Buick Park Ave. Showroom condition with 34k on it. Ended up selling it because I had no use for it, but it was cool driving around a 20 year old car in that good a shape for a few months.

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

So I switched back to an ice chest with ice.  Absolutely no hassle, no power consumption, add ice once a week and forget about it.  It's not free, it still costs me $50-$60 a year in ice, but it is hassle free and worry free.  It won't break and spoil $100+ worth of food, and I don't need to worry whether or not I have enough power to run the thing, or whether it will drain my house power to where I don't have power for other things.

It's great that ice work for you.  I have never gotten more than 3-4 days with cubes and 5+ with block water ice (never tried dry ice) at temps above 70­°.  That is a problem when I stay out in the wilderness for 7 - 10 days at a time and the small towns around where I frequent don't carry block ice.

In addition having to keep meats and such under the ice to ensure it is kept cold enough was a major hassle, packaging things in waterproof containers, hauling the cooler out and draining when replenishing with ice, losing food if the ice melts too fast, repacking the cooler at every ice change, having to dig around in the melt water to find stuff added to the annoyance.  I lost a lot of food from spoilage (especially lunch meats) or waterlogged (soaked cheese, yuck) with an ice chest.  Haven't lost any food yet in my frig.

In the two years I have had the frig there are only a few times I have been concerned about my power level.  Then all I have to do is move to a sunny spot or run the truck for a while.

Plus, I can keep ice cream   

-- Spiff

 

[GotSmart]

So I switched back to an ice chest with ice.  Absolutely no hassle, no power consumption, add ice once a week and forget about it.  It's not free, it still costs me $50-$60 a year in ice, 

Where can you get ice for $1 a week?

 

[highdesertranger]

GotSmart he must be using that new math. Exactly Spiff I was having the same problem, I only wish I would have gotten the 12v refrigerator right off the bat. I wasted a lot of money on a dorm refer, RV refer, 12v coolers, dry ice, trying to super insulate my ice chests, etc, etc. none of these worked for my situation. I was trying to save a buck and it cost me hundreds. highdesertranger

 

[WheelEstate USA]

I've used ice chests of all descriptions and even added extra insulation...no way a dollar a week will keep food cold, especially getting into it daily and adding food.
Gotta call bull on that one.

 

[GotSmart]

I've used ice chests of all descriptions and even added extra insulation...no way a dollar a week will keep food cold, especially getting into it daily and adding food.
Gotta call bull on that one.

Perhaps living in mommy's basement you can make a bag of ice last a week.  :idea:

 

[29chico]

Spaceman Spiff Wrote:

So, we come full circle.  Why buy a cheaply made refrigerator that will last maybe 5-7 years when one can buy a well made 12 volt refrigerator that will last 30+ years?

-- Spiff

---

The problem I see with this is that of the three $500-$700 12v compressor chest type fridges I have owned, one lasted 2.5 years, one lasted 3 years, and the longest one still only lasted 5 years.  The most expensive one, the Engel @ $699 was the one that only lasted 2.5 years.

I just can't justify the cost of these, AND the power they consume.  Now I had an old 3 way fridge, that I paid $50 for used, that lasted over 10 years.  I never ran it on shore power, but it was a power hog on 12v, and the propane was a pain in the butt, even though that was what I used once parked.

So I switched back to an ice chest with ice.  Absolutely no hassle, no power consumption, add ice once a week and forget about it.  It's not free, it still costs me $50-$60 a year in ice, but it is hassle free and worry free.  It won't break and spoil $100+ worth of food, and I don't need to worry whether or not I have enough power to run the thing, or whether it will drain my house power to where I don't have power for other things.

My friend has an old kerosene fridge/freezer that he salvaged out of a boat.  Gimbal mount, so the rig doesn't need to be level.  He's had it for many years, and it is hassle free.  Now if I could find one of those, I believe I'd switch, but until them, I'll stick with ice.

---

Why didn't you fix the Engel fridge?  Parts are available and not off the chart pricing.  Modular plug in parts.  Even the cooling system itself is sold a a complete sealed system so no messing with refrigerant needed...

Please post pics of the van builds that you have done for the homeless.

 

[Sameer]

The ice for my Colman Extreme costs me for the initial 40 pounds of ice 8 bucks. Then adding two bags a week at 4 bucks...costs me a total of 20+ bucks a month. That is the cost of not having enough solar to run a refrigerator/freezer. But to me it is a operating expense that doesn't bother me. For me the Ice Chest works. Wallys Ice is 2 bucks for 10 pounds and usually it is a little higher everywhere else. Block Ice is even more expensive. I will use Block Ice when I find it at a reasonable price.

 

[29chico]

Spaceman Spiff Wrote:

So, we come full circle.  Why buy a cheaply made refrigerator that will last maybe 5-7 years when one can buy a well made 12 volt refrigerator that will last 30+ years?

-- Spiff

---

The problem I see with this is that of the three $500-$700 12v compressor chest type fridges I have owned, one lasted 2.5 years, one lasted 3 years, and the longest one still only lasted 5 years.  The most expensive one, the Engel @ $699 was the one that only lasted 2.5 years.

I just can't justify the cost of these, AND the power they consume.  Now I had an old 3 way fridge, that I paid $50 for used, that lasted over 10 years.  I never ran it on shore power, but it was a power hog on 12v, and the propane was a pain in the butt, even though that was what I used once parked.

So I switched back to an ice chest with ice.  Absolutely no hassle, no power consumption, add ice once a week and forget about it.  It's not free, it still costs me $50-$60 a year in ice, but it is hassle free and worry free.  It won't break and spoil $100+ worth of food, and I don't need to worry whether or not I have enough power to run the thing, or whether it will drain my house power to where I don't have power for other things.

My friend has an old kerosene fridge/freezer that he salvaged out of a boat.  Gimbal mount, so the rig doesn't need to be level.  He's had it for many years, and it is hassle free.  Now if I could find one of those, I believe I'd switch, but until them, I'll stick with ice.

---

Why didn't you fix the Engel fridge?  Parts are available and not off the chart pricing.  Modular plug in parts.  Even the cooling system itself is sold as a complete sealed system so no messing with refrigerant needed...

Please post pics of the van builds that you have done for the homeless.

 

[wagoneer]

I had a Waeco fridge with a Dometic sticker covering the old Waeco brand name it's been on solid for 4 years and I bought it used, but only driven on Sunday

 

[highdesertranger]

my first Engel is 6 years old, my second is 5 years old. they are both going strong. highdesertranger

 

[SternWake]

If you want a 12v fridge, pony up the money for what already exists and quit expecting others to make your life easier, cheaper and more convenient. This thread title reads like a 'what is wrong with the millennial generation" to me.

As far as a cooler vs fridge, NO way in heck will I willingly go back to block ice, emptying stinky cooler water every 5 days and food kept in the mid 50's unless it is in direct contact with contaminated water or ice. Put an IR temp gun in cooler with one piece of block ice in the corner, and you will find many areas are in the mid 50's.

A 12v compressor fridge and more than enough solar to run it indefinitely is the single biggest improvement to my lifestyle living in a van. Even when my Noisy Norcold failed at 5 years, that 3 weeks interim back into a cooler, convinced me the price tag of 12v compressor fridges is well well worth it. To me and even with that fridge failure, it saved me money in ice and the gas to go get it.

The cheapest block ice around here is $2.25.
Never again. To me that is a simple waste of resources, money, effort, and water.


Not having to go to the store, just for ice, just so my food does not spoil,....priceless. I can easily go 2 weeks between store runs, and easily longer if I carry more potable water.

 

[LeeRevell]

Harbor Freight is no different from any box store or online/mailorder store.  There's good stuff and bad stuff.  I have gotten both from all.  Even the Chinese CAN make good stuff IF the US vendor demands proper QC, and refuses low grade items.

 

[GotSmart]

After all China is the third country to put a person into space, a capacity that we don't have at the present. They are pretty much capable of building anything asked for.

Guy

It is too bad they are not up on keeping their environment clean.  

J. A. Pan Brand used to mean trash.  Now they produce quality.

Then Taiwan.  

Now major manufactures are moving there as they can get hard workers cheap, and they do not have to observe the clean air and water laws we have here. 

Where I grew up there are many stone bridges that are more than 100 years old.  All hand built by the Chinese.  

HF usually has the low bidder products that corners were cut on.  That is why I personally will seldom shop there. When I do go there it is for a specific product.

 

[Gary68]

it all depends on what your diet is,apples,carrots and potatoes will last a quit awhile without refrigeration.i'm thinking i would want a freezer more then a refrigerator, your results may vary,a proper ice box in canada will work better then one in texas

 

[highdesertranger]

yeah that's why I said close to snow. if you have snow you have an unlimited ice supply. highdesertranger

 

[debit.servus]

it all depends on what your diet is,apples,carrots and potatoes will last a quit awhile without refrigeration.i'm thinking i would want a freezer more then a refrigerator, your results may vary,a proper ice box in canada will work better then one in texas

yeah that's why I said close to snow.  if you have snow you have an unlimited ice supply.  highdesertranger

If it's cold enough for snow to be on the ground put the ice chest outside and save the effort and extra heating...