In-car refrigerators... Guidance needed

[anthrax323]

I've been doing some research for a ~35 to 45 quart refrigerator/freezer for my car (for hunting, road trips, and so on... it'd be nice to not depend on the availability of ice), but seem to be having problems locating reasonably-priced options that would fit the bill. Thus far, I've looked into the following manufacturers:

• Engel
• Norcool
• WAECO

All of these are seemingly the best options, however, they're outside of my price range ($800+ pretty much across the board). Is there any hope of finding a true portable refrigerator that can reach freezing temperatures without breaking the bank? If not, then I'll just start saving and pony up for one eventually. From what I've read, most cheap options can barely even drop the temperature a few degrees below ambient.

Let me know your thoughts. Thanks!

 

[casm]

Avoid Vector. We've got one of their larger Subaru-branded units in the Outback, and about the best thing I can say for it is that it doesn't let stuff get completely warm. I don't have the model number to hand, but may be able to dig it up later. FWIW, this seems to be a common theme with their fridges.

 

[anthrax323]

Thanks for the tip buddy. Looks like it's a thermoelectric fridge, which is what I've always suspected the cheap units are (I used to do a lot of overclocking and water cooling, so I've owned and destroyed my fair share of Peltiers/thermoelectric cooling devices/"heat pumps"). In the scope of a fridge/freezer, I think I do want a proper phase-change system to ensure not only efficiency and efficacy, but a longer life.

I'm getting the feeling that true refrigerators (phase-change systems) are all going to be in the $800+ range, huh?

 

[anthrax323]

Looks like this is a more reasonable alternative at $420:

http://www.amazon.com/43-Portable-Compact-Refrigerator-Freezer/dp/B0012EGZ9S/ref=pd_sbs_auto_4

Still expensive, but it's a true refrigerator.

 

[WebDog]

I have heard good things about the edge star

 

[SleeperXJ]

Engle MT35 has worked well for me.
It isn't too small and will definitly freeze
contents. I'd prefer a dual zone setup.

 

[casm]

Avoid Vector.

Looks like I was wrong, at least on the brand of cooler I was referring to: despite having Vector set in my mind as the brand, the one we have is actually an Igloo Koolmate 40. Wouldn't surprise me if both Igloo and Vector were buying the thermoelectric bits in from the same manufacturer, though.

Oddly enough, most people who have one seem to be reasonably happy with it. Maybe we just got a duff unit, but given that it was a compensatory freebie for a dealer screwup at delivery, I really don't have much room to complain. Either way, its performance is underwhelming at best in my book.

 

[Cottontail]

Here is something I have considered for camping at campsites...

...what about buying a $50 dorm fridge off of craigslist and plugging it in at the campground when you arrive? You could put a hook and lock on it to keep it closed during the day, then have cold meat and beer when you get back...

 

[Explorer 1]

My Engle (I think model 45) has worked great for several years. As for freezing, I can easily make ice in the desert in the summer time. It is built to take all the bouncing and bumps that happen while off-roading.

Thanks,
Fred

 

[OverlandZJ]

The Edgestar fridge/freezers have a decent reputation.

Keep an eye on Craigslist.. i'm always reading about guys buying an older Norcold unit in excellent working condition for chump change. I missed one locally a few years ago for $50 missing the interior basket. Coastal community's are a good source for used ones.. when people get out of boating.

I ended up buying an Engel MT45.. nice size and a great product.

ARB's are manufactured by Engel as well.

 

[anthrax323]

Thanks for all the input guys. A friend of mine also has an Engel and has loved it. Going on 4 years with it now... I just wish I had the scratch to throw at it without hesitation.

Here is something I have considered for camping at campsites...

...what about buying a $50 dorm fridge off of craigslist and plugging it in at the campground when you arrive? You could put a hook and lock on it to keep it closed during the day, then have cold meat and beer when you get back...

This is definitely something I've considered, but can't really go that route until I build a trailer (and at that point, I'd likely just build one into the trailer). The XJ doesn't have a huge amount of storage space, after all.

Ultimately, though, I would like a car-specific fridge for multiple reasons:

• Road trips - having a constant supply of cold beverages and non-water logged sandwiches and snacks would be clutch.
• Hunting season (in TX due to more lax laws than NC) - after field dressing and processing a carcass, it'd be nice to immediately get the meat into a reliable fridge/freezer (likely fridge, as I prefer to age venison for roughly 2 weeks in the fridge before moving it to a chest freezer), as I don't always hunt at properties with meat lockers.
• Tailgating and camping - constant cold brews.

All things considered, the EdgeStar seems to be a great compromise between features and price (as it is a true fridge/freezer). One thing it seems to be missing, though, is an auto-shutoff if the power source voltage drops too low. I'm wondering whether or not this feature alone is worth a couple hundred extra dollars.

 

[anthrax323]

The Edgestar fridge/freezers have a decent reputation.

Keep an eye on Craigslist.. i'm always reading about guys buying an older Norcold unit in excellent working condition for chump change. I missed one locally a few years ago for $50 missing the interior basket. Coastal community's are a good source for used ones.. when people get out of boating.

I ended up buying an Engel MT45.. nice size and a great product.

ARB's are manufactured by Engel as well.

I've been watching, but have had no luck as of yet... Dammit.

 

[macgyvr]

Here is something I have considered for camping at campsites...

...what about buying a $50 dorm fridge off of craigslist and plugging it in at the campground when you arrive? You could put a hook and lock on it to keep it closed during the day, then have cold meat and beer when you get back...

This is what I did with my truck camper when the 3way fridge went out. I usually run a day or two before the trip. If the trip is only a few hour I put the stuff in it to stay cold and it will hold until I get to the campground and can plug it back it. You can also help it by freezing somethings as well.

mac 'cheep cold' gyvr

 

[92xjunk]

What about one of the dorm room fridges and running it off of a good power inverter?

 

[macgyvr]

What about one of the dorm room fridges and running it off of a good power inverter?

not sure on the power that the fridge pulls but it would probably have to be a good size power inverter...otherwise it would work...

mac 'i'll have to look at mine' gyvr

 

[joe_peters]

not sure on the power that the fridge pulls but it would probably have to be a good size power inverter...otherwise it would work...

mac 'i'll have to look at mine' gyvr

You are going to need an inverter that can handle the initial draw each time that refrigeration unit kicks in--that draw will be much higher than the normal draw.

Anybody know much about the gas/electric RV types?

 

[tommyr]

The gas/electric RV types are great on propane. the flame is no bigger than a match head, and it keeps stuff COLD. On the 12V electric, meh, not so good at all. On 120, they're ok, but the propane is hard to beat.

 

[anthrax323]

Thanks for all the input guys... I ultimately picked up an MT35 while I was on medical leave in San Antonio, and it really proved to be a champ on the drive back to North Carolina. Even in serious ambient temps (120+ degrees in some cases), it held its temperature quite well, even though it did run nearly constantly in those times.

I'll take pictures in the next few days and throw them up here... First I want to build the brackets I need to hold the thing down though.

Question for those who own Engels - how frequently does your compressor cycle when it's set to 2 running on AC power in an air conditioned house? This thing seems to cycle on for 2 minutes, then off for 5, and so on. It doesn't have much in it right now, so I'm guessing that could affect the situation.

 

[OverlandZJ]

New or used? Are you using a thermometer inside and noting the temp?

Mine didnt cycle nearly that often while empty and holding 20*... i want to say on 3.

I havent used it in the last year so i dont have DC input, but i will be in a few weeks.

 

[anthrax323]

Brand spankin' new.

Unfortunately, no thermometer right now. I've been meaning to buy one anyway, so I might go grab a wireless one to monitor the interior temps on future trips (and to check its thermal stability in the mean time).

It has already suffered slight abuse, and I've had it less than a week... In my previous post, I mentioned brackets to hold it down for good reason. Following a friend the day I got it, I opted to catch a yellow light rather than slow down (stupid) and managed to get the entire Jeep airborne (very stupid). This resulted in the fridge going even higher off the cargo floor and slamming down (I suck). Not sure how high off the ground the Jeep got (and frankly don't care), but I saw the fridge levitate about 6".

All things considered, I don't think that was an unreasonable drop for this unit so I'd hope that didn't damage it.