I've been looking at these for some time. It looks like the two big players are Norcold and Engle/ARB. The both seem to be competitively priced. Has anyone had experance with either. Thanks.
12v freezer/fridge
- Thread starter LCOwner
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check the outfitting section, there is loads of talk about fridges over there. I really want to get one of these bad boys one day. I think the overall opinion is to run the 45 quart for a compromise between space and capacity.
Im thinking about one too. Do you have to worry about battery drain? And how long can you leave it plugged into a vehicle without having to start the rig for a charge?
Both Norcold and Engle/ARB uses the Sawafuji Swing Motor/compressor. While the swing compressor was orginally conceived to be a simple and rugged design to work in a mobile environment, the rotary compressor design from Danfoss has since been proven in the mobile environment. Portable fridge tests in Australia have consistantly shown fridges with Danfoss compressor cools better and draws less current than a comparable swing compressor fridge.
I used to have an ARB fridge. Now I run two Danfoss fridges - a smaller one for around town. For longer trips, I use the larger fridge as a freezer. Both of my Danfoss compressor fridge cools down faster, draws less current than my old ARB. It also has a "turbo" mode not available in the ARB, which allows the contents to cool down in a hurry.
I can run both of my fridges on a hot day for an entire day without draining down my single Optima group 34 battery. I've ran a single fridge for three days before my PriorityStart! kicked in and disconnected the accessories outlets. The PriorityStart! was designed to disconnect the circuit when the battery reached ~60% capacity.
While you cannot go wrong with either type of fridge, the ARB/Engel, IMHO, are more rugged and are better suited for those who travel off the civilzed path for extended period of time. For the mall cruisers and sometimes weekend warriors, the Danfoss compressor fridge fits perfectly in this environment.
I used to have an ARB fridge. Now I run two Danfoss fridges - a smaller one for around town. For longer trips, I use the larger fridge as a freezer. Both of my Danfoss compressor fridge cools down faster, draws less current than my old ARB. It also has a "turbo" mode not available in the ARB, which allows the contents to cool down in a hurry.
I can run both of my fridges on a hot day for an entire day without draining down my single Optima group 34 battery. I've ran a single fridge for three days before my PriorityStart! kicked in and disconnected the accessories outlets. The PriorityStart! was designed to disconnect the circuit when the battery reached ~60% capacity.
While you cannot go wrong with either type of fridge, the ARB/Engel, IMHO, are more rugged and are better suited for those who travel off the civilzed path for extended period of time. For the mall cruisers and sometimes weekend warriors, the Danfoss compressor fridge fits perfectly in this environment.
Paul May with Equipt is working on bringing in some National Luna fridges. From what he's told me about them, they look pretty cool. No idea on pricing. He's got their dual battery system in his 100, I was pretty impressed, cost was under $300.
http://www.nationalluna.com/refrigeration.html
http://www.nationalluna.com/refrigeration.html
I've been running a couple Coleman Stirling coolers I bought from CostCo.com. I've had them for a couple years and they have been great. It freezes rock solid. I've left it running in th cruiser for a couple days and it started right up. The cooler is based on a Stirling engine and is very efficient.
http://www.coleman.com/coleman/colemancom/detail.asp?product_id=5726-750
You can find them on eBay and other online sellers for $200 or more below Coleman's list.
I run one as a freezer and the other as a fridge.
http://www.coleman.com/coleman/colemancom/detail.asp?product_id=5726-750
You can find them on eBay and other online sellers for $200 or more below Coleman's list.
I run one as a freezer and the other as a fridge.
I believe the Coleman Stirling Fridge/Freezer uses the Danfoss compressor. It's a great unit, and it's only 27 quarts so it's even smaller than the smallest ARB fridge.
Cruiserdrew
On the way there
The ARB/Engel/Norcolds are well proven and draw little power for what they do. Without running the truck, 2-3 days is about what you get from a battery. Last year at Rubithon I got to the Springs on Thursday late morning and drove out Sunday morning. The fridge ran the whole time and the truck started right up.