~50qt, Reliable, Full Ambient Temp. Range, Dual-Zone Fridge/Freezer?

[NateroniPizza]

Hello, all,

I'm starting a build shortly, and am in search of a fridge/freezer combination. Looking for a ~50qt (ideally less than ~16in wide at narrower dimension due to the intended storage location, but not completely critical), 12v, reliable, dual-zone refrigerator/freezer that is suitable for in-vehicle use year-round - ideally for under $1,000 (but can go over that if required). I'd initially thought this would be a simple thing to find, but it doesn't appear to be.

I'm ruling out the cheaper brands due to some reports of reliability issues, and not using a known-brand compressor like Danfoss/SECOP.

My first stop with looking into options is IceCo, as they use SECOP compressors and have some pretty great pricing (especially with the current sales). However, based on a number of reviews/reports I'm seeing online, while IceCo's single-zone refrigerators are solid, their dual-zone offerings are sometimes not. A number of reports of wildly different actual vs. displayed temperature (and not necessarily consistently-so, either, so you can't just calibrate it), as well as reports of a faulty valve causing the refrigeration side to stick on (causing it to freeze) with the freezer side approaching ambient (someone mentioned that IceCo support said this was just a "bad batch," but I'm seeing this complaint reported starting several years ago, and as recently as units purchased in the past year). Sounds like their support is good about replacing units if you can get through to them (I experienced a language barrier issue when trying to get information from them about one of their units), though I've seen reports of the same issues recurring on subsequent units.

I then moved on to Dometic - higher price must mean better, right? Unfortunately, while it sounds like they are reliable, according to their own datasheets they are unsuitable for in-vehicle use for much of the year (for the CFX3 line, at least - the CFX5 line opens up some more of the year, but doesn't allow for year-round use). I am referring to their spec'd suitable ambient temperatures here - 60f to 90f for CFX3, and 60f to 110f for CFX5. Cars get a lot hotter than 90f/110f pretty easily in the summer, but I'd imagine physics does not play nicely with refrigerators when things get hot (note that IceCo's advertised ambient temperature range for some models is 14f-131f). However, 60f minimum closes off a large portion of the year for those of us that continue to venture out when it gets colder. Will their refrigerators work under 60f? Probably can, but I've read reports of them having issues in the 40s, and I don't want to pay that much money for a product with that easy of a weapon for Dometic's support to use built right into their specs if it does have issues.

ARB doesn't offer a dual-zone refrigerator under 73qt, and Engel looks to offer only one combination model though it is a bit large (60 quarts, and pretty wide) and is pricey. SnoMaster's dual-zone offerings are pretty pricey and chonky as well (and no ambient ranges listed that I've been able to find).

National Luna is hella expensive, and I'm unable to find an advertised ambient temperature range. However, they've got some great size options for me, they advertise them as being suitable for high ambient temperatures (though I'm curious about low of ambient they are rated for), and the reviews of them indicate great quality. The price is my main issue at the moment - this is more around 2-3x what I'd hoped to spend on a refrigerator.

Any other thoughts/recommendations?

 

[NateroniPizza]

Hmm... No "edit" button. Wanted to add that part of me is thinking "screw it, I'll get 2 smaller single-zone IceCos and use one as a freezer and one as a refrigerator," but pretty sure that'd eat a lot more battery power.

 

[kbahus]

I have a Truma and a National Luna dual zone. The National Luna is in my camper, works ok but has difficulty with big temp splits between the two zones. Sips power though. The Truma I have yet to use as a dual zone. It’s big but seems built well, their hq is near me in Elkhart so they are kind of local. There is a reason the dual zones are all big, you lose a lot of internal space with the dividers.

 

[NateroniPizza]

I have a Truma and a National Luna dual zone. The National Luna is in my camper, works ok but has difficulty with big temp splits between the two zones. Sips power though. The Truma I have yet to use as a dual zone. It’s big but seems built well, their hq is near me in Elkhart so they are kind of local. There is a reason the dual zones are all big, you lose a lot of internal space with the dividers.

What does it struggle with? Does it have trouble getting the colder one to the lower temperature, or something else?

 

[kbahus]

If I remember right it just wouldn’t do it, I don’t remember the specifics but I do remember reading in the manual that was a problem. I wanted to keep some meat frozen solid, too much to ask I guess.

 

[vtl]

I have ARB Element 63 qt. Wanted a dual zone as well, to run one zone as a freezer, but could not find one a couple of years ago when was looking for options. Got an ARB and run it at around 33-34 F. Raw meat stays cool for at least a week, haven't had any food poisoning. Run it in Tundra's bed / under cap, off the secondary battery that is charged from the main via secondary battery controller (does not drain the main battery when engine is off). Good big deep cycle battery runs it for long time. May add a solar panel later.

 

[Hornd]

ARB (Nidec/Secop or Danfoss Compressor), Engel (Danfoss Compressor), or Dometic.

Add Solar (with Long Leads - Park Vehicle in Shade, Panels in Sun) and Solar Controller

Lithium Batteries are $$$. I run Lead Acid Deep Cycle Isolated from Primary Battery using BlueSea ACR - More Cost Effective & Reliable.

 

[Hornd]

Keep in Mind a Fridge gets Very Heavy when Loaded.
I wish mine was integrated into my Drawer Build Instead of On top.
Unsure what I will do when I'm 50 and have to Lift it Out. I'd Go Slider from Beginning and not on top of Drawers. Also Compressors do not like being Tipped.

Conservation of Energy = Amount of Cold Put into Fridge = Heat added to Inside of Vehicle - Plan Accordingly.

I chill everything before Adding and Run Fridge night before Departure on 110V.

Mine is 45 Qts and uses 45W when Running on 12V.

 

[peesalot]

For that size dual zone you will need 200watts of solar and 2 batts or 1 really good one & sun to be able to run standalone ( no vehicle running ) indefinitely.
You could probably throw in some Starlink time & led's at night & still recover full voltage fairly quickly in the morning, given good sun. I have found that my Lensun panel produces in suprisingly low sun conditions & into the dusk hours, quite pleased.

 

[spazzyfry123]

I'm convinced the IceCo and Ironman fridges are effectively one in the same. I have had Ironman's 65L dual zone for years without any hiccups. That's larger than you're after, but they do also have a 45L variant.

I'm just a single statistical data point, so take it for what it's worth, but I've had an excellent experience with mine and their customer service is top notch (shipper had some hiccups, and Ironman stepped up to support no questions asked and immediately). Who knows how many dozens (hundreds?) of hours mine has ran without issue.