Best plug in cooler??? What your take?

[IdahoDoug]

I'm getting ready to turn a van into an expedition offroad camper. After doing some research, I think I'm going to keep it simple and use ice and one of the newer more efficient coolers rather than deal with wiring/ 2nd battery, etc. After thinking about it, I had to admit to myself that there would be few times I'd be out in the woods more than a couple days without an opportunity to buy ice. So it will be a biggish cooler hard mounted with added insulation around it for me.

Dougm

 

[Jomama]

I know the ARB/Engle freezers are pricey and it seems like a lot for something that only gets used on camping/wheeling trips... But mine has been running for 2 years now nowstop as a beer fridge near my computer... So if you can find a place to use it inside, its well worth it. If I ever have too much salmon for my freezer, the Engle could do double duty and keep the overflow frozen till I have room in the main kitchen fridge... I've yet to try it yet, but I'm pretty sure I could fast freeze fish fillets right at the river too...

 

[jkl72-40]

good info to know any others??

 

[fj40charles]

I know the ARB/Engle freezers are pricey and it seems like a lot for something that only gets used on camping/wheeling trips... But mine has been running for 2 years now nowstop as a beer fridge near my computer... So if you can find a place to use it inside, its well worth it. If I ever have too much salmon for my freezer, the Engle could do double duty and keep the overflow frozen till I have room in the main kitchen fridge... I've yet to try it yet, but I'm pretty sure I could fast freeze fish fillets right at the river too...

My ARB refrigerator/freezer gets used on wheeling trips only. I would consider this option over any other out there. The only negative I can think about is the perceived initial high cost. Once you own and use it, you'll realize that it was not expensive.

 

[97 FZJ80]

All the new fridges are about the same, using the highly efficient rotary compressor. The older Engel/ARB uses the swing compressor, which is more capable in extreme environments (low voltage, high fridge operating angle etc), but is not as efficient. Here is a quick read on the rotary compressor
Bushman 12 Volt Portable Fridge Freezer for 4WD and Campling

Almost all the new models have digital temperature control.

For the sub $1000 models, there are a few as follows:

Waeco fridges are plastic and lighter, and take a beating without looking all dent up.

ARB/Engel have metal bodies. They are more durable but can be suseptible to rust and dents.

The EdgeStar is a new line of fridge that is very similar to the ARB/Engel design but at lower price.

Bushman is another line with metal bodies but also has high lid and extension to quickly change the capacity from 35l to 52l. It used to be sold in the US, but now available only in Australia.

Coleman also had a compressor fridge (34l IIRC) a while back. It is no longer available.

I had a few different fridges (and thermoelectric coolers), but now settle to a portable Waeco that I use around town. When I get my cruiser built out for full time offroad, I'll get another large (50+ L) Waeco or EdgeStar for it.

 

[Southeast Overland]

I just used my Edgestar for a day at 0 deg F to keep some ice cream frozen during an event at my wife's store. Worked great.

 

[NorCalDoug]

I'm getting ready to turn a van into an expedition offroad camper. After doing some research, I think I'm going to keep it simple and use ice and one of the newer more efficient coolers rather than deal with wiring/ 2nd battery, etc. After thinking about it, I had to admit to myself that there would be few times I'd be out in the woods more than a couple days without an opportunity to buy ice. So it will be a biggish cooler hard mounted with added insulation around it for me.

Dougm

honestly, if you run the vehicle daily, there's no need for a 2nd battery if you're running an ARB/Norcold/Engel fridge. Wiring for the 12v to where the fridge will live is barely a 2-hour job. There's nothing like having a nice cold drink and non-soggy food when you're out in the woods.

IMO, the coolers, no matter how efficient will draw much more juice than an ARB/Norcol/Engel fridge.

just my $0.02...

 

[gotmud]

I've had a Coleman Thermoelectric cooler for a few years now, and will admit it has paid for iteslf several times over. However, like others have mentioned, it will only keep cold things cold. I usually put a small piece of dry ice in it if I'm gone for a couple of days. Even still, hamburgers will thaw by day two. IMO, ice chests are great for pop and bottled water.

So after a few months of research, I finally decided to buy one of these:

I like the idea of being to keep certain foods frozen, and others refridgerated.

 

[prado t]

I have a WAECO CF 110. 110 liter fridge freezer. I use for 5days to a MONTH steady when on OFF ROAD EXPEDITIONS It is quite efficient in 30c or 100F ambient heat. It can be powered 110V-AC , 12V DC or 24V DC. It has the DANFOSS compressor in it. It is big but then exploring remote parts of Canada theres not to many places to get food or ice so it works great for me.
I picked it up on Vancouver craigslist for 350bucks it was used by the P.O. for 8 days on 110 at home. So it was like new. Big and heavy and works awesome. IT can freeze water in like 25 minutes. These unites love 24v

 

[gotmud]

I wanted a much larger cooler like the Waeco 110. However, with 4 kids and other gear to stow in my 80, I had to keep things realistic.

 

[spressomon]

Just an FYI comparison of the outside dimensions of the ARB 50qt and the Waeco 80L fridge/freezers:

ARB 50qt: H 20" x W 27.76" x D 14.96"
Waeco 80L: H 17.91" x W 31.1" x D 17.91"

 

[NorCalDoug]

Just an FYI comparison of the outside dimensions of the ARB 50qt and the Waeco 80L fridge/freezers:

ARB 50qt: H 20" x W 27.76" x D 14.96"
Waeco 80L: H 17.91" x W 31.1" x D 17.91"

quarts vs liters? dude...that's just too much math for me to handle...

one's bigger than the other, no?

 

[yohavos]

Just ordered the EdgeStar from CompactAppliance.com - 466 bucks, free shipping!

I also googled coupon codes while checking out and found this:

HAPPYPAPPY

Use this when checking out and you'll get a free folding BBQ with the order - $50 value.

 

[jkl72-40]

kewl, good deal!!

 

[REKCUT]

I have had the arb for a year now and love it. It may seem like a lot of money before you buy it, but now that I own one I have never once though it spent to much on it. No need for ice anymore. You have to learn to pack different. I dont put all the drinks in it. Just 6 or so and replace with warm ones as I use them. I keep it at 29 deg and the drinks at the front are ice cold and the back upper compartment stays refrigerator cold. Spent a week in colorado without a problem. Has a sensor that will slowly shut down if your battery gets to low. I have gone several days without starting truck and no problem.

My wife also uses it for kids activities to keep cold drinks and she uses it to grocery shop. Will stop on on work breaks to get milk and other cold items that will stay in the car until she goes home.

There is also the size difference to consider. When your cooler is full of ice you lose lots of room. I would have needed at least 2 large coolers for a week camping and now its just one midsize arb fridge.

I think there are several high end models that work, but you have to realize that this is a completely different world from using coolers and Ice. There is a reason that we have refrigerator in our houses and not ice coolers.

 

[REKCUT]

Also consider home usage. Had my arb on the back porch yesterday for fathers day party. Cold drinks and no need for ice.

 

[Skrewball]

i recently purchased the arb fridge(plastic) and used it for the july 4th weekend. i am new to the portable fridge world and it is different than using ice.

I love the fridge and would suggest one to anyone. the spacing is perfect in the bottom for common items. We were able to fit all of the food we needed and then some for 3 days of camping.

i have dual batteries in the 80 and run the fridge off of the aux. The fridge only dropped the battery half a volt in a 12 hour period(fridge @33, ambient @85)

The fridge pulls about 3.5-4 amps while running the compressor, and about .5-.75 amps while it maintains the temperature(compressor not running)

don't want to hijack the thread, but why wouldn't you want dual batteries in a vehicle that is outdoors away from everything? it is not complicated or expensive and it will save your arss when you need it.

anywho......love the fridge!

 

[Ebag333]

don't want to hijack the thread, but why wouldn't you want dual batteries in a vehicle that is outdoors away from everything? it is not complicated or expensive and it will save your arss when you need it.

I'd love dual batteries. But if I were to setup with dual batteries it'd set me back about $450. ($250 for the battery, $200 for the parts to do the dual battery setup, IIRC.)

I dunno about you, but I wouldn't consider nearly $500 "not expensive."

 

[firetruck41]

I'd love dual batteries. But if I were to setup with dual batteries it'd set me back about $450. ($250 for the battery, $200 for the parts to do the dual battery setup, IIRC.)

I dunno about you, but I wouldn't consider nearly $500 "not expensive."

Well you gotta admit, one could get by with a lot cheaper battery, to run a fridge.

 

[Ebag333]

Well you gotta admit, one could get by with a lot cheaper battery, to run a fridge.

True, I do have the largest battery that (just barely) fits. But even with a relatively cheap battery you're only dropping the cost down by, what, $100?

Even say it was only $300 for a second battery and dual charging system (which would either be the worlds best deal or a complete waste of time). $300 buys you a loooooooooot of propane. And I personally still wouldn't consider $300 "cheap."

Don't get me wrong, I'd love an Engel, ARB, etc fridge. But when you can find a 3-way for the same or less than the compressor fridge (similar price new, far cheaper used), and the "setup" for it is a propane tank you likely carry with you anyway, the total cost is vastly lower than that of a compressor fridge (especially used). It's not really fair to compare the two as they're apples and oranges, but its hard to beat the cheapness and simplicity of a 3-way.

IIRC someone said they pulled a 3-way out of a Toyota Dolphin (or whatever the camper was) from a pick-and-pull for $25. Now that is cheap.