Fridge survey.

[151fab]

There's a thread going over on expo-portal about those inexpensive fridge/freezers called EdgeStars sold a HomeDepot (I think) and on CompactAppliance.com. All great reviews. In fact it seams that so many people started buying them that it drove the price up, but still a great deal at $450 for the 43q, $550 for the 63q, & $650 for the 83q. The expo thread has tips on how to save $50 or so on that price too.

Twelve Volt Portable Compact Travel Refrigerator Freezers By EdgeStar And Engel On Sale Now

 

[roscoFJ73]

I have a 55watt panel mounted on my Land Cruiser and it keeps up well on a Norcold-60 or Waeco CF-50. Today along with keeping my frig going all day at the river I also ran the blender for some frozen Margaritas for me and my friends all off a stock battery and a 55 watt panel. Never started the Land Cruiser until I left. My battery voltage read 12.28volts when we left.

Its ok for a day or so but there is nothing like having a guaranteed full cranking battery isolated from the fridge battery.

Another 55 watt would make you independant forever.

Edited Thought I was responding to another post

 

[roscoFJ73]

Hope these help you over the edge ..





[]

Thanks,got any close up mounting points?
Do the mounting points have to be at the ends or can it be mounted at the 1/4 and 3/4 length position?

 

[CharlieS]

Picked up an Edgestar 43 quart from compact appliance. Overall has been awesome. Even my wife is a fan (she basically thought it was a stupid purchase when I got it) after a couple of road trips, camping and beach trips. Nothing quite like pulling out ice cold drinks on a hot day.

Has a fast freeze mode, low voltage shutoff (10.5v), two removable racks, electronic temp controls.

Only complaint is that the low voltage shutoff stopped working in under a month and a half...disappointing. Everything else still works great though. Waiting to see how the warranty works out.

 

[VTCDN]

Only complaint is that the low voltage shutoff stopped working in under a month and a half...disappointing. Everything else still works great though. Waiting to see how the warranty works out.

keep us posted and up to date on the warranty info plz.
VT

 

[Enigma]

47litre ARB (the new plastic model).

 

[esh]

I have a Waeco CF-40, wouldn't trade it for the world. Have been doing some single battery testing before hooking up the duals. So far it has lasted 2 days continuous running at the point that it keeps the bottom half of the fridge frozen. No detrimental effects on the Blue Top Optima I have for a mains at the moment (Sears Plat is sitting in the bay ready for the controller).

I'm going to Colorado for 3 weeks and plan to test out 3 days. After 2 days the voltage meter read 12.4V.

Considering ARB *just* started using the DanFoss compressor design that Waeco(/Dometic) have run for many years, and that a Dometic CF-50 can be had new for $600 (and the transit/insulating bag can be had for $50 new), I don't see why a person would spend $750 on an ARB fridge and another $150 on a bag, other than it has a big ARB sticker on it. I'll take the difference in gas money or drinks.

The Edgestar looks like a pretty good setup, but time will tell. Hopefully it will deflate "premium brand" prices more.

 

[Enigma]

Considering ARB *just* started using the DanFoss compressor design that Waeco(/Dometic) have run for many years, and that a Dometic CF-50 can be had new for $600 (and the transit/insulating bag can be had for $50 new), I don't see why a person would spend $750 on an ARB fridge and another $150 on a bag, other than it has a big ARB sticker on it. I'll take the difference in gas money or drinks.

I won mine, it was the grand prize at Cruiser Days 2009

 

[VTCDN]

Enigma is lucky !!

Edgestar 43 quart, for 495.00 free shipping.

I do like the top comes off, But then again ..

Waiting to see how the warranty is handled.. that is one large thing.
I find so much is made throw-away/ pay more for plastic.

VT

 

[dlbrunner]

I just picked up the "new" ARB model. I think the body is metal, I'll check when I get home.

Have not used it yet. I need to put a 12v plug in the back of my 4runner first.

It is pretty much a very expensive beer cooler next to the couch right now......

 

[Niner]

I have had my edgestar 43 qt for 18 months love it. I made my own slide so it functions in MY FJ Cruiser with my home made drawer system (simple but effective) the low voltage shut off has always allowed me to start the truck to keep moving. I do have two batteries but they are just paralleled no isolator (bad luck with those) works great for me.



Extended



Retracted



Close up

 

[Niner]

here are some early pics of my drawer system I just used the plastic under bed rubber maid containers for the drawers. I have since painted it black and mounted into the FJ and mounted the drawer tracks to the unit.



slots for the uprights



assembled unit hard to see the top folds out to make the floor level for sleeping

 

[B-RAD]

I have had the new ARB 50 qt model for about a month. I took it on a 3,000 mile road trip on a single battery, driving daily and it worked well. After that trip I had a second battery with an isolater installed and modified the rear plug for a continual draw of power to whatever is plugged in. After 3 days in the Flat Top Wilderness area of CO last weekend with this new set up, I am thoroughly happy with the performance of the fridge and dual battery set up I now have. My buddies had cooler envy...

 

[greentruck]

I have a box/drawer/slider system roughed in in the back of our 80. We recently bought a 43-quart Edgestar and is accommodated by an open, wooden drawer on the left side at back.

With the fridge drawer locked all the way back on the tailgate, a panel fills the open area, allowing a fairly spacious cabin that sleeps two, once it's finished. Gotta make up a longer DC power cord. When the drawer is all the back, it's too far from the rear socket to reach the fridge

When it's locked forward, there's plenty of room for air circulation, per the owner's manual. I want to make something for a travel wrap to further quieten it and make it more efficient. Or maybe they'll start marketing a cover for this fridge. Either way, I'm good, it's awesome, and my wife will be really happy with it if I don't freeze the green onions again on the way home from the store

Edit: BTW, I can't claim to be the originator of reusing the fridge slide area for extended bunk space. Saw it in a photo of someone else's drawer unit, here or over at Expo.

One neat thing about it is there is actually a big enough area without the floor panel in place to serve as a small seating area. See the middle pic. I'm kind of tall, so was glad when I discovered this happenchance amenity of the design.

 

[esh]

I am on draft v2 of my storage and sleeping platform. Went for a simpler approach and put the fridge behind the Tuffy center console. Built the deck to the height needed to get into the fridge (via a hinged flap in the sleeping floor). Still designing improvements but the basic functionality works, with massive gains in maximizing storage space.

The 2x4s will be gone for a more efficient volume:strength design. I ran out of time before a trip.

Overall, it isn't as accessible as pulling a slide out, BUT it also isn't in the way of anything (which won me over).

you can see the cutout for the access flap in the front/center floor-

More pics on my build thread.

 

[TemboTusk]

.
Hey Greentruck,

Nice looking storage system. Good Job!

One recommendation I can offer, is to not use duel locking tracks on each drawer. You will find in practice that it will be a pain in the butt to open or close the drawer or fridge slide. You will wish you had a third arm sometimes!! I made this mistake on one of my early slides.

One Accuride slide track is plenty strong enough to hold the drawer open or closed.

.

 

[greentruck]

.
Hey Greentruck,

Nice looking storage system. Good Job!

One recommendation I can offer, is to not use duel locking tracks on each drawer. You will find in practice that it will be a pain in the butt to open or close the drawer or fridge slide. You will wish you had a third arm sometimes!! I made this mistake on one of my early slides.

One Accuride slide track is plenty strong enough to hold the drawer open or closed.

.

That's a good point about only needing the lock on one side. I thought about it when buying. However, I thought that having locks on both sides should help minimize any chattering from the slides from vibration.

The fridge drawer's configuration works well so I can get it unlocked and pulled. I'm still not quite sure if I'm done with the right drawer. I have the room and may install handles low on each side of the drawer front so I can push the locks and pull there more easily.

 

[equipt2]

I've had the older Engel 45, Waeco 50L and now am running the National Luna 50L Split with separate freezer and it is the bomb! Nothing like camping on Baja for 90 days and making your own ice daily while have a separate 40L compartment for fridge stuff. The Engel and Waeco were much cheaper, but when it comes to major efficiency the National Luna's are KING!!! Although there is a significant cost difference.

 

[lostworldexpedition]

I have an Engel 45 and I am very happy with it. It runs from a group 31 deep cycle battery and the battery will safely power the fridge for 2 days (reads 12.3v). I have a 90 Watt solar panel and if the sun is decent for a few hours a day the battery voltage does not drop. I am in the middle of rainy season in southern Central America and it has been a bit of an issue...
This photo is from when I was building the back storage.

Main complain with the Engel is the lack of a proper thermostat. The fridge has a wheel with numbers and lowest setting is "Freeze." It works out great most of the time, but keeping stuff at the temp you want would be much better and safer.

I disagree with Equipt2, the energy consumption between these refrigerators is not "major." In fact I believe the running consumption of the National Luna and the Engel is 1.75 amp/hr. IMHO if you have deep pockets (deep), there is no question that National Luna is the best there is (and runs a thermostat). They have a sweet stainless steel model. I would definitely have one

For the money I think Waeco may be the best choice.

 

[TemboTusk]

.

I have an Engel 35; I love it, although given a choice, today I would buy a fridge with a thermostat. It takes a lot of adjustments to get the Engel to just the right temperature.

.