- Thread starter
- #21
I thought about that, but then would lose a lot of storage
National Luna vs ARB Fridge in a 200 question
- Thread starter Romer
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I thought about that, but then would lose a lot of storage
I know it's not cheap, but what about a drop slide?
Drop Slide
Drop Slide
- Thread starter
- #23
Certainly an option. I ordered the red hinges and they were cheap and I will see how that goes. It works fine now except I had to take the baskets out. If the hinges are easy to take the lid off then I'll put the baskets back in which help organizing stuff. If not, I will just use it as it is now
To be clear on the baskets. They are stacked for storage so you would take out the top basket to get to the stuff in the bottom basket. If all I would be using are the top baskets, then the current setup works. To have full access I took out the top baskets and looking to see if these red hinges are easy to use and if so I will put the top baskets back in
- Thread starter
- #25
The red hinges did the trick. Swapped them out and the lid easily pulls off like in the diagram. I put the baskets back in and no worries about access
Definitely worth getting the hinges if access prevents you from fully opening the lid to 90 degrees
Probably the easiest mod I have done
Definitely worth getting the hinges if access prevents you from fully opening the lid to 90 degrees
Probably the easiest mod I have done
Hi @Romer I'm doing some fridge/freezer shopping! Can you confirm the 60L National Luna unit you purchased is the Legacy (new design), and not the Classic (old design).
I'm interested in the Legacy, but it does not appear to expect availability until Summer - wondering if the improvements are worth the wait or I should just got with the older model.
@Equipt do you have any thoughts on that subject? Is Legacy that much better than Classi?
I'm interested in the Legacy, but it does not appear to expect availability until Summer - wondering if the improvements are worth the wait or I should just got with the older model.
@Equipt do you have any thoughts on that subject? Is Legacy that much better than Classi?
Hi @stevenjj71,
You are correct on the time frame. Long story short, NL had a fire in November that impacted fridge availability and we have not been able to get our next container out of SA due to the corona situation. We're hoping, the container leaves next week and that puts us around 8 weeks from arrival in Long Beach. No one can really commit to a timeframe right now so best we estimate is going to be mid to late July. Fingers crossed.
As far as Legacy vs. Classic goes, there were a few key updates made to the new Legacy models. First and foremost, National Luna stepped away from the classic Danfos compressor they used for many years. The new compressor is more efficient (+/- 10%), more durable and vibration resistant for off road use and by sourcing their own compressor, they've been able to drop the cost on the fridges by around a 1/3rd. In addition to the changes above, the new compressor's warranty has been extended to 8 years on the compressor specifically, and the fridge itself has a 3 year warranty.
The other major change from Classic to Legacy series was the insulation material injected into the fridge walls. The material was updated to offer a higher R-value (longer temperature retention).
Overall, these changes mean a fridge that will get its contents to your desired temperature faster and a fridge that will retain that temperature longer. This means the compressor runs less frequently, meaning less draw on your battery system.
The footprint/dimensions of the new Legacy models have not changed from the Classic series so fridge slides and interior build outs should not be impacted if/when someone transitions to the new models.
One of the deeper dives into the new model fridges can be found HERE.
As always, feel free to reach out with any questions.
Morgan Griffith
Customer Experience Lead
#BuiltBetter
Thanks for the kind words, really means a lot to us!
- Thread starter
- #32
Both are great fridges
I did sell my ARB to get the National Luna though based on my preferences. I had that ARB for 6 years and never had an issue with it
I wanted the National Luna because it had two compartments and the new Legacy does seem to cool down faster. That and the insulation keeping it cold longer should (have no data) use less battery power.
I also liked the baskets. Reaching deep into the ARB even when you have a few little things can be a pain on top of Drawers
But again, both are great fridges.
I did sell my ARB to get the National Luna though based on my preferences. I had that ARB for 6 years and never had an issue with it
I wanted the National Luna because it had two compartments and the new Legacy does seem to cool down faster. That and the insulation keeping it cold longer should (have no data) use less battery power.
I also liked the baskets. Reaching deep into the ARB even when you have a few little things can be a pain on top of Drawers
But again, both are great fridges.
@Markuson I have the same ARB drawers, and am considering the 60L NL - may I ask what your mounting system is where you have the fridge behind the passenger seat? That looks like a good spot for it..but I'm not sure how it would mount.A little bit of a diversion from your basic question....but just some thoughts on the NL60 Twin.
-Also a little different approach to fridge placement.
I keep my National Luna 60L Twin in row 2....so I don’t have the same lid height Q as you...but... The NK 60 Twin is absolutely awesome. Having separate thermostat controls for each side is extremely effective.
It’s what allows me to offer ice cream on the trail...and chocolate milk at the same time.
By the way... you can swap in hinges that release the lid in the NL too. I don’t need them bc of my setup, but they are zavailable.
Beyond the fridge and lid height Q though... If you don’t need your full second row, the 60 Twin fits nicely on passenger, keeping the 60% side of row 2...OR...fits even more nicely if you put it behind driver, keeping just the 40% side of row 2. I had the 40% seat in at Ouray this Summer at KCDC, which was perfect when we needed to transport an injured motorcyclist off the mountain. Having that part of the 2nd row saved the day.
Another huge benefit of running the fridge on the floor of row 2 is that fridge access is way easier, quicker, and even accessible while rolling by your front row or 2nd row passenger. Super handy spot, and also makes more efficient use space in the rear cargo bay.
Behind driver with 40% seat setup:
View attachment 2191833
View attachment 2191834
View attachment 2191835
And here is is on passenger, keeping the 60% side of row 2:
View attachment 2191831View attachment 2191830
Both arrangements allow sleeping in the back when traveling alone.
Love the National Luna.
Markuson
SILVER Star
I’ve used several methods, but finally used the matching NL fridge floor plate. It’s designed specifically for their fridge and eliminates the need for straps.
I drilled holes in it to match the huge seat anchor bolts...and anchor the plate to the floor that way. Then you simply attach the feidge with the built-in attachment points and secure it with the locking mechanism of the plate.
Paul at Equipt can get you the mount/plate...
prharper
GOLD Star
I was shopping for a fridge and comparing the Dometic CFX3 55IM vs National Luna 50 or 60.
Contacted every Dometic dealer around and nothing in inventory. Heard a few times that it was recalled. Tried calling Dometic HQ a few times and had no success. That turned me off.
Saw the pre-order annoucement from Equipt on the National Lunas and decided to go with the Legacy 60. It's got about double the space in the second compartment than the 50L. I have an Alu Cab tilting mount installed on my Reef drawers and power ready to go. I'll take some pics once it gets mounted and will probably get the red hinges just in case. It's on a ship slowly making it's way from South Africa to Long Beach, CA.
If you want a National Luna, better get on the pre-order sooner than later. They may be sold out before they even get to the US with arrival expected late Aug - early Sept.
Agreed that Equipt (Morgan) are great to work with.
prharper
GOLD Star
Finally received the National Luna Fridge and really glad that I had already run power and had the Alu Cab tilting slide mount installed.
Wasn't sure if I was going to need the red hinges to detach the lid for opening and happy to say I didn't need to install those, lid opens fine and no problem getting the baskets out.
Ran AC power into the cab via the rubber grommet behind the right rear tupperware. Tapped into my onboard power in the bottle jack storage door. Can turn on/off via SwitchPro panel in sunglass holder.
I need to find a better way to run the DC power, something like a coiled power cord so when it slides out it's not getting caught on anything. I don't plan to use AC power except for the initial startup or night before an outing and can tuck that away under a drawer wing.
The wife said, you are not keeping that in there except when you going camping, right?
Curious, do you keep your fridge installed full time, summer or just camping and wheeling?
I suppose it's pretty easy to remove with the Alu Cab slide mount. Just loosen two bolt heads and the tray slides out with fridge strapped on. That tilting slide was well worth the investment.
Appreciate any feedback on cable management.
RET2
SILVER Star
Coiled power cords are available from many sources (amazon etc.) but you will probably need to change ends.
Hey @Romer and @prharper can you guys post a straight-on angle photo from behind your truck's with your fridges? I'm trying to do a mockup of how mine will fit, and I need a straight photo to compare how mine will compare. I have a NL72 going on Dobinson drawers. Possibly with the alu cab tilt slide if needed, but ideally without.
My Dobinson drawers I believe are a full 1" lower than ARB and Landshark, but my fridge is about 2.75" wider which is why I want to do the mockup in photoshop
Yeah, I like the concept. I'm using it for a foam core mockup for my Lifepo battery fit this weekend. This particular fridge scenereo I can't find any easy way to do outside photoshop.
The NL72 fridge I already have (in my house), but the drawers are ordered but don't have them yet. I have a local shop doing the whole electrical install, so I'm having the drawers shipped straight to them so they are going to install those as well at the same time to help with all the cable routing options. So the only way I can really test install the fit beforehand would be to build a wood platform the same size as my drawer height and try that.....so I thought a 5-minute photoshop job might be easier.
