Small 12v Fridge/Freezer

[woytovich]

Looking for something to use as a single day out on the trail fridge for 1 or 2 people... drinks and a couple of sandwiches. Wanting a "real' compressor fridge rather than a thermoelectric etc. Getting ready to buy a small Dometic new but thought I'd ask here first.
Thanks,

Mark

 

[Ocho77]

The CDF-11?

If so, we have had one in the 80 for a few years off and on. It's been a great fridge and we love it.

 

[woytovich]

2 questions:

How is it size-wise? I am trying to save space.

Did you do something to strap it down?

 

[woytovich]

https://www.amazon.com/Dometic-CDF-11-Smallest-Portable-Refrigerator/dp/B005X97OHA

vs

https://www.amazon.com/Dometic-Elec...eezer/dp/B075J5VVN7/ref=dp_ob_title_auto?th=1

 

[Ocho77]

Those look the same to me...different retailers? That's the one - prices have gone up a good bit.

Size-wise, it fits between the two front seats in my 80. I'll see if I can find a picture somewhere. It's been very reliable.

 

[woytovich]

Different lids, maybe one is a newer model?

How about strapping it down... do you bother?

 

[Ocho77]

Here is a picture, though I'm not sure if it helps - can see if I have a picture from the second row. It fits between the seats, parking brake is still operable, and the second row folds forward. Doesn't take up a ton of space, and it has 2 cuph olders. I used an industrial strength velcro to hold it down, which actually worked quite well. However, I am mid-project of making an object out of fiberglass for it to sit. I can't stand the opening under the console shifter being exposed...a little OCD like that. Anyway...let me know if I can help in any way.

 

[woytovich]

FYI the response from Dometic on the 2 "11"s at Amazon that I linked above:

"Hello and good morning. Those are the same unit. Both a CDF-11"

 

[Ocho77]

Lol, of course.

 

[BillZ260]

I think Dometic updated all their colors to grey and black, and typically I've seen the new one be more expenisve, but in this case it looks cheaper. I have the CFX28, it fits 24 cans, proabably too big for what you want. Works great for an overnight for me, 12 cans and found some food containers that fit perfectly on the other 1/2 for bfast/dinner. I have mine mounted in the rear of my 100 where the 40% seat was. Look in my build thread for pics.

 

[whitenoise]

Take a look at the Indel-B compact fridges too. Their 15L travel box has the same footprint as the Dometic but 4.5 extra liters of internal volume. Might be of more value than the cupholders on the Dometic. Also, Indel B is manufactured by Webasto, who are a well-known OE supplier for most major European car makers.

I will be buying one of those fridges this season. Equipt Expedition Outfitters sells these fridges for a comparable price as Amazon sells the Dometics.

Indel-B Travel Box 15 Liter Fridge Freezer

I have no affiliation with either company, of course. Just passing along what I feel is a better quality product after checking out both at Overland Expo East in '16. I also felt that Paul May of Equipt is a much better resource and a lot more committed to his customers than the Dometic guys (but that's a personal opinion).

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

I have been looking hard at the Dometic drawer fridge (under $300) due to its small size and ability to fit under/in a rear drawer system. Super low wattage and compact size got my interest.

 

[whitenoise]

Cool idea @LandCruiserPhil , however in a 100 series the height of that fridge may be a problem, i think it will need a custom drawer for sure. Assuming you're talking about the CD20.

Dometic COOLMATIC CD 20 | Dometic

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

Cool idea @LandCruiserPhil , however in a 100 series the height of that fridge may be a problem, i think it will need a custom drawer for sure. Assuming you're talking about the CD20.

Dometic COOLMATIC CD 20 | Dometic

View attachment 1687392

Yes the CD20, Im all about things that are not normal and custom drawers would be my route fridge or no fridge.

 

[woytovich]

FYI I ordered the TruckFridge (Indel B) 18l today... on sale for $299 plus $35 shipping... and I already got a tracking number for FedEx Ground... FAST!

Portable Refrigerator-Freezers by Indel-B from TruckFridge

 

[woytovich]

Truckfridge arrived today. Quick look says it is lightweight and well made. It looks like it'll work exactly as I hoped. I will report back.

 

[george_tlc]

My main issue with the tiny fridges is that the compressor/radiator/etc volume is not much different compared to a larger volume fridge. So, the cooled volume versus total fridge volume ratio is quite poor. Of course if you need to fit the fridge into a certain volume/location in the vehicle then it has to fit and you live with however much cooling volume you end up with.

Just an aside

cheers,
george.

 

[woytovich]

On the platform in place of the second row seat for size/fitment trial.

 

[Prairie Swamp]

Truckfridge arrived today. Quick look says it is lightweight and well made. It looks like it'll work exactly as I hoped. I will report back.

Thanks for posting this up. Took me a bit to find the spec sheet. 150 watt hours/day consumption. At 13V that's 11.5 amp-hours/day. Obviously that's for some standard conditions. In any event that's impressive. A couple hours of full sun a day on a 100w panel covers it - or 4-6 hours of overcast light. If I'm doing my math right (early in the morning) that's about 1/3 of my Engel 35L. But of course it's much smaller.

Please report out when you've had some time with it.

 

[woytovich]

My main issue with the tiny fridges is that the compressor/radiator/etc volume is not much different compared to a larger volume fridge. So, the cooled volume versus total fridge volume ratio is quite poor.

Please clarify: "cooled volume versus total fridge volume ratio is quite poor."?