Compressor Fridge's

[Jim]

12v Compressor Fridge Comparison - ICECO, Alpicool, Engel, Ausranvik, and more!



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ija2LmLVZHA

[Rocrawlr]

I purchased the SMETA under a different brand name about 8 years ago. At that time is was under $300 on Ebay. I like the 2 zones, keeps frozen things frozen and non-frozen things like fresh veggies from freezing. I leave it in the Jeep full time and only plug it in when i need it. To my surprise it has held up well over years of bouncing and jostling. I run a single Optima Yellow Top and I can set the temp to 32 degrees and leave it plugged in overnight and the low power cut off does not kick in. Best of all I can have ice cream while camping...:cheers:

[speedkills]

I have the little iceco 20 (small one on middle top of the preview above). I would have liked something a little bigger but the others were too tall and would have interfered with my sleeping platform. Works well, tiny but useful. I leave it in all the time as it's so handy when driving back from the grocery store.

[Jim]

Last summer I purchased a Blue 30 qt ice chest "starter kit" (https://bluecoolers.com/collections/bundle-offers/products/blue-coolers-2-0-30-quart-starter-bundle-accessories) in the color white. They tout longer ice retention than Yeti coolers. My reaction - nice cooler - but man does it take up some real estate in the back of the jeep. It performed great as to keeping things cold though.

but I still wanted something different...

This arrived at my door today:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Engel-MRFD-015D-A-Portable-Top-opening-12VDC-13L-fridge-freezer-w-AC-adapter/284120990124

A close version at Engel:
https://engelcoolers.com/collections/powered-fridge-freezers/products/md14-ems-ambulance-fridge

It uses the Sawafuji compressor touted for low current draw starts and longevity. I'm thinking there is not much food that _needs_ to be refrigerated that I can readily get by with this. It'll get a good test (or maybe I'll be very hungry!) at Canyonlands.

If all goes well, the Blue cooler will be up for sale.

It's on a desk behind me - the comp cycles frequently. I need to document times and draw. Unknown if I'll add a solar charger to the hood of the jeep...

[open_circuit]

Funny you should post this today. I have a 12V fridge arriving today as well. The one I bought is priced about half of that e-bay listing, though.

[Steve-O]

I will be standing by to take that blue cooler off your hands :lmao:

[open_circuit]

It'll get a good test (or maybe I'll be very hungry!) at Canyonlands.
...
Unknown if I'll add a solar charger to the hood of the jeep...

Do you plan to run a second deep cycle battery as well? How do intend to power the fridge when you aren't running the Jeep engine and alternator?

[Jim]

I have a 12V fridge arriving today as well.

What make / model?


Do you plan to run a second deep cycle battery as well? How do intend to power the fridge when you aren't running the Jeep engine and alternator?

Single start battery for the jeep. I do have a 12vDC "jump starter" which takes third place behind #2... Wheeling with friends (and either jumper cables or a pull start). Folks with comp fridges comment that they have no problems starting the next morning (while the comp fridge) ran at night. They'll run a bit less at night with cooler outside temps.

So that's why you posted about the solar charger...

[Jim]

I will be standing by to take that blue cooler off your hands

And you're welcome to borrow it - any time.

EDIT: I should probably say - I'll sell it now.

While it's a nice cooler (I appreciate having good tools at the ready), I don't expect to use it. About the only time I'd use it is if I were making a one-day event and needed to supply a cooler full of cold drinks. Cooler, dividing board / cutting board (which did get used for both on the last trip - handy to have the cutting board option), light, basket (also quite handy), backup cooler plug. Some slight outside scuffs from the week it was in the jeep.

[open_circuit]

What make / model?

The cheapest thing I could find that didn't look disposable :-). Setpower FC20. It had a $50 or $60 coupon last week when I bought it.


So that's why you posted about the solar charger...

I also picked up a portable back up battery to run the fridge and some other stuff at camp. Think GoalZero, Rockpals, Jackery, etc. Debating picking up some portable solar panels as well to keep everything topped up on regular camping trips where the car might not move for a couple days.