Portable Fridges and Coolers

[Yeti]

Hi all,
Just got an email from Iceco for 20% off with code prime . For those considering a portable fridge, I've been using the VL75 Pro D for over a year and have been very happy with it. It is spendy but super efficient (~4.5 Amps on max cool) and you can use the two compartments independently as fridge or freezer

 

[High_Country]

I’m running a VL45. I like it. And, I think the VL series is fairly attractive…for a refrigerator anyways.

 

[Yeti]

I’m running a VL45. I like it. And, I think the VL series is fairly attractive…for a refrigerator anyways.

Yeah, the 3 things that got me were the doors opening both ways and you don't need to pre-freeze things before use and the design

 

[Cranbery]

I can't justify spending on one because they are pricey and i don't live an a good camping area, but if i did it would likely be one of the ARB ones with the attachable battery pack, and dual zone.

ZERO Fridge Freezer | ARB 4x4 Accessories

arbusa.com

 

[steamboatdevil]

On my second try with iceco. In Colorado with a new VL65 and I am having a lot of issues with it. Blew a fuse when on AC power in the truck bed and freezer side stopped working for awhile. It's working well in hotel room but apparently does not like being in a covered truck bed. Previously I ordered a 45 for a camper van but it was DOA and they made it really hard to return. I left a negative review that they changed to five stars two days later. I ended up with a dometic in my camper van and it was awesome!

 

[Fozzy]

Never ran an ICECO, but anyone on the fence about a 12 volt fridge should bite the bullet. Plenty of budget friendly fridges on the market to get you hooked. I have an ACOPower Lioncooler with the LG compressor that has been running in my work truck for two years straight. The only time its off is when I need to clean it out or forget to plug it in at night. It has a battery that can run it all day if not above 80. Plug it into my truck and it charged the battery as it drives and can last the entire day even when 100 out. Main camping trip cooler is a Dometic DZ75, its a tank, nothing like pulling out popsicles at the lake or dunes.

 

[metallikatz3]

I've had an ARB classic for about 3 years that has been giving me intermittent issues for about a year now. Basically if ambient temps are above 100 it will cool for 3-4 hours and then just stop cooling even though the compressor is running.
I contacted ARB support 2 weeks ago (literally a week before warranty was up) and they sent me a new fridge with basically no questions asked. So while it kinda sucks that the fridge stopped working I am super happy with ARB's customer service and them standing behind their product.

 

[mdax]

I purchased a dometic CFX55IM and running it off an ecoflow river pro and am a raving fan.

I'm going to get a better solar panel, one that attaches to the roof of my camper as my current is almost ten years old renology...but still works well.

I figured with a 700wh battery I'd make it through a couple nights...but for some reason that damn dometic pulls so little power I could have stayed out indefinitely.

I am not sure if it's due to the insulation or what...but check this out

I'm out on a flyfishing trip with my dog, figured the battery would discharge at least 20% of it's capacity each night, take all day to charge back up, really the solar would be used to extend rather than keep everything topped off....

After the first couple nights I had to take screen shots, because it didn't seem possible.

Here I am at 7:50pm, battery at 97% going to relax and make dinner, opening and closing the fridge/cooler a few times.

and here it is, after i woke up and had breakfast at 7:30am.
The battery is sitting at 89%!

The cooler was set to 38 degrees, logging showed it never dipped

The old solar panel would charge it all up in under three hours. Next time I'm turning on the IceMaker mode because I have more power than I can use, esp if it's sunny at all.

Dometic CFX3 55IM

Dometic CFX3 55IM - Ice Maker Powered 12 Volt Cooler, 53L

www.dometic.com

https://www.ecoflow.com/us/river-pro-portable-power-station

My next project is adding one of these solar panels to the top of my GFC camper and wiring it all up.

TBS120R 120 Watt Solar Panel- Low Profile Junction

This semi flexible solar panel incorporates Merlin patented MST technology for market leading durability and output. The panel comes with a factory installed mastic for an easy peal and stick installation. Connector ends are MC4. Can be ordered with a black background. MODEL: TBS120R TOP...

4thdsolar.com

or

100 Watt 12 Volt Black Division Lightweight Monocrystalline Solar Panel

The Renogy Black Division 100W Lightweight Monocrystalline Solar Panel enhances module efficiency while minimizing its weight. It is the perfect option for any off-grid solar system, especially for transportation applications such as RVs and boats. This solar panel frame features a lightweight...

renogy.com

 

[Fozzy]

I purchased a dometic CFX55IM and running it off an ecoflow river pro and am a raving fan.

I'm going to get a better solar panel, one that attaches to the roof of my camper as my current is almost ten years old renology...but still works well.

View attachment 5371

I figured with a 700wh battery I'd make it through a couple nights...but for some reason that damn dometic pulls so little power I could have stayed out indefinitely.

I am not sure if it's due to the insulation or what...but check this out

I'm out on a flyfishing trip with my dog, figured the battery would discharge at least 20% of it's capacity each night, take all day to charge back up, really the solar would be used to extend rather than keep everything topped off....

After the first couple nights I had to take screen shots, because it didn't seem possible.

Here I am at 7:50pm, battery at 97% going to relax and make dinner, opening and closing the fridge/cooler a few times.
View attachment 5372
and here it is, after i woke up and had breakfast at 7:30am.
The battery is sitting at 89%!

The cooler was set to 38 degrees, logging showed it never dipped
View attachment 5373

The old solar panel would charge it all up in under three hours. Next time I'm turning on the IceMaker mode because I have more power than I can use, esp if it's sunny at all.

Dometic CFX3 55IM

Dometic CFX3 55IM - Ice Maker Powered 12 Volt Cooler, 53L

www.dometic.com

https://www.ecoflow.com/us/river-pro-portable-power-station

My next project is adding one of these solar panels to the top of my GFC camper and wiring it all up.

TBS120R 120 Watt Solar Panel- Low Profile Junction

This semi flexible solar panel incorporates Merlin patented MST technology for market leading durability and output. The panel comes with a factory installed mastic for an easy peal and stick installation. Connector ends are MC4. Can be ordered with a black background. MODEL: TBS120R TOP...

4thdsolar.com

or

100 Watt 12 Volt Black Division Lightweight Monocrystalline Solar Panel

The Renogy Black Division 100W Lightweight Monocrystalline Solar Panel enhances module efficiency while minimizing its weight. It is the perfect option for any off-grid solar system, especially for transportation applications such as RVs and boats. This solar panel frame features a lightweight...

renogy.com

is that with the ice maker running? The CFX's are awesome. Off the subject a little, what's your opinion on the Moon Shade?

 

[mdax]

Nope, I had the ice maker turned off on that trip, but because it used so little power and charged up quickly I'll be using it the weekend after next for sure.

I dig the moonshade. I added loops on either side of the GFC camper so I can put it up on either side, it goes up pretty quickly and does ok with the wind if it's tied down.

At around 300 the price was also right.
I wasn't ready to spend 2k on a 270 degree awning that could get tweaked in high winds, rather get a dirt bike....

 

[steamboatdevil]

I have had three IceCOs and have had terrible luck with them (VL60s). First one only cooled on one side, second one only got to 58 degrees and my current replacement does not cool well if it’s in the back of my truck and weather is over 80.

I had a Dometic in a camper van and that thing was amazing.

I usually bring a cheap Costco Massimo fridge as it works in warmer weather and is much lighter than the IceCo. Not fancy but it sure seems to work well for $280.

 

[Loabrezn]

I've used this portable electric coolers on camping trips, road trips, and even to keep my groceries cold during power outages. It's been a lifesaver! It's very efficient and quiet. I can run it for days off a single battery charge.
It has two compartments that can be used independently as a fridge or freezer. This is great for keeping different foods at different temperatures.