Right. I'll have 2 or 3 deep cycle batteries in addition to the starter.
I like the Engel but the price is pretty hefty and I'm wanting more of a fridge form rather than cooler.
ARB fridge or ???
- Thread starter Rune
- Start date
Right. I'll have 2 or 3 deep cycle batteries in addition to the starter.
I like the Engel but the price is pretty hefty and I'm wanting more of a fridge form rather than cooler.
For those with the Dometic Coolmatic CRX; where did you get yours?
The only source I found was on eBay, which isn't my favorite.
Also seller says there is an application specific installation kit (for big rigs mostly). I never received clarification on what exactly the kit comprised. Since I'm doing a custom installation do I need a kit? What's in the kit?
Thanks
Sean
The only source I found was on eBay, which isn't my favorite.
Also seller says there is an application specific installation kit (for big rigs mostly). I never received clarification on what exactly the kit comprised. Since I'm doing a custom installation do I need a kit? What's in the kit?
Thanks
Sean
Photomike
White Turtle Adventures & Photography
I bought mine from a trucking supply company. A LOT better price than camping places and many of the camping places do not carry this model. The kit is nice but honestly I don't think it is needed, I cut the wood around mine and I am happy.
My blog http://www.firstchoicephoto.ca/blog/van-electrical-part-2/#more-3460
wantahertzdonut
Observer
Of you guys that have these refrigerators in your vans, what kind of driving are you doing? Are you on the road, off road, desert driving, rock crawling, etc?
I'm interested in a refrigerator and a lot of my off road excursions include desert driving on rough washboard at 30mph+ which generates a lot of vibration. Anyone else do anything similar with a fridge and have it hold up?
I'm interested in a refrigerator and a lot of my off road excursions include desert driving on rough washboard at 30mph+ which generates a lot of vibration. Anyone else do anything similar with a fridge and have it hold up?
kcernest
Observer
I think I'm the only one with an Ironman 4x4 fridge here, never see it mentioned. I think it's an ARB clone. Works damn good and once it's cold it draws almost nothing. Turning it down freezes stuff quick!
The downside of NOT getting a cooler style fridge is everytime you open the door that compressor is going to have to kick back on to replace all that cold air you just dumped out. Your energy use will be greater with a dorm fridge.
The downside of NOT getting a cooler style fridge is everytime you open the door that compressor is going to have to kick back on to replace all that cold air you just dumped out. Your energy use will be greater with a dorm fridge.
Scotty D
Active member
If you are going to have that many amp hours, just get a dorm fridge.
broncobowsher
Adventurer
The ARB/Engle can take some serious abuse. They are the fridges of the off-road world.
Scotty D
Active member
Baja every winter , my van is awd with BFG KO2s and I like remote beaches. I cant imagine a tougher test than six months at a time of that.
r_vdb
Observer
We have put an Arb 50 qt. through 7 years of use, kids, soccer dads grabbing a cold one, washboard roads etc. i run one battery & it’s worked great. and the only gripe is the fluctuation in zones and setting the temp so things don’t freeze as you start to empty the fridge . However that could be my doing because I like to set everything at a very low temp . Lots of options now a days.
DaveInDenver
Middle Income Semi-Redneck
Your point is valid to some extent, balancing cost vs. convenience to find the right combination of bits for your outfit. However I will still mention that efficiency always makes a difference in so far as being 1/2 the draw an MT45 (as an example) means you can (1) run half the batteries or solar or (b) run twice as long when camped and it's overcast or night.
Jmacn
New member
I have an ARB in my truck and like it a lot. You do need to stack your food properly as it is much colder at the bottom. I put beverages at the bottom and produce at the top. I really like the cooler style fridge as you don't loose all your cold air each time you open it up. Its a bit like playing Tetris but Ive gotten good at getting a LOT of food to fit in there and still keep the produce happy. After years of chasing ice around the desert and loosing food in the water I'm so happy to have a solar powered fridge. Still feels like magic sometimes. In my van build I plan to stick with a cooler style but am leaning toward a dual compartment fridge/freezer like National Luna.
MG used a sweet Indel Webasto Cruise 130 marine unit in his Transit build. Low power consumption and Danfoss compressor in a fridge form factor.
A guy on the SMB forum used a Norcold marine unit in his Traverse build (photo in post #8). Looks like the 470 to me. They also make RV fridges.
A guy on the SMB forum used a Norcold marine unit in his Traverse build (photo in post #8). Looks like the 470 to me. They also make RV fridges.
wantahertzdonut
Observer
Thanks for the real world results. I'll check out the ARB fridge when the time comes.