Cheap Fridge <$400 shipped

[Xterabl]

No worries. It's just the nature of the temperature regulation...in my experience, compressor kicks on when temperature is sensed to be ~2 degrees above the set point; then turns off at about 3 degrees below the set point. The sensor is sensing the aluminum wall/floor temperature, near the bottom-back of the fridge (don't ask me how I know ). The aluminum will change temperature more rapidly than the stored goods due to thermal conductivity and heat capacity considerations...in other words the food won't really change by 4-5degrees, though the area near the temperature sensor and indeed the ambient in the fridge may cycle in this manner.

 

[craig333]

Good to know. I hate to accidentally freeze things. Makes a mess of eggs. Don't ask me how I know

 

[bob91yj]

I just stumbled across this thread. I've had one of these units for over two years. It's made numerous desert/Baja trips, and is run on a daily basis in my house, makes a great place to keep cold drinks. It's never given me a moments trouble.

 

[CaliMobber]

43qt Fridges are on sale for $404, I was lucky enough to find a 5% off coupon code on valentines day and picked one up for $383 shipped. Ill add to this awesome thread with pictures and the unboxing when it comes.

 

[mtnbike28]

back in the market for one...

OK folks, I am ready to try this again. I bought one last summer before a trip, and the two they sent, neither worked, but now I need one again for a trip. I am checking the CA and DL pages, but if anyone sees a deal, please post it up!

Jay

 

[willx]

Got one last week (the 63qt actually, not the 43qt), at $485 before the 20% off sale ended a couple days later. Now they're $470, a 20% off sale that's ending in a few days. Go figure. (thus the lesson -- don't let their "sale" prompt you to necessarily buy it sooner than you might actually need it).

Update: second lesson -- if that happens, hit the "live chat" and ask for a price match refund. Done.

 

[Herbie]

Stay tuned for some useful data. I just received my new RS232-capable multimeter. I plan to connect this along with a high-amperage shunt and a high-current power supply and do a LONG test to get a better idea of the 24-hour current consumption of the 43qt fridge.

I'll be running this test mainly to get a better idea of the duty cycle and average current consumption so I can size my new house battery. We have a decent idea of the peak and "idle" current usage, but everything I've seen for current consumption is either anecdotal or an estimate.

First test will be of the fridge sitting in my garage at home. I will try to follow up with something slightly more representative my putting the fridge into an enclosed space (my other car, etc.) on a warmer day.

 

[Lead Dog]

YEA BABY! Look what showed up in my Garage!!! :victory: EdgeStar 83 QT fridge freezer... $612.00 shipped to my door. we went Big because were going to be a family of 4 traveling.

 

[MarcFJ60]

Can't wait to see real world results. I'm not sure I understand the need for an RS232 DVM - or is that just so you can plug it into a laptop? Just curious.

We have some graphing Flukes (287 or similar) at work that I could wire in series to see the current draw over a given period. I think you might have inspired me to put another data point out there. (Although mine would be just sitting in a 60 degree warehouse versus a 100 degree car interior).

 

[ETAV8R]

That big one looks BIG!
Nice though.

 

[Eventhough]

The 83 qt model is a biggun!

My 43 qt is enough for my wife and myself for a week if we pack very very carefully and even then it is tiiiiiiight. I couldn't spare anymore room in my FJC though for a larger model.

 

[Herbie]

Can't wait to see real world results. I'm not sure I understand the need for an RS232 DVM - or is that just so you can plug it into a laptop? Just curious.

Exactly. I want to do data capture for a minimum of 48 hours, and I'll probably do it more than once. My meter can do in-series current measurement, but the wiring for the probes is on the thin side so I don't want to introduce a variable by adding their resistance. Instead, I have a 10 milli-ohm precision shunt that I'll wire in series, then I'll just log the voltage drop on a millivolt scale. Now that I'm done coaching Science Olympiad for the season I can get my shop back for my own use, so I'll try to setup the first tests soon.

 

[Vizoo]

Cd-30

Has anyone tryied one of these? I found it to be the perfect form factor since you don't need to leave space over it to open nor sliders, and you can place the compressor away from the drawer, my idea is to place it on a custom compartment outside the car to avoid noise.

Capacity is 30 liters, enough for my drinking needs :coffeedrink:

 

[mattafact]

Has anyone tryied one of these? I found it to be the perfect form factor since you don't need to leave space over it to open nor sliders, and you can place the compressor away from the drawer, my idea is to place it on a custom compartment outside the car to avoid noise.

Capacity is 30 liters, enough for my drinking needs :coffeedrink:

I was thinking about that. That would be perfect for building a sleeping platform on top of.

Anyone used one?

 

[Lead Dog]

That big one looks BIG!
Nice though.

IT IS! It kind of scared me at first... but I think i can fill the extra room with a couple ICDB! :beer: and it is going in a trailer so room was there!