Fridge type questions

[J.Spicoli]

Looking at setting up my first in vehicle fridge system and in looking at options I ran across Engels front load units. Intended use will be in the back of a pickup for extended working/camping. So it'll see offroad conditions from time to time. I may do the solar thing but if not I'll run that Blue Sea battery isolator setup for charging the second battery. Couple questions though on the fridge itself...(Two are 12v only, two are AC/DC, and there are two different sizes. Engel SB47F-MK, SR48F-U1, SB70F, or SR70F-U1)

#1 - Should I even look at these front load types for this setup? I thought I saw somewhere these may not be the best because they don't like to be not straight???

#2 - Two of the above are 120v, should I look at having that capability? I don't really plan on taking it out and don't really need to plug it into wall power since it will run pretty much most of the time.

#3 - I'll be building the cabinet for it to sit in, any design requirements I need to consider (mounting, draft space...etc)? The product features say they fit industry cutouts, how do I build an industry cutout?

 

[IdaSHO]

The 12V DC units do not care about angles like the propane fridges.
They can operate at nearly any angle.

You should find that most MFG claim that they will continue to operate without a problem at up to 30 or 40 degrees.

Most 12vDC units come with the a built in transformer to run off of 110V.
Before adding solar, I used this feature to load the fridge and pre-cool it before leaving.

Now with solar, it isnt needed at all. But is a nice feature if you are stuck in the shade and NEED power.

Each MFG will have a specified about of space that is required for the rear of the fridge to allow the guts to function and breath.
Download the manual for the unit you are interested in, it should be in there. None of the 12V units need external venting.

 

[Stumpalump]

Do a top loader. Every time you open a front loader all the cold air pours out of them.

 

[IdaSHO]

Do a top loader. Every time you open a front loader all the cold air pours out of them.

That theory has been dis-proven many times over the years.




The simple fact is that a FULL fridge is always more efficient than an empty one, due to the mass of the items in the fridge.
Adding mass lessens the amount of recovery the fridge has to deal with when the door/ lid is opened.

 

[Herbie]

Go with what fits

Folks like the portable top-loaders because they double as beer coolers in the garage, but the fact is that there are front-loaders with the same Danfoss compressor and (as IsaSHO mentioned), it's the mass of the STUFF, not the air, that counts.

I've switched to a front-loader in my van specifically because the packaging makes it much easier to put it into a cabinet the way I want and still have room for other stuff, without having to leave room above it to open the lid.