Is it true about ARB?

[Foxen]

First off I am sorry but I tried to find out any concrete evidence that Dometic manufactures the ARB fridge/freezer under ARB's specs but cannot find any definitive evidence other then a few users stating that this is true in various internet forum posts. I am probably late to the game but just need to know for sure. I (stupidly) sold a Four Wheel Camper with our 1 year old ARB 50qt Classic in it. I bought a new camper with a Dometic evaporative POS fridge thinking for some idiotic reason that I would be happy with it. Can anyone site facts that Dometic builds the ARB fridge now?

Thank you,
Jon
FoxenTEC

 

[jonathon]

Dometic builds a lot of RV stuff. I do believe they have built the ARB fridges for a decade or longer.

 

[67cj5]

First off I am sorry but I tried to find out any concrete evidence that Dometic manufactures the ARB fridge/freezer under ARB's specs but cannot find any definitive evidence other then a few users stating that this is true in various internet forum posts. I am probably late to the game but just need to know for sure. I (stupidly) sold a Four Wheel Camper with our 1 year old ARB 50qt Classic in it. I bought a new camper with a Dometic evaporative POS fridge thinking for some idiotic reason that I would be happy with it. Can anyone site facts that Dometic builds the ARB fridge now?

Thank you,
Jon
FoxenTEC

Yes Dometic do build All of ARB's Fridges, Dometic also make fridges for other companies as well. But don't worry because ARB fridges are one of the top 3 fridges money can buy, and it is nothing like your Camper fridge, If looked after it will last you decades, I bought the 47L/50Qt model and after about 3 years I wanted to buy one of the bigger ones so I bought the 78L/82Qt model, The 82Qt model is a beast and needs two people to carry it any distance but It is powerful and holds a heck of a lot of food, But the 47L/50Qt is a great all rounder,

The first fridges ARB sold were rebadged ENGEL's But the Blue and Grey Fridges and the newer Black and Grey Versions are all built by Dometic exactly to ARB's Specs,

Hope that helps,

 

[john61ct]

What are the supposed conclusions you would draw from this fact?

 

[67cj5]

What are the supposed conclusions you would draw from this fact?

I think he is just worried they might have the same issues as the new CFX3's

Either that or he thinks it's just gossip, as you and I both know it is a well known fact that Dometic does make ARB's Fridges

I use mine 24/7 and it has been running everyday since early 2016,

 

[john61ct]

I have heard it enough that I believe it's true, but I cannot say I am certain. Plus, such arrangements can change anytime, as hen Sears DieHard switched from Enersys to Johnson, took years for word to get out.

The customer can usually dictate and enforce any design details, even QA standards much higher than the OE uses for their own branding.

Or the results can be much worse.

Proof is in the pudding.

IMO they are no Engel but a fine product, certainly top tier.

 

[DaveInDenver]

I think he is just worried they might have the same issues as the new CFX3's

In case anyone else wonders what he's talking about, the CFX has a recall due to the potential of an over voltage condition (said to be 28V) occurring on the 12V side if you simultaneously connect the fridge to 120V. Whether ARB's design spec contract-built by Dometic shares the same issue is unknown but ARB isn't a fly-by-night organization and if it does they'll stand behind it.

Dometic CFX3 Recall info thread

Hi Everyone, As you may have heard through our dealers and forum members, we recently issued a recall notice for CFX3 coolers. We've attached a copy of the recall letter that you should receive if you've registered your CFX3 cooler. The short version: If you have your cooler plugged into AC...

expeditionportal.com

 

[67cj5]

In case anyone else wonders what he's talking about, the CFX has a recall due to the potential of an over voltage condition (said to be 28V) occurring on the 12V side if you simultaneously connect the fridge to 120V. Whether ARB's design spec contract-built by Dometic shares the same issue is unknown but ARB isn't a fly-by-night organization and if it does they'll stand behind it.

Dometic CFX3 Recall info thread

Hi Everyone, As you may have heard through our dealers and forum members, we recently issued a recall notice for CFX3 coolers. We've attached a copy of the recall letter that you should receive if you've registered your CFX3 cooler. The short version: If you have your cooler plugged into AC...

expeditionportal.com

The reason I mentioned the CFX3's is 1) because he has a Dometic in his camper and does not like it, 2 ) Also Dometic have had a lot of Issues with their CFX3 Range of products, And 3 ) ARB are also made by Dometic, So that is why I mentioned the CFX3's Because the Common Link here they are all built by Dometic,

The ARB Fridges are Wired different to Dometic CFX3's NOTE that the ARB Fridges use the tried tested and Proven Danfos / Secop Compressor as did the Older model CFX Series of fridges But with the Newer CFX3 Series Dometic has opted to use their own design compressors which could / might be the cause of the problem,

There is No unknown problem like the Dometic fridges have with the ARB line of fridges as they have proven them selves constantly for the past 11 years, and when looked after they will run forever.

Hope that clears things up.

 

[DaveInDenver]

The reason I mentioned the CFX3's is 1) because he has a Dometic in his camper and does not like it, 2 ) Also Dometic have had a lot of Issues with their CFX3 Range of products, And 3 ) ARB are also made by Dometic, So that is why I mentioned the CFX3's Because the Common Link here they are all built by Dometic,

The ARB Fridges are Wired different to Dometic CFX3's NOTE that the ARB Fridges use the tried tested and Proven Danfos / Secop Compressor as did the Older model CFX Series of fridges But with the Newer CFX3 Series Dometic has opted to use their own design compressors which could / might be the cause of the problem,

There is No unknown problem like the Dometic fridges have with the ARB line of fridges as they have proven them selves constantly for the past 11 years, and when looked after they will run forever.

Hope that clears things up.

Until you mentioned it I had no idea Dometic had any issues so it does clear things up. I won't be replacing my tried-and-true Engel anytime soon regardless.

 

[67cj5]

Until you mentioned issues I had no idea Dometic had any issues so it does clear things up. I won't be replacing my tried-and-true Engel anytime soon regardless.

Dave to be honest I think you got the toughest fridge on the planet, Others have all the fancy fixings but at the cost of reliability,

I could show you a really Smashed up Engel that flew out of the back of a 4x4 at around 60mph it was bent out of shape and lost it's lid but with a few bush tools it was hammered back in shape and fired right up, I can't see too many modern fridges surviving that kind of abuse,

 

[DaveInDenver]

Totally agree @67cj5, mine's ancient with just the zero to 5 dial and green power LED. Just works, no fuss.

 

[67cj5]

Totally agree @67cj5, mine's ancient with just the zero to 5 dial and green power LED. Just works, no fuss.

Dave if you like I could PM you those pictures of the damage done to that Engel and it still worked fine

I can't post them in public because they are not my photo's

 

[john61ct]

To me besides build quality reliability toughness & longevity

The #1 deciding factor is the ability to get service, especially replacement parts

8/10 even 15 years after date of manufacture

a thriving supportive community of enthusiastic owners & tech types also goes a long way

 

[DaveInDenver]

Dave if you like I could PM you those pictures of the damage done to that Engel and it still worked fine

I can't post them in public because they are not my photo's

Yeah, I'd like to see them!

 

[Regcabguy]

Yes Dometic do build All of ARB's Fridges, Dometic also make fridges for other companies as well. But don't worry because ARB fridges are one of the top 3 fridges money can buy, and it is nothing like your Camper fridge, If looked after it will last you decades, I bought the 47L/50Qt model and after about 3 years I wanted to buy one of the bigger ones so I bought the 78L/82Qt model, The 82Qt model is a beast and needs two people to carry it any distance but It is powerful and holds a heck of a lot of food, But the 47L/50Qt is a great all rounder,

The first fridges ARB sold were rebadged ENGEL's But the Blue and Grey Fridges and the newer Black and Grey Versions are all built by Dometic exactly to ARB's Specs,

Hope that helps,

My Dometic evaporative fridge is two decades old. No electronics,nothing. That being said I'd love solar and an Engel or similar. Are the modern 12v fridges coming out of WuHan like everything now or are they manufactured here or Europe?