Less $ fridge than engels????

[SOAZ]

I was wondering what other electric fridges there are out there for those of us who dont need to freeze anything, but just want to keep some beverages, sandwich meat and maybe a steak refridgerated for the weekend type trips??
I know engel is the king, but is there something that I could run off of my inverter or rear cig lighter plug that will keep things cool??

 

[mountainpete]

You know the routine... you get what you pay for :bigbossHL:

One of the lowest cost ($100 range) basic coolers are the models made by Koolatron. They are simple cig lighter plug electric coolers that can run along fine as long as the vehicle is running - however they drain a very large amount of power for their size and you need to be careful if the vehicle is turned off.

Be warned that the cheaper models don't hold the cold well. For example, if you run it all day with a cold liquid inside and then unplug it overnight, the liquid will warm up considerably - think water left on the kitchen counter warm.

Hope that helps!

Pete

 

[Beowulf]

The waeco's are less money, but not by much.

 

[OverlandZJ]

waeco has a factory seconds page on their site.

http://waecousa.com/shop.aspx?c=1

 

[Tucson T4R]

I don't know what the Waeco prices are like, mine came with my King Kamper trailer. Just input that mine is the 85 qt monster and it works great.

 

[Grim Reaper]

Got $40 in mine so far. Gets down to 14f no problem. Same compressor (BD50F) as the Big Waeco's. Draws a little more then the ARB. 5-6 amps but looks like maintaining 28f at 75ambiant in the shade with a 50% per hour duty cycle. Trying to find some lower draw fans for it. The one on the Condenser is pretty big unit that is nominal at 24v. Is drawing about 1.3 amps at 12v. The inside fan on the evaporator is a little better but still .89 amps.

But I'm a bargain shopper and a lot of it was salvage parts including the Compressor.

Sorry I spent $14 on a digital thermometer for it (not the barrowed one from the kitchen). So I have about $55 in it now.
:ylsmoke:

 

[SOAZ]

comparing prices it seems like I should just do the cooler thing until I can afford an engel since the ones above are almost as much even at the seconds pricing...?

 

[njtaco]

I have a Coleman (I think) peltier effect 12V cooler. It works OK for me until it gets hot out, uses a lot of battery, and freezes food if it is too cold out (40-ish.) The lack of a thermostat is a weak point for my application, which is typically a temp lower than 90 deg ambient. If I were to do it again, I'd save the money I spent (they run about $70) and put it towards an Engle/Norcold. Look for a scratch-n-dent to save money.

 

[ZooJunkie]

There are two types of powered coolers.

Peltier
Compressor

Peltier = cheap and easy to maintain, light weight, can be a big power drain, typical peltier devices draws 5w-55w power.
Cons = lacks substantial cooling and temperature control.

Compressor = reliable, great temp control, keeps stuff fresh vs. cool!
Cons = expensive, heavy, limited mfg'ers, power drain? (don't have first hand experience with this one, someone else chime in please.)

that's just off the top of my head...

 

[flyingwil]

There are two types of powered coolers.

Peltier
Compressor

Peltier = cheap and easy to maintain, light weight, can be a big power drain, typical peltier devices draws 5w-55w power.
Cons = lacks substantial cooling and temperature control.

Compressor = reliable, great temp control, keeps stuff fresh vs. cool!
Cons = expensive, heavy, limited mfg'ers, power drain? (don't have first hand experience with this one, someone else chime in please.)

that's just off the top of my head...

There are three types; thermoelectric refrigeration, absorption refrigeration, and refrigeration using reciprocating compressors. I go into great depth on each one here:
http://www.expeditionportal.com/equipment/equipment_reviews/fridge/Research/index.php

 

[lowenbrau]

I bought a 'second' Waeco and it works really well. It was more used than I expected though. The upside is I can fill it with warm water bottles and have them frozen solid in about 12 hours though.

 

[ZooJunkie]

There are three types; thermoelectric refrigeration, absorption refrigeration, and refrigeration using reciprocating compressors. I go into great depth on each one here:
http://www.expeditionportal.com/equipment/equipment_reviews/fridge/Research/index.php

Thanks! I knew I left one out

 

[flyingwil]

Thanks! I knew I left one out

That was dang good off of memory!

 

[SOAZ]

Thanks Wil and ZOO and everyone!! Ton of info for me to poor over tonight!!!

 

[ckkone]

I found a good fridge deal....

I got a Waeco CF-50 and the protective cover for $588.35 shipped to my door.

Purchased here