What Fridge!!!!!!!

[Backcountryf150]

I'm looking to get a fridge for my pickup.Any help would be great.I just need something for weekend trips.Just the wife and I.Size is not a problem.I have lots of room in the bed or cab.(4-door)My major concern is amp draw.I do plan on installing an axlli battery.(yellow top optima)Also how long will a batery last with a fridge connected.
Thanks!

 

[postalWagon]

If you get one with a cut off switch, you can run it off your main. If you are not getting into it all the time. Most should have enough insulation to keep cold with out power for several hours, a cover will always help.
hope this helps,
Cheers,

 

[AeroNautiCal]

I went the small and light route and bought an Engel MRFD-015, a 13 litre fridge freezer.

 

[4x4junkie]

I like my Edgestar FP430 (43 qt). I've had it running for 4 days straight (plus playing of the stereo) and not had any issues with it draining the battery (dual battery setup). Amp draw appears to be a little under 1.9 amps (average) in an 80° environment (keeping it out of the sun). Of course it can go much higher or lower than that depending on the temperature (and how often you open it).


A couple pictures stolen from the Edgestar thread:

 

[discotdi]

Engel 35 or 45. Or the mrfd 40. If you don't want to spend the $800 for a fridge check out the Engel cooler they will keep things cold for a few days with just ice. Although once you stump up for the fridge you'll be happy. Even my wife likes the Engel.

 

[HillbillyfromAL]

I love my ARB 50 quart. I used to just bring freeze dried foods and water because I didn't want the hassle of ice. Now I leave it plugged in either my Discovery or my wife's Sequoia all the time, with drinks in it. I left it for a week and a half at the airport and the battery hadn't tripped the medium protection setting. I have a yellow top optima as well. The day temps were mid 80's and the nights were low 60's.

 

[CA-RJ]

x2 on the Edgestar 43 quart. Works great! I would also suggest you grab a Sears Diehard Platnum battery instead of the Optima. Seems to have fewer failures.

 

[RBA]

I purchased a National Luna Weekender 52 and cannot recommend it. As nice looking and packed with features it is, ultimately the fridge needs to work without any hiccups and that's where my experience falls very short. The distributor has tried to diagnose the problem multiple times, even provided some module to replace and after months of back and forth the fridge still gives me issues. At this point, I've settled on the fact that I need to keep a close eye on this fridge to ensure when it stops working that I'm there to reset it. I've given up trying to fix it.

My previous fridge, an Engel performed flawlessly for 4 years. Don't make my mistake...

 

[CaliMobber]

If you have thew cash go with a ARB but if your like the rest of us you cant beat the edgestar route. Ive had mine for 1 year and it lives in the 4runner. once you fix a few small things it seems bullet proof. I paid $380 shipped a comparable arb would cost over $800 i think.

Idk about everyone else and there claims for 4+ days or week and a half. with 70deg days and 2 yellow tops I can get 2 days maybe 3 before the low volt cut off kicks in but thats still amazing for me. if im camping a long trip I can always start the car and let it idle for 30 min every few days or i will most likely be driving around a little bit so batt always keep a nice charge.


Once you go 12v fridge you never go back, look into the crazy long edgestar post it has more than enough info.

 

[4x4junkie]

2 yellow tops

Most likely your answer right there.

I have two M27 Delco Voyagers. Everyone I know that runs Optimas and a fridge has to start their vehicle and idle it for 20-30 minutes or so each day if they don't want me to have to come jump-start them lol.


Edit:
I take that back, there's one guy in my group that can get two days with the fridge out of his single brand new Yellow Top if he absolutely 100% doesn't play his stereo at all. I wonder if that could change as the battery gets to be a couple years old though.

 

[Xterabl]

Edgestar 43qt here, and I get just a bit more than 1.5 days with a 6+ year old yellowtop aux battery.

RBA, thanks very much for posting your experience with the uberlander magazine favorite fridge. Sometimes, just too many bells & whistles, I guess. KISS applies here.

 

[offero]

I finally made the freezer-fridge plunge too and just got a Dometic (Waeco in most of the world) 50 quart model. I was going to get the Edgestar since Compact Appliance had them on sale for $480 shipped. I was planning on getting an extended warranty since a few folks on the board here certainly used their warranty.

I searched around for alternatives since I wanted something a little more turn-key. I found the Dometic CF-50AC on sale at AdventureRV for $541. It did cost $50 to ship to me, which seems high. The Dometic does have a decent warranty and seems well-built. I believe it uses the same compressor as the "fancy brands". It's going through its paces in the garage now with a wireless thermometer and I'm hoping to take it out on a trip next weekend.

Assuming I would have gotten the warranty for the Edgestar, I figure I spent another $80 for what seems to be a well-respected brand and model. Most of the reviews I found were in Australia for overland, although Dometic is pretty big in the boating and RV industry here in the US.

 

[MarcFJ60]

That sounds like a pretty screaming deal! I may have gone that route instead of my Edgestar as well for that price. I have been satisfied with my Edgestar, but I would venture the Waeco/Dometic is better. I actually saw a place that had the CG50AC for $388 but they were out of stock.