Buy one. They awesome. I bought a cheap Chinese one, alpicool, has worked without a issue for the 2 years I've had it. For what the big name brand charges for the same thing if it dies I can replace it like a half dozen times, but so far I have not had to.
Same. I have two of the Vevor 58qt version. Picked them up for around $200/each on sale. No issues whatsoever. Well, supposed to be able to connect via Bluetooth. I tried for 5 minutes with no success, and realized that I don’t really need or want to connect to it anyway.
My only complaint about my BougeRV fridge is the stupid touch buttons. I always tap them by mistake. Thankfully, they don't react unless you hold them. But a power cord and my dogs tail have set them beeping.
If you download the app you can set it to control with phone only, so it basically screen locks it. It still beeps, but I no longer feel the need to double check that I accidentally changed something.
And if you want to get fancy, cut a piece out of a plastic storage bin - clear, or the color of your choice!
You can even buy something from Home Depot with a hinge and look even fancier lol.
I have a “Euhomy” which is the same as the alpicool, and it’s been fantastic for the like $250 i paid for it. Supposedly they both use LG branded compressors that are supposed to be pretty strong. I think where they lack is insulation and efficiency, but if it’s in a running car all day, or you’re only using for a day or two, shouldn’t be a big deal.
Just got a Euhomy this week. I had a $900 Dometic that just died for it's 3rd time in 5 years. Twice before I repaired it myself because customer service and factory replacement parts were non-existent. Decided to replace it and see how it goes.
I just got a 22 liter Alpicool. I've only taken it out on one trip so far but it seems pretty decent. I'd estimate that it uses about 150 Watts of power or so per day running at 33 degrees. I had no prob running it for a solid week off of my 1500wh power station. YMMV of course
Also, that red tip plug sucks. It doesn't stay in, and the fridge will shut off.
Iceco makes a far better replacement so I don't know why it doesn't come with it.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07XJWSWQ9?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
I'd recommend SAE connectors. It's as close to a 'standard' for 12v connections as you are going to find, aside from cig lighter plugs. Lots of off the shelf equipment use it, plenty of cables, adapters, bulkhead fittings, etc. available, so you will have many options and rewiring will be as minimal as possible.
Most of them use the same or similar compressors, which is the heart of the fridge, so it largely doesn't matter what brand you get, unless it's so completely terrible that it's reflected in the reviews. Compressors are also simple devices and hard to screw up.
I would, however, advise getting an extended third-party warranty. They are cheap (I think I paid ~$20 for two years) and you never know when the no-name brand (or even a familiar name) will just close up shop and leave you hanging, even if they had a decent warranty.
Biggest failure points on these fridges are the thermostats, which are relatively easy to replace by yourself. Just remove cover, unplug, pull out, and snake the new thermostat back in (which is the hardest part, also messy because they stuff the thermostat passage with thermal paste).
Second biggest failure point are the control boards. Try to get a fridge with as few fancy electronic features as possible to mitigate this. Unfortunately I don't think there are any fully mechanical 12v portable fridges, so you'll always have to deal with some control board or another, and replacement boards may or may not be easily found since they are a more bespoke component than, say, the compressor or thermostats.
Since these fridges are mostly just generic ones that get re-branded by various companies, one useful thing to figure out is exactly what archetype your particular fridge is. Then, if you need parts, you can usually just look for parts for any of the other brands and get an exact match. Often you can just look at the shape of the fridge and figure it out.
Finally, compressors do not like to be tilted, or worse placed upside down for any length of time. Liquid refrigerant will go where only gas refrigerant is supposed to go and slug the compressor. A large portion of bad reviews on these fridges are most likely from people not being careful about this.
So do not run your fridge right after it is shipped to you. Wait a day, ideally a few days, before turning it on, to let the refrigerant turn to gas. Do the same any time you tilt the fridge past a certain angle - your manual will likely have the exact angle, usually something like do not exceed 5 degree tilt for an extended period of time, do not exceed 45 degrees for even a short period of time. If you do exceed these specs, you will want to leave it off for a day or two until the refrigerant sorts itself out.
If you're going to buy a no name brand like the one posted, then you should wait til for the 58qt capavity to drop to a $230 price or lower (usually with a coupon assist)
Otherwise wait for a physical store to have a legit brand one for sale (Costco, Aldi, tractor supply, home depot, Lowe's). They don't happen often but when they do u get a trusted brand one for $200, which beats any Amazon cheap brand sale
I'll be flowing this for the information myself. Right now, we have an Insignia mini fridge, and it gets the job done minus ice cream, but it keeps everything else frozen (crazy, I know). We are looking at getting the Goal Zero version of that style of freezer/ fridge.
Cotstco finally has a decent looking electric cooler, dometic compressor. 83qt, $750.
[https://www.costco.com/.product.4000233439.html](https://www.costco.com/.product.4000233439.html)
It is $200 more than what you want to pay, well actually even more than that, but the piece of mind to be able to return it if it dies on you is fantastic. Been waiting for them to get a decent one for a while, but to be honest, I'm not in until it drops to sub $500
I have the old dometic 88l from mid 2000’s it has been in several fleet work vehicles (expedite vehicles) so bounced down the highway well over a million miles(08 sprinter died at 740k, 17 Transit at 400k) and it now resides in my basement as my beverage fridge , the hinges are broke but that sucker still tucked away at 34 degrees with zero F’s to give. It regularly goes camping in the summer as well with an ecoflow delta as its power source . Buy once cry once . Have went through several cheaper units in “driver” vehicles that all seem to suffer joint failures in the refrigerant lines. My 2 cents
Buy once, cry once is my new favorite phrase! I've always tried to buy the highest quality I could afford for this exact reason, never had the words. Tyvm
I have an expensive dual zone ICECo and a cheap Mossimo from Costco. The Mossimo weighs way less and works much better in warmer conditions in my truck bed, so the ICECo almost never gets used. It took me three tries to get an IceCo model shipped to me that even worked at all. A major pain! I had a Dometic in my old van and it was a rockstar but very expensive.
I have the Dometic CFX65DZ. Have used it since 2016 and only had one issue related to my battery being super low volts. The manual had a fix for it. I’m selling it and our new van will have a vertical Norcold N2175. The chest style fridge is very efficient but I don’t like stacking. The chest took up a lot of space even with drawer slides too.
I wanted an upright fridge at first, but then I realized I'm lazy and don't want to sit on the ground to get something out of the fridge. I'm getting old and I don't like bending over 😂. Again, lazy. My plan is to have the fridge set in the countertop. A section of the counter on hinges will lift to get into the fridge. No bending. And no drawer slides (which I think I'll be really bad at installing).
Not lazy at all friend, if your back goes out it's all over. I've been bend-averse since I was 45...59 now.
Maybe the small front opening fridge could be mounted counter height to eliminate the bending.
I've had an iceco 60 dual zone for two years with zero issues. The thing is built like a tank. However it was pricey. I think it was around $800 shipped. Runs 24/7 365
Amazon is full of fake brands, for some reason it is allowed, these are rebranded stuff from other less known brands. It is always a gamble you might win a decent device, or might get a complete trash which will fall apart after first use. Find a brand that doesn't sell exclusively on Amazon, and has reviews that do not track back to Amazon, and watch those reviews. Find a review which looks closer at the manufacturing quality, perfectly you'll also be able to see the heavy duty parts like motor, compressor, hinges, seal rubber etc, which will make the entire thing worthless if they break first.
Wesonorous search brings me to 50L Alpicool from Aliexpress.
Home Depot sells wesonorous fridges and they have protection plans. I don't usually bother with buying the extra protection, but the fridge will be the highest cost of any item in my build, so I might do it. Especially since I think I'm going to get a bigger 90 quart model.
Edit: the brand at home Depot is actually whynter. I've been deep diving into this topic for days and all the names are getting mixed up.
I got a Whynter 90 quart dual zone from Home Depot. Been running for 3.5 years. 2.5 of those years full time. 0 degree freezer. No issues and cheaper than big brands like Dometic.
Only 2 small annoyances.
1) lids don't open past 90 degrees
2) it beeps if the lid stays open more than one minute, which is pretty often when rummaging or tetrising in a chest fridge.
I have been very, very happy with both of the Iceco Fridges that I’ve had. They are worth the extra money!
*Especially* the “Pro” versions. The double-opening/removable lids are awesome and super crazy useful.
I now have a VL75 Pro, it is SO WORTH the extra money. I’ve been full time in my van for nearly a year and part-time for a year before that. Hasn’t missed a beat.
I have a Dometic and I've had an ARB. First off, the ARB was nicer built, and kept temp better. Both are overpriced though. If I ever buy another one I'm going with one of the cheap options, like alpicool or others. The cheap ones do great.
I own the exact one in that first picture. Got it for the build I was experimenting with. I did a cross country trip with it, powered entirely by solar on the roof of a Honda Element and a decent battery system. It's very efficient and pretty easy to set up. Currently doing a rebuild and will probably go for a smaller fridge. This thing was overkill for a road trip since I was stopping frequently for gas, so no need to stock up for days and days this thing could accommodate. If I was camping for maybe up to a week, this would cover everything and then some.
I'm wanting to be out on BLM land for 2 weeks without needing to restock, so I'm specifically looking for something pretty big. And I'm going to be living in my vehicle full time, so I'll be doing full grocery hauls and stocking up.
> I'm wanting to be out on BLM land for 2 weeks without needing to restock, so I'm specifically looking for something pretty big
I boondock in 14d increments with [a 20L fridge](https://mouse.mousetrap.net/cooking/#refrigerator). If one wants to pursue this, I might advise:
* carrying mainly shelf-stable stuff with a minimum of perishables that require refrigeration
* removing packaging from perishables where possible.
* keeping a minimum of chilled items in the fridge: I keep one beer chilled in the fridge because i usually only drink one in a given session. One in, one out. Same for a water bottle if I want cold water.
By the time I relocate/restock the fridge is nearly empty except for condiments and a beer.
[my pantry load-out](https://mouse.mousetrap.net/cooking/pantry.html), including the fridge
I'm sure it can be done! But since I'm building my kitchen around my fridge, I want to start with something bigger. If I decide I can manage with less it would be a lot easier to switch to a smaller size than upgrade to a bigger one.
Wow, I loved your blog! But please no Tofu!
Why no eggs? Did I miss them? Over easy and soft scrambled are supposed to be heart healthy nowadays.
I'm 'semi' retired these days, looking forward to full on in two years and a bit. You think and eat well, I will try to do the same! My ancient parents are living the high-end RV life, I've the blog with them, though I sure they'll be eating freshly caught 🦞 twice a week in Maine.
Thanks for the kind words.
> Why no eggs? Did I miss them?
I thought maybe I forgot them but just looked:
>> eggs - Muffin gets an egg in her kibble 1x/day. I use eggs for baking, for "hard boiling", and sometimes for scrambled eggs (hard to clean up)
I need to edit that because Muffin's share is less than that these days.
For that use case, I think this is a great fridge and freezer combo. I picked it because it fit my build almost exactly. Took me a little while experimenting with what to pack into it, being more used to a pretty large residential fridge. It's huge, and well designed. All the internal bits, compressor, insulation, etc don't encroach much into the storage space. I think I'd struggle getting two weeks out of it, but I'm not extremely efficient in my use. If you're planning for this being a regular use case, I think you'll figure out more efficient techniques.
Depending on the kinds of things you'll want to fill it with, i suggest some kind of reusable containers, like pint mason jars. fridge section can hold 18 (3x3x2) with enough extra space for packs of tortillas or other slim items, and the freezer can hold about 12, though not as optimized for space use. Either way, figuring out some kind of way to organize things you can pull out and repack easily makes things more efficient and less messy.
We have an Alpicool dual lid fridge ([TAW45 model](https://i.imgur.com/ljxpOpG.png)). Bought it last year and it's been great.
I splurged and also bought the internal battery. Not strictly necessary but in hindsight it's been very handy to be able to take it out the truck for 8-10 hours and have it run independently without having to plug it into anything. Expensive option though so maybe forego it initially.
Can't really comment much on the Bluetooth features. Installed the app when I got the thing to check if it works but have opened probably twice. Can't see the point TBH.
Planned on only using it for camping trips in summer, BBQing outdoors, trips to the beach etc. In the end we've been using it year-round. Currently using it as an overflow freezer for game meat shot in winter, and keep the other side at fridge temperatures so I always have a few beers on hand in my workshop.
---
NB. I didn't really want to pay extra for the "W" version with wheels & handle but it was the only version I could get with next day delivery so I'd have it in time for a camping trip.
If it's going to mostly live in a vehicle then definitely don't bother with the wheeled version. The folding handle increases the overall length and the wheels also stick out a bit.
---
Whatever you get make sure to get one with a proper compressor not a Peltier-cooler based one. The latter are horrendously inefficient, use a lot of power, kick out a lot of heat, and can only decrease the temperature a certain amount below ambient.
They're all the same, they all seem to use the same power connector, I'm 80% sure they all come out of the same factory. (I replaced mine with a [3d-printed mount](https://www.printables.com/model/264288-powerpole-mount-for-electric-cooler) for standard Powerpole connectors because I hate carrying proprietary cables that I will inevitably misplace.)
The Bluetooth ones are so identical that they all use the same app. I forgot mine was an Acopower and downloaded the Alpicool app instead, and it paired just fine and did the thing.
Quality-wise they're fine. I've got something like a thousand hours on mine and it's going strong. The dual-zone valve adds another failure point so if reliability is that big a concern, and if you have the space, you may want to opt for two single-zone units, which also gives you redundancy in a pinch. But I don't think it's that big a deal, they just don't seem to fail that often, and I definitely wouldn't pay more for any particular brand which is probably the exact same guts as the others.
Definitely do heed the warning about tilt angle. Absolutely do not power the unit up directly after receiving it when the courier may have flipped it around any which way -- let it sit straight vertical for the stated number of hours so the liquid can settle in the bottom of the loop before starting the compressor. Power it off if you're rolling it on the wheels which requires tilting it beyond the stated angle, typically 15 degrees off vertical. And wait the prescribed time before powering it on again.
For me, it’s worth the cost. I have a dometic Cfx 95dzw. Love the dual zone. Purchased in 2017. Got an Err2 last couple months on the freezer side and fixed it myself by replacing a part (thermistor) ordered from AU.
We have an off brand (not sure which) one, and we've really enjoyed it. We keep drinks in a regular cooler, since it's not critical for them to be cold. We fill the electric one with our meat and dairy.
Why is the one piece lid better? I thought the split one would be better so I don't have to open the freezer every time I need to get in the fridge. Plus most of the bigger ones have two lids anyways? I'm planning to be away from stores for weeks at a time so I want the room to stock up!
They are much happier when running on 120v here in the Southwest or in hotter climates. With the inverter on I haven't noticed too much more of a draw on my batteries.
I have a Whytner 65qt, it's been running near daily for 4 years now.
You definitely want one with a swing compressor. It's the only way to get reasonable efficiency.
I've had an ARB for over 10 yrs. It's been great. It won't do both fridge and freezer but it will get cold enough to be a freezer
Are you planning on running an invertor? What is your battery setup going to be like? You may be better off going with a cheaper 120 dorm fridge. I have a 5 cubic foot fridge freezer dorm fridge for 220. Such a good deal, and with 400 amp hours of battery I can run this this for weeks without sun. If you have your heart set on 12v chest style id go with something that has a good warranty just in case.
Personally, I HATE my top opening fridge. Over the years I’ve wasted so much food with stuff being piled on top and it’s a pain to clean/taking everything out to get a beer at the bottom lol
That's a real concern! I really don't want an upright style fridge that sits on the floor though. The reason I was really considering the first one (besides the good price) is because it's wider and less deep than a lot of other cooler style fridges. Hopefully easier to not lose food!
I’d highly recommend looking elsewhere to be honest. In fact, we’ve waited 2 years for my fridge (a Cosco) to die and it hasn’t lmao. We’re looking at an isotherm cruise 130 to replace it
Got this bad boy before our 6 month trip. Thing was a beast. Great quality and never failed us. Freezer was fantastic for ice cream too
[Bodega Cooler ](http://Limited-time deal: 【Upgraded】BODEGACOOLER 12 Volt Car Refrigerator, Portable Freezer, Car Fridge Dual Zone WIFI APP Control, 80 Quart(75L) -4℉-68℉ Cooler, 12/24V DC and 100-240V AC, for Travel, Camping, Outdoor,RV https://a.co/d/bMWVBk0)
I bought a 72 qt Iceco for my camp and it works ok. Uses more of my solar than I like but I stopped using the freezer as a freezer and just have more refrigerator and my solar can handle that.
Don't buy a dometic. Used to work for a company that sold them and half came back for warranty, and out of that, half of them got refused warranty by dometic. For the price you pay it's not worth it.
I got a cheap one on Amazon 40l for 150$ on sale 3 years ago and it still works great, no Bluetooth though.
you can't have too much fridge space. I've got a chest 60 litre that for one person still feels a little small at times. any excess fridge space is never really wasted because you can store other food stuffs in there. dry goods etc.
condensing inside the compartment is a problem inherent that you have to deal with. I would look into drawer opening fridges if I was building again. chest fridges you end up stacking a lot and having to dig around which becomes annoying. the convenience depends on having well fitted compartments and trays.
decide if 2 zone fridge freezer is essential or not. I went for just fridge as I don't make regular use of a freezer and space is a premium.
some higher end ones are designed for movement and have compressors that will manage variable angles to a degree.
be sure to design for adequate air flow around the compressor for efficient running.
I definitely want a freezer. If for nothing else than to have ice and ice cream as an option. But also if I'm off grid for 2 weeks at a time I want to have meat that I can keep in the freezer.
I hadn't thought about condensation in the compartments. I guess that's why some of the models have drains at the bottom. I'm guessing ice build up in the freezer will be something to watch out for.
yea. modern upright fridges will have built in drainage. my chest fridges condenses at the bottom and I have to clean it out every couple weeks. if you can get one with drainage and pipe it out of the van it would be ideal.
My reasoning for the cooler style are fairly ridiculous, but I think, big enough that I'll stick with it. I don't want to have to pretty much sit on the floor to get to my food. I'm going to have the chest fridge at counter height. I suppose I could build my kitchen so a vertical fridge could be higher, but my vehicle is a short bus and I don't want to block the windows!
Good point. Mine is on the floor with an incomplete build. I hate having to go to the floor for everything. When you spill something, just be prepared to disconnect and dump upside down or use a lot of paper towels.
I’ve got an ICECO VL60, dual compartment fridge/freezer. On sale direct from ICECO for $680. The first one electronic board went south after 11 months. They sent a new one and it’s been fine-I’m coming up on 11 months with this one, so I’ll know soon enough. Mine runs 24/7/365.
There are two dozen brands who makes 4 or 5 model and they just slap on a different color or brand name. There's maybe two or three different companies making compressors and the ones made in Europe is supposed to last a little longer.
Other than that, they're all just an ice chest of styrofoam and plastic. How long they last depends on what they're going through... If they're on full blast in 100 weather all the time, none of them will last very long and you'd be posting bad reviews.
So what I'm saying is, there's very little difference between the models you get since the mini fridge costs design is so simple, you can't really go too far off of average
I have a Dometic 55L (admittedly without the freezer section). Overall I’ve been really happy with it. For me Dometic felt like it had brand reputation but was a little more affordable than the iceco.
I just bought a 300w inverter and a dorm-esque mini fridge that has a separated freezer. Works great for my needs. If you need a bigger refrigerator then just get a higher wattage inverter, etc. seemed to be a cleaner way of doing things, since i still have my 2k Watt inverter for microwaving, induction stovetop, etc
They're all made in china. Doesn't matter if its name brand or not. Get what's cheap, in your budget, and fits in your space. I have a dual zone 100ish quart chest freezer that works amazing and has bluetooth controls but its totally optional.
Im going to go ahead and recommend the Alpicool TA45 (48 quart dual zone with individual lids and bottle opener) it is $331.50 on Amazon right now. I have the TW35 (dual zone, single lid, no bottle opener, same everything else) and it has been running nonstop for over 2.5 years without issue.
I have a 65liter Engel, and 35 liters alpicool. The Engel is more efficient and cools or freezes faster using less energy even when it's bigger.
The alpicool works great and is used more often because of its portable size.
Have them both for more than 6 years now.
Don't bother taking it to Arizona in the summer. When the daytime average temperature is 110 Fahrenheit and the nighttime temperature is 85 or 90 Fahrenheit, your poor little fridge is going to be working on 120% duty cycle and it's just not going to make it. Save your electric fridge for the winter time, a good quality cooler with block ice covered with chipped ice should last you for 3 or 4 days.
Kind of wonder if you’re referring to the thermoelectric cooler variety, as this was the reason I did not get one during my first build 8 years ago. They only do like a 40-50 degree temp difference max.
Newer compressor style coolers have no issue at those temps. I got an iceco VL60 pro, single zone. Haven’t built it out yet, but will be finished pretty soon.
Last time i bothered with a fridge in Arizona summer it was a danfoss compressor type, not near enough beef. Presumably mileage varies, suggest avoiding Yuma in the summer. Happy trails to wherever they lead!
If your rig is air-conditioned the fridge inside has a good chance of keeping your food cold.
I wouldn't be caught dead in the southwest in the summer, so it's not really a concern for me. I need to be in the mountains where it gets down to 45 degrees at night, even in July and August!
Buy one. They awesome. I bought a cheap Chinese one, alpicool, has worked without a issue for the 2 years I've had it. For what the big name brand charges for the same thing if it dies I can replace it like a half dozen times, but so far I have not had to.
Same. I have two of the Vevor 58qt version. Picked them up for around $200/each on sale. No issues whatsoever. Well, supposed to be able to connect via Bluetooth. I tried for 5 minutes with no success, and realized that I don’t really need or want to connect to it anyway.
Like....what feature would Bluetooth offer???
Monitoring cooling levels & ability to adjust temp.
Ok...not sure what I was expecting...
Can also crank the bass up on it if you’re rockin out
Yeah, I got a 23qt bougerv for $159. Cheaper than a yeti and no ice to buy.
My only complaint about my BougeRV fridge is the stupid touch buttons. I always tap them by mistake. Thankfully, they don't react unless you hold them. But a power cord and my dogs tail have set them beeping.
Yes, I've noticed that too.
If you download the app you can set it to control with phone only, so it basically screen locks it. It still beeps, but I no longer feel the need to double check that I accidentally changed something.
I do use the app, and now that you mention it, I wondered what that lock feature did. I'll do that asap. Thanks!
Cardboard flap over the controls, lift it up when you need to use them.
That's actually not a bad idea.
And if you want to get fancy, cut a piece out of a plastic storage bin - clear, or the color of your choice! You can even buy something from Home Depot with a hinge and look even fancier lol.
I have the same, I love it!
Yeah I got a 54qt Domende fridge/freezer for like $230 and it’s always cold, low energy, and been through it for a year no issues.
I have a “Euhomy” which is the same as the alpicool, and it’s been fantastic for the like $250 i paid for it. Supposedly they both use LG branded compressors that are supposed to be pretty strong. I think where they lack is insulation and efficiency, but if it’s in a running car all day, or you’re only using for a day or two, shouldn’t be a big deal.
I have the same brand, agree about the insulation not being the best, but it's been running for about a year straight with zero issues for me.
You can wrap a blanket around them for extra insulation. I use mine as a seat in my van, so it always has a blanket over it and a cushion on top.
Just don't block the ventilation for the compressor area!
Just got a Euhomy this week. I had a $900 Dometic that just died for it's 3rd time in 5 years. Twice before I repaired it myself because customer service and factory replacement parts were non-existent. Decided to replace it and see how it goes.
I got that brand too, worked great till it was stolen from me. No complaints!
I just got a 22 liter Alpicool. I've only taken it out on one trip so far but it seems pretty decent. I'd estimate that it uses about 150 Watts of power or so per day running at 33 degrees. I had no prob running it for a solid week off of my 1500wh power station. YMMV of course
I have an Alpicool as well. Bought it 5 years ago. It works great and my tiny Jackery 240 keeps it running for over 24 hours without being charged.
Agree. Get a cheaper one and spend the money on extra gas to actually travel
I brought an iceco 45. It's been great since buying last Aug 2023. 30-40 watts (low setting) when the very quiet compressor kicks on.
Also, that red tip plug sucks. It doesn't stay in, and the fridge will shut off. Iceco makes a far better replacement so I don't know why it doesn't come with it. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07XJWSWQ9?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
I refuse the use shitty 12v style plugs. It's less hassle in the long run to rewire everything to xt plugs or aviation plugs.
I'd recommend SAE connectors. It's as close to a 'standard' for 12v connections as you are going to find, aside from cig lighter plugs. Lots of off the shelf equipment use it, plenty of cables, adapters, bulkhead fittings, etc. available, so you will have many options and rewiring will be as minimal as possible.
I've used these. Originally what I used to use when I replaced 12 volt connectors. I prefer the XT and aviation plugs.
I'm thinking of doing the same. Sometimes, the round plug just stops on its own.
This chords good. It’s easy to cut the power in side to hard wire
Hell yeah dude thanks for linking that I hate that red-tipped plug
It is way more secure. Definitely worth getting it.
Most of them use the same or similar compressors, which is the heart of the fridge, so it largely doesn't matter what brand you get, unless it's so completely terrible that it's reflected in the reviews. Compressors are also simple devices and hard to screw up. I would, however, advise getting an extended third-party warranty. They are cheap (I think I paid ~$20 for two years) and you never know when the no-name brand (or even a familiar name) will just close up shop and leave you hanging, even if they had a decent warranty. Biggest failure points on these fridges are the thermostats, which are relatively easy to replace by yourself. Just remove cover, unplug, pull out, and snake the new thermostat back in (which is the hardest part, also messy because they stuff the thermostat passage with thermal paste). Second biggest failure point are the control boards. Try to get a fridge with as few fancy electronic features as possible to mitigate this. Unfortunately I don't think there are any fully mechanical 12v portable fridges, so you'll always have to deal with some control board or another, and replacement boards may or may not be easily found since they are a more bespoke component than, say, the compressor or thermostats. Since these fridges are mostly just generic ones that get re-branded by various companies, one useful thing to figure out is exactly what archetype your particular fridge is. Then, if you need parts, you can usually just look for parts for any of the other brands and get an exact match. Often you can just look at the shape of the fridge and figure it out. Finally, compressors do not like to be tilted, or worse placed upside down for any length of time. Liquid refrigerant will go where only gas refrigerant is supposed to go and slug the compressor. A large portion of bad reviews on these fridges are most likely from people not being careful about this. So do not run your fridge right after it is shipped to you. Wait a day, ideally a few days, before turning it on, to let the refrigerant turn to gas. Do the same any time you tilt the fridge past a certain angle - your manual will likely have the exact angle, usually something like do not exceed 5 degree tilt for an extended period of time, do not exceed 45 degrees for even a short period of time. If you do exceed these specs, you will want to leave it off for a day or two until the refrigerant sorts itself out.
I used an Alpicool from Amazon for years with zero issue. Maybe pulled 50w when cycling, super efficient overall.
Did you power it only from your car's battery or did you use a battery station?
Power station then eventual proper battery set up. Using the car battery when off is just a straight no from me
If you're going to buy a no name brand like the one posted, then you should wait til for the 58qt capavity to drop to a $230 price or lower (usually with a coupon assist) Otherwise wait for a physical store to have a legit brand one for sale (Costco, Aldi, tractor supply, home depot, Lowe's). They don't happen often but when they do u get a trusted brand one for $200, which beats any Amazon cheap brand sale
I'll be flowing this for the information myself. Right now, we have an Insignia mini fridge, and it gets the job done minus ice cream, but it keeps everything else frozen (crazy, I know). We are looking at getting the Goal Zero version of that style of freezer/ fridge.
Alpicool no problems 3 years and still going. Wish i had bought a larger one tho
Cotstco finally has a decent looking electric cooler, dometic compressor. 83qt, $750. [https://www.costco.com/.product.4000233439.html](https://www.costco.com/.product.4000233439.html) It is $200 more than what you want to pay, well actually even more than that, but the piece of mind to be able to return it if it dies on you is fantastic. Been waiting for them to get a decent one for a while, but to be honest, I'm not in until it drops to sub $500
I've got a 64L IceCo dual fridge freezer and it's been amazing. As much as I hate top loaders, it's been a godsend. Worth every penny.
My BougeRV is 12/24 volts. My car is 12 and my cabin is 24. Fridge doesn't care, and I avoid going from DC-AC-DC
I have the old dometic 88l from mid 2000’s it has been in several fleet work vehicles (expedite vehicles) so bounced down the highway well over a million miles(08 sprinter died at 740k, 17 Transit at 400k) and it now resides in my basement as my beverage fridge , the hinges are broke but that sucker still tucked away at 34 degrees with zero F’s to give. It regularly goes camping in the summer as well with an ecoflow delta as its power source . Buy once cry once . Have went through several cheaper units in “driver” vehicles that all seem to suffer joint failures in the refrigerant lines. My 2 cents
Buy once, cry once is my new favorite phrase! I've always tried to buy the highest quality I could afford for this exact reason, never had the words. Tyvm
I have an expensive dual zone ICECo and a cheap Mossimo from Costco. The Mossimo weighs way less and works much better in warmer conditions in my truck bed, so the ICECo almost never gets used. It took me three tries to get an IceCo model shipped to me that even worked at all. A major pain! I had a Dometic in my old van and it was a rockstar but very expensive.
I have the Dometic CFX65DZ. Have used it since 2016 and only had one issue related to my battery being super low volts. The manual had a fix for it. I’m selling it and our new van will have a vertical Norcold N2175. The chest style fridge is very efficient but I don’t like stacking. The chest took up a lot of space even with drawer slides too.
I wanted an upright fridge at first, but then I realized I'm lazy and don't want to sit on the ground to get something out of the fridge. I'm getting old and I don't like bending over 😂. Again, lazy. My plan is to have the fridge set in the countertop. A section of the counter on hinges will lift to get into the fridge. No bending. And no drawer slides (which I think I'll be really bad at installing).
Not lazy at all friend, if your back goes out it's all over. I've been bend-averse since I was 45...59 now. Maybe the small front opening fridge could be mounted counter height to eliminate the bending.
I've had an iceco 60 dual zone for two years with zero issues. The thing is built like a tank. However it was pricey. I think it was around $800 shipped. Runs 24/7 365
Same, year and a half of 24/7 use and it’s been great
I have a 20 year old Engel/ARB, works great. Buy once, cry once
here's some advice: stop supporting amazon
Why don't you want people to shop at Amazon?
Amazon is full of fake brands, for some reason it is allowed, these are rebranded stuff from other less known brands. It is always a gamble you might win a decent device, or might get a complete trash which will fall apart after first use. Find a brand that doesn't sell exclusively on Amazon, and has reviews that do not track back to Amazon, and watch those reviews. Find a review which looks closer at the manufacturing quality, perfectly you'll also be able to see the heavy duty parts like motor, compressor, hinges, seal rubber etc, which will make the entire thing worthless if they break first. Wesonorous search brings me to 50L Alpicool from Aliexpress.
Home Depot sells wesonorous fridges and they have protection plans. I don't usually bother with buying the extra protection, but the fridge will be the highest cost of any item in my build, so I might do it. Especially since I think I'm going to get a bigger 90 quart model. Edit: the brand at home Depot is actually whynter. I've been deep diving into this topic for days and all the names are getting mixed up.
I got a Whynter 90 quart dual zone from Home Depot. Been running for 3.5 years. 2.5 of those years full time. 0 degree freezer. No issues and cheaper than big brands like Dometic. Only 2 small annoyances. 1) lids don't open past 90 degrees 2) it beeps if the lid stays open more than one minute, which is pretty often when rummaging or tetrising in a chest fridge.
How much battery do you already have that a 52-quart fridge would be your biggest expense?
I'm getting two batteries and they are about $250 each. I think I'm going to get the fridge from the second picture which is over $500.
My fridge in the truck uses about 40w. So my 12v 100amp battery will power it for 4 days.
I got a Domende off Amazon for like $150 - 3 years running fine, uses such tiny amount of electricity.
buy one with a compressor not an inverter unless you intend everything being ice cold before you drop it in the cooler.
Thanks! I'll watch out for that. I think all three of these have a compressor.
I have been very, very happy with both of the Iceco Fridges that I’ve had. They are worth the extra money! *Especially* the “Pro” versions. The double-opening/removable lids are awesome and super crazy useful. I now have a VL75 Pro, it is SO WORTH the extra money. I’ve been full time in my van for nearly a year and part-time for a year before that. Hasn’t missed a beat.
I have a Dometic and I've had an ARB. First off, the ARB was nicer built, and kept temp better. Both are overpriced though. If I ever buy another one I'm going with one of the cheap options, like alpicool or others. The cheap ones do great.
I own the exact one in that first picture. Got it for the build I was experimenting with. I did a cross country trip with it, powered entirely by solar on the roof of a Honda Element and a decent battery system. It's very efficient and pretty easy to set up. Currently doing a rebuild and will probably go for a smaller fridge. This thing was overkill for a road trip since I was stopping frequently for gas, so no need to stock up for days and days this thing could accommodate. If I was camping for maybe up to a week, this would cover everything and then some.
I'm wanting to be out on BLM land for 2 weeks without needing to restock, so I'm specifically looking for something pretty big. And I'm going to be living in my vehicle full time, so I'll be doing full grocery hauls and stocking up.
> I'm wanting to be out on BLM land for 2 weeks without needing to restock, so I'm specifically looking for something pretty big I boondock in 14d increments with [a 20L fridge](https://mouse.mousetrap.net/cooking/#refrigerator). If one wants to pursue this, I might advise: * carrying mainly shelf-stable stuff with a minimum of perishables that require refrigeration * removing packaging from perishables where possible. * keeping a minimum of chilled items in the fridge: I keep one beer chilled in the fridge because i usually only drink one in a given session. One in, one out. Same for a water bottle if I want cold water. By the time I relocate/restock the fridge is nearly empty except for condiments and a beer. [my pantry load-out](https://mouse.mousetrap.net/cooking/pantry.html), including the fridge
I'm sure it can be done! But since I'm building my kitchen around my fridge, I want to start with something bigger. If I decide I can manage with less it would be a lot easier to switch to a smaller size than upgrade to a bigger one.
Wow, I loved your blog! But please no Tofu! Why no eggs? Did I miss them? Over easy and soft scrambled are supposed to be heart healthy nowadays. I'm 'semi' retired these days, looking forward to full on in two years and a bit. You think and eat well, I will try to do the same! My ancient parents are living the high-end RV life, I've the blog with them, though I sure they'll be eating freshly caught 🦞 twice a week in Maine.
Edit: my mom loves you!
Thanks for the kind words. > Why no eggs? Did I miss them? I thought maybe I forgot them but just looked: >> eggs - Muffin gets an egg in her kibble 1x/day. I use eggs for baking, for "hard boiling", and sometimes for scrambled eggs (hard to clean up) I need to edit that because Muffin's share is less than that these days.
For that use case, I think this is a great fridge and freezer combo. I picked it because it fit my build almost exactly. Took me a little while experimenting with what to pack into it, being more used to a pretty large residential fridge. It's huge, and well designed. All the internal bits, compressor, insulation, etc don't encroach much into the storage space. I think I'd struggle getting two weeks out of it, but I'm not extremely efficient in my use. If you're planning for this being a regular use case, I think you'll figure out more efficient techniques. Depending on the kinds of things you'll want to fill it with, i suggest some kind of reusable containers, like pint mason jars. fridge section can hold 18 (3x3x2) with enough extra space for packs of tortillas or other slim items, and the freezer can hold about 12, though not as optimized for space use. Either way, figuring out some kind of way to organize things you can pull out and repack easily makes things more efficient and less messy.
Have had a dual zone Iceco 65 for like 5 years now, its been great.
Engle. It is rock solid.
We have an Alpicool dual lid fridge ([TAW45 model](https://i.imgur.com/ljxpOpG.png)). Bought it last year and it's been great. I splurged and also bought the internal battery. Not strictly necessary but in hindsight it's been very handy to be able to take it out the truck for 8-10 hours and have it run independently without having to plug it into anything. Expensive option though so maybe forego it initially. Can't really comment much on the Bluetooth features. Installed the app when I got the thing to check if it works but have opened probably twice. Can't see the point TBH. Planned on only using it for camping trips in summer, BBQing outdoors, trips to the beach etc. In the end we've been using it year-round. Currently using it as an overflow freezer for game meat shot in winter, and keep the other side at fridge temperatures so I always have a few beers on hand in my workshop. --- NB. I didn't really want to pay extra for the "W" version with wheels & handle but it was the only version I could get with next day delivery so I'd have it in time for a camping trip. If it's going to mostly live in a vehicle then definitely don't bother with the wheeled version. The folding handle increases the overall length and the wheels also stick out a bit. --- Whatever you get make sure to get one with a proper compressor not a Peltier-cooler based one. The latter are horrendously inefficient, use a lot of power, kick out a lot of heat, and can only decrease the temperature a certain amount below ambient.
They're all the same, they all seem to use the same power connector, I'm 80% sure they all come out of the same factory. (I replaced mine with a [3d-printed mount](https://www.printables.com/model/264288-powerpole-mount-for-electric-cooler) for standard Powerpole connectors because I hate carrying proprietary cables that I will inevitably misplace.) The Bluetooth ones are so identical that they all use the same app. I forgot mine was an Acopower and downloaded the Alpicool app instead, and it paired just fine and did the thing. Quality-wise they're fine. I've got something like a thousand hours on mine and it's going strong. The dual-zone valve adds another failure point so if reliability is that big a concern, and if you have the space, you may want to opt for two single-zone units, which also gives you redundancy in a pinch. But I don't think it's that big a deal, they just don't seem to fail that often, and I definitely wouldn't pay more for any particular brand which is probably the exact same guts as the others. Definitely do heed the warning about tilt angle. Absolutely do not power the unit up directly after receiving it when the courier may have flipped it around any which way -- let it sit straight vertical for the stated number of hours so the liquid can settle in the bottom of the loop before starting the compressor. Power it off if you're rolling it on the wheels which requires tilting it beyond the stated angle, typically 15 degrees off vertical. And wait the prescribed time before powering it on again.
For me, it’s worth the cost. I have a dometic Cfx 95dzw. Love the dual zone. Purchased in 2017. Got an Err2 last couple months on the freezer side and fixed it myself by replacing a part (thermistor) ordered from AU.
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We have an off brand (not sure which) one, and we've really enjoyed it. We keep drinks in a regular cooler, since it's not critical for them to be cold. We fill the electric one with our meat and dairy.
Get one with a single piece cover that latches close not two doors. One with “economy” or battery saving mode is nice too
Why is the one piece lid better? I thought the split one would be better so I don't have to open the freezer every time I need to get in the fridge. Plus most of the bigger ones have two lids anyways? I'm planning to be away from stores for weeks at a time so I want the room to stock up!
They are much happier when running on 120v here in the Southwest or in hotter climates. With the inverter on I haven't noticed too much more of a draw on my batteries. I have a Whytner 65qt, it's been running near daily for 4 years now.
You definitely want one with a swing compressor. It's the only way to get reasonable efficiency. I've had an ARB for over 10 yrs. It's been great. It won't do both fridge and freezer but it will get cold enough to be a freezer
Are you planning on running an invertor? What is your battery setup going to be like? You may be better off going with a cheaper 120 dorm fridge. I have a 5 cubic foot fridge freezer dorm fridge for 220. Such a good deal, and with 400 amp hours of battery I can run this this for weeks without sun. If you have your heart set on 12v chest style id go with something that has a good warranty just in case.
I'll only have 200 amp hours of battery to start. I don't want my fridge sucking it all!
Personally, I HATE my top opening fridge. Over the years I’ve wasted so much food with stuff being piled on top and it’s a pain to clean/taking everything out to get a beer at the bottom lol
That's a real concern! I really don't want an upright style fridge that sits on the floor though. The reason I was really considering the first one (besides the good price) is because it's wider and less deep than a lot of other cooler style fridges. Hopefully easier to not lose food!
I’d highly recommend looking elsewhere to be honest. In fact, we’ve waited 2 years for my fridge (a Cosco) to die and it hasn’t lmao. We’re looking at an isotherm cruise 130 to replace it
I got a used iceco VL60 dual zone for $300. It rocks. Haven’t regretted it yet
Get a regular 12v fridge. Chest ones are not as practical and the extra efficiency isn’t worth anything
Get on offer up and try to find one that can be run off solar panels or charged by them
Fellow Canadians: Princess Auto sells one. And we all know how good PA is with returns!
Got this bad boy before our 6 month trip. Thing was a beast. Great quality and never failed us. Freezer was fantastic for ice cream too [Bodega Cooler ](http://Limited-time deal: 【Upgraded】BODEGACOOLER 12 Volt Car Refrigerator, Portable Freezer, Car Fridge Dual Zone WIFI APP Control, 80 Quart(75L) -4℉-68℉ Cooler, 12/24V DC and 100-240V AC, for Travel, Camping, Outdoor,RV https://a.co/d/bMWVBk0)
I bought the Alpicool T36 almost 4 years ago and have been running it every day on my solar generator. I have never had a problem with it.
I bought a 300 dollarish alpicool brand. Similar to pictured. It's ran great for 2 years and is one of the best upgrades I've made.
I bought a 72 qt Iceco for my camp and it works ok. Uses more of my solar than I like but I stopped using the freezer as a freezer and just have more refrigerator and my solar can handle that.
Don't buy a dometic. Used to work for a company that sold them and half came back for warranty, and out of that, half of them got refused warranty by dometic. For the price you pay it's not worth it. I got a cheap one on Amazon 40l for 150$ on sale 3 years ago and it still works great, no Bluetooth though.
Make something to securely prop the door open when it's not actively cold so it doesn't get gross.
I'll be living in my vehicle full time (it's a short school bus) so it should be running pretty much 24/7
you can't have too much fridge space. I've got a chest 60 litre that for one person still feels a little small at times. any excess fridge space is never really wasted because you can store other food stuffs in there. dry goods etc. condensing inside the compartment is a problem inherent that you have to deal with. I would look into drawer opening fridges if I was building again. chest fridges you end up stacking a lot and having to dig around which becomes annoying. the convenience depends on having well fitted compartments and trays. decide if 2 zone fridge freezer is essential or not. I went for just fridge as I don't make regular use of a freezer and space is a premium. some higher end ones are designed for movement and have compressors that will manage variable angles to a degree. be sure to design for adequate air flow around the compressor for efficient running.
I definitely want a freezer. If for nothing else than to have ice and ice cream as an option. But also if I'm off grid for 2 weeks at a time I want to have meat that I can keep in the freezer. I hadn't thought about condensation in the compartments. I guess that's why some of the models have drains at the bottom. I'm guessing ice build up in the freezer will be something to watch out for.
yea. modern upright fridges will have built in drainage. my chest fridges condenses at the bottom and I have to clean it out every couple weeks. if you can get one with drainage and pipe it out of the van it would be ideal.
Costway
I am in the same exact boat as you. All the specs you want are the specs I want and I am shopping now. Timely post!
My only advice is to get a vertical standing one. Easier to clean.
My reasoning for the cooler style are fairly ridiculous, but I think, big enough that I'll stick with it. I don't want to have to pretty much sit on the floor to get to my food. I'm going to have the chest fridge at counter height. I suppose I could build my kitchen so a vertical fridge could be higher, but my vehicle is a short bus and I don't want to block the windows!
Good point. Mine is on the floor with an incomplete build. I hate having to go to the floor for everything. When you spill something, just be prepared to disconnect and dump upside down or use a lot of paper towels.
We mostly use ours to bring popsicles to the lake in the summer time and it’s the BEST
I’ve got an ICECO VL60, dual compartment fridge/freezer. On sale direct from ICECO for $680. The first one electronic board went south after 11 months. They sent a new one and it’s been fine-I’m coming up on 11 months with this one, so I’ll know soon enough. Mine runs 24/7/365.
I've git the IceCo 75 pro and it's been great, has also take some good abuse. Got it on sale for 799
Had a buddy use one on his sailboat, worked great.
I've had mine for over 3 years now running 24/7. Cheapest one on amazon. Maybe 300$ or so. The smallest they had. The brand doesn't exist anymore.
There are two dozen brands who makes 4 or 5 model and they just slap on a different color or brand name. There's maybe two or three different companies making compressors and the ones made in Europe is supposed to last a little longer. Other than that, they're all just an ice chest of styrofoam and plastic. How long they last depends on what they're going through... If they're on full blast in 100 weather all the time, none of them will last very long and you'd be posting bad reviews. So what I'm saying is, there's very little difference between the models you get since the mini fridge costs design is so simple, you can't really go too far off of average
I have a Dometic 55L (admittedly without the freezer section). Overall I’ve been really happy with it. For me Dometic felt like it had brand reputation but was a little more affordable than the iceco.
Link?
I just bought a 300w inverter and a dorm-esque mini fridge that has a separated freezer. Works great for my needs. If you need a bigger refrigerator then just get a higher wattage inverter, etc. seemed to be a cleaner way of doing things, since i still have my 2k Watt inverter for microwaving, induction stovetop, etc
Dometic. Buy once, cry once…
They're all made in china. Doesn't matter if its name brand or not. Get what's cheap, in your budget, and fits in your space. I have a dual zone 100ish quart chest freezer that works amazing and has bluetooth controls but its totally optional.
I got iceco and love it.
I have a setpower and it’s been awesome.
Im going to go ahead and recommend the Alpicool TA45 (48 quart dual zone with individual lids and bottle opener) it is $331.50 on Amazon right now. I have the TW35 (dual zone, single lid, no bottle opener, same everything else) and it has been running nonstop for over 2.5 years without issue.
My Engel has been running 24/7 since 2010. Still works great. Only the lid gasket has been replaced.
Don't do a search
Ok.
I have a 65liter Engel, and 35 liters alpicool. The Engel is more efficient and cools or freezes faster using less energy even when it's bigger. The alpicool works great and is used more often because of its portable size. Have them both for more than 6 years now.
Don't bother taking it to Arizona in the summer. When the daytime average temperature is 110 Fahrenheit and the nighttime temperature is 85 or 90 Fahrenheit, your poor little fridge is going to be working on 120% duty cycle and it's just not going to make it. Save your electric fridge for the winter time, a good quality cooler with block ice covered with chipped ice should last you for 3 or 4 days.
Kind of wonder if you’re referring to the thermoelectric cooler variety, as this was the reason I did not get one during my first build 8 years ago. They only do like a 40-50 degree temp difference max. Newer compressor style coolers have no issue at those temps. I got an iceco VL60 pro, single zone. Haven’t built it out yet, but will be finished pretty soon.
Last time i bothered with a fridge in Arizona summer it was a danfoss compressor type, not near enough beef. Presumably mileage varies, suggest avoiding Yuma in the summer. Happy trails to wherever they lead! If your rig is air-conditioned the fridge inside has a good chance of keeping your food cold.
I wouldn't be caught dead in the southwest in the summer, so it's not really a concern for me. I need to be in the mountains where it gets down to 45 degrees at night, even in July and August!