The 12v Fridge/Freezer Thread

TacoXpo

HOAX DENIER
Just set your fridge to 26 degrees (what mine is set at) and the beer stays super cold yet not frozen.
We make ice tea slushies with ours.
 

Oswego

n00b
Just set your fridge to 26 degrees (what mine is set at) and the beer stays super cold yet not frozen.

Aren't they only good to some set temp below ambient? The one and only time I looked into them they had something like 30-40* cooler than the ambient temp so if it was 100* your beer would be 60*

Sure tech has advanced since then but I'm 99% sure they never stayed at a set temp back when I was looking.

You want fighting batteries?

No idea what they are..... but less electronics the better IMHO.

Few times up North (VT/ME) we just put our beers in a stream cause the melt off from the snow kept the streams freezing cold
 

Silverback

Lima Gulf Bravo Foxtrot Juliet Bravo
Aren't they only good to some set temp below ambient? The one and only time I looked into them they had something like 30-40* cooler than the ambient temp so if it was 100* your beer would be 60*

Sure tech has advanced since then but I'm 99% sure they never stayed at a set temp back when I was looking.

It can be 100 degrees out and I can make it as cold in the fridge as I want to. The peltier type coolers work that way.
 

tex

That's Mr Asshole to you
I used mine as a freezer last summer to bring Blue Bell ice cream and deer meat to my brother. Running at -8 while it was in the mid to upper 90s.
 

CowboyTaco

Well-Known Member
Aren't they only good to some set temp below ambient? The one and only time I looked into them they had something like 30-40* cooler than the ambient temp so if it was 100* your beer would be 60*

I believe you are referring to thermoelectric coolers.
 

CowboyTaco

Well-Known Member
I defrost mine about once a year. It probably will need that done by Sept/Oct again.

Overland Journal has done a few articles comparing fridges.

A decent review... not OJ though.
Overland Fridge Buyer's Guide - OutdoorX4


Buyers Guide: Portable Fridge-Freezers - Expedition Portal

That Black Forest one is kind of intriguing. The side vent looks like it is the same mfg as the Indel B stuff and uses the same compressor, but the electronics and lid look to be a little different.

Currently on Amazon for $350 and uses the Danfoss compressor. It is a bit small, but looks like it would fit in the back of the Expedition with the 3rd row up. Not going to feed a family of 5 on a camping trip, but might be good for day trips and going to the park.

https://www.amazon.com/Black-Forest...0718Y69T5/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

Oh, and something else of note, the Danfoss compressor is now call the SECOP compressor.
 

CowboyTaco

Well-Known Member
Ok, so SnoMaster claims to use a SnowMaster compressor and offers a 5 year warranty. Looks like many of them include a transit bag and remote control. Definitely seems like a good option...especially with a warranty that rivals any others that I've seen.

The price also reflects that they are proud of their offerings.

In regards to the compressor on the Costway/FOHO/CSI fridge on the OP, the same style base as the Smittybilt, I found someone on Amazon state that the compressor in their unit was a “Hua Jun” ZH25G which is supposedly a Chinese knock-off of the Danfoss/SECOPs compressor. Though one of the articles that @Silverback linked suggested that the Smittybilt uses the Danfoss.
 

Silverback

Lima Gulf Bravo Foxtrot Juliet Bravo
I haven't looked lately, but last time I was doing some research, the SnoMaster's used more amps than most. Just food for thought.
 

Oswego

n00b
depending on the credit card you have, some will double the mfg's warranties on items up to 5 years I think. Something to think about with that much money invested if the others have lesser warranties. I know one of my cards does this but can't remember which - either my Citi or Cap 1
 

balakay

BabyMax
I believe you are referring to thermoelectric coolers.

This. The 12v fridges we are referring to are the same as your freezer in your kitchen. Doesnt mstger if its 80 degrees in your house, they'll keep your food at 0 degrees if that's where it's set.
 

Oswego

n00b
I believe you are referring to thermoelectric coolers.
This. The 12v fridges we are referring to are the same as your freezer in your kitchen. Doesnt mstger if its 80 degrees in your house, they'll keep your food at 0 degrees if that's where it's set.

That changes my stance allot, but still not for me in my cars/trucks. Def would be great for me in a offgrid cabin or trailer. Cabin plans Ive been messing with for years is all 12v. Screw inverters robbing efficiency for everything. Maybe a socket or two on a small inverter for whatever I may need 120v for
 

CowboyTaco

Well-Known Member
That changes my stance allot, but still not for me in my cars/trucks. Def would be great for me in a offgrid cabin or trailer. Cabin plans Ive been messing with for years is all 12v. Screw inverters robbing efficiency for everything. Maybe a socket or two on a small inverter for whatever I may need 120v for

Supposedly, a battery pack, like this can power the fridge for a few days and be recharged with a small solar panel. Would definitely be a good option if going off-grid for a few days or longer. It would also allow you to put it in your car/truck without needing to connect to the starting battery.

In addition to the solar charge, you could charge it up using the existing 12v connection that is on when the car is running.
 

Anathollo

Armorall is my choice of lube
Staff member
Supposedly, a battery pack, like this can power the fridge for a few days and be recharged with a small solar panel. Would definitely be a good option if going off-grid for a few days or longer. It would also allow you to put it in your car/truck without needing to connect to the starting battery.

In addition to the solar charge, you could charge it up using the existing 12v connection that is on when the car is running.
If I wasn't going to run a fridge in my truck/car full time, this battery pack is definitely the way to go. Cheaper than installing a secondary battery and you can recharge the battery pack while you drive/wheel during the day from an existing 12V outlet.
 

Anathollo

Armorall is my choice of lube
Staff member
depending on the credit card you have, some will double the mfg's warranties on items up to 5 years I think. Something to think about with that much money invested if the others have lesser warranties. I know one of my cards does this but can't remember which - either my Citi or Cap 1
I think AMEX adds a year onto warranties as well. I'd have to reread the terms again to see what all it would apply to.
 

Oswego

n00b
ah yes, I posted about them a few years ago from Kodiak.

IMHO I'd skip that jackary and goal zero mainstream overpriced stuff and go legit with Inergy - Ive heard nothing but great things about them for years now Inergy Technologies - Power For Life

" all the kids are using these" lol - I watch a ton of videos from people who live in their vans and travel and this seems to be the cats meow
 

Anathollo

Armorall is my choice of lube
Staff member
ah yes, I posted about them a few years ago from Kodiak.

IMHO I'd skip that jackary and goal zero mainstream overpriced stuff and go legit with Inergy - Ive heard nothing but great things about them for years now Inergy Technologies - Power For Life

" all the kids are using these" lol - I watch a ton of videos from people who live in their vans and travel and this seems to be the cats meow
Woof those are expensive! I don't like how they advertise them as "$270", then you click on the link and that's just the deposit amount.
 

Silverback

Lima Gulf Bravo Foxtrot Juliet Bravo
Woof those are expensive! I don't like how they advertise them as "$270", then you click on the link and that's just the deposit amount.

yeah, screw that.. add an solar charge controller, dual battery setup and a large battery.
 

CowboyTaco

Well-Known Member
If I wasn't going to run a fridge in my truck/car full time, this battery pack is definitely the way to go. Cheaper than installing a secondary battery and you can recharge the battery pack while you drive/wheel during the day from an existing 12V outlet.

This.

I think AMEX adds a year onto warranties as well. I'd have to reread the terms again to see what all it would apply to.

and this.
 

CowboyTaco

Well-Known Member
For the cost of the Inergy system, I would have to agree with the dual battery and solar setup.

The Jackery system seems kind of small, but like it would suffice. Their larger battery packs are much more expensive, but of course would last longer. I think I read somewhere that someone using the Jackery 167Wh unit that I linked above ran their ~50L fridge for like 3 days and nights and used like 50% of the battery. If that's a true statement, then I can't imagine needing a larger unit.
 

CowboyTaco

Well-Known Member
So it looks like the Whynter brand 12v fridges use a Panasonic compressor that requires a cooling fan. Don't know if the cooling fan is required on all of them, but I don't recall ever hearing a fan on our ARB 37L with the Danfoss. I've now found two different sites that claim the Whynter uses the Panasonic compressor.

I do not know if that is good or bad.

Also, apparently Edgestar is the Whynter house brand, so those are essentially the same fridge according to someone on thesamba.com (however reliable someone on the internet may be...)

FM-45G Whynter 45 Quart Portable Fridge/ Freezer - Whynter
upload_2020-8-5_15-37-53.png
 
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