Best 12v cooler/fridge

[FiremanWanderer]

Looking to buy a cooler or fridge for my four wheel hawk shell to run off of a 12v plug in. Any recommendations? What has worked for you and what doesn’t work. Thanks!

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

I use a 40 qt top opening Engel, and am happy with it. Others use Dometic and Truck Fridge, but if you have the budget, National Luna is considered very good.

 

[CoreyTrevor]

ARB, the temp display is not accurate, but it's consistently inaccurate so I know what the numbers mean.

There are quite a few comparisons and reviews online, I researched a lot before buying.

 

[Mighty Dodge Ram]

The 12v compressor chest fridge market has expanded wildly in the past few years: Engel/ARB, Indel B/Truckfridge, Waeco/Dometic, Snomaster, National Luna...with price points that range from about $500 on up way past $1k. Uprights, also, many coming over from marine applications. I used to have an ARB 52 but now run a Dometic 75DZ (dual zone, freezer & fridge). Your data points will include interior/exterior dimensions, capacity, features, and price, of course. Watch for specials; typically, overlanding shows had fair discounts but in the absence of them, there are internet specials popping up.

 

[CougarCouple]

Hello FW
Only have experience with one, Engle MR 40.
Low power consumption, been on its side couple times. Have been using as extra freezer since March in the House.
Running 24/7.
I know there are other good product’s out there, this is ours with Engle. Thought the lack of digital temp would be a problem. When I got the dial settings figured-in with pocket thermometer, it’s easy.

Russ

 

[ckent323]

I have an excel spreadsheetiI made in 2018 comparing a number of different 12 v refrigerators (dims, current draw, etc) mostly in the 30L - 40L range. I added some 40L - 50L units to it in 2019.
If interested send me a PM and I will reply with the spreadsheet.

I'm not sure if there is a way to upload it here.

In general the Engle units use a proprietary HFC134-A piston compressor design and pretty much all the others use the Danfoss DB35F compressor.

From on-line research I did it seems that several if not most of the brands are made by and bought wholesale from a a couple or a few Chinese companies and then branded and sold retail. Housing and internal compartment materials (stainless vs plastic), style (handles & lid opening external features) and perhaps insulation are the biggest differences since they all use the same compressor.


Regards,

Craig

 

[Stokeme]

Here is an informative side by side review of many of the top choices. I have used this site previously for different gear. This review came out a year after I purchased my Dometic CFX 50W. It came down to $ for sure but the lid closure orientation was important to me. With my Shell build I preferred side to side closure. I fortuitously found the Dometic heavily discounted on a small independent site. With my wife, now as a regular camp companion, it is nice to have the extra size. My initial choice was the CFX 40W. I am not sure if they still make the exact same CFX models.
ARB & Engel, solid performers, were more expensive in 2018 than Dometic. Maybe this has changed? I removed the Shell bunk carpet, installed a deck, & drilled an entry down to the electrical station. I stacked another fuse box & hardwired a pigtail to accommodate the Dometic. It is a tough (rugged build style) unit. So far, so good, I sure hope for a long life.
My $.02, don’t look at the Costway. You want good insulation, u want durable & u want less noise in a small camper.

https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/reviews/camping-and-hiking/powered-cooler/dometic-cfx-50w

 

[Outnabout]

When these are used in the main truck compartment are you plugging it into the twelve volt plug that is what used to be the cigarette lighter socket? Do you leave it plugged in even when you are not driving, say overnight and it doesn’t bring your starter battery too far down?
Thanks

 

[Happyjax]

My Truckfridge TB41 stays in the camper now and runs 24/7 on the Battleborn 100 Ah and a 170Watt solar panel.

When I used it in the truck itself I plugged it into the 12 V socket when I was driving but used a home made 50Ah battery box for overnight.
I'm sure my truck battery would run it but I felt better letting that battery do what its intended purpose is and using a second source of energy when the engine was not running for hours.
YMMV

 

[Outnabout]

My Truckfridge TB41 stays in the camper now and runs 24/7 on the Battleborn 100 Ah and a 170Watt solar panel.

When I used it in the truck itself I plugged it into the 12 V socket when I was driving but used a home made 50Ah battery box for overnight.
I'm sure my truck battery would run it but I felt better letting that battery do what its intended purpose is and using a second source of energy when the engine was not running for hours.
YMMV

Thanks. Good insurance.

 

[ckent323]

Outnabout,

We have a Dometic CFX-35 behind the center console of our 1993 Dodge w250 Diesel Clubcab.

The refrigerator has both a 12v cigarette style plug that easily reaches the cigarette lighter socket in the front of the cab as well as a duplex 12v/USB socket that I added to the rear cab area. It also has a 110 v A/C cord so I can plug in shore power as needed.

It is a snug fit but works well for us. With a little bit of effort I can remove it from the truck when it is empty if desired.

We do not leave it plugged in all the time. We typically only use the refrigerator in the truck when underway and then move any perishables to the camper once we set up. We leave water bottles and similar non perishables in it.

However, we have an ML-ACR and 220 Ah deep cycle house batteries connected via 6 Gauge Marine wire to the 1000 CCA truck starting battery in the event we need the extra refrigerator or freezer capacity when camped. The 200 W solar system on the camper keeps the batteries charged. That allows us to run the Dometic in the truck it when parked.

It was installed new in August 2018 and has worked flawlessly since.

 

[Outnabout]

Outnabout,

We have a Dometic CFX-35 behind the center console of our 1993 Dodge w250 Diesel Clubcab.

The refrigerator has both a 12v cigarette style plug that easily reaches the cigarette lighter socket in the front of the cab as well as a duplex 12v/USB socket that I added to the rear cab area. It also has a 110 v A/C cord so I can plug in shore power as needed.

It is a snug fit but works well for us. With a little bit of effort I can remove it from the truck when it is empty if desired.

We do not leave it plugged in all the time. We typically only use the refrigerator in the truck when underway and then move any perishables to the camper once we set up. We leave water bottles and similar non perishables in it.

However, we have an ML-ACR and 220 Ah deep cycle house batteries connected via 6 Gauge Marine wire to the 1000 CCA truck starting battery in the event we need the extra refrigerator or freezer capacity when camped. The 200 W solar system on the camper keeps the batteries charged. That allows us to run the Dometic in the truck it when parked.

It was installed new in August 2018 and has worked flawlessly since.

Thanks. Sounds like a good setup.

 

[Zoomad]

I'm running an ARB 52 in my camper. It runs off an auxiliary battery I have in the engine compartment that powers the camper using a 6 gauge wire. Using in on a week long trip, moving locations daily with the ARB running solely off of the battery was still above 12v every morning. Keep in mind I was also running the lights inside the camper and using multiple USB outlets I had installed charging my phone and gopro batteries. Once down to the target temp the ARB barely pulled half an amp at the most based on my power meter I have in the camper.