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geewizard
Senior Member
Joined: 16 Apr 2017
Location: Spokane
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Posts: 347
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Topic: 12v portable fridge/freezer recommendations? Posted: 19 Feb 2020 at 8:34am |
I'm looking for a 12v portable fridge/freezer. Any suggestions, recommendations, reviews?
I know Dometic, ARB, and other brands exist. I'm after personal experiences.
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2021 Winnebago Micro Minnie 1708FB
2017 R-Pod 177 (Blue) HRE SOLD
2004 Outfitter Apex 8 camper
2014 Toyota Tundra DC
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SteveA
Groupie
Joined: 19 Jul 2017
Location: Sandpoint Id
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Posts: 56
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Posted: 19 Feb 2020 at 9:08am |
I've had good luck with this unit. We've removed the freezer divider and use the fridge as only a fridge and the portable as our freezer. It works great but does add a little hassle as it did force an upgrade from 1 12v battery to 2 6v. Also when traveling I plug it into the cars 12v cig lighter and when parked it gets plugged into the 110 if available but we can manage with the use of a 100w solar or a hour or so of the Honda 2000i when boondocking. We went this route due to we like to travel and stay in the Pod for extended periods and the fridge just wasn't larger enough. For weekend trips we leave the divider in the fridge.
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2017 179 1/2
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geewizard
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Joined: 16 Apr 2017
Location: Spokane
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Posts: 347
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Posted: 19 Feb 2020 at 10:05am |
Thanks Steve.
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2021 Winnebago Micro Minnie 1708FB
2017 R-Pod 177 (Blue) HRE SOLD
2004 Outfitter Apex 8 camper
2014 Toyota Tundra DC
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offgrid
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Joined: 23 Jul 2018
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Posted: 23 Feb 2020 at 8:13am |
The cheaper 12V fridges use thermoelectric technology which is very inefficient. The better more efficient 12V fridges use vapor compression systems like your home fridge does. Danfoss/Secop have the best reputation among these small 12V compressors, thy're been around for 40 years or so. Even with a Danfoss/Secop system your electric load will go up quite a bit, so keep that in mind in your planning.
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1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold
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geewizard
Senior Member
Joined: 16 Apr 2017
Location: Spokane
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Posts: 347
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Posted: 24 Feb 2020 at 7:21am |
Thanks, offgrid. I would not consider any portable 12v fridge/freezer that is thermoelectric. I'm after one with a compressor. I should have made that clear.
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2021 Winnebago Micro Minnie 1708FB
2017 R-Pod 177 (Blue) HRE SOLD
2004 Outfitter Apex 8 camper
2014 Toyota Tundra DC
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offgrid
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Joined: 23 Jul 2018
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Posts: 5290
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Posted: 25 Feb 2020 at 5:56am |
Great.
I don't have any firsthand experience with one brand over another, but since all the good ones are going to be using the same Danfoss/Secop vapor compression systems it will probably come down to the insulation level and quality of fit and finish of the fridge box convenience of use, fan noise, etc. I suggest checking the online reviews on Amazon etc for that kind of info.
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1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold
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geewizard
Senior Member
Joined: 16 Apr 2017
Location: Spokane
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 347
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Posted: 25 Feb 2020 at 7:39am |
I'm looking for one that will fit underneath my dinette seat. There are several that might work. And I can install DC power and vents easily enough.
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2021 Winnebago Micro Minnie 1708FB
2017 R-Pod 177 (Blue) HRE SOLD
2004 Outfitter Apex 8 camper
2014 Toyota Tundra DC
|
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offgrid
Senior Member
Joined: 23 Jul 2018
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5290
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Posted: 25 Feb 2020 at 8:28am |
If you want to place it in a seat compartment and you're feeling pretty ambitious you could get one of the Danfoss compressor/condenser/evaporator kits and build your own custom fridge compartment. The condenser/compressor could be located somewhere a few feet away to save space. That would be a cool mod. The sailboat folks do this stuff all the time so if you look on some of the cruising salboat forums I'm sure there would be lots of information there.
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1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold
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