Read on for a guide on what to look for when selecting a refrigerator for your van. Your Parents Were Right! Wondering if I could get your thoughts Im building out a Chevy express for 1-2 week trips and weekend camping, and Id like to avoid the whole electrical, charge control, fuse box, battery set up, and am leaning towards an all in one jackery 1000 with 200w solar panels. 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But, Engels are renowned for their overall quality and reliability, so even though the price is hefty its safe to say that this is a good long-term investment. And even though the best 12 volt refrigerators for campervans arent cheap, having one means saving money (and eating healthier) by cooking your own meals. I think that the Jackery is a great option for weekend camping and shorter trips. The lid on these fridges hinges from the back, making the ARB our top choice overall if you need a rear-hinged lid. Our mission here at Gnomad Home is to do our best to provide tools for nomads to make build decisions based on their own needs, priorities, and budget. As an Amazon associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Our general advice is to stick to reputable brands there are a lot of cheap/shitty knock offs out there that draw too much power and wont last. After logging in you can close it and return to this page. Dometic also has a solid reputation for reliability and support. Introducing The United We Van Cookbook, collaboration of the nomad community. You may be making some tradeoffs in terms of reliability and efficiency with some of these units, but youll also be spending way less money. Engel fridges are not the most feature-packed. Plus, there are now 12V fridge brands like Iceco that can go toe-to-toe with higher end units in many respects. Is there a significant difference in power draw between the brands, and do you think I have enough power for the fridge, maxx air fan, LED lights, water pump, and phone charging? This seems like an interesting option because freezers have additional insulation built in, and the temperature relay eliminates the problem of power loss by constantly leaving an inverter on. I dont do serious overlanding but plenty of potholed gravel roads. My charge controller generally registers 500w generated for the day average. So get out there and start exploring! We list dimensions and weights for all the 12 volt fridges we looked at below. Learn more. A good 12V fridge is one of the biggest investments youll make when building your van. Thanks! Owners of this 12 volt portable fridge generally report power consumption at less than 1A per hour, which is consistent with Dometics numbers, so its safe to say that this is a very efficient 12 volt refrigerator. Most fridges also automatically sense battery voltage and will go into standby mode (i.e. Learn more. Its kind of a big let down seeing the herd mindset in supposed alternative living communities. Im not sure if a fridge that large would fit between minivan front seats, but it might. Some 12 volt portable refrigerators have lids that hinge from the back, while others have side-hinged lids. However, the van in that photo is a full size Chevy Express, not a minivan. They do skimp on some features that come standard on other fridges, most notably digital temperature controls. They also draw much more power than 12V compressor fridges, making them difficult to run on an off grid electrical system. Local store prices may vary from those displayed. As far as the types of fridges used residentially we recently toured the Earthship community outside Taos, NM, which is community of completely off-grid self-sustaining dwellings. Chest fridges are shaped and configured like coolers, and include handles for easy portability. Hi Alex, thanks for commenting! Higher end 12 volt refrigerators have been getting more and more expensive over the past few years and while top brands like Dometic, ARB, Engel, etc., make excellent units, the value may not be there for a lot of people. Ultimately, vanlife is not about gadgets and HGTV interiors its about enjoying the freedom to create your own life. With chest fridges, the door is at the top, which means that cold air will pool at the bottom of the fridge where it has nowhere to escape. If your budget doesnt allow for a higher-end fridge (and you dont want to use a cooler while you save your pennies), then you might want to take a hard look at less expensive brands. BougeRV offers a standard 2-year warranty on their fridges, which you can extend to 3 years by registering your product. Our single-use, throwaway culture is completely insane, but you dont have to buy into it. Reputation is also a factor here. Search 12V refrigerator on Amazon, and youll be met with dozens of similar-looking products sold under generic-sounding names like Costway, F40C4TMP, SetPower, AstroAI, and Bodega. With chest fridges, its easy to look straight down and see all the contents. In this post, we help you wade through all the vanlife refrigeration options, from cheap to top-of-the-line to DIY. Im a veteran cooler user and for years have used frozen water bottles for ice. Everything you need for an off grid adventure. Read More Installing Laminate Flooring in Our Conversion VanContinue. For a fridge I think Ill need a 40-45 liter. They do cost a bit more than other options, but theyre well worth the price and we dont hesitate to recommend them (our own ARB 12 volt refrigerator has been a kickass addition to our van). But the same general idea applies for converting it to a DIY vanlife fridge. They are rugged and well made, include top quality components like Danfoss SECOP compressors, and they are among the most efficient 12 volt refrigerators out there. They also stand behind their products with a 3-year warranty and highly-rated customer support. If you make a purchase we may earn commission. They use a manual control knob instead of digital controls (some actually prefer this), and they do not have an automatic low voltage shut off (although the Sawafuji compressor supposedly adjusts its power draw when battery voltage is low). And these fridges lack some features that come standard on other fridges. When youre boondocking in the wilderness with your batteries and solar panels as your only power source, energy efficiency is a prime consideration. If you get a good one, it can be a great companion for you on the road. A portable 12 volt refrigerator can really amp up your vanlife, camping, or RVing experience. The Jackery Explorer 1500 and Explorer 2000 are even more capable of powering full time vanlife. We hope all the information weve presented here has been helpful but please let us know in the comments if you have a question or you think we left something out. So in this example, a 48ah LFP battery should be able to keep up with your fridge. I know that all TruckFridge units use Danfoss/SECOP compressors, which are also used in the portables. But if any fridge manufacturer wants to loan us a unit to conduct our own field tests, well happily oblige. (For example, Renogy started by rebranding mass-produced Chinese solar products, but have since developed into a reputable brand that has quality products, good support, and unique offerings). Low voltage cut off to protect your batteries. Frost Free Portable Freezer Cooler in Grey with Travel Refrigerator for Vehicles, Car, Truck, Camping BBQ, 0.7 cu. Which means in got batteries to full with only 500w500 / 12v = 42 amps. At the end of the day, whether a certain fridge will fit your vans configuration can be the deciding factor. Refrigeration means you can store fresh food and other cold items like vegetables, dairy, meat, booch, and beer. In our personal experience, weve found that placement of the fridge also affects things. I suspect TruckFridge is same as IceCo specs are identical. We were actually pretty impressed with it overall. This may be the only choice for those that are bothered by the noise. Dometic also uses their own proprietary compressor, while ARB uses the Danfoss. Most chest-style 12 volt portable refrigerators also come with dividers and dairy compartments, which help a lot with organization. 3-way absorption fridges are more commonly found in RVs, and in our opinion dont make much sense for vanlife. There has also been a proliferation of budget brands using quality components like Danfoss SECOP compressors that are worth looking at. You can also buy the Jackery bundled with their Solar Saga 100W foldable panels. Thermoelectric coolers plug into a 12V power source, and have the ability to chill their contents without ice. How does your fridge do with off-roading and not being level? But in a smaller 12 volt refrigerator, empty space is wasted space that just makes your fridges compressor work harder (and draw more power). This allows you to move your 12V fridge around your van, bring it inside and plug it into 110V AC if youre stationary somewhere, or stow it outside in cool weather for greater energy efficiency. ARB fridges are engineered entirely in house at ARB, so Dometic has nothing to do with the design of the product, but they do manufacture them for ARB. The cost of ice adds up, not to mention all the time and effort it takes to hunt down ice when you need it, periodically dump out any ice melt, and deal with potentially water-logged food. Furthermore lower voltage is less efficient overall. The most significant difference between our CFX and CF models is our CFX has a WAECO compressor, and the CF line uses a SECOP compressor. All of the fridges we look at here are generally efficient, but some brands are able to achieve greater energy efficiency due to better insulation, configuration, and compressor controls. We compiled data on average power draw, warranty, interior capacity, exterior dimensions, weight, noise level, features, accessories, and more. Needs vary from person to person, but our 50-Qt fridge has enough space for a weeks worth of fresh food for both of us, plus a few kombuchas and a couple of six packs. This is why we recommend the cheap fridge brands that we recommend: Alpicool and BougeRV. The thermostat is connected to a relay that kicks the inverter on and off as needed. But you do get what you pay for, including best-in-class energy efficiency, durability, and a slew of advanced features. But if youre a weekender, or if youre just testing out this whole vanlife thing, or if youre on a shoestring budget then a good cooler is a great option for keeping your food cold on the cheap. How Much Solar & Batteries Do You Need to Run a 12 Volt Portable Refrigerator? Hope that helps! A couple things about the Jackery are giving me pause the shorter lifespan of the battery, and only the one DC cigarette outlet. UseGnomad12for 12% off sitewide (including on all their other fridges, as well as solar panels and accessories). F40C4TMP 12 Volt Refrigerator, 37 Quart (35L) Portable Freezer With Wheels, Car Fridge (-4~50), Electric fridge With 12/24V DC And 100-240V AC For Camping, Truck, Travel, RV, and Boat, VEVOR Portable Refrigerator 48 Quart, 12 volt Refrigerator with Compressor and App Control, Metal Shell Chest Refrigerator, -4 to 68, DC 12/24V, AC 110-240VHome & Car Use, Whynter FM-65G 65 Quart Portable Refrigerator, AC 110V/ DC 12V True Freezer for Car, Home, Camping, RV-8F to 50F, One Size, Gray, AAOBOSI 12 Volt Car Refrigerator 53 Quart (50L) RV Portable Refrigerator Freezer APP Control Car Fridge Cooler -4-68 Electric Compressor Cooler 12/24V DC & 100-240V AC Travel Refrigerator for Car, Camping,Truck,RV and Home Use, K-box Electric Cooler and Warmer with Wheels for Car and Home - 48 Quart (45 Liter) - 6 FT. But every van is different, and the best lid direction for you will depend on your specific setup. Since then, the number of vanlife fridges available has exploded. Level never been a problem. They actually use 12V RV fridges in their builds (the ones we saw were just a bit smaller than a full size refrigerator), as well as 12V lighting. Read our full review of the BougeRV 53-quart portable refrigerator. The OEM for many generic 12V fridge brands. This post may contain affiliate links. Price and other details may vary based on product size and color. Dual Zone Portable Freezer in Gray, 3.18 cu. Hi Jon, both are great fridges. I am looking for something that will fit inbetween the seats of a 2001 Honda Odyssey. Jackery Explorer 1000 portable power station paired with two SolarSaga 100w solar panels. Our parents told us we could be anything as long as we worked hard. Hope that helps! Read on to find out! And if your food shifts around inside the fridge while youre bouncing down those gnarly backroads, with a chest fridge you wont have to worry about your eggs flying out at you when you get to your campsite and open the fridge to grab a cold one. Cheers! Top subscription boxes right to your door, 1996-2022, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. What are real some world experiences with only powering a fridge for a while and then letting it coast and act as a cooler? Read More How We Decided to Sell Everything and Live in a VanContinue. ARB fridges hinge from the short side, whereas Dometic fridges hinge from the long side. So thats 2 years of data. Below are our top picks for best overall value, best high end/upgrade fridge, and best budget 12 volt refrigerator (we recommend additional options in each category further down in this post). So read on and discover the best refrigeration solution for your rig! Or, if you prefer, you can skip to our list of recommendations. Theres nothing like having a 12 volt refrigerator in your van or at your campsite to really bring the comforts of home on the road. One big reason some vanlifers choose upright fridges over chest fridges is their layout. And youll likely end up with a ton of empty air between the top of your food and the bottom of the next shelf. We spoke with people who run 12V throughout their houses along with a handful of regular 120V outlets, and only turn their inverters on when needed (just like we do in the van). We think the 40 Liter Engel MR040 is the best option for vanlife. Here are some tutorials weve found detailing a DIY fridge conversion: If youre just beginning your vanlife journey and dont want to throw down for an expensive 12 volt fridge and electrical system right away, then a good cooler can get you started for a minimal cost. fridge youre getting will fit your needs. I wouldnt run any fridge or sensitive electronic equipment off a MSW inverter. With a 1002Wh lithium battery, 1000W pure sine inverter, and the ability to charge via solar, the Explorer 1000 is a top notch solar generator for basic power needs. And chest-style 12 volt portable refrigerators are generally more energy efficient than upright-style 12 volt fridges. You really cant go wrong with an Engel 12 volt refrigerator, especially if you want a reliable and portable fridge that you know will last for many, many years. Based on our research, Dometic CFX3 fridges are the most efficient that weve found. All of this is more difficult with an upright fridge. Youre seeing this ad based on the products relevance to your search query. ft. Anyone have specs on the TruckFridge65 as far as incline? Danfoss SECOP compressor and ICECO quality with durable ABS construction and a front-opening lid. You really do get what you pay for with these. Thanks for catching this! My wife and I are building a van that we can live in full time starting next year. Youre naturally bulk charging every few days or 2 weeks at most. In our opinion, Iceco 12 volt refrigerators offer the best overall value out there in the portable refrigerator market. I hope that helps, let me know if you have other questions! Engel fridges use the rock solid Sawafuji Swing Motor compressor, and many owners have run the same fridge for decades. The Dometic CFX3-series represents the top of the line when it comes to 12 volt refrigerators for vanlife. Batteries and solar are expensive, and the more energy efficient your appliances are, the more money you can save in capacity (or the more time you can spend off-grid while still powering everything you need). The Jackery Explorer 1000 has enough juice to run a 12 volt refrigerator and other vanlife necessities, but you will need to be proactive about seeking out sunny weather to keep it charged. Check out ourvanlife deals pagefor awesome discounts on vanlife products & more from some of our favorite companies. I agree with your dislike of groupthink and herd mentality. The most rugged fridge ARB makes. Since they open from the front, you dont need to make sure theres enough overhead space to open the lid, like you do with chest fridges (to make this less of an issue, you can buy a fridge slide or make your own). Some owners have reported difficulty getting their 12 volt refrigerator repaired or replaced if issues pop up. They dont have a whole lot of bells and whistles such as digital features, but thats not a selling point for many. Thanks! They use Wancool compressors, which are cheaper rebranded versions of the highly-efficient and reliable Danfoss compressor. ; ), Shouldnt have problems using any 12V fridge as a seat . Over the course of one day (24 hours), a 12V fridge drawing 2.0 Amps per hour will drain 48 Ah from your battery. Hi Bret, thanks for commenting! ft. - Manual Defrost Portable Freezer Tailgate Refrigerator in White. This can be a bit of a black box, though, since most companies dont release their average power draw numbers (and the companies that do, they dont use the same testing critera, so its tough to compare apples to apples). Iceco refrigerators offer all the basic features that weve come to expect in 12V refrigerators, including battery protection and eco/max cooling modes. Renogy also makes a 20A version and a 60A version. BougeRV discount codes:UseGnomad90for $90 off the 53-qt model. Hi Jeff, thanks for commenting! Available in sizes from 38 to 101 quarts, and both single and dual zone. You agree to receive emails from Gnomad Home. Hi Charly, that is correct. Heres a quick rundown of what to look for when evaluating 12V fridge choices for your van: 12 volt refrigerators can be pretty expensive in general, but theres quite the range of prices between high-end brands and budget brands. Solid and inexpensive 12V vanlife refrigerators. But it should be pointed out that Costway is a company that basically imports white labelled products from China and rebrands them with their label. This is mind blowing, thanks for sharing. So you can imagine how silly it seems everyone going out paying 10x more for a 12v. I imagine that would provide peace of mind. See how we learned many skills and trades in our van build. If installing your own electrical system sounds intimidating (its not that bad promise! Dometic does list noise level specs most of their fridges clock in at 42 dB (this is only when the compressor is running). If you read Dometic reviews on Amazon you hear people saying it is louder than I thought it would be, so John seems correct since most use the same compressor that 35-40dB is about right, and theres no good solution beyond going with an ice using one. When sizing your battery bank, you also need to consider the type of battery you have. This prevents it from cooling too much, and also prevents power drain from leaving the inverter on all the time. (Sounds like you have two inverters the 1kw dedicated to the fridge, and the 400w for everything else? Thank you! CFX3 fridges may not be the best value, but they are excellent products that are worth the cost to some. But they are both solid units, and I agree that the choice may come down to dimensions and lid orientation. In the US, Dometic offers a standard 2-year factory warranty on their products, with the option to purchase an extended warranty for up to 3 years. Hi John, this is very helpful thank you! These tests were conducted with ambient temperatures ranging from the upper 70s to the upper 60s. That said, 12V fridges dont actually run 24/7 the compressor kicks on only as needed. In our opinion, Iceco refrigerators offer the best overall value in the vanlife refrigerator space. Thank you! In addition to solar, its a good idea to install a battery isolator or DC-DC charger, which allows you to charge up your batteries from your alternator while driving. Yeah a dedicated 1kw. The top-down layout of chest-style 12 volt fridges allows you to tightly pack them to fit more stuff and eliminate any wasted space. Hi Jeana, we found that warranty information from several sources, but I just followed up with Dometic directly and the 3+2 warranty is only offered in Australia. Both made by Dometic and both use Danfoss compressor. They offer a longer standard warranty in Australia. The front-open fridges in stationary dwellings are huge, and give you plenty of space to spread out and organize your food items. https://trademark.trademarkia.com/iceco-88206159.html. This is highly efficient for a dual zone refrigerator/freezer thats actively running the freezer compartment. Not the cheapest nor the most expensive fridges, they sit in a Goldilocks sweet spot of top notch components, efficient performance, and affordable pricing. Most 12 volt portable refrigerators on the market use the exact same highly efficient Danfoss SECOP variable speed compressor, although some brands (including Dometic/Waeco, Engel, and Whynter/Edgestar use their own units). If swing compressors were so good youd see them in residential and commercial fridges and ACs by now. But ive learned about a hard start capacitor for a fridge. How can a front-open fridge with shelves and drawers be tougher to organize than a chest fridge that forces you to stack items on top of each other? United We Van and the Ultimate Vanlife Cookbook. I use cheap modified sine wave and only as big as needed. They include more advanced features than any other 12 volt refrigerator on this list, including a reversible side-opening lid, the ability to control the fridge settings from the comfort of a wifi app, and a usb port for charging devices. After extensive research and testing, weve narrowed the huge list of 12 volt portable refrigerators for van life down to a handful of fridges that we recommend. We discuss whether those expensive 12 volt fridges are really worth the cost, and what you may be giving up with the cheaper units. Use coupon code GNOMAD for 12% off at Iceco.com. This may seem like a minor consideration, but it can make a big difference in your van set up. Designed for 44 expeditions in the Australian outback, ARB 12 volt portable fridge/freezers are known for their durability and ruggedness. Just want to make sure Im understanding your set up trying to get mine set up at the moment and need all the ideas i can get). But there are many tales of units that break down after a few months, and of owners having difficulty getting support from the manufacturer. Everyones needs, priorities and budgets are different, and the right decision for one person may not be right for someone else. That can make a huge difference in how you configure your interior. The big advantage to power stations is convenience and ease of use, but you will pay a bit of a premium for that. Hi, thank you for sharing all this info! I dont know where you guys got the warranty information.. On Amazons website for the CFX50 that you recommend, it says the warranty is 1 year on the compressor and 2 years on parts. BougeRV sells the best among the slew of inexpensive Chinese mass-produced 12 volt refrigerators that are now all over Amazon and elsewhere. Yet EVERYONE says you gotta have 12v. They are the most efficient out there, they offer the most advanced features of any 12V portable fridge, and Dometic is well-known for producing top quality 44 and mobile living components. Thanks!