Being 40 year refrig mech you should note that the biggest cause of compressor failure is a dirty condenser coil. Blow it out regularly with compressed air and use a con-coil cleaner periodically as well. Dirty/insulated coil equals higher refrig pressure, longer run times, hotter compressor windings & higher amp draw when running. I estimate that 80% of fridge/freezer problems relate to dirt on coils.
Been running TWO of the Engel fridges (one as a freezer, the other as a fridge) on 100% solar power, 24/7, for close to 9 months now. No problems whatosever. One of the best videos I found in terms of research was the original upload of this. Thanks for putting it back up! I'm sure it will help people a lot.
Luthorville, I couldn't agree more. Had an Engel 45 on 2 sailboats. It was the only item we kept when we sold our first boat. For 10+ years from San Francisco to Acapulco it served us perfect. In the tropics it would only use about 25 amp hours/day. 2 - 125 watt Kyocera panels easily kept up with all our power needs. In fact, the batteries were near full and float charging by noon every day. Best tip with solar is try to aim the panels at the sun. Turning your panels just 3 times/day can double your output.
I dont understand it but I commend you all for taping this for people that can use the lesson. God bless you all and Mr. Wells it seems that you started this movement to help van dwellers who need it and I hope there is always help for desparate peopl.
Great video. We have an Engel M27 which we use as a freezer. One little blue freeze block goes in the freezer as well as meat, fruit and veggies. Then the frozen block and a small package of frozen meat (to be cooked) moves into a small Engel molded type cooler to keep my yogurt, eggs... chilled. Always keeping one or two freezer blocks in the freezer and one or two meat packages in the simple cooler. Works perfectly with a solar/DC or AC.
Billy - I agree with you 100%. I use a Magic Chef 3.5 cu ft chest freezer and an appliance timer to keep the things in the top portion from freezing. Depending on the time of year, it's 30 minutes on and 60 minutes off. My solar easily handles it and I set the timer to be off from sunset to sunrise, although my battery bank could probably handle it a few times during the night. The freezer was only $118 at Home Depot and my cheap Harbor Freight 4000/2000 modified sine wave invertor runs it just fine. One of the best things I ever bought. Even if I was in a van I'd make room for it
One build had a cheap 120 volt 2.4 cu ft fridge {not a freezer with more insulation like his}. It averaged 3.5 amps for the fridge and inverter {and this would have been reduced with adding 1" of insulation to outside of fridge}. So much more than a 12 volt fridge. Kind of a trade off between more battery capacity and alternator charging vs. spending more on a efficient 12 volt fridge.
OMG.. Mr Bob. Im learning so much in regards to me going nomactic. From everyone you interview. Just want to say a Big thank you!!!👋👋. Im a widow . been 2 years. After working fulltime and taking care of my late hubby. For 11years from dementia. Im ready to retire . im 62 now. Put in all those years. Now i need time for me...i dont usually comment . just go with the flow of others comments. But had to give you a big THANK YOU.i got blessed in finding your channel. 🌈☺🌈. Hugs to coty.. Hes a very special fur baby☺..And a big Thank you to Jammie. I will visit his channel and. Sub.also. Lord Bless you both. Be safe .
I went from ice coolers to the thermoelectric iceless coolers ( don’t bother) to a recently purchased Dometic CFX40. What a difference in what I can bring. It draws nothing unlike the iceless cooler. Great info.
Purchased the new model Dometic CFF 45 model a couple of weeks ago, it is side opening on both sides without reversing the lid, both sides open... I have not turned it off, with a 3 year warranty... I'll be testing that out... I've been on one camping trip in 35 degree heat, works a treat with no problems , very quiet and I'm very impressed so far, we'll see how she goes as my fridge will be running all of the time not just on camping trips.
Pearll Garcia - Thanks Pearll. You are so right about how well they are insulated and they only draws 65 watts while running. Even in July I can set it to go off at sunset and at sunrise it is still holding 40-45 degrees. I forgot to mention that it comes with a basket to store things near the top. Very convenient
If you have a solar powered freezer where making ice is easy, freeze some small water bottles and those standard coolers gain amazing new efficiency for storing food.
I have a coleman 12v cooler, works when the car is running. If you have solar, you could run a small dorm refrigerator, I have seen them with a freezer section, though they are vertical units. They are rated at 1.5 amps 100 watts. It's a possible option, if you have a good solar setup.
I have been researching these. I have also considered the oldest method...clay pot within larger clay pot, the space in between the two pots is filled with sand, from there you wet the sand, put your goodies in and cover with a wet cloth! Always keep that damp and there you have it ;b
I love watching your videos. doesn't even matter what they are about, from toilets to trailer tours to 12v fridge reviews. Excellent channel my friend.
All these units are awesome. You guys made good investments and i'm sure you'll enjoy them for years to come. I want to give you and idea if I may. Seeing that the tops are being covered with pillows and blankets etc. to keep the cold in the fridge, why not build a box with a mesh bottom and a top lid and place it on top of the fridge for keeping things that have to stay in cool (not cold) storage? A wooden box for keeping fruits or pre-cooling beer.
Well ,clearly one of the more expensive components on any 'build out'. A person would just have to allow for that I guess. Thanks for the side by side comparison.
I live off grid and too occasionally would meet with my nephews to flyfish Western Montana at 90° F to 100° F daytime temps...Placing 2" blue/pink/or yellow styrofoam beneath these coolers and fridges kept the heat from the pavement rising through the vehicle floor and the cold from "falling" (where it naturally tries to go) out the bottom. I liked using a cheap Walmart sleeping bag with poly fill for wrapping the perimeter. In the shade of the well chosen available bushes I could keep ice blocks for up to 6 days, usability. Putting it in the rig of any sort cuts that in half but many other factors play into that. Thick, quality insulation beneath was number one.
I have an Engel MT series I purchased around 2004. Still running strong and draws very little power for what it can do. They are a great fridge/freezer.
Nice comparison. All good machines. I based my personal selection on Elec. Consumption and my research over a year ago showed the ARB as the most frugal. I use mine in camper and boat, the only caveat... make sure your accessory plug is wired with heavier gauge wire. I rewired my boat with a new accessory plug and 10 gauge wire. Lighter gauge wire won't cut it if your run is over 5 feet or so.
Hi Bob Coleman Portable Coolers work fine too on 12 volts I have one and modified it to turn off when it hits temp. Can be used as a fridge or freezer. The hook up to modify it was a couple of dollars on E bay. FYI. Nice vid. Keep up the good work. Great review though. Thumbs up.
Good stuff Bob. Irene and I went with the Whynter over a year ago! Awesome. Actually had as much to do with the physical size and how it opened as anything. Anyway, really pleased! See you down the road! 😊 --Mark
Alway’s a pleasure listening to your video’s. You really present things from the river point of view and let’s us neofites learn (and maybe weary) about different aspects of your way of life.
You can purchase adhesive door seals from lowes, home depot etc.. to double up the seal around the lids. Some of the small portable coolers have just a plastic lid, that has no filling you could possible get some of the expanding foam to fill it.
Nice video. I have been using a 66L fridge/freezer in my camper while traveling through Mexico and Central America for the past year. I underestimated the power draw of my fridge and wanted to help others avoid the mistake. I concur that the ambient temperature makes a big difference in efficiency. The compressors also put out some heat if they are running a lot, so that can add to the problem if you don't have good ventilation. The temperature you set the fridge at also makes a big difference as does the size of the cabinets and how often you open them. These are all things that you would probably assume to be true, but that the manufactures and most reviews don't mention when they talk about efficiency or power draw.
I’m a truck driver & I use a 65 quart Edge star. I paid $550.00 on Amazon. In 30 years this is the best fridge-freezer I ever used. I put it on 38 degrees & it only runs about 4 times a day for about 60 seconds. And is very quite..
Great video as always. But BOB no diet soda! Bad for your health! Want to keep you around as long as possible to keep spreading the how to's and important benefits of full timing! Namely freedom! 💗
Also the solution below (which kinda got lost in a fight) is excellent. You can buy a new chest freezer for a tad over $100 and they use apporximately the same current as one of these. It's a no brainer. I know a fellow who sells meat door to door with one mounted in the back of his pickup. Current draw is around 400 watts so a small inverter will do the job.
I can see using a smaller one as a freezer and a mediums sized one as the fridge. Also I can see more and more dry camping RVs being all electric kitchens, based on a good sized solar install of course.
I have the Tracker 4.8 amp Travel Cooler. It is perfect for keeping fresh deli at hand and it also is a heater which I had no need to try. Can be used in any position. I used it in horizontal fashion.. This will be my solar experiment on the most compact scale.
You can't beat the German Made Danfoss units. I spent a few years converting 120V Store bought, off the shelf Hotel, Motel Frigs to 12/24VDC. It was simple, took less them 2 hrs (including washout of the Refrigerant, evac, Solder in the new unit and charge. Danfoss comes with a low voltage shutdown component and just about everything you need to convert these units. Saved people HUNDREDS over the ones at the RV centers and Danfoss only uses 40 watt when running. which means a 50 watt solar panel will more the compensate for the power drain.
I have the Norcold 60qt in my bus. Bought it in 1993 and have had no problems with it. Course it is old fashioned R12, so the compressor doesn't have to work very hard. Now with my truck conversion am going to buy the duplicate unit now made by Engel.
When I built out my van in 2016 I was astonished at the prices of the 12v fridges/freezers - so I bought a small (3.2 cu ft) 120volt fridge (separate freezer and fridge - about $225) and a pure-sine wave inverter for (about $75). It uses 45 watts when running (about 1/2 time) and is very quiet and no fan as it cools the refrigerant by radiating heat from the sides. There are smaller fridges for about $100-125 if space is at a premium. Hope this helps
Thank you so much for this video, Bob. I have add this to my hitting the road shopping list. My intentions are to boondock 90% percent of the time. The other 10% I will be plugged in so that I can empty/fill tanks and fill the freezer. I like to make large batches of meals and freeze them in single servings. I was wondering how I would have the room for that. One of these compressor freezers will do that for me perfectly!! Thank you so much. Safe travels!!
yea i was doing that at home. i buy pre chopped frozen veggies, fry it, and then put it in containers for 4 days in the fridge. so i only fry every 6 days usually because i dont eat it on the 5th.
I live in Colorado it gets pretty cool at night I get ice trays put water in them and set them outside in the morning I put the ice in the cooler helps a lot do not have to buy ice.
I've had the mobicool fridge (cooler/warmer) with wheels and handle for about six years or more. Came with both plugs and no issues other than slight moisture after a few days, so I keep a cloth on the bottom. It keeps my stuff about as cold as my home fridge does. Its model w35. (Ac/dc) 12v (input: 46w cold 41w hot) climate class N, 37q/35L I love it so much I bought one without handles and built it in my van and keep the wheeled one for extra supply runs.
Elaine's Vannin' it thanks, its done me good in hot and cold canadian conditions. This isnt the place i got mine but the only site i can find the specs. www.conrad.com/ce/en/product/396306/MobiCool-W35-A-Electric-Cooling-And-Heating-Box-35-Litres-12230V
hi bob.. i have a request!.... i would like to know more about the van living community. Are people traveling together in groups? How do you make friends.. Do people hide from one another? The reason why i ask this question is because a lot of utubers continually complain about being lonely. Not that being lonely is a bad thing, i just know that people are still like pack animals.. they need community to some degree.. how did the rtr start? At any rate, lookin forward to hearing back.. don't be a stranger! nate..
I was looking at the whynter fridges and wanted to see what you were using, lo and behold that's exactly it. Going to buy the dual zone 90 quart for my rig (I'm building in a 24ft cargo trailer, so I have a little more room for amenities)
once again Bob a g rrreattt video presentation. Felt as I was watching Mutual of Ohmaha's Wild Kingdom lol. I just got the Whynter 62G last May fro BestBuy(best price and cheaper enough to get the cover and a 5 year Geek Squad Warranty) for a week long trip to florida. Worked out great! I use it as my fridge and also have the dometic CF 25 I use as a freezer. Both expensive but I don't have to run out for ice and things don't float lol. As I write I just got me some cheese and chilled wine out of the Whynter. Thanks for your helpful reviews. hope I can make it to Quartzite some time.
These are great vids, thanks. How about referencing the date of the original vid when you re-post them. As you know, technology changes constantly and this would help us evaluate in the information you present. Thanks much!
Noreen N - It draws 65 watts when running, so technically, minus any parasitic draw from the invertor, wiring etc, a 100 watt panel would do it Noreen. However, in the real world I would use 200 watts of solar and 2 batteries. That would do it if you didn't run anything else. I have 600 watts and 10 large car batteries. That's way more than I need, but I like to run my coffee maker, microwave, TV, exhaust fans etc, so I have more solar and more batteries cuz I have the room. If you are in a van and space is at a premium, go with 200 watts of mono crystalline and 2 batteries. I recommend Renogy panels because I get the full output they advertise. Hope that helps - Harold
Another excellent presentation, thanks Bob! But since this video is a bit dated I'm wondering if you have any updates on this. Like if you have found anything better since then. New products come out fast nowadays!
Great information! Isn't it also true that a compressor refrigerator doesn't need to be perfectly level to work the day a typical 2- or 3-way RV refrigerator does?
I like the Engels a lot, but I went with a Danfoss compressor Dometic. An Engel with it's unique motor won't ramp up like a Dometic. It's like the Tortoise in the race. If you want to freeze something, the Engel will take a whole day to freeze a freezer full of meat. A Dometic will take several hours. Then when the Dometic reaches the correct temperature, it will ramp down and use less energy. The Dometic is rated to use more watts than the Engel because it ramps up and has a stronger motor. Comparing the usages over a 24 hour period, they use the same amount of electricity. The Engel is probably more durable, but the Dometic is no slouch.
You mentioned you live in a trailer in the winter, I own a mobile home, and going to be redoing the kitchen and repairing floors and such. Would love to see where you stay in the winter. You mentioned you have one of those fridges in your trailer. More info on that would be perfect. I plan to be at RTR in Jan. I am a new van traveler. Thank you for all your videos and if I have any questions usually one of your videos answer it.
63Sonotech/US Traveler I had never tasted real mayo until I was in high school haha! My mom was definitely a Miracle Whip woman. I love the stuff too-the bite and the touch of sweet.
You shouldn't put insulation on the sides of a chest freezer or refrigerator. They don't have exposed coils. The heat exchange coils are pressed into the body of the unit and the exterior walls act as a heat sink. If you cover up the sides it wont be able to dissipate heat.
Whynter is the one I'm looking at, but the 45qt, considerably smaller than the 65qt model shown here. I was kinda hoping to see the comparison to the Dometic with the Whynter I am looking at, but it's nice to see even if it's the larger model being shown.
Great video, I've been thinking about poss. Getting one. I have had ice last 8 days easy with very little melt by putting the cooler with food and ice inside a larger cooler on a hunting trip with day time temps 60-73 and night temps just above freezing.
Everybody gave what watts and amp their ice box did but the ARB guy, it’s very efficiency, that can mean anything . So you can’t compare it to the other in voyage used.
Going off grid for good in 2 weeks, what's the best and most efficient for a new guy. I have 300watts of solar, 4-6volt 105RE Trogans, turned into 1-12volt battery. 225amphr @20hr. Truck n semi converted cargo enclosed 7x16' double axle. 55gallon barrel for water, & a few other camping gear n RV parts.
Being 40 year refrig mech you should note that the biggest cause of compressor failure is a dirty condenser coil. Blow it out regularly with compressed air and use a con-coil cleaner periodically as well. Dirty/insulated coil equals higher refrig pressure, longer run times, hotter compressor windings & higher amp draw when running. I estimate that 80% of fridge/freezer problems relate to dirt on coils.
wow, that's important & no one even responded to that!
No, because everyone jumped up and started cleaning out the dust balls.
Good to know. Thank you.
Thanks. This is a task that should be on everyone's periodic check off list.
Thank you for sharing this.
there is a spiceal place in heaven for you. u have helped so many to improve there lives thak you mr bob.
he will by the help of the loard
there s noway he wont if we ll pray
St Bob you're a guardian angel on earth!! I want to meet you one day!
Been running TWO of the Engel fridges (one as a freezer, the other as a fridge) on 100% solar power, 24/7, for close to 9 months now. No problems whatosever.
One of the best videos I found in terms of research was the original upload of this. Thanks for putting it back up! I'm sure it will help people a lot.
How much solar does it take to run them and which model Engel are they? Thanks!
Luthorville, I couldn't agree more. Had an Engel 45 on 2 sailboats. It was the only item we kept when we sold our first boat. For 10+ years from San Francisco to Acapulco it served us perfect. In the tropics it would only use about 25 amp hours/day. 2 - 125 watt Kyocera panels easily kept up with all our power needs. In fact, the batteries were near full and float charging by noon every day. Best tip with solar is try to aim the panels at the sun. Turning your panels just 3 times/day can double your output.
Bob, you better never retire. I don't know what I'd do without your videos. You put so much into each one and we all appreciate it. Happy travels
I had a Engel in Australia for 12 years bouncing around in my road train and it never gave me a ounce of problems, there are fantastic
I dont understand it but I commend you all for taping this for people that can use the lesson. God bless you all and Mr. Wells it seems that you started this movement to help van dwellers who need it and I hope there is always help for desparate peopl.
Great video. We have an Engel M27 which we use as a freezer. One little blue freeze block goes in the freezer as well as meat, fruit and veggies. Then the frozen block and a small package of frozen meat (to be cooked) moves into a small Engel molded type cooler to keep my yogurt, eggs... chilled. Always keeping one or two freezer blocks in the freezer and one or two meat packages in the simple cooler. Works perfectly with a solar/DC or AC.
I have had my ARB Fridge 3 years. Still working great.
Billy - I agree with you 100%. I use a Magic Chef 3.5 cu ft chest freezer and an appliance timer to keep the things in the top portion from freezing. Depending on the time of year, it's 30 minutes on and 60 minutes off. My solar easily handles it and I set the timer to be off from sunset to sunrise, although my battery bank could probably handle it a few times during the night. The freezer was only $118 at Home Depot and my cheap Harbor Freight 4000/2000 modified sine wave invertor runs it just fine. One of the best things I ever bought. Even if I was in a van I'd make room for it
That is a very simple way to use a chest freezer, which has more insulation than a standard compact fridge. Cool.
Harold Fitz - yhe fridge might be cheap but how much solar/batteries do you need to run that fridge?
One build had a cheap 120 volt 2.4 cu ft fridge {not a freezer with more insulation like his}. It averaged 3.5 amps for the fridge and inverter {and this would have been reduced with adding 1" of insulation to outside of fridge}. So much more than a 12 volt fridge. Kind of a trade off between more battery capacity and alternator charging vs. spending more on a efficient 12 volt fridge.
OMG.. Mr Bob. Im learning so much in regards to me going nomactic. From everyone you interview. Just want to say a Big thank you!!!👋👋. Im a widow . been 2 years. After working fulltime and taking care of my late hubby. For 11years from dementia. Im ready to retire . im 62 now. Put in all those years. Now i need time for me...i dont usually comment . just go with the flow of others comments. But had to give you a big THANK YOU.i got blessed in finding your channel. 🌈☺🌈. Hugs to coty.. Hes a very special fur baby☺..And a big Thank you to Jammie. I will visit his channel and. Sub.also. Lord Bless you both. Be safe .
I went from ice coolers to the thermoelectric iceless coolers ( don’t bother) to a recently purchased Dometic CFX40. What a difference in what I can bring. It draws nothing unlike the iceless cooler. Great info.
Purchased the new model Dometic CFF 45 model a couple of weeks ago, it is side opening on both sides without reversing the lid, both sides open... I have not turned it off, with a 3 year warranty... I'll be testing that out... I've been on one camping trip in 35 degree heat, works a treat with no problems , very quiet and I'm very impressed so far, we'll see how she goes as my fridge will be running all of the time not just on camping trips.
Pearll Garcia - Thanks Pearll. You are so right about how well they are insulated and they only draws 65 watts while running. Even in July I can set it to go off at sunset and at sunrise it is still holding 40-45 degrees. I forgot to mention that it comes with a basket to store things near the top. Very convenient
If you have a solar powered freezer where making ice is easy, freeze some small water bottles and those standard coolers gain amazing new efficiency for storing food.
I have a coleman 12v cooler, works when the car is running. If you have solar, you could run a small dorm refrigerator, I have seen them with a freezer section, though they are vertical units. They are rated at 1.5 amps 100 watts. It's a possible option, if you have a good solar setup.
I have been researching these. I have also considered the oldest method...clay pot within larger clay pot, the space in between the two pots is filled with sand, from there you wet the sand, put your goodies in and cover with a wet cloth! Always keep that damp and there you have it ;b
Gevedon Good idea, how cold will it keep it?
I love watching your videos. doesn't even matter what they are about, from toilets to trailer tours to 12v fridge reviews. Excellent channel my friend.
thanks to Bob and all who helped put this video together. well done!
All these units are awesome. You guys made good investments and i'm sure you'll enjoy them for years to come. I want to give you and idea if I may. Seeing that the tops are being covered with pillows and blankets etc. to keep the cold in the fridge, why not build a box with a mesh bottom and a top lid and place it on top of the fridge for keeping things that have to stay in cool (not cold) storage? A wooden box for keeping fruits or pre-cooling beer.
Well ,clearly one of the more expensive components on any 'build out'. A person would just have to allow for that I guess. Thanks for the side by side comparison.
I live off grid and too occasionally would meet with my nephews to flyfish Western Montana at 90° F to 100° F daytime temps...Placing 2" blue/pink/or yellow styrofoam beneath these coolers and fridges kept the heat from the pavement rising through the vehicle floor and the cold from "falling" (where it naturally tries to go) out the bottom. I liked using a cheap Walmart sleeping bag with poly fill for wrapping the perimeter. In the shade of the well chosen available bushes I could keep ice blocks for up to 6 days, usability. Putting it in the rig of any sort cuts that in half but many other factors play into that. Thick, quality insulation beneath was number one.
I have an Engel MT series I purchased around 2004. Still running strong and draws very little power for what it can do. They are a great fridge/freezer.
Nice comparison. All good machines. I based my personal selection on Elec. Consumption and my research over a year ago showed the ARB as the most frugal. I use mine in camper and boat, the only caveat... make sure your accessory plug is wired with heavier gauge wire. I rewired my boat with a new accessory plug and 10 gauge wire. Lighter gauge wire won't cut it if your run is over 5 feet or so.
Thanks Bob. That was truly helpful. Rc. Phoenix Arizona. 😊
Thanks to all of you , great intro to 12 volts fridgs !!
Hi Bob
Coleman Portable Coolers work fine too on 12 volts
I have one and modified it to turn off when it hits temp. Can be used as a fridge or freezer.
The hook up to modify it was a couple of dollars on E bay.
FYI. Nice vid. Keep up the good work. Great review though. Thumbs up.
Truly a well done video. Very informative to say the least. Thank you Bob Wells.
Good stuff Bob. Irene and I went with the Whynter over a year ago! Awesome. Actually had as much to do with the physical size and how it opened as anything. Anyway, really pleased! See you down the road! 😊 --Mark
Thank you for all the great info that you share with us all...and a lot of the comments are helpful
Alway’s a pleasure listening to your video’s. You really present things from the river point of view and let’s us neofites learn (and maybe weary) about different aspects of your way of life.
You can purchase adhesive door seals from lowes, home depot etc.. to double up the seal around the lids. Some of the small portable coolers have just a plastic lid, that has no filling you could possible get some of the expanding foam to fill it.
*Lady trucker enters the chat*
Thank you! Needed this info.
Great straight forward video
Nice video. I have been using a 66L fridge/freezer in my camper while traveling through Mexico and Central America for the past year. I underestimated the power draw of my fridge and wanted to help others avoid the mistake. I concur that the ambient temperature makes a big difference in efficiency. The compressors also put out some heat if they are running a lot, so that can add to the problem if you don't have good ventilation. The temperature you set the fridge at also makes a big difference as does the size of the cabinets and how often you open them. These are all things that you would probably assume to be true, but that the manufactures and most reviews don't mention when they talk about efficiency or power draw.
Snomaster, Expedition. Best 12v fridge money can buy.
Really appreciate how informative your vids are. THANKS!
I’m a truck driver & I use a 65 quart Edge star. I paid $550.00 on Amazon. In 30 years this is the best fridge-freezer I ever used. I put it on 38 degrees & it only runs about 4 times a day for about 60 seconds. And is very quite..
Bob! Thanks for all your vids man, your helping a lot of people! 👍
Great video as always. But BOB no diet soda! Bad for your health! Want to keep you around as long as possible to keep spreading the how to's and important benefits of full timing! Namely freedom! 💗
Also the solution below (which kinda got lost in a fight) is excellent. You can buy a new chest freezer for a tad over $100 and they use apporximately the same current as one of these. It's a no brainer. I know a fellow who sells meat door to door with one mounted in the back of his pickup. Current draw is around 400 watts so a small inverter will do the job.
Thanks so much to you Bob and your friends for a most informative video, I applaud your efforts to further and enhance this lifestyle!!!!
I can see using a smaller one as a freezer and a mediums sized one as the fridge. Also I can see more and more dry camping RVs being all electric kitchens, based on a good sized solar install of course.
I have the Tracker 4.8 amp Travel Cooler. It is perfect for keeping fresh deli at hand and it also is a heater which I had no need to try. Can be used in any position. I used it in horizontal fashion.. This will be my solar experiment on the most compact scale.
Great, and informative video, as per usual. I had no idea these things could be so expensive!
You can't beat the German Made Danfoss units. I spent a few years converting 120V Store bought, off the shelf Hotel, Motel Frigs to 12/24VDC. It was simple, took less them 2 hrs (including washout of the Refrigerant, evac, Solder in the new unit and charge. Danfoss comes with a low voltage shutdown component and just about everything you need to convert these units. Saved people HUNDREDS over the ones at the RV centers and Danfoss only uses 40 watt when running. which means a 50 watt solar panel will more the compensate for the power drain.
Thanks Bob you gave me some great ideas how to insulate my little fridge. You always make the best videos the videos!
Great information Bob. Thanks to all of you for sharing the info on your fridge.
You living the dream sir! ✌️
Love your videos...Tons of info ..Love when you do comparing of a products so we can see the differences
I have the Norcold 60qt in my bus. Bought it in 1993 and have had no problems with it. Course it is old fashioned R12, so the compressor doesn't have to work very hard. Now with my truck conversion am going to buy the duplicate unit now made by Engel.
When I built out my van in 2016 I was astonished at the prices of the 12v fridges/freezers - so I bought a small (3.2 cu ft) 120volt fridge (separate freezer and fridge - about $225) and a pure-sine wave inverter for (about $75). It uses 45 watts when running (about 1/2 time) and is very quiet and no fan as it cools the refrigerant by radiating heat from the sides. There are smaller fridges for about $100-125 if space is at a premium. Hope this helps
Thank you so much for this video, Bob. I have add this to my hitting the road shopping list. My intentions are to boondock 90% percent of the time. The other 10% I will be plugged in so that I can empty/fill tanks and fill the freezer. I like to make large batches of meals and freeze them in single servings. I was wondering how I would have the room for that. One of these compressor freezers will do that for me perfectly!! Thank you so much. Safe travels!!
More and more, I think having a freezer is better than a fridge. Or a freezer and a small ice chest cooler.
Dreaming of RVing was my
yea i was doing that at home. i buy pre chopped frozen veggies, fry it, and then put it in containers for 4 days in the fridge. so i only fry every 6 days usually because i dont eat it on the 5th.
I live in Colorado it gets pretty cool at night I get ice trays put water in them and set them outside in the morning I put the ice in the cooler helps a lot do not have to buy ice.
Clever! But what do u do in the Summer months?
Thank you Bob for sharing! 😍
As always, a terrific, informative video. thanks Bob. And cheers to you too!
I've had the mobicool fridge (cooler/warmer) with wheels and handle for about six years or more. Came with both plugs and no issues other than slight moisture after a few days, so I keep a cloth on the bottom. It keeps my stuff about as cold as my home fridge does.
Its model w35. (Ac/dc) 12v (input: 46w cold 41w hot) climate class N, 37q/35L I love it so much I bought one without handles and built it in my van and keep the wheeled one for extra supply runs.
Elaine's Vannin' it thanks, its done me good in hot and cold canadian conditions. This isnt the place i got mine but the only site i can find the specs. www.conrad.com/ce/en/product/396306/MobiCool-W35-A-Electric-Cooling-And-Heating-Box-35-Litres-12230V
$160 ? That way better.
hi bob.. i have a request!.... i would like to know more about the van living community. Are people traveling together in groups? How do you make friends.. Do people hide from one another? The reason why i ask this question is because a lot of utubers continually complain about being lonely. Not that being lonely is a bad thing, i just know that people are still like pack animals.. they need community to some degree.. how did the rtr start? At any rate, lookin forward to hearing back.. don't be a stranger! nate..
As always Bob. Great show.
I was looking at the whynter fridges and wanted to see what you were using, lo and behold that's exactly it. Going to buy the dual zone 90 quart for my rig (I'm building in a 24ft cargo trailer, so I have a little more room for amenities)
I drilled holes in my Coleman and filled it with foam insulation. Made it into a yetti
Love your videos! Getting alot of great ideas for my camper. Keep up the good work!
Just got my dometic cf35 and I am super 😃
Thanks Bob and Jamie, great and informative video!
once again Bob a g rrreattt video presentation. Felt as I was watching Mutual of Ohmaha's Wild Kingdom lol. I just got the Whynter 62G last May fro BestBuy(best price and cheaper enough to get the cover and a 5 year Geek Squad Warranty) for a week long trip to florida. Worked out great! I use it as my fridge and also have the dometic CF 25 I use as a freezer. Both expensive but I don't have to run out for ice and things don't float lol. As I write I just got me some cheese and chilled wine out of the Whynter. Thanks for your helpful reviews. hope I can make it to Quartzite some time.
These are great vids, thanks. How about referencing the date of the original vid when you re-post them. As you know, technology changes constantly and this would help us evaluate in the information you present. Thanks much!
Koi
The end was hilarious.
Great info! Thank you!
Got a 35litre dometec (waeco) as a freezer in the house and a35litre Engel on my truck running off solar,never had a problem
Bought a second hand dometic small unit for 100 bucks today for my gutted and being rebuilt Toyota clipper.
There's a new player in the game. It's the Alpicool. I have the 15 liter one in my van. It cost $238 on amazon. I run it off a goal zero yeti150.
How's it holding up
? I just got a c15 too
keagan it’s great but I just change mine c15 for a bigger one
This is a great informative video. Thanks for sharing this with everyone. Looks like a good quality cooling system for food.
Great outlook
Great way of life
Life library freedom
The way God planned it
Thank you - I like the "nuts and bolts" content.
There you go,everything you need to know,great video!
Great information! Thanks, Bob & Friends!
great video!! I am researching thermoelectric vs Compressor. Good info!!
Noreen N - It draws 65 watts when running, so technically, minus any parasitic draw from the invertor, wiring etc, a 100 watt panel would do it Noreen. However, in the real world I would use 200 watts of solar and 2 batteries. That would do it if you didn't run anything else. I have 600 watts and 10 large car batteries. That's way more than I need, but I like to run my coffee maker, microwave, TV, exhaust fans etc, so I have more solar and more batteries cuz I have the room. If you are in a van and space is at a premium, go with 200 watts of mono crystalline and 2 batteries. I recommend Renogy panels because I get the full output they advertise. Hope that helps - Harold
Another excellent presentation, thanks Bob! But since this video is a bit dated I'm wondering if you have any updates on this. Like if you have found anything better since then. New products come out fast nowadays!
The dogs smelled the food when he opened the fridges. "Whatcha got there, Bob?" LOL
Lol.
Thank you for sharing your life and experience guys, a like with thanks for you.
if you were to use an R11 water heater blanket with the proper tape to wrap up the fridges ....you would have better insulation than blankets
Whats the proper tape?
Prolly that tape that looks like foil
Great information! Isn't it also true that a compressor refrigerator doesn't need to be perfectly level to work the day a typical 2- or 3-way RV refrigerator does?
Thank you SO much for the reality check re: keeping food cold and healthy! I've got some savin' to do! :-)
Great information. Thank you for sharing. Mary💕Fred
You do a really great job with your videos. I really appreciate you!
Vary informative. Thank you Bob and Jamie!
Excellent video Bob! Thank you for your hard work as well.
MommaFaye
I like the Engels a lot, but I went with a Danfoss compressor Dometic. An Engel with it's unique motor won't ramp up like a Dometic. It's like the Tortoise in the race. If you want to freeze something, the Engel will take a whole day to freeze a freezer full of meat. A Dometic will take several hours. Then when the Dometic reaches the correct temperature, it will ramp down and use less energy. The Dometic is rated to use more watts than the Engel because it ramps up and has a stronger motor. Comparing the usages over a 24 hour period, they use the same amount of electricity. The Engel is probably more durable, but the Dometic is no slouch.
Moving heat is like moving your body. It takes the same amount of energy to jog a mile as it does to walk it. The only difference is time.
Bob, thanks for another informative video.
You mentioned you live in a trailer in the winter, I own a mobile home, and going to be redoing the kitchen and repairing floors and such. Would love to see where you stay in the winter. You mentioned you have one of those fridges in your trailer. More info on that would be perfect. I plan to be at RTR in Jan. I am a new van traveler. Thank you for all your videos and if I have any questions usually one of your videos answer it.
Bob, you broke my heart. Miracle Whip? NO! Kraft Mayo only. Great video by the way.
Im southern too and dukes is the back up. I once won a $100 GC from Dukes.
63Sonotech/US Traveler I had never tasted real mayo until I was in high school haha! My mom was definitely a Miracle Whip woman. I love the stuff too-the bite and the touch of sweet.
Miracle Whip is the only way to go. 😊
What are you heathens talking about, Blue Plate Mayonnaise is the only way to go. Lol. Hellman's is a close 2nd.
He can WHIP and you can May-May.. It's all good! :-P
You shouldn't put insulation on the sides of a chest freezer or refrigerator. They don't have exposed coils. The heat exchange coils are pressed into the body of the unit and the exterior walls act as a heat sink. If you cover up the sides it wont be able to dissipate heat.
GREAT VIDEO BOB!
When boondocking if at all possible use separate frig and freezer highest quality possible. Longevity and cost of operation will pay off
Whynter is the one I'm looking at, but the 45qt, considerably smaller than the 65qt model shown here.
I was kinda hoping to see the comparison to the Dometic with the Whynter I am looking at, but it's nice to see even if it's the larger model being shown.
Nice to have for nomads
Bob, thank you Sir for the info.... ah! Decisions, decisions!
Eeanie, meanie, minie, mo...
👍Terrific info. Thanks 💞
Great video, I've been thinking about poss. Getting one.
I have had ice last 8 days easy with very little melt by putting the cooler with food and ice inside a larger cooler on a hunting trip with day time temps 60-73 and night temps just above freezing.
Everybody gave what watts and amp their ice box did but the ARB guy, it’s very efficiency, that can mean anything . So you can’t compare it to the other in voyage used.
Going off grid for good in 2 weeks, what's the best and most efficient for a new guy. I have 300watts of solar, 4-6volt 105RE Trogans, turned into 1-12volt battery. 225amphr @20hr.
Truck n semi converted cargo enclosed 7x16' double axle. 55gallon barrel for water, & a few other camping gear n RV parts.
Headed SWest west TX, NM, AZ & maybe NV. Seeya around someday. Thanks