I finally came to my senses. Instead of trying to convince my wife, who is the family CFO, that we ought to buy this, I sent the video to her. You make more sense on these subjects than I ever could. Now she’s interested not only in the refrigerator/freezer, but also in the Jackery. Thank you for your straightforward, honest, and unbiased reviews.
At first glance I thought it was an Alpicool C20 until I saw the cup holders. Camping with a fridge makes life so much easier and enjoyable; no stopping for ice and worrying about water infiltrating your foods. Ziploc bags were costing me a small fortune (and they take up space). Replacing the ice was such a pain on longer trips. Another advantage I've found is on grocery shopping trips. Before having the fridge I loaded the groceries into the back and had to go home so that frozen products and milk wouldn't spoil or thaw out. Now those products go directly into the fridge and if I needed to do other shopping, no worries. Having a Jackery is a godsend, too. BTW I love how you made the metal rack and it looks neat and clean. Is it integrated with your fridge stand? Great use of space. Great review, Don! I don't mind watching anyone preparing and cooking camp meals. I learn from it like recipes and the entire process. For me, camp food preparation, cooking and enjoying the benefits is half the fun of camping; of course, the other half is exploring.
Yeah, that panel thing is part of an ever-evolving improvised kitchen build. Originally it was the back panel for my original kitchen (cooler on top, pull out single-burner butane stove, bin of kitchen stuff at the bottom...you'd have to look back a ways to see that old setup). Then when I built the current drawer, I adapted the old "kitchen" to become a pullout for my cooler. I very quickly reworked it for the fridge (felt I didn't need it to pull out and that way the cord stays stationary) but I'm going to move the fridge platform up so I can use the space underneath it for dry food storage, which is currently lacking in my existing setup. But yeah...I'm super stoked not to be messing around with ice anymore!
Great review. We use a Waeco Fridge (similar price) in our Forester when camping about the same size as that one. You should ask if the fridge comes with a soft insulation cover that surrounds the whole fridge as that is what ours came with, there is just a zip at the top to gain access. They help keep the cold in and we do not even have to keep the fridge on overnight as the body of the fridge and cover keep everything cold and we come from Western Australia, much hotter than Oregon. The great thing about the insulation cover also is that it has 4 tie down rings on the outside of it thus fixing the problem of having to take straps off to use the fridge. Hopefully that fridge comes with one, keep up the good work love your channel.
It’s so tough to review products provided because some people will doubt your sincerity. However, you did this perfectly and I trust your integrity. Great job and I’m in search of a fridge for my camper, so I’ll check this one out! Thanks!
The only thing missing here is some kind of review on longevity and durability. Most companies are unwilling to wait very long when they provide an item for review, so I had to get this produced before my trip. I will definitely be following up with how it's doing in future episodes. Thanks for watching!
Thanks for the video! I run my Dometic through the Jackery even when driving. Looking forward to a long term review of this fridge. Would be great for see some more affordable fridges.
Thank you for this review. If you think of it, could you post a 1 year review? Fresh out of the box reviews are fine and all that, but it is good to know how it will stand up to a year of trail driving .
Yes, for sure, I will definitely update. I would've loved to put this thing to use for even three months before producing the review video, but that's not usually how these deals work unfortunately. :-) It's really more of a review of my first impressions. :-) I'll follow up for sure.
Thanks for a great review! Fridges have always been out of my budget. For anyone who buys more than 50 bags of ice in a year its a no brainer. At least break even.
Great review Donald. I always appreciate your honesty regarding how you received the product and whether or not you deem the item useful or not. Have a great adventure👍🚙🏕🍻
A fridge changes a lot. I would would be excited too. I drove over the road for almost 20 years. When I finally got a fridge in the truck it made everything easier and more enjoyable. Happy trails.
Great review, looking forward to the long term report. An actual fridge/freezer with a compressor for under $300, fantastic. The AC power adapter made me think of road trip hotel rooms.
The market is starting to get flooded with these lately. It's nice to see the price of them coming down into a realistic range. Take care and enjoy your new fridge!
Exactly! When I first started doing this, ALL the fridges were super expensive, and when the inexpensive versions started showing up, I was wary of them. But I know a few people who have been running some type of $200-$300 fridge for quite a while now with no problem. Great news for those of us on tighter budgets. We'll see how it holds up to the rigors of backcountry exploring!
@@softroadingthewest I bought a different make and it looks to share quite a few parts in comparison. Besides a few aesthetic differences with the lids and orientation of the exhaust vent , they look to be the same. I do have BT but with a flat top and flip up side handles. Been plugged in for 3 weeks now and not a problem
We bought an Alpicool CF45 this spring and we have loved having a car fridge when camping! It's so nice not having to deal with ice. We go hiking during the day and on hot days the fridge really drained the Jackery battery fast. We weren't doing enough driving to charge the battery back up, so we ended up having to get a Jackery solar panel to help with that. Still worth it!
FYI, best practice with these things is to actually plug it into your portable batteries 12v socket (the Jackery, Yeti etc.) and then keep the batt plugged into your car's 12v source. This allows the fridge to run constantly without having to be swapped over everytime you make camp or take a drive (you will forget). It also means you can always leave it on the low cut off mode (you will forget again). The batt will charge as you drive and keep the fridge running whenever you stop, which is important if your 12v accessory outlet is only powered when the car is on (most are).
Also, always bring your AC cord with you, even when camping. The low cut off mode may cut off from a 12v socket before the deep cycle battery is actually on low voltage (especially with smaller lithium units). This usually happens because there is a momentary voltage drop whenever the compressor kicks in. If the batt is low enough, it will briefly drop below the safe voltage level and cut out. When that happens, if you have a converter in the portable batt like Yeti's do, you can switch to the AC cord and start the fridge back up as it won't sense the temporary voltage drop from the compressor motor starting anymore.
Great review video Donald! So informational! Welcome to the refrigerated camping! Not having to buy ice is so freakin awesome! Here in California a bag of ice will cost anywhere between $2 to $8. Like you mentioned in your video, the ice takes up space and it's heavy! I run a solar panel on top of my cargo carrier, so between that and having my 200w inverter recharge my power station, I can run my fridge full time. My power station is as fancy as yours :P just a 500w / 288wh unit that doesn't have a DC output. I run the fridge from 110 AC. BTW, I'm going to use some of your footage of the disclaimer that you don't benefit from sales of this product you reviewed. I need to do a review and you really nailed the disclaimer!!!
The freezer/refrigerator will pay for itself in time due not buying ice anymore. Long term use to see if it holds up to rough travels. Thanks Donald for sharing and putting together the video.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the new fridge! It really helps the rest of us when we’re tight on budget and have to spend carefully. Looking forward to the follow up on how well this thing holds up! Oh and I love the new camping hat!
Yes, I'm very very curious to see how this does over the long haul. It's not a good life for anything, living in the back of my Forester, haha! And that's actually just the same hat I was wearing in the sun of eastern Oregon, but the sides snap up when you don't need the full shade. I didn't think to bring a stocking cap with me and my trucker cap wasn't keeping my head warm enough on that coastal evening. :-)
Great Vid, Donald! I've had the 20Qt. version for over 6 months for the shorter trips where I don't need my Dometic 75 and it's been rock solid so far. It's an amazing deal and anyone on the fence over a fridge versus a freezer needs to jump to the fridge and not look back.
Good review, you pointed every useful infos ! and honestly I'm happy for you that you finally have a fridge, it's a game changer when you spend more than a weekend traveling ! I think the big difference between the almsot 1000$ fridge and the cheaper one are insulation. Mine really struggle to stay warm when it's hot out there. Maybe you could put the fridge on a sliding plateform so you can open it outside the back of the car and maximize the storage space under it !
Thanks Jordan! I may still put it on a slider, but the access is pretty good as-is and I like the idea of not worrying about the cord moving. But I'm definitely going to elevate it, plenty of room there to gain some storage underneath. I'm really looking forward to seeing what a weeklong trip is like with a fridge instead of a cooler!
One possible issue you might want to watch out for: On trails similar to where you go my fridge disconnected several times. The cigarette lighter plug would move around a bit in the socket and lose contact. Solved that by cutting it off and hardwiring that end of the cable in. If you need to switch between your car battery and the Jackery an Anderson plug might be an alternative.
Thanks for this video! I am surprised that no other fridge company did the same with the deep lid, its awesome since you can grab stuff way better (but of course filling it up to the top with small stuff rather difficult), but I wished I would see more of models like these. Thanks for the review, going to get my fridge in the next months but now I hope to find something with the same lid, haha. By the way as a method to fix the fridge: There are some really strong Velcros (not the "soft" ones, there are versions called "Dual Lock" with 3M glue) just put some pads on the wood down below and it wont move at all. I have heavy stuff hanging on them and they keep holding it. positive thing is, you dont see it. But it doesnt support the lid of the fridge, so that one should be closing good without opening by itself. And with the fridge standing on the pads, it wont move as its way less force than hanging something up with it.
Yeah, a number of people have mentioned the velcro approach, and I'm leaning heavily in this direction. I like this idea MUCH more than the straps I'm currently using. I will update probably within a regular episode with how this works out.
Great video, as usual. I am curious for how long the fridge would hold up temperature without plugging it over night. Maybe you can test this safely, before your coming trip. Thank you. You are an inspiration
That's a great question. I already left on the trip Friday evening...but due to a vehicle issue we had to abort on Sunday morning, so I am back home for a few weeks before we head out again. If I have time, I'll try to find a thermometer I can use to do some testing like this and a few other similar questions people had. The two nights I was out with it this weekend were so cold out that the fridge barely ran at all overnight. On a warm night, I'm not sure I would trust it to keep stuff cold enough...it's certainly as insulated as it can be, but the walls simply aren't that thick, there's probably only so much it can do without needing to kick on. I'll try to test this (and a few other temperature-related questions) at some point and maybe post a quick follow up video after we complete the big trip, so I can report on the tests and more real-world experience.
They're metric quarts. That's why there is a discrepancy. Good review! I'm not sold that this is an upgrade. Unless needing the freezing capability it's smaller and more likely to fail. But I guess fridges don't break, they just become coolers? Being able to go a week without getting ice is a nice thing but it can't hold a weeks worth of food anyway. Certainly not a weeks worth of beer! (: Looking forward to some long term thoughts on this one.
Great review, I'm looking for a fridge and this seems really good for my needs . A simple trick, if you want to chill beer or drinks faster; wrap around the can or bottle) a damp paper towel, leave it in the fridge and it'll cool way faster than without it. (the reason being, a fridge removes the heat present on food)
Thank you for the discount code, I've been wanting one for some time and plan to go car camping soon and throught this is the best time to get something since Amazon has an additional $15 discount today so that's $55 off the retail - AND - all purchases have until January for returns! Also, I like that you actually packed your groceries, I can never really imagine how much will fit into these things as most reviewers will only put bottles of water or cans - which doesn't help as I don't needed to see what it looks like with real food - really appreciate this! Love the tips and budget friendly ideas. My next DIY is a SuperStrut roof rack to put a solar panel and my kayak and maybe my cargo carrier but that might be too big - I'll have to look for a used slimmer carrier like yours.
@@softroadingthewest Just got mine today and will let it sit overnight before I plug it in - in the morning, will be taking it on the road Friday, will be a good test for a week plus and also with the Jackery 500.
Despite having a small pickup, I'm still interested in keeping my load out as light and compact as possible. I REALLY appreciate the size, and weight comparison. I've not seen anyone else include ice. Further, it'll be interesting to hear your experience with reliability. I'm a new subscriber as of this video. I really like your rig layout and will be watching your earlier vids to understand it more. Thanks for sharing!
It's encouraging that there are a number of affordable options out there now. I don't really know how they compare. I had been looking at another brand initially, but this one came my way, so... :-) It is for sure super nice to have active refrigeration instead of ice in a cooler.
@@softroadingthewest amazon overlanding is definitely a thing now haha I've been looking at em as well. As you I can't really tell the difference. However I have heard that some of the amazon brands are just as good because they use some of the same compressors as the bigger brands like ARB. Just gotta do the research but nonetheless a fridge is a fridge 😂 sometimes you can buy 5 of those fridges for one dometic fridge.
Thanks for the review on this one. I was looking to purchase one but not too many videos on it so went with another brand. It is so exciting and nice to have a 12 volt fridge. Looking forward to your camping get away results with it.
Glad to hear a decent review of a budget friendly fridge. I recently bought and returned an $1100 Dometic fridge after being fairly disappointed with the quality and performance, maybe I got a bum one but left a sour taste with me for the high price of the brand
I have a fridge in my little trailer and it isn't tied down. It is however located below the countertop, so it's in a pretty tight fitting nook. That means it can't move up much more than maybe 1/2 inch, so it stays in the drawer. That works nicely, although it does bounce around a little. I usually shove a rolled up towel between the lid and the countertop so it "clamps" the fridge down while driving. To use simply pull it out. Edit: By reading more comments I just realized your fridge isn't on a slide. I'd definitely do that and then have storage above the fridge, not below. The higher up in the vehicle, the more leverage to bounce around because your vehicle moves around the suspension. You can really feel this is taller cars like lifted jeeps - they start to roll a lot higher up. For off-road I always try to keep heavy or sensitive items as low as possible.
Good point, I hadn't thought of it that way. Though I'm only talking about going up maybe 5". I like that I don't have to slide it out into my workspace (where I stand in front of the stove) in order to get into it. But this is good food for thought...that approach wouldn't have occurred to me and I definitely want to consider all possible options! Thank you!
Hope this one works out for you. If you can not figure out a way to fasten it down without going over the lid I would recommend installing some eye bolts on each side and just use a bungee cord. Quick release and simple. See you on the trails. George.
I have the predecessor to this fridge and it does a great job of keeping food cold. I have had to add an auxiliary fan to help keep the compressor cool in the van on a hot summer day (we are in Southern Ontario - just for reference on temperature). We use it a few weeks a year for camping or for family picnics. Otherwise; It spends the rest of it’s time as an auxiliary fridge in the house. We bought it about a year and a half ago and it hasn’t let us down yet.
Great review. Ive got a 70qt costway fridge. I leave it plugged into my Jeep over night. Jeep not running and does great. Fridges are definitely nice to have and not worry about ice. Look forward to seeing more videos. Safe travels 🤘🏻
I've always been afraid of running a fridge off the starter battery overnight, but since I'll be out with a buddy on this trip, I might give it a shot one of the nights so I can report on how that goes.
@@softroadingthewest fridges now a days have a low volt cut off. Love what your doing. I've thought about doing a RUclips channel, but talking in front of a camera and editing is my weak points. Check out my IG for pictures of my outtings. @Black_Widow_Overland
Mate once you've got a fridge set-up you won't look back👌, have a Waeco 40L😀. Tip, if it didn't come with an insulated cover already a recommended hack is using a windscreen sunshade wrapped around it (cut out for the vent). For tie-down point is there anything under the handle?
I got one of these (another make) as well and it is good to see that they are reasonably priced and the quality is reasonably good. I have taken mine on several weeks long trips and so far, so good! Who needs to pay $1000 for a fridge.. granted they come with fancy apps and such but for $40 you can buy a transmitter, place it in the fridge, and have remote access to the temperature... Anyways-I would be curious to know whether the temp shown on the unit is accurate as compared to another thermometer placed inside the fridge. Thanks for the review. PS: I say show the cooking!! I always like to know what others eat when camping--gives me ideas! Happy trails!
Ooh yeah, that would've been a good idea to put a thermometer inside! I don't think I actually have one, but that would be a good thing to know, not only for viewers but just for me to ensure I'm actually at food-safe temperatures! I'll have to find a thermometer I can use to test that out. I'm planning to show more cooking on the upcoming adventure series. I've got some (hopefully) tasty meals planned out. Since reviews like this tend to pull viewers who are not subscribers and who are just interested in the facts, I decided to spare them me blathering on about my dinner. :-) People get *really* angry when they're looking for info and you include something irrelevant, haha.
Great review, Donald. I've recently added a fridge to my setup as well and our setups look very much alike with a Jackery to power it over night. Looking forward to hearing how it does on the trail when you're out on your trip.
Mounting; i noticed 2 screws in the handle recess on the controller side. If the other side also had similar screws i might try to fashion a handle out of webbing and a couple grommets. The webbing will give you something to attach a tie down strap to. Also i might look for holes on the bottom that i could use to permanently attach the whole thing to a piece of plywood that could double as a slide out tray which would slot into your existing 2x2 rails.. lastly, no matter how i did it, i would put a piece of firm-ish rubber under it to reduce vibration.
How accurate is the temperature on the gauge versus actual temperature? Just curious if it's 'in the ballpark' or if it's off by like more than 5 degrees sort of situation.
Jeremy Rieske: I have a similar unit (20 quart) from the same manufacturer and I've found that the temperature reads 4 degrees cooler than it actually is. I've also read reviews that verify my observation exactly.
Great review. In this situation do you know what would be the "minimum" watt/size portable portable power station that could run this fridge when the vehicle is turned off? Thanks
Just discovered this great video and finally noticed it’s now a couple years old. It’s now 01/23. So, how did it hold up over time ? Are you still using it or did you discover a newer/ better solution ? Just bought a 2023 Forester so closely watching your videos. Though I got a lot of catching up to do.
I'm still using this fridge! After the Forester was totaled (and this fridge was even in that accident) I moved it to my Frontier and there it has remained ever since. That little fridge has jostled and jolted all over the western US now and just keeps on working. :-)
Awesome vid, nice to see something other than ARB and Dometic for a change. I can’t tell but it seems like the lid is just a loose vacuum/gravity/friction fit, so probably having it strapped across the top is a good thing?
It depends on your sensitivity. It makes noise, for sure. I did the freezer test with it running in my bedroom overnight, and there's nothing subtle about the noise...when it kicks on in a quiet space, you're gonna hear it. It's not loud, but it's there. I'm one of those people that likes the sound of air conditioners and such when I sleep, so it didn't bother me in the least, but I know people who would absolutely not tolerate it. How often it cycles on and off depends on how warm it is...I was out with it again this weekend and it was so cold out it didn't run at all overnight, but I'm sure it would need to kick on at least a few times over the course of a warmer night.
It's the Explorer 500. Based on the consumption that one night, I'm sure one could run a smaller Jackery with no problem, if it got recharged each day. Thanks for watching!
Chris McFee Yep, double sided sticking velcro. Plus a snug frame of, say, 10cm all around the base. On second thought, there’s this new? roll of transparent double sided silicone, advertised to even hang knives on kitchen walls. I suspect that a couple of runs under the fridge would keep it stable. If the silicone gets dirty you can wash it without losing its original performance.
How is that fridge doing is it still running good i was thinking about getting one and do you think a smaller jackery would run it let me know i camp in upstate ny tks for your input keep up the good work
Thanks for another great review. We had a Coleman 12v cooler that was nice, but limited. We found that the FL heat made it difficult for the Coleman to get (and stay) cold. Granted, it was sub - $100 so one can’t expect too much out of it. I’d be interested to know how yours does when the heat gets up there. Stay safe and enjoy your time outdoors.
Here’s a question. How long can the fridge maintain a useful temp when unplugged/turned off? In other words, could you not run it over night and still have a useable temp in the morning?
Probably depends on how warm it is? I was out for a couple more nights with it this weekend, and it was so cold out that the fridge simply did not run. I'm sure there's as much insulation as possible, but the walls of the fridge are not THAT thick...in warmer weather I'd want to know it could cycle on to keep the food cold. It doesn't run constantly though, it cycles on and off, and draws almost no power most of the time. I don't think it takes a huge amount of power to maintain the cold in that small space. I'm sure it could be powered overnight with a smaller unit than my Jackery 500, and some people do run them overnight off their starter battery, as the fridge (and many others) will simply shut down if the battery's voltage drops too much (that said, personally I have no intention of ever running this off my starter battery - at least, not when I'm out solo).
Use the 3m Hook & Loop with the self adhesive on the back to keep your cooler in place. The good ones can hold up to like 65lbs on a wall. I am positive it would keep it secured in the back of the forester
There is a surprising amount of things in commercial buildings that are held up by this super velcro. The roll is a little pricey but you'll end up using it for all sorts of things.
Came for the overlanding gear, stayed for the dad jokes! Donald you are so chill. Does that weird compartment fit an average summer sausage? If it does it would be perfect for me, ya know refrigerate after opening style.
When I'm using my fridge in the Subaru i leave the jackery plugged into the car and the fridge plugged into the jackery. The fridge is then powered through the jackery consistently and the Jackery stays charged while driving. That way I'm not unplugging the fridge and turning it off and on multiple times. It just stays on for the entire trip.
Ah yeah, that's good to hear. This approach did occur to me...it seems like a safer setup, especially as I am exactly the type of person to forget moving the fridge cord from the 12V plug to the Jackery. But I wasn't sure if that would be good or bad for the Jackery to be constantly hooked up to the car. I am meeting up with Jackery power-user Jason (Primal Outdoors) later today actually and was planning to ask him what he thinks.
@@softroadingthewest Fridge->Jackery->switched 12v car Car battery does not like constant draw, even though it is very little draw. Jackery is fine with deep draw, so your Jackery is a perfect setup and will recharge when you drive. I do think it shortens the life of the car battery, when it's a constant 12v draw but would never draw enough to leave you stranded overnight. I saw another test where the Jackery 500 would take 35-37 hours of constant use to run down from a 40qt fridge.
softroadingthewest I’m curious what Jason will have to say. So to be kind of more clear. The outlet the Jackery is connected to is only powered while the car is running. So the start battery never carries the load and the Jackery isn’t constantly on charge.
Yes, that is exactly what my scenario would be as well. Like yours, my 12V outlet is only powered when the car is on. I definitely like the sound of this approach better, as it keeps the fridge running AND I don't have to think about making sure the Jackery is charged. I know Jason has been doing more dual-battery stuff lately, but I believe he has run his fridge off a Jackery at some point. I will try to remember to come back and report on that conversation.
Looks like it's time for some heavy duty hook and loop tape. Put the soft fuzzy side on the underside of the cooler and the hook side on the base where it sits. That should easily keep it in its place and you can eliminate the vertical braces you use to keep it from moving around. Just a thought.
This has been the prevailing suggestion so far. I never would have thought of that. I love the idea though, it seems suuuuper simple to try, plus I'd love the cleaner strapless look that would yield! Thanks!
@@softroadingthewest if you choose this method you may find it difficult for the velcro strips to stick well to the plywood substrate. You may need to staple that half down and if you do a good prep before sticking the velcro on the bottom of the cooler by cleaning it with alcohol you should have no issues with adhesion.
Have you tried hook and look adhesive mount on the bottom of the fridge? It might work. I would recommend putting the loop side on fridge so it wouldn’t get caught on carpet etc.
This has by far been the most common suggestion, and I do think I'm going to give it a try. That's an *awesome* tip about where to put the hook vs loop...I wouldn't have thought of that and probably would have randomly done the opposite. :-)
I was in the tent, yeah. But I did spend the night at home with the fridge running in my bedroom, on the freezer setting. The noise is definitely noticeable, and sleeping in a car, you would absolutely hear it. I'm one of those people who enjoys the sound of air conditioners or other machinery running when I sleep, so I didn't find it bothersome in the least, even cycling on and off, but anyone who is sensitive to this may find it annoying.
I will be definitely be talking about the install and how they perform on the trail after I log some miles on the trail. I was supposed to be on a backcountry excursion all week and was going to take the opportunity to look at how the springs do, but we've had to push that trip into November. So far though, with some experience in town, on the highway, and a half day of driving trails, I'm thrilled with the upgrade, was absolutely worth it and I should have done it long ago. I am hoping to get a dedicated video about them together as soon as I can.
It seems about the same. The input is still 12V even if you plug it in at home...the AC power supply has a 12V transformer on it. Perhaps if you set it to ECO mode, it might change things, but my perception is that even with battery power, if it's set in MAX mode, it just cranks the compressor as much as it needs to until it reaches temperature.
Great video! And like you, @softroadingthewest, I have steered clear of a fridge due to cost. This is very intriguing! Question for you as it has been a concern of mine, how much heat is generated when it is running? I’ve always had a fear of the errant piece of paper or something landing near the compressor and starting a fire.
Mt Lassen: Given that the flash point for paper is 480 degrees F., and the compressor section is covered by a plastic "screen" I don't think this should be a concern for you...at all.
I have a solar panel, but the way I travel, it's not very practical to use. I am usually on the road exploring during the day, and only in camp during the dark hours, so there's no opportunity to use the panel. But running the fridge off the car during the day and off my Jackery power station at night works fine, and I can recharge the power station during the day as well. Theoretically possible to travel indefinitely while having constant refrigeration.
Yes. At 13:34 you can see the Jackery display showing 27-28 watt output. That was with the fridge on ECO mode, and my phone was also plugged in and recharging at that moment. If I remember right, the evening before, when it was still on MAX mode, I think it was pulling ~36-38 watts.
I have a power inverter with a Low Voltage Alarm, I like this option but I think there is some better options out there for battery monitoring. Volts, Amps, Amp Hours, adjustable low voltage audible alarms and outputs to switch battery disconnects. Any suggestions?
I finally came to my senses. Instead of trying to convince my wife, who is the family CFO, that we ought to buy this, I sent the video to her. You make more sense on these subjects than I ever could. Now she’s interested not only in the refrigerator/freezer, but also in the Jackery. Thank you for your straightforward, honest, and unbiased reviews.
I'd be interested in seeing what kind of Jackery useage you see during warm summer daylight hours, if you decide to stay put for several days.
At first glance I thought it was an Alpicool C20 until I saw the cup holders. Camping with a fridge makes life so much easier and enjoyable; no stopping for ice and worrying about water infiltrating your foods. Ziploc bags were costing me a small fortune (and they take up space). Replacing the ice was such a pain on longer trips. Another advantage I've found is on grocery shopping trips. Before having the fridge I loaded the groceries into the back and had to go home so that frozen products and milk wouldn't spoil or thaw out. Now those products go directly into the fridge and if I needed to do other shopping, no worries. Having a Jackery is a godsend, too. BTW I love how you made the metal rack and it looks neat and clean. Is it integrated with your fridge stand? Great use of space. Great review, Don! I don't mind watching anyone preparing and cooking camp meals. I learn from it like recipes and the entire process. For me, camp food preparation, cooking and enjoying the benefits is half the fun of camping; of course, the other half is exploring.
Yeah, that panel thing is part of an ever-evolving improvised kitchen build. Originally it was the back panel for my original kitchen (cooler on top, pull out single-burner butane stove, bin of kitchen stuff at the bottom...you'd have to look back a ways to see that old setup). Then when I built the current drawer, I adapted the old "kitchen" to become a pullout for my cooler. I very quickly reworked it for the fridge (felt I didn't need it to pull out and that way the cord stays stationary) but I'm going to move the fridge platform up so I can use the space underneath it for dry food storage, which is currently lacking in my existing setup. But yeah...I'm super stoked not to be messing around with ice anymore!
Love the finger snap edit! Great stuff 🥶🧊
Haha, SUCH a silly intro, but I just can't help myself when the opportunity presents. :-)
Great review. We use a Waeco Fridge (similar price) in our Forester when camping about the same size as that one. You should ask if the fridge comes with a soft insulation cover that surrounds the whole fridge as that is what ours came with, there is just a zip at the top to gain access. They help keep the cold in and we do not even have to keep the fridge on overnight as the body of the fridge and cover keep everything cold and we come from Western Australia, much hotter than Oregon. The great thing about the insulation cover also is that it has 4 tie down rings on the outside of it thus fixing the problem of having to take straps off to use the fridge. Hopefully that fridge comes with one, keep up the good work love your channel.
It’s so tough to review products provided because some people will doubt your sincerity. However, you did this perfectly and I trust your integrity. Great job and I’m in search of a fridge for my camper, so I’ll check this one out! Thanks!
The only thing missing here is some kind of review on longevity and durability. Most companies are unwilling to wait very long when they provide an item for review, so I had to get this produced before my trip. I will definitely be following up with how it's doing in future episodes. Thanks for watching!
Thanks for the video! I run my Dometic through the Jackery even when driving. Looking forward to a long term review of this fridge. Would be great for see some more affordable fridges.
Thank you for this review. If you think of it, could you post a 1 year review? Fresh out of the box reviews are fine and all that, but it is good to know how it will stand up to a year of trail driving .
Yes, for sure, I will definitely update. I would've loved to put this thing to use for even three months before producing the review video, but that's not usually how these deals work unfortunately. :-) It's really more of a review of my first impressions. :-) I'll follow up for sure.
Thanks for a great review! Fridges have always been out of my budget. For anyone who buys more than 50 bags of ice in a year its a no brainer. At least break even.
Great initial review, I look forward to seeing how it works out in the long term.
Yes, me too! Thanks!
Mmmm, camping without bugs must be wonderful. Lucky! Great review thanks.
Recently discovered your channel and really enjoying content. Very informative, interesting and useful information.
Thanks for watching!
That initial pun was gold.
Haha, thank you. So silly but I couldn't help myself. :-)
Great review Donald. I always appreciate your honesty regarding how you received the product and whether or not you deem the item useful or not. Have a great adventure👍🚙🏕🍻
Thanks Geoff!
Very helpful, thanks for sharing. Let's see how you like it for a longer term...
A fridge changes a lot. I would would be excited too. I drove over the road for almost 20 years. When I finally got a fridge in the truck it made everything easier and more enjoyable. Happy trails.
Great review, looking forward to the long term report. An actual fridge/freezer with a compressor for under $300, fantastic. The AC power adapter made me think of road trip hotel rooms.
The market is starting to get flooded with these lately. It's nice to see the price of them coming down into a realistic range. Take care and enjoy your new fridge!
Exactly! When I first started doing this, ALL the fridges were super expensive, and when the inexpensive versions started showing up, I was wary of them. But I know a few people who have been running some type of $200-$300 fridge for quite a while now with no problem. Great news for those of us on tighter budgets. We'll see how it holds up to the rigors of backcountry exploring!
@@softroadingthewest I bought a different make and it looks to share quite a few parts in comparison. Besides a few aesthetic differences with the lids and orientation of the exhaust vent , they look to be the same. I do have BT but with a flat top and flip up side handles. Been plugged in for 3 weeks now and not a problem
Nice little fridge you have there. Definitely need to check it out.
Thank you very much for such honest opinion
THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME / US KNOW ABOUT THE FRIDGE & SOMETHING TO CHECK OUT . BE SAFE ! HAVE FUN ! GOD BLESS YOU ALWAYS ON YOUR JOURNEYS ! ENJOYED !
We bought an Alpicool CF45 this spring and we have loved having a car fridge when camping! It's so nice not having to deal with ice. We go hiking during the day and on hot days the fridge really drained the Jackery battery fast. We weren't doing enough driving to charge the battery back up, so we ended up having to get a Jackery solar panel to help with that. Still worth it!
FYI, best practice with these things is to actually plug it into your portable batteries 12v socket (the Jackery, Yeti etc.) and then keep the batt plugged into your car's 12v source. This allows the fridge to run constantly without having to be swapped over everytime you make camp or take a drive (you will forget). It also means you can always leave it on the low cut off mode (you will forget again). The batt will charge as you drive and keep the fridge running whenever you stop, which is important if your 12v accessory outlet is only powered when the car is on (most are).
Also, always bring your AC cord with you, even when camping. The low cut off mode may cut off from a 12v socket before the deep cycle battery is actually on low voltage (especially with smaller lithium units). This usually happens because there is a momentary voltage drop whenever the compressor kicks in. If the batt is low enough, it will briefly drop below the safe voltage level and cut out. When that happens, if you have a converter in the portable batt like Yeti's do, you can switch to the AC cord and start the fridge back up as it won't sense the temporary voltage drop from the compressor motor starting anymore.
FYI not everyone wants to run passthrough charging
Great review video Donald! So informational! Welcome to the refrigerated camping! Not having to buy ice is so freakin awesome! Here in California a bag of ice will cost anywhere between $2 to $8. Like you mentioned in your video, the ice takes up space and it's heavy! I run a solar panel on top of my cargo carrier, so between that and having my 200w inverter recharge my power station, I can run my fridge full time. My power station is as fancy as yours :P just a 500w / 288wh unit that doesn't have a DC output. I run the fridge from 110 AC. BTW, I'm going to use some of your footage of the disclaimer that you don't benefit from sales of this product you reviewed. I need to do a review and you really nailed the disclaimer!!!
Thanks Jon! I'm thrilled to step away from ice and coolers. Borrow away, I look forward to seeing the review you'll be doing!
@@softroadingthewest I just edited the video. Will be releasing sometime tomorrow
I like the beer reasoning to get a fridge for camping...👍😁🍺
Great video thanks for the information. Glad to see there is a affordable option and not have to spend 500 to 800 or more for one.
Well done and thanks for reviewing. I will purchase one today
The freezer/refrigerator will pay for itself in time due not buying ice anymore. Long term use to see if it holds up to rough travels. Thanks Donald for sharing and putting together the video.
Exactly...I'm pretty hard on all my gear, very curious to see how this handles my lifestyle. :-)
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the new fridge! It really helps the rest of us when we’re tight on budget and have to spend carefully. Looking forward to the follow up on how well this thing holds up! Oh and I love the new camping hat!
Yes, I'm very very curious to see how this does over the long haul. It's not a good life for anything, living in the back of my Forester, haha! And that's actually just the same hat I was wearing in the sun of eastern Oregon, but the sides snap up when you don't need the full shade. I didn't think to bring a stocking cap with me and my trucker cap wasn't keeping my head warm enough on that coastal evening. :-)
Great Vid, Donald! I've had the 20Qt. version for over 6 months for the shorter trips where I don't need my Dometic 75 and it's been rock solid so far. It's an amazing deal and anyone on the fence over a fridge versus a freezer needs to jump to the fridge and not look back.
Good to hear!
This was excellent. Thank you GREAT review
Thanks for watching!
Every item I've been looking at for overlanding you've seem to have done a review on the product!
Good review, you pointed every useful infos ! and honestly I'm happy for you that you finally have a fridge, it's a game changer when you spend more than a weekend traveling !
I think the big difference between the almsot 1000$ fridge and the cheaper one are insulation. Mine really struggle to stay warm when it's hot out there.
Maybe you could put the fridge on a sliding plateform so you can open it outside the back of the car and maximize the storage space under it !
Thanks Jordan! I may still put it on a slider, but the access is pretty good as-is and I like the idea of not worrying about the cord moving. But I'm definitely going to elevate it, plenty of room there to gain some storage underneath. I'm really looking forward to seeing what a weeklong trip is like with a fridge instead of a cooler!
Great review. Thank you!
One possible issue you might want to watch out for: On trails similar to where you go my fridge disconnected several times. The cigarette lighter plug would move around a bit in the socket and lose contact. Solved that by cutting it off and hardwiring that end of the cable in. If you need to switch between your car battery and the Jackery an Anderson plug might be an alternative.
That's a great heads-up...I need to remember to keep an eye on that!
Yep, definitely recommend Anderson plug
Fantastic demonstration
Thanks for this video! I am surprised that no other fridge company did the same with the deep lid, its awesome since you can grab stuff way better (but of course filling it up to the top with small stuff rather difficult), but I wished I would see more of models like these. Thanks for the review, going to get my fridge in the next months but now I hope to find something with the same lid, haha.
By the way as a method to fix the fridge: There are some really strong Velcros (not the "soft" ones, there are versions called "Dual Lock" with 3M glue) just put some pads on the wood down below and it wont move at all. I have heavy stuff hanging on them and they keep holding it. positive thing is, you dont see it. But it doesnt support the lid of the fridge, so that one should be closing good without opening by itself. And with the fridge standing on the pads, it wont move as its way less force than hanging something up with it.
Yeah, a number of people have mentioned the velcro approach, and I'm leaning heavily in this direction. I like this idea MUCH more than the straps I'm currently using. I will update probably within a regular episode with how this works out.
Great video, as usual. I am curious for how long the fridge would hold up temperature without plugging it over night. Maybe you can test this safely, before your coming trip. Thank you. You are an inspiration
That's a great question. I already left on the trip Friday evening...but due to a vehicle issue we had to abort on Sunday morning, so I am back home for a few weeks before we head out again. If I have time, I'll try to find a thermometer I can use to do some testing like this and a few other similar questions people had. The two nights I was out with it this weekend were so cold out that the fridge barely ran at all overnight. On a warm night, I'm not sure I would trust it to keep stuff cold enough...it's certainly as insulated as it can be, but the walls simply aren't that thick, there's probably only so much it can do without needing to kick on. I'll try to test this (and a few other temperature-related questions) at some point and maybe post a quick follow up video after we complete the big trip, so I can report on the tests and more real-world experience.
@@softroadingthewest I second the question. Might be good to do two tests, empty and full. I'm sure the thermal mass when full will help hold temp.
They're metric quarts. That's why there is a discrepancy.
Good review!
I'm not sold that this is an upgrade.
Unless needing the freezing capability it's smaller and more likely to fail.
But I guess fridges don't break, they just become coolers?
Being able to go a week without getting ice is a nice thing but it can't hold a weeks worth of food anyway.
Certainly not a weeks worth of beer! (:
Looking forward to some long term thoughts on this one.
Very cool. I’ve been considering a fridge like this...can’t wait to see how it does
Great review, I'm looking for a fridge and this seems really good for my needs . A simple trick, if you want to chill beer or drinks faster; wrap around the can or bottle) a damp paper towel, leave it in the fridge and it'll cool way faster than without it. (the reason being, a fridge removes the heat present on food)
Thank you for the discount code, I've been wanting one for some time and plan to go car camping soon and throught this is the best time to get something since Amazon has an additional $15 discount today so that's $55 off the retail - AND - all purchases have until January for returns! Also, I like that you actually packed your groceries, I can never really imagine how much will fit into these things as most reviewers will only put bottles of water or cans - which doesn't help as I don't needed to see what it looks like with real food - really appreciate this! Love the tips and budget friendly ideas. My next DIY is a SuperStrut roof rack to put a solar panel and my kayak and maybe my cargo carrier but that might be too big - I'll have to look for a used slimmer carrier like yours.
Thanks, good luck with the build! Have fun out there!
Hmm.....coupons are not stacking for me. Just 'clipped the coupon' for the $15 off, but wouldn't allow me to use the $40 off discount code. Bummer.
@@softroadingthewest Just got mine today and will let it sit overnight before I plug it in - in the morning, will be taking it on the road Friday, will be a good test for a week plus and also with the Jackery 500.
Despite having a small pickup, I'm still interested in keeping my load out as light and compact as possible. I REALLY appreciate the size, and weight comparison. I've not seen anyone else include ice. Further, it'll be interesting to hear your experience with reliability.
I'm a new subscriber as of this video. I really like your rig layout and will be watching your earlier vids to understand it more. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for watching! I'll definitely be following up with how the fridge fares over the long haul.
Great thorough review!! Ive been waiting for this video! I will definitely look into these as we are also looking into getting our own fridge!
It's encouraging that there are a number of affordable options out there now. I don't really know how they compare. I had been looking at another brand initially, but this one came my way, so... :-) It is for sure super nice to have active refrigeration instead of ice in a cooler.
@@softroadingthewest amazon overlanding is definitely a thing now haha I've been looking at em as well. As you I can't really tell the difference. However I have heard that some of the amazon brands are just as good because they use some of the same compressors as the bigger brands like ARB. Just gotta do the research but nonetheless a fridge is a fridge 😂 sometimes you can buy 5 of those fridges for one dometic fridge.
Thanks for the review on this one. I was looking to purchase one but not too many videos on it so went with another brand. It is so exciting and nice to have a 12 volt fridge. Looking forward to your camping get away results with it.
I like your straightforward review. Subscribed as well. Thank you.
How about to attach pad eyes on the side of the cooler with gorilla glue this way you can still open the lid while the cooler is secured
Glad to hear a decent review of a budget friendly fridge. I recently bought and returned an $1100 Dometic fridge after being fairly disappointed with the quality and performance, maybe I got a bum one but left a sour taste with me for the high price of the brand
I have a fridge in my little trailer and it isn't tied down. It is however located below the countertop, so it's in a pretty tight fitting nook. That means it can't move up much more than maybe 1/2 inch, so it stays in the drawer. That works nicely, although it does bounce around a little. I usually shove a rolled up towel between the lid and the countertop so it "clamps" the fridge down while driving. To use simply pull it out.
Edit: By reading more comments I just realized your fridge isn't on a slide. I'd definitely do that and then have storage above the fridge, not below. The higher up in the vehicle, the more leverage to bounce around because your vehicle moves around the suspension. You can really feel this is taller cars like lifted jeeps - they start to roll a lot higher up. For off-road I always try to keep heavy or sensitive items as low as possible.
Good point, I hadn't thought of it that way. Though I'm only talking about going up maybe 5". I like that I don't have to slide it out into my workspace (where I stand in front of the stove) in order to get into it. But this is good food for thought...that approach wouldn't have occurred to me and I definitely want to consider all possible options! Thank you!
Hope this one works out for you. If you can not figure out a way to fasten it down without going over the lid I would recommend installing some eye bolts on each side and just use a bungee cord. Quick release and simple. See you on the trails. George.
I wonder how well the fridge works in a hot car during summer? Great video!
Unless I can swing a trip down into the southern hemisphere in the next couple of months, we'll be waiting awhile on that question, haha. :-)
I have the predecessor to this fridge and it does a great job of keeping food cold. I have had to add an auxiliary fan to help keep the compressor cool in the van on a hot summer day (we are in Southern Ontario - just for reference on temperature). We use it a few weeks a year for camping or for family picnics. Otherwise; It spends the rest of it’s time as an auxiliary fridge in the house.
We bought it about a year and a half ago and it hasn’t let us down yet.
Great review. Ive got a 70qt costway fridge. I leave it plugged into my Jeep over night. Jeep not running and does great. Fridges are definitely nice to have and not worry about ice. Look forward to seeing more videos. Safe travels 🤘🏻
I've always been afraid of running a fridge off the starter battery overnight, but since I'll be out with a buddy on this trip, I might give it a shot one of the nights so I can report on how that goes.
@@softroadingthewest fridges now a days have a low volt cut off. Love what your doing. I've thought about doing a RUclips channel, but talking in front of a camera and editing is my weak points. Check out my IG for pictures of my outtings. @Black_Widow_Overland
Awesome👍 I’ve been shopping for fridges for my van build.
Mate once you've got a fridge set-up you won't look back👌, have a Waeco 40L😀. Tip, if it didn't come with an insulated cover already a recommended hack is using a windscreen sunshade wrapped around it (cut out for the vent). For tie-down point is there anything under the handle?
I got one of these (another make) as well and it is good to see that they are reasonably priced and the quality is reasonably good. I have taken mine on several weeks long trips and so far, so good! Who needs to pay $1000 for a fridge.. granted they come with fancy apps and such but for $40 you can buy a transmitter, place it in the fridge, and have remote access to the temperature... Anyways-I would be curious to know whether the temp shown on the unit is accurate as compared to another thermometer placed inside the fridge. Thanks for the review. PS: I say show the cooking!! I always like to know what others eat when camping--gives me ideas! Happy trails!
Ooh yeah, that would've been a good idea to put a thermometer inside! I don't think I actually have one, but that would be a good thing to know, not only for viewers but just for me to ensure I'm actually at food-safe temperatures! I'll have to find a thermometer I can use to test that out.
I'm planning to show more cooking on the upcoming adventure series. I've got some (hopefully) tasty meals planned out. Since reviews like this tend to pull viewers who are not subscribers and who are just interested in the facts, I decided to spare them me blathering on about my dinner. :-) People get *really* angry when they're looking for info and you include something irrelevant, haha.
Hey mate, this type of slider would make your life easier 😊Titan Fridge Slide |Suits Up To 60L Fridges | Twin Locking Runners | Heavy-Duty
Great review, Donald. I've recently added a fridge to my setup as well and our setups look very much alike with a Jackery to power it over night. Looking forward to hearing how it does on the trail when you're out on your trip.
Thank you! I really hope this holds up to my abuse! :-)
Mounting; i noticed 2 screws in the handle recess on the controller side. If the other side also had similar screws i might try to fashion a handle out of webbing and a couple grommets. The webbing will give you something to attach a tie down strap to. Also i might look for holes on the bottom that i could use to permanently attach the whole thing to a piece of plywood that could double as a slide out tray which would slot into your existing 2x2 rails.. lastly, no matter how i did it, i would put a piece of firm-ish rubber under it to reduce vibration.
How accurate is the temperature on the gauge versus actual temperature? Just curious if it's 'in the ballpark' or if it's off by like more than 5 degrees sort of situation.
That's something I wish I had thought to test. I do hope to follow up with more info about this after I've used it for a while.
Jeremy Rieske: I have a similar unit (20 quart) from the same manufacturer and I've found that the temperature reads 4 degrees cooler than it actually is. I've also read reviews that verify my observation exactly.
Super video. Thanks
How are you liking the fridge? Is the Jackery 500 capable enough for it?
Great review. In this situation do you know what would be the "minimum" watt/size portable portable power station that could run this fridge when the vehicle is turned off? Thanks
Just discovered this great video and finally noticed it’s now a couple years old. It’s now 01/23.
So, how did it hold up over time ?
Are you still using it or did you discover a newer/ better solution ?
Just bought a 2023 Forester so closely watching your videos. Though I got a lot of catching up to do.
I'm still using this fridge! After the Forester was totaled (and this fridge was even in that accident) I moved it to my Frontier and there it has remained ever since. That little fridge has jostled and jolted all over the western US now and just keeps on working. :-)
A good little fridge.
Very nice looking fridge! Congrats!
Thanks! I'm stoked!
Awesome vid, nice to see something other than ARB and Dometic for a change. I can’t tell but it seems like the lid is just a loose vacuum/gravity/friction fit, so probably having it strapped across the top is a good thing?
Also question, do you think this would be too loud if you also slept in your vehicle, or does it not need to turn on that often throughout the night?
It depends on your sensitivity. It makes noise, for sure. I did the freezer test with it running in my bedroom overnight, and there's nothing subtle about the noise...when it kicks on in a quiet space, you're gonna hear it. It's not loud, but it's there. I'm one of those people that likes the sound of air conditioners and such when I sleep, so it didn't bother me in the least, but I know people who would absolutely not tolerate it. How often it cycles on and off depends on how warm it is...I was out with it again this weekend and it was so cold out it didn't run at all overnight, but I'm sure it would need to kick on at least a few times over the course of a warmer night.
Thanks for the video!
I must’ve miss it but what size jackery were you using? Great videos, always enjoy your content. 🙌
It's the Explorer 500. Based on the consumption that one night, I'm sure one could run a smaller Jackery with no problem, if it got recharged each day. Thanks for watching!
Thanks for sharing this
Maybe you could put Velcro on the bottom of the cooler to stop it from moving around. might be better then the straps solution.
Chris McFee Yep, double sided sticking velcro. Plus a snug frame of, say, 10cm all around the base.
On second thought, there’s this new? roll of transparent double sided silicone, advertised to even hang knives on kitchen walls. I suspect that a couple of runs under the fridge would keep it stable. If the silicone gets dirty you can wash it without losing its original performance.
Great review!
How is that fridge doing is it still running good i was thinking about getting one and do you think a smaller jackery would run it let me know i camp in upstate ny tks for your input keep up the good work
Thanks for another great review. We had a Coleman 12v cooler that was nice, but limited. We found that the FL heat made it difficult for the Coleman to get (and stay) cold. Granted, it was sub - $100 so one can’t expect too much out of it.
I’d be interested to know how yours does when the heat gets up there.
Stay safe and enjoy your time outdoors.
THAT PUN GOT ME 🤣
Soooo bad, LOL. Dads gotta make dad jokes. :-)
as for the noise dont forget it was sitting on a big hollow speaker box that will enhance the sound
Here’s a question. How long can the fridge maintain a useful temp when unplugged/turned off? In other words, could you not run it over night and still have a useable temp in the morning?
Probably depends on how warm it is? I was out for a couple more nights with it this weekend, and it was so cold out that the fridge simply did not run. I'm sure there's as much insulation as possible, but the walls of the fridge are not THAT thick...in warmer weather I'd want to know it could cycle on to keep the food cold. It doesn't run constantly though, it cycles on and off, and draws almost no power most of the time. I don't think it takes a huge amount of power to maintain the cold in that small space. I'm sure it could be powered overnight with a smaller unit than my Jackery 500, and some people do run them overnight off their starter battery, as the fridge (and many others) will simply shut down if the battery's voltage drops too much (that said, personally I have no intention of ever running this off my starter battery - at least, not when I'm out solo).
You can use velcro plastering tape.
One side on fridge, the other on your strap.
Use the 3m Hook & Loop with the self adhesive on the back to keep your cooler in place. The good ones can hold up to like 65lbs on a wall. I am positive it would keep it secured in the back of the forester
Almost certainly going to give this a try, it has been the most frequent suggestion by far. Thanks!
There is a surprising amount of things in commercial buildings that are held up by this super velcro. The roll is a little pricey but you'll end up using it for all sorts of things.
I love it hey have a question since I got from stickers there any chance I can get the blue print from ur drawer/kitchen/bed please
Hey softroadingthewest. Does this actually hit -7'F or colder?
Came for the overlanding gear, stayed for the dad jokes! Donald you are so chill. Does that weird compartment fit an average summer sausage? If it does it would be perfect for me, ya know refrigerate after opening style.
Haha, it might, but that compartment is not refrigerated. :-)
Thanks for the review on this! This will have to be added to my list! What kind of camera are you using to film from you windshield mount? GoPro?
Yeah, it's a GoPro Hero7 Black. It's got its imperfections but it useful for certain tasks for sure.
I am just guessing, but I bet that small compartment in the lid is for a fillet knife for fish.
When I'm using my fridge in the Subaru i leave the jackery plugged into the car and the fridge plugged into the jackery. The fridge is then powered through the jackery consistently and the Jackery stays charged while driving. That way I'm not unplugging the fridge and turning it off and on multiple times. It just stays on for the entire trip.
Ah yeah, that's good to hear. This approach did occur to me...it seems like a safer setup, especially as I am exactly the type of person to forget moving the fridge cord from the 12V plug to the Jackery. But I wasn't sure if that would be good or bad for the Jackery to be constantly hooked up to the car. I am meeting up with Jackery power-user Jason (Primal Outdoors) later today actually and was planning to ask him what he thinks.
@@softroadingthewest Fridge->Jackery->switched 12v car
Car battery does not like constant draw, even though it is very little draw. Jackery is fine with deep draw, so your Jackery is a perfect setup and will recharge when you drive.
I do think it shortens the life of the car battery, when it's a constant 12v draw but would never draw enough to leave you stranded overnight.
I saw another test where the Jackery 500 would take 35-37 hours of constant use to run down from a 40qt fridge.
softroadingthewest I’m curious what Jason will have to say. So to be kind of more clear. The outlet the Jackery is connected to is only powered while the car is running. So the start battery never carries the load and the Jackery isn’t constantly on charge.
Yes, that is exactly what my scenario would be as well. Like yours, my 12V outlet is only powered when the car is on. I definitely like the sound of this approach better, as it keeps the fridge running AND I don't have to think about making sure the Jackery is charged. I know Jason has been doing more dual-battery stuff lately, but I believe he has run his fridge off a Jackery at some point. I will try to remember to come back and report on that conversation.
Does this need to be plugged in to work? im looking for a wireless or rechargeable setup
Looks like it's time for some heavy duty hook and loop tape. Put the soft fuzzy side on the underside of the cooler and the hook side on the base where it sits. That should easily keep it in its place and you can eliminate the vertical braces you use to keep it from moving around. Just a thought.
This has been the prevailing suggestion so far. I never would have thought of that. I love the idea though, it seems suuuuper simple to try, plus I'd love the cleaner strapless look that would yield! Thanks!
@@softroadingthewest glad I could help my friend. Just make sure you get the industrial strength ones. They'll be wider and longer.
@@softroadingthewest if you choose this method you may find it difficult for the velcro strips to stick well to the plywood substrate. You may need to staple that half down and if you do a good prep before sticking the velcro on the bottom of the cooler by cleaning it with alcohol you should have no issues with adhesion.
You might want to check out ROK strap for your fridge
Have you tried hook and look adhesive mount on the bottom of the fridge? It might work. I would recommend putting the loop side on fridge so it wouldn’t get caught on carpet etc.
This has by far been the most common suggestion, and I do think I'm going to give it a try. That's an *awesome* tip about where to put the hook vs loop...I wouldn't have thought of that and probably would have randomly done the opposite. :-)
Did you sleep in the car overnight or were you in the gazelle? Just wondering if the compressor noise kept you awake?
I was in the tent, yeah. But I did spend the night at home with the fridge running in my bedroom, on the freezer setting. The noise is definitely noticeable, and sleeping in a car, you would absolutely hear it. I'm one of those people who enjoys the sound of air conditioners or other machinery running when I sleep, so I didn't find it bothersome in the least, even cycling on and off, but anyone who is sensitive to this may find it annoying.
Maybe the little compartment on the lid is for bottle openers and such.
another thing if you put something warm in the cooler to cool it off it will melt the ice also you have to be somewhere where ice is easily obtainable
Check out rok straps for hold downs to the fridge. I use them off over my rig. They have bungies in the strap with a clip for quick attach and detach
Oh nice! I will take a look! Thanks!
Would love a update video on the king springs you installed. Seen on instagram. Thanks Donald!
I will be definitely be talking about the install and how they perform on the trail after I log some miles on the trail. I was supposed to be on a backcountry excursion all week and was going to take the opportunity to look at how the springs do, but we've had to push that trip into November. So far though, with some experience in town, on the highway, and a half day of driving trails, I'm thrilled with the upgrade, was absolutely worth it and I should have done it long ago. I am hoping to get a dedicated video about them together as soon as I can.
Hi, how is the cooling capacity while running on 12v? Is it still cooling fast as when you put in a power socket at your home?
It seems about the same. The input is still 12V even if you plug it in at home...the AC power supply has a 12V transformer on it. Perhaps if you set it to ECO mode, it might change things, but my perception is that even with battery power, if it's set in MAX mode, it just cranks the compressor as much as it needs to until it reaches temperature.
Seems like a good item. Have you ever been to the Cornbread Cafe in Eugene? The street you were on looked familiar.
Great video! And like you, @softroadingthewest, I have steered clear of a fridge due to cost. This is very intriguing! Question for you as it has been a concern of mine, how much heat is generated when it is running? I’ve always had a fear of the errant piece of paper or something landing near the compressor and starting a fire.
Mt Lassen: Given that the flash point for paper is 480 degrees F., and the compressor section is covered by a plastic "screen" I don't think this should be a concern for you...at all.
What.You need now is an inexpensive fold up sar panel to extend your outings.
I have a solar panel, but the way I travel, it's not very practical to use. I am usually on the road exploring during the day, and only in camp during the dark hours, so there's no opportunity to use the panel. But running the fridge off the car during the day and off my Jackery power station at night works fine, and I can recharge the power station during the day as well. Theoretically possible to travel indefinitely while having constant refrigeration.
Does the Jackery show how much power the fridge is using? My ARB (47L) can draw into the low 60;s.
Yes. At 13:34 you can see the Jackery display showing 27-28 watt output. That was with the fridge on ECO mode, and my phone was also plugged in and recharging at that moment. If I remember right, the evening before, when it was still on MAX mode, I think it was pulling ~36-38 watts.
I have a power inverter with a Low Voltage Alarm, I like this option but I think there is some better options out there for battery monitoring. Volts, Amps, Amp Hours, adjustable low voltage audible alarms and outputs to switch battery disconnects. Any suggestions?
maybe the storage flap is to keeps a knife, or utensil in?