I am going to keep freezer packs in a regular ice chest to have a fridge in addition to my Dometic CF50 (which like he said I run as a freezer). One they thaw out, I switch them with the other set in the freezer. Gives me a fridge that requires no electricity, just switching freezer packs back and forth. Best of both worlds! Thanks for linking my video, IM13!
You have a really smart system there. These are the type videos that YT was made for it is the most helpful. Real world review people that have used their product long enough to get familiar with it and they are well versed in the way of using the device.
Nice review! You are correct in the statement about it being an investment. Money saved in not always eating out. Eating healthier food that you are able to store and prepare. Sounds like a win win!
When it comes to extra light I wear a headlamp at night. Sometimes I look like turbo dork and forget it on when I go to the store like tonight. For the most part I wear the headlamp because I live rural and I am not going to install lights to burn all the time just for when I will walk out the door. I can wear that lamp see what I need and I swear by head lamps. Right now my favorite is a 2 AAA battery job that has safety red LED to the rear. It is low and high button push so it can be turned on and off one handed. Switch lights usually can be a PITA to turn on especially if you have to turn a dial on one side or the other. You want a light you can turn on and off one handed and either handed. You might get in a spot where you need light and your right or left hand is full. I wear my light in the house too get in the freezer and you need to see headlamp to the rescue. Dropped something between the seats? Think you rolled something under the seat?
Only the 100 watt solar panel on cloudy days in not enough. Having the battery isolator gives me plenty though. On sunny days i wake up will a full charged battery at 11 am. I hope that helps.
For those whom dont mind using ice to keep their food fresh. The Engel cooler is Amazing. With keeping ice from melting for a great amount of time. The have a good air seal and they are very durable .
depends on the size you need. 30 qt goes for $74.99 13 qt $42.99 and so one. I have one, I can go fishing and leave a fish in there with ice for 4 to 5 days; it will stay fresh and cold. IT could probably keep the ice from melting maybe even longer i haven't yet tried.
Great Review, I see the # = Liters of space, and they have various sizes, the largest two look like they use 84 watts when working, and if similar to regular top load freezers will run about 4-6 hrs/day. But I'm guessing these are more efficient. So probably 300-500 watt/hrs. or about 1/2 KwH/day depending on outside temp. Question, refrigeration requires heat transfer, where does the heat go? Does it have a radiator or a fan someplace? If so, can you vent it or do you let it heat up your van? Hope Domestic sponsors your next build.
Hey Jed are you still using this fridge? I am looking at an Engle combi fridge/freezer. Waeco was a great brand in Australia but the Engle is legendary there. Some people have been using theirs for 40 plus years in the outback. Thanks bro just looking as cost vs reliability. The Engle uses about half the power as the Dometic and can run on a 30 degree angle. How does the Dometic handle parking on non level surfaces?
+bill767667 Im no very good with time, but i think 4 or 5 months maybe. Yeah i love it! Once every couple weeks the consensation builds up and i take everything out and clean/dry it. I use a little vinigar and a towel. Works great though, no complaints
Just wanted to leave a quick comment to let you know what the small area is for. So the cooling coils go around the main area but the surface temp of those wall can damage your fruits and vegetables like if a banana is left touching the side walls it will bruise. The small area has no cooling coils and only gets cold by the air getting to it. This makes it not so good for drinks but great for those oranges in the bottom there. Hope this was hopeful have fun and stay safe
+Alan Heath check out my website, I have an article there that shows how to modify your inverter to turn and off as needed for the fridge. It would save you a ton of power and money
+Nhi Le it has different setting that will prevent it from draining your battery, but it be able to keep you food cold unless in thr morning and at night. You'll also be reducing the life of your starter battery in the long run. It would be fine for a few weekend camping trips or even a longer road trip. For full time though I definitely recommend an auxilary battery, and either a battery isolator or solar set up to charge it (or both!) Depending on your needs
Im planning to use it for full time :). Do you have any auxilary battery and battery isolator you would recommend? Thank you for getting back! Im new to cars and electronics.
What's the watts like on them im still useing a cooler from what i read the dorm fridges run pretty low i have a 1000 watt inverter 2 deep cycles with a batery isolator
Thanks. I am thinking of getting one of the CFX Models for my van. Was going to go bigger like the CFX 65, but now I am thinking I should be OK with the 35 or 40.
there should be some sort of spray that covers the whole inside of the van that will prevent mold under the insulation. Atleast that's what I plan on doing as soon as I get my van.
$600 for this fridge ? For $600 I can replace my existing Dometic fridge installed with one twice its size. I like Dometic equipment. Domestic equipment is certainly quality stuff, but the $600 price tag gives me pause.
+HDsharp yeah then I gotta get ice all the time, and it still doesnt do as good of a job. This thing has paid for itself many times over by not eating out all the time. No regrets
Into The Mystery 13 I dont understand why these things are so expensive, could get a second car for 600$..Average demestic home fridges dont cost that much either. oh well, as long as you think its good value then thats all that matters, good videos btw, keep them coming.
+HDsharp yeah I thought it was pretty steep too. l I did the math though, and it definitely ha paid for itself a few times over already Thanks for your support!
I camped Canyonlands in Utah. Ran out of ice. The camp store charged me like $8 bag. That was the last straw. No more ice. I bought this exact fridge. And not dealing with soggy food and melted ice water is invaluable.
I am going to keep freezer packs in a regular ice chest to have a fridge in addition to my Dometic CF50 (which like he said I run as a freezer). One they thaw out, I switch them with the other set in the freezer. Gives me a fridge that requires no electricity, just switching freezer packs back and forth. Best of both worlds!
Thanks for linking my video, IM13!
How can I run as a freezer ?
@@deniseyoung132 Just lower the temperature to freezing or below
You have a really smart system there. These are the type videos that YT was made for it is the most helpful. Real world review people that have used their product long enough to get familiar with it and they are well versed in the way of using the device.
Looking for a little fridge for my truck. Think I just found the one. Thanks for the vid man. Keep it real.
Very good review and run down on it. After I get a van again that will be one of my main goals is to get a dometic fridge.
+campervandavid its a very smart investment
Nice review! You are correct in the statement about it being an investment. Money saved in not always eating out. Eating healthier food that you are able to store and prepare. Sounds like a win win!
+VanGo Adventures thanks, totally!
Just so you now it´s called focusing and not zooming, enjoy your videos very much though, subscribed!
Looks like thats what I need!
Is that Howie of Howie Roll channel? Very cool. Nice review, jman
+A Few Minutes With jman Yes it was! Thank you!
I like all the voltage options you have with that fridge. It did cost a lot, but probably worth it.
+MindiheartsMusic Totally worth it!
so 2 of them would be perfect one for fridge one for freezer.
Nice review. If you had the handle you could run a cable thru it and lock it around the base of the passenger seat. Expensive investment.
are you sure the light goes off when you close the lid?
+Howie Roll 99.97% sure yeah yeah
When it comes to extra light I wear a headlamp at night. Sometimes I look like turbo dork and forget it on when I go to the store like tonight. For the most part I wear the headlamp because I live rural and I am not going to install lights to burn all the time just for when I will walk out the door. I can wear that lamp see what I need and I swear by head lamps. Right now my favorite is a 2 AAA battery job that has safety red LED to the rear. It is low and high button push so it can be turned on and off one handed. Switch lights usually can be a PITA to turn on especially if you have to turn a dial on one side or the other. You want a light you can turn on and off one handed and either handed. You might get in a spot where you need light and your right or left hand is full. I wear my light in the house too get in the freezer and you need to see headlamp to the rescue. Dropped something between the seats? Think you rolled something under the seat?
Oh fot sure. I have a head lamp with recharable batteries. I use my phone charger throught a cigarette adapter to charge it. I love the thing!
Is your 100 watt panel keeping up with the fridge alright? Any problem when you get a couple of cloudy days? Thanks!
Only the 100 watt solar panel on cloudy days in not enough. Having the battery isolator gives me plenty though. On sunny days i wake up will a full charged battery at 11 am. I hope that helps.
For those whom dont mind using ice to keep their food fresh. The Engel cooler is Amazing. With keeping ice from melting for a great amount of time. The have a good air seal and they are very durable .
+tyler Gonzalez how much do they cost?
depends on the size you need.
30 qt goes for $74.99 13 qt $42.99 and so one. I have one, I can go fishing and leave a fish in there with ice for 4 to 5 days; it will stay fresh and cold. IT could probably keep the ice from melting maybe even longer i haven't yet tried.
Into The Mystery 13 .
So it's been about a year since you did the review. How much ice/frost forms inside of the freezer area? About how fast does the frost form?
+Jennifer Vermeire I always use it as a fridge. Once every 2 or 3 weeks I clean it out and there is a little bit of water on the bottom
Great Review, I see the # = Liters of space, and they have various sizes, the largest two look like they use 84 watts when working, and if similar to regular top load freezers will run about 4-6 hrs/day. But I'm guessing these are more efficient. So probably 300-500 watt/hrs. or about 1/2 KwH/day depending on outside temp.
Question, refrigeration requires heat transfer, where does the heat go? Does it have a radiator or a fan someplace? If so, can you vent it or do you let it heat up your van?
Hope Domestic sponsors your next build.
awesome, thanks for the review, do you have a video on composting toilets? which one did your neighbor have?
+pinetree909 I do not, as i dont have one. My neighbor was Howie Roll, he has a youtube channel and talks about it a lot. He seems to really like it.
Cool, I've been waiting for this review. And that mention of a composting toilet, you didn't go that route, but I like my homemade one :)
+fivetenonefourty Im still planning on a composting toilet.
Hey Jed are you still using this fridge? I am looking at an Engle combi fridge/freezer. Waeco was a great brand in Australia but the Engle is legendary there. Some people have been using theirs for 40 plus years in the outback. Thanks bro just looking as cost vs reliability. The Engle uses about half the power as the Dometic and can run on a 30 degree angle. How does the Dometic handle parking on non level surfaces?
Nice work 👌
Hey your in One of my Fav areas and i'm waiting for some awesome clips from you! wheres the WOOOOOO!
great review
+MrMarkw36 Thanks!
You should put a reflective of some sort on the cap so it can stay cooler easier👍
+Humberto Verdugo that's a really smart idea!
I'm looking through the comments and when you say the fridge eats out do you mean it takes up a lot of electricity
how long have you had that now and is it still working good it looks really great
+bill767667 Im no very good with time, but i think 4 or 5 months maybe. Yeah i love it! Once every couple weeks the consensation builds up and i take everything out and clean/dry it. I use a little vinigar and a towel. Works great though, no complaints
Just wanted to leave a quick comment to let you know what the small area is for. So the cooling coils go around the main area but the surface temp of those wall can damage your fruits and vegetables like if a banana is left touching the side walls it will bruise. The small area has no cooling coils and only gets cold by the air getting to it. This makes it not so good for drinks but great for those oranges in the bottom there. Hope this was hopeful have fun and stay safe
+Jay Swan hey thank you much! No more freezer burned fruit. I appreciate it!
The little compartment on the right is for dairy and not ment to be as cold as main compartment.
Does it give off a lot of heat?
They are expensive but draw very little power. I was going to get one for my van too. I have a larger electric fridge in my vehicle now.
+Alan Heath check out my website, I have an article there that shows how to modify your inverter to turn and off as needed for the fridge. It would save you a ton of power and money
nice product
You should certainly be running it off 12v directly - not via an invertor as you are knocking it up then taking it down again!
Do you wish that you had gotten the larger one? I'm on the fence about what size.
+WanderlustmanChris this is the biggest one I could get. Its been enough for me for about a week or two
The larger the fridge, the more power it draws. I have filled mine perhaps twice. When you are on the road you can get fresh food every day!
does this drain my car batteries? or which separate batterie would you recommend taking with you in the vehicle?
+Nhi Le it has different setting that will prevent it from draining your battery, but it be able to keep you food cold unless in thr morning and at night. You'll also be reducing the life of your starter battery in the long run. It would be fine for a few weekend camping trips or even a longer road trip. For full time though I definitely recommend an auxilary battery, and either a battery isolator or solar set up to charge it (or both!) Depending on your needs
Im planning to use it for full time :). Do you have any auxilary battery and battery isolator you would recommend? Thank you for getting back! Im new to cars and electronics.
also how would i install it? should i go to a car shop to get it installed?
whats up man what do you think of using a dorm fridge
+Eddie Doud takes way too much power. thisbis far more efficient, especially since its 12 volt
What's the watts like on them im still useing a cooler from what i read the dorm fridges run pretty low i have a 1000 watt inverter 2 deep cycles with a batery isolator
Do you use the 12 volt to run this?
+biblesnbarbells yes
Thanks. I am thinking of getting one of the CFX Models for my van. Was going to go bigger like the CFX 65, but now I am thinking I should be OK with the 35 or 40.
+biblesnbarbells sure do
I ordered the CFX 40. On back order for another week.
thats crazy to have something worth 600 bucks in your van. you know how often people tried to rob me when i was living in my car? you are crazy bro.
Eric Lux where do you stay. Never got robbed in sf and I am play dumb games with my security measures
How to you keep humidity out of the van????
insalation
I know people who insulated there vans and still encounters mold problems. Just wondering with the van doors open more often then the time?
there should be some sort of spray that covers the whole inside of the van that will prevent mold under the insulation. Atleast that's what I plan on doing as soon as I get my van.
How much noise does it make ? if any ?
dont stress, reached that part of the video :)
pretty cool
haha I have the same black canvas scroll with a Dalai Lama quote about the "true meaning of life", maybe yours has a different quote on it?
Hey are you on Face book? how often is the fridge actually running?
Want!
Contact company, I bet they will send you handles free. Nice review. Peace.
$600 for this fridge ? For $600 I can replace my existing Dometic fridge installed with one twice its size. I like Dometic equipment. Domestic equipment is certainly quality stuff, but the $600 price tag gives me pause.
+Mark Job it pays for itself in no time
600$ Thats really expensive, couldnt you just get a cooler, 10 times cheaper.
+HDsharp yeah then I gotta get ice all the time, and it still doesnt do as good of a job. This thing has paid for itself many times over by not eating out all the time. No regrets
Into The Mystery 13
I dont understand why these things are so expensive, could get a second car for 600$..Average demestic home fridges dont cost that much either. oh well, as long as you think its good value then thats all that matters, good videos btw, keep them coming.
+HDsharp yeah I thought it was pretty steep too. l I did the math though, and it definitely ha paid for itself a few times over already Thanks for your support!
igloo iceless is less than $80
I camped Canyonlands in Utah. Ran out of ice. The camp store charged me like $8 bag. That was the last straw. No more ice. I bought this exact fridge. And not dealing with soggy food and melted ice water is invaluable.