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What PORTABLE fridge do you use?
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gbrandt
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PostPosted: Mon Oct 20, 2014 7:27 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

My ARB 37 is great. Not as quiet as I would like as the fan comes on every time the compressor comes on, and the fan is louder than the compressor.

I can still sleep through it though.
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djkeev
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PostPosted: Wed Oct 22, 2014 6:54 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hey Hey!!!!!

Look what FedEx just brought!
My TruckFridgeTF41.....
Known throughout the rest of the World as an "indel B, Travel Box 41A" made in Italy.
EDIT:
Ummm ........ errrrr correction!
SOLD by an Italian firm ......... Made in ...... Where else? China!

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I filled it with the most nutricious foods!

That is a large 1.5 liter bottle of wine standing up and the lid clears it just fine.....
The lid has a solid mechanical latch and compresses a rubber seal. The lid only recesses into the box about 1/2" but that is only around the sealing perimeter and then rises up in the center instead of staying low....

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Last edited by djkeev on Wed Oct 22, 2014 12:09 pm; edited 4 times in total
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djkeev
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PostPosted: Wed Oct 22, 2014 7:14 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

It isn't a Hot....... Or even a warm day today!

The unit started at 54* at 9:40 am.

It drew from 4.2 - 4.9 amps while set in MAX mode on High.
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


At 10:03 the cooling system shut off at the preset 36*.
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Sadly the interior thermometer I put inside said 32* and within a few minutes the units display fell to 30* while my thermometer dropped to 27* Shocked
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


There seems to be a constant 0.06 a 0.07 amp parasitic draw while not refrigerating. I imagine this draw is working the control panel.

I for fun lowered the temperature while set in Econo / Low mode and when the unit kicked on it draws 2.7 -2.9 amps. (Gosh! I need to get a life!)


Noise? The Quiet hum that I would put about par with the decibel of a good computer fan running.

Dave
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djkeev
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PostPosted: Wed Oct 22, 2014 10:05 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Typical guy thing...... Plug it in turn it on and THEN read the instructions!

The energy useage of the TF41 is only determined by the "MAX" or "ECO" button.

The switch by the power input that is a three position "HIGH" "MEDIUM" "LOW" controls how far down the unit will draw the Battery before shutting itself off.

Low is 9.6v cut out, 10.9v cut in
Med is 10.1v cut out, 11.4v cut in.
High is 11.1v cut out, 12.4v cut in.

Opening the lid so that the interior light comes on has no measureable extra current draw......

The shallow compartment is 41* as compared to the entire big box of 36*

It is hooked up to a used but fully charged 75-60 side terminal CA@32* 670 amp Battery.

----------------
EDIT: BATTERY VOLTAGE standard Car battery, no charger connected.
Holding 37*

9:40am..... Fully charged.... 12.62 volts
7:20pm .....9 1/2 Hours ..... 12.46 volts
6:50am..... 21 hours.......... 12.21 volts
6:35pm .....33 hours.......... 12.12 volts
6:40am .....45 hours.......... 12.05 volts
9:40am .....48 hours ......... 12.02 volts
6:40pm .....57 hours ......... 11.92 volts
11:00am ...74+hours ........ 11.75 volts
12:10pm ...75 1/2 hours..... 11.42 volts at rest, 10.5 volts while running..... we're done folks! Fault code E-1

FYI, two days later, trickle charged @2amps the dead battery and it has been holding steady at 12.92 volts and passes a load test. No obvious short term damage to the battery from the deep discharge.


----------------
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------------------

I will let it run until it shuts off due to low voltage, see how long that takes.

Label on unit..........
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Last edited by djkeev on Mon Oct 27, 2014 7:15 am; edited 14 times in total
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Steelhead
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PostPosted: Wed Oct 22, 2014 3:01 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

This table is regrettably incomplete, but FWIW I started researching fridges a while ago and besides dimensions and price, I wanted to understand the relative "cost per volume" and "pounds per quart".

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djkeev
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PostPosted: Wed Oct 22, 2014 4:49 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Steelhead wrote:
This table is regrettably incomplete, but FWIW I started researching fridges a while ago and besides dimensions and price, I wanted to understand the relative "cost per volume" and "pounds per quart".

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


Well, my TruckFridge TF41 cost $12.17 per quart.

Model TF41
Size - 13 ¾"W x 17"H x 23"L (28" with both carry handles installed)
Gross Capacity 1.5 cu. ft.
Voltage DC 12-24 Volt / AC 115-230 Volt / 50-60 Hz

Shipping Weight....... 45lbs
Cooling ........ Danfoss R134a

I question if price is top billing or is amperage draw?

I guess it varies for individuals, depends, if you are off in the wild for a long time you will want extreme efficiency, damn the cost!

For me, cost did certainly factor in for I won't be often, if ever, in the wilds for long.
Bottom Line, considering price, reviews and statistics.......
The small physical footprint of the TF41 trumped amp draw.


I question the stated efficiency by the manufacturer vs real life.
Mine is stated at 1.9 amps @ 12v on the label.
It is drawing 2.5 - 2.9 by my meter when the box is set on the economy setting, 4.3-4.8 on MAX.

Better than Truck Fridges off the cuff 6amp draw statement for sure!

Dave
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Last edited by djkeev on Fri Oct 24, 2014 5:23 am; edited 6 times in total
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kamzcab86
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PostPosted: Wed Oct 22, 2014 11:10 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

FWIW, it also depends on who/where you buy from. For my ARB 50, cost per quart is $14.80. Mine weighs 49 pounds out of the shipping box.

djkeev wrote:
I question if price is top billing or is amperage draw?


For me, it was a combination of both, along with size, weight, and warranty. All five factored into my ultimate decision: Eliminated the EdgeStar due to amp draw and warranty; eliminated the Engel due to the weight and cost vs. capacity compared to the ARB. I also didn't want to spend a ton of dinero, so I shopped around and got a pretty good deal thanks to hypothesizing the eBay seller's reserve price. Very Happy
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seventyfo
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PostPosted: Thu Oct 23, 2014 7:28 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

OpenBoxDirect has a couple of Edgestar fridges, 43qt for $300 and an 83! Qt for $340, free shipping too. I've had one and it worked great on a 6 week trip, I did add a second battery though.
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djkeev
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PostPosted: Fri Oct 24, 2014 2:07 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I made some lie flat handles for my Truck Fridge TF41.

The factory carry handles add 5" to the length, 23" vs 28"
For me, THE deciding selling point was the 23" footprint, I had no desire to mount the supplied handles.

Anyway.......
Amazing what you can use old crap for!

An old Seat Belt reborn as refrigerator carry handles!

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matt94gt
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PostPosted: Sat Oct 25, 2014 5:20 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I found a ARB 50qt locally for sale at $650 it's apparently 3 or so years old but barely used. Did the models change at all over the last few years.

Here's a pic
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ThankYouJerry
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PostPosted: Sat Oct 25, 2014 7:56 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

^^^ They are the same. The one in your photo above has the insulated cover. I'm not so sure the cover is really helpful or necessary. $650 sounds a little steep depending on how much it was used and what condition it is now in. A brand new ARB 50 only costs $227 more including shipping from Amazon Prime: http://www.amazon.com/ARB-10800472-Fridge-Freezer-...rds=arb+50
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matt94gt
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PostPosted: Sat Oct 25, 2014 11:08 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

ThankYouJerry wrote:
^^^ They are the same. The one in your photo above has the insulated cover. I'm not so sure the cover is really helpful or necessary. $650 sounds a little steep depending on how much it was used and what condition it is now in. A brand new ARB 50 only costs $227 more including shipping from Amazon Prime: http://www.amazon.com/ARB-10800472-Fridge-Freezer-...rds=arb+50


He said he will do $600 on it with the jacket. I would have to pay about 10% on top of amazon for duty. He said it was used on 3 trips.

I dont mind paying the extra for new but it seems like a deal saying as apparently they last forever?
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childofthewind
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PostPosted: Sat Oct 25, 2014 11:17 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

i own that same ARB with the insulated cover and i think that's a decent deal, down to $600, especially if it really is barely used.

having said that, i had some problems with my fridge a while back and they worked with me very graciously & professionally.. but that was still within the 3 years warranty. you might be out of that window by now.
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matt94gt
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PostPosted: Sat Oct 25, 2014 11:27 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

childofthewind wrote:
i own that same ARB with the insulated cover and i think that's a decent deal, down to $600, especially if it really is barely used.

having said that, i had some problems with my fridge a while back and they worked with me very graciously & professionally.. but that was still within the 3 years warranty. you might be out of that window by now.


What kind of issues, so I know what to look for? Also that $600 Canadian which is $535usd.
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childofthewind
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PostPosted: Sat Oct 25, 2014 11:33 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

matt94gt wrote:
childofthewind wrote:
i own that same ARB with the insulated cover and i think that's a decent deal, down to $600, especially if it really is barely used.

having said that, i had some problems with my fridge a while back and they worked with me very graciously & professionally.. but that was still within the 3 years warranty. you might be out of that window by now.


What kind of issues, so I know what to look for? Also that $600 Canadian which is $535usd.


it had two: it began taking a long time to get down to temp and also my drain plug leaked which kind of sucked, but maybe not so bad if you have your fridge on rubber matting, etc, just not carpeting. i truly think that was an anomaly, though.
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PostPosted: Sun Oct 26, 2014 1:08 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

childofthewind wrote:
matt94gt wrote:
childofthewind wrote:
i own that same ARB with the insulated cover and i think that's a decent deal, down to $600, especially if it really is barely used.

having said that, i had some problems with my fridge a while back and they worked with me very graciously & professionally.. but that was still within the 3 years warranty. you might be out of that window by now.


What kind of issues, so I know what to look for? Also that $600 Canadian which is $535usd.


it had two: it began taking a long time to get down to temp and also my drain plug leaked which kind of sucked, but maybe not so bad if you have your fridge on rubber matting, etc, just not carpeting. i truly think that was an anomaly, though.


He said he realistically used it a couple dozen times, and it goes down to -16C and holds it fine. I think saving $497 (after exchange and duty vs NEW) plus a free jacket is a pretty good deal.
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PostPosted: Sun Oct 26, 2014 7:22 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Here is how I strapped my Engel down:
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A 9 foot strap and a metal loop (pictured and at the same height on the other side of the seat) similar to what is on the westy luggage rack. It's in there pretty good, but I might add another bracket to the fridge to hold it to the floor better. But I've been on some pretty rough stuff and it hasn't moved yet!

I also measured the amperage draw on my 12 year old? fridge:
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

I had a battery charger attached to the house battery (which disconnects with engine off). Temp was about 60* when I started it and it was at about 2.5 amps no matter where the dial was set. Amp draw will go up a little bit as voltage goes down.

I haven't logged how long before the batters dies. I don't believe Engel has a low voltage cut off either. But with our traveling style, we normally drive quite a bit and the fridge only runs on battery when we are stopped at night. I don't use solar or anything, just alternator power. I use old bad batteries from work that have only the smallest bit of juice left in them and the fridge always works. Feels like it stays the same temperature inside no matter the outside temp. In fact only the stuff in the fridge DIDN"T freeze a couple nights when it was really, really cold!

Oh and I just bought another MT-35 off ebay for $300 shipped Wink
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PostPosted: Sun Oct 26, 2014 9:27 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

hans j wrote:
Here is how I strapped my Engel down:
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A 9 foot strap and a metal loop (pictured and at the same height on the other side of the seat) similar to what is on the westy luggage rack. It's in there pretty good, but I might add another bracket to the fridge to hold it to the floor better. But I've been on some pretty rough stuff and it hasn't moved yet!


"Hasn't moved yet" because (thankfully) you haven't been in an accident Shocked . I definitely wouldn't trust 4 tiny sheet metal screws with my 50# fridge (with 40# of food in it) during an accident! The GW 8mm bolts are waaaaaaay safer in my opinion. Of course, you won't know for sure until you need 'em Shocked . Worth the $8 of insurance, no?

http://www.gowesty.com/ec_view_details.php?id=4372&category_id=&category_parent_id=
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PostPosted: Wed Oct 29, 2014 10:08 pm    Post subject: Arb battery hookup Reply with quote

hey all getting the ARB this weekend. I wanted to ask how you have it hooked into 12v. It comes with the cigarette adapter but do you guys hardwire it into your aux battery? Seems silly to use the adapter if it's going to live in my bus.

I'm just wondering if there is some sort of cable or way to hook it safely directly to the battery?
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PostPosted: Wed Oct 29, 2014 10:33 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

It's simple to add a 12v power port just about anywhere. I put one in my main bat box (under passenger seat), but wired it to my aux bats (under bench). The beauty of this is that the plug is not sticking out anywhere (to get stepped on and crushed). It also gives me the flexibility to simply swap cords and plug into 120v power anytime it's available.
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