Official 12V Freezer-Fridges - Do they bring the heat?

sixstringsteve

Well-Known Member
Location
UT
I'll be installing a 2000W inverter in the van soon, and I'm trying to decide whether it'd be better to wire my ARB Fridge via 12V directly to the battery, or via 110 via the inverter. I think I read somewhere that the 110v side is a bit more efficient. Anybody know?
 

frieed

Jeepless in Draper
Supporting Member
Location
Draper, UT
It may be a wash then.
I'd love to know if the ARB compressor is 12v with a step down converter for 120v or if it's a 120v compressor with a built in inverter.
In general, probably the fewer components involved, the less chance of something breaking.
 

cruiseroutfit

Cruizah!
Moderator
Vendor
Location
Sandy, Ut
I'll be installing a 2000W inverter in the van soon, and I'm trying to decide whether it'd be better to wire my ARB Fridge via 12V directly to the battery, or via 110 via the inverter. I think I read somewhere that the 110v side is a bit more efficient. Anybody know?

12V, your 2000w inverter will pull far more amps than the fridge on 12v
 

mesha

By endurance we conquer
Location
A.F.
would these fridges do fine on the front of an off road trailer?

I have used mine in the back of the jeep and bed of a truck for years, but not sure if the dust and water from the tires would wreck it sitting in the front of a trailer outside the box. Just mounted to the tongue.
 

cruiseroutfit

Cruizah!
Moderator
Vendor
Location
Sandy, Ut
I would say it depends on the scope of use and the quality of fridge. I have a customer (water department) that keeps an Engel in the bed of a truck 365/24/7 and has never had an issue. My ARB's have spent a lot of time in the beds of trucks
 

mesha

By endurance we conquer
Location
A.F.
I would say it depends on the scope of use and the quality of fridge. I have a customer (water department) that keeps an Engel in the bed of a truck 365/24/7 and has never had an issue. My ARB's have spent a lot of time in the beds of trucks

It is an ARB.

I have no doubt it will last inside the trailer. Just wondering iif there was any experience with less protection for the fridge. Inside the trailer would see a lot less abuse than the front from tire spray of water and the whirlwind of dust while driving dirt roads.
 

joez

Registered User
Location
Elwood, Illinois
Old thread I know. But, pulled the trigger on a dometic CFX50 over Memorial Day. Looked at all others, and while I feel I could have gone smaller, the dimensions fit perfectly working around the limitations of the cage in my 80-series. Just got back from a 10 day trip, and all I have to say is I wish I had made the jump years ago. I used 1 bag of ice for my campfire cocktails, and that was it. No wasted food when we decided to head to town for two extra dinners, no soggy burgers, and the ability to keep eggs, milk, yogurt above freezing in the dairy tray while having ice cream bars at the bottom was amazing. From somebody who has way to much money invested in rotomolded coolers, soft yeti's, throw away coolers, etc, not to mention all the ice to keep most of my food cold every year, just go buy a fridge.
 
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jeeper

Currently without Jeep
Location
So Jo, Ut
I had a long week in hot southern Utah, and wanted nothing more than to have my arb fridge with me. The amount of warm water I had to drink was ridiculous.
I have no other option than to mount the fridge on the flatbed of my truck. What do you guys do to keep it protected? Do you just let them be out in the sun/rain/snow all the time? Do things ever go missing from inside?
I have thought about setting it inside a truck tool box or something to help keep it secure and out of the weather. Am I being over protective of the fridge? should I just buy an insulated cover, strap it down, and be happy?
 

cjncustoms

Well-Known Member
Location
West jordan
I had a long week in hot southern Utah, and wanted nothing more than to have my arb fridge with me. The amount of warm water I had to drink was ridiculous.
I have no other option than to mount the fridge on the flatbed of my truck. What do you guys do to keep it protected? Do you just let them be out in the sun/rain/snow all the time? Do things ever go missing from inside?
I have thought about setting it inside a truck tool box or something to help keep it secure and out of the weather. Am I being over protective of the fridge? should I just buy an insulated cover, strap it down, and be happy?
Not sure if this is much help, but I know the campbells have an ARB one mounted on the back of one of their chase trucks, fully exposed to the elements and they live in Arizona. So it must do good with the heat....
 

cruiseroutfit

Cruizah!
Moderator
Vendor
Location
Sandy, Ut
I've never had an issue with my ARB in the elements... and ARB has their "Elements" version fridges designed to be outside. They even have touchpad security lock to prevent a quick snatch/grab of your precious beverages.
 

Tonkaman

Well-Known Member
Location
West Jordan
I had a long week in hot southern Utah, and wanted nothing more than to have my arb fridge with me. The amount of warm water I had to drink was ridiculous.
I have no other option than to mount the fridge on the flatbed of my truck. What do you guys do to keep it protected? Do you just let them be out in the sun/rain/snow all the time? Do things ever go missing from inside?
I have thought about setting it inside a truck tool box or something to help keep it secure and out of the weather. Am I being over protective of the fridge? should I just buy an insulated cover, strap it down, and be happy?
As you know, mine lived full time in the bed of my Tacoma for 2 years without ever being removed. I never had any issues with people or the elements.
 

mbryson

.......a few dollars more
Supporting Member
Just thinking forward a ways but do any of the fridges have a Milwaukee Packout type quick release type base? Not necessarily the Milwaukee footprint/lock but something like that that allows for secure storing but quick removal?
 

Hickey

Burn-barrel enthusiast
Supporting Member
Not that I'm aware of, but that'd be a pretty cool idea.
👆👆👆👆What he said. Can’t believe Milwaukee hasn’t done that. How sweet would an electric fridge be if it ran on M18 batteries and had the option to be a charging station if you plug it in to a wall or 12 volt?

Milwaukee does have a cooler, but it’s the kind for poor people who have to use ice.
 
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