R-pod Owners Forum Homepage

This site is free to use.
Donations benefit a non-profit Girls Softball organization

Forum Home Forum Home > R-pod Discussion Forums > Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed: Keeping refrigarator cold while driving
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Calendar   Register Register  Login Login

Topic ClosedKeeping refrigarator cold while driving - Event Date: 26 Jul 2014
 Post Reply Post Reply Page  <12345 6>
Author
Message
  Share Topic Share Topic  Topic Search Topic Search  Topic Options Topic Options
Hayduke View Drop Down
Groupie
Groupie


Joined: 03 Apr 2012
Location: Salt Lake, UT
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 68 		Direct Link To This Post Calendar Event: Keeping refrigarator cold while driving
    Posted: 30 Jul 2014 at 12:14pm
Techntrek:
Not to get too far off topic here, but I have one of these:
http://www.truckfridge.com/store/page6.html

It's been a champ for me for the 2 years I've had it and quite a bit less expensive than the ARB models.
2012 177 HRE
2017 Tacoma Double Cab
Back to Top
ahefner View Drop Down
Groupie
Groupie


Joined: 03 Aug 2013
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 63 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Jul 2014 at 3:41pm
I've always ran my fridge on 12V when driving. Then switch over to AC when hooked up. Never had an issue yet.
2014 rPod 178
2014 Toyota Tundra 5.7
Back to Top
techntrek View Drop Down
Admin Group - pHp
Admin Group - pHp
Avatar

Joined: 29 Jul 2009
Location: MD
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 9062 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Jul 2014 at 10:20pm
Hayduke, thanks.  I found the spec sheet and unfortunately they don't list the average amperage (or even max amps).  I may contact them to see if they know.
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
Back to Top
Budward View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member


Joined: 21 Apr 2014
Location: SC/NC
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 438 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Jul 2014 at 6:37am
Not to downplay the TruckFridge but I did notice their warranty is 1 year where ARB is 3 year.
I'd also try to find out whose compressor system they use, the Danfoss appears to have the best reputation.
Another thing we find very useful is the lid pulls off straight back without any fuss or tools.  This is really appreciated in the back of a vehicle for loading the fridge etc when the lid won't open far due to the ceiling.  Don't know if the others do this or not.
Yes the ARB is expensive but its reputation is superb in the 4x4 world.  I love mine, one of the best purchases we've ever made.
I do concede the $200 price difference is substantial!  I'm not sure I even saw those or of they were around when I did my research a few years ago.
2014 179
Towed by a 2015 Ford Transit Diesel
Supervised by a German/Aussie mix and a Labradoodle!
Back to Top
CharlieM View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 23 Nov 2012
Location: N. Colorado
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1797 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Jul 2014 at 7:54am
Techntrek,

Have you been able to find a real data sheet on ARB? What is the running current? They advertise a 0.87A maintaining current. Is this some sort of thermoelectric element maintain the temp vs the compressor running? Years ago small RV compressor fridges drew around 4A running and they were small boxes. Where are we today?
Charlie
Northern Colorado
OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD
PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD
Back to Top
Harry View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie


Joined: 10 Jul 2014
Location: Nova Scotia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 38 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Jul 2014 at 9:12am
Now I have a really dumb question.  

In the past I have owned three campers, all with one version or another of a 3-way Dometic fridge. While camped and running on propane, the first moderate gust of wind would blow out the pilot light.  Driving with the pilot light on would be out of the question.  I wouldn't even get out of my driveway and expect it to remain lit.

Once I got the 176T, I assumed this would be the same situation, so I continued to drive with the fridge on 12V.  Yet, with a few exceptions, the general opinion in this forum is to run the fridge on propane while driving.  So.... how does the pilot light remain lit while driving at 60 mph?  Or, is there no pilot light and it lights electronically on demand?
Back to Top
fwunder View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 04 Oct 2013
Location: New Jersey
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1676 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Jul 2014 at 9:28am
Hi Harry,

I can't answer your question technically, but I can say that from recent experience a 100+ mph apparent wind didn't stop the fridge. Through Wyoming we had 55+ mph headwinds driving @ 50+ mph. Put a hurting to gas milage, but fridge kept on keeping cold.

Two weeks into our trip we did have to defrost the fridge, though. I'm guessing the high humidity, frequent opening and stuffed fridge and freezer contributed to that. It was an easy 10 minute "fix" to empty contents into cooler and use hair dryer to defrost and repack. We keep a thermometer (analog) in the fridge and never had any cooling issues in fridge or freezer.

fred
2014 RPod 178 => MyMods and Buying Habits
2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6
Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks!
Back to Top
Harry View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie


Joined: 10 Jul 2014
Location: Nova Scotia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 38 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Jul 2014 at 9:41am
Thanks Fred.

I'm a convert.  We head out for a couple of weeks starting next week.  Propane it is.
2013 R-pod 176T
TV: 2013 Honda Ridgeline
3.5 L 4WD
Back to Top
CharlieM View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 23 Nov 2012
Location: N. Colorado
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1797 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Jul 2014 at 9:48am
Originally posted by Harry

Now I have a really dumb question.  

In the past I have owned three campers, all with one version or another of a 3-way Dometic fridge. While camped and running on propane, the first moderate gust of wind would blow out the pilot light.  Driving with the pilot light on would be out of the question.  I wouldn't even get out of my driveway and expect it to remain lit.

Once I got the 176T, I assumed this would be the same situation, so I continued to drive with the fridge on 12V.  Yet, with a few exceptions, the general opinion in this forum is to run the fridge on propane while driving.  So.... how does the pilot light remain lit while driving at 60 mph?  Or, is there no pilot light and it lights electronically on demand?


The answer is yes and yes. First, there is no pilot. The main burner ignites via an electronic spark when needed. Second, the manufacturers have gotten better at shielding the flame from wind. My old campers had pilots and I had the same troubles. These new ones: no problem.
Charlie
Northern Colorado
OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD
PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD
Back to Top
Hayduke View Drop Down
Groupie
Groupie


Joined: 03 Apr 2012
Location: Salt Lake, UT
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 68 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Jul 2014 at 11:05am
Originally posted by techntrek

Hayduke, thanks.  I found the spec sheet and unfortunately they don't list the average amperage (or even max amps).  I may contact them to see if they know.


The fridge is actually made by Indel B.  That might help you find more info.  From my reading it seems these models have pretty similar amp draw to Engel or Arb fridges.  And it does have the Danfoss compressor.
2012 177 HRE
2017 Tacoma Double Cab
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply Page  <12345 6>

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

Bulletin Board Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 9.64
Copyright ©2001-2009 Web Wiz