Keeping refrigarator cold while driving - Event Date: 26 Jul 2014 |
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Hayduke
Groupie Joined: 03 Apr 2012 Location: Salt Lake, UT Online Status: Offline Posts: 68 |
Calendar Event: Keeping refrigarator cold while driving Posted: 01 Aug 2014 at 9:08pm |
Doug, I went through the same thing when I was looking at fridges. I was able to find an archived version of the page that wasn't working:
http://web.archive.org/web/20120417130738/http://www.equipt1.com/Company%20Product%20Images/Indel%20B/Downloads/Indel%20B%20Travel%20Box%20Test%20and%20Comparison%20Report.pdf If that doesn't work for you, I have the pdf save and can send it to you. -Matt |
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2012 177 HRE
2017 Tacoma Double Cab |
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techntrek
Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9059 |
Posted: 01 Aug 2014 at 4:56pm |
I believe this is the original fridge review I read a while ago:
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Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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techntrek
Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9059 |
Posted: 01 Aug 2014 at 4:35pm |
I read the article I linked to above, and then went looking for info on the Indel B, which is what that truckfridges website sells. Looks like they are also sold at the equipt1 web site. They submitted the 50 liter model to Overland Journal for the same testing done on the other fridges, and the results are discussed below. Unforutnately the full report they link to (both in the thread I link to below and at the equipt1 web site) does not work.
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Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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techntrek
Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9059 |
Posted: 01 Aug 2014 at 1:41pm |
True about the leveling issue, one of the reasons I would be happier with a compressor. At one point I did find an article online that reviewed a bunch of 12 volt fridges, putting them through a standard test which measured their insulative value, toughness and electrical consumption. The link below is not the same article and I haven't read it yet, but I found it with a quick search so I thought I would pass it along. Looks like most of them use the Danfoss compressor except the largest ones. My goal is to get 48 hours off-grid (a full weekend trip) w/o running the generator so probably the cheapest brand would work fine. Your average deep cycle battery would come close to 48 hours between LPG detector, lights, water pump, portable fridge, and the Dometic off.
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Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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Budward
Senior Member Joined: 21 Apr 2014 Location: SC/NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 438 |
Posted: 01 Aug 2014 at 6:08am |
My ARB, I actually measured it yesterday, draws 4A at startup, which drops to around 3.5 after a minute or so, then oddly rises to around 5A after several minutes. I'm guessing that has to do with pressures in the system.
It is difficult to compare different fridge's actual 24 hour current draw, since there doesn't appear to be a standardized test. Maybe someone has done one and published it but I haven't found it. A lower draw compressor is of course meaningless if the insulation is poor and it runs a lot more. One plus to any of them when actually on the move and planning an overnight stop at a WalMart or truck stop- they don't have to be anywhere near level like the absorption fridges. I've spent the night at several that were pretty far off and that was a concern. Off level can not only cause poor cooling it can actually ruin an absorption fridge from what I've read. On our upcoming long trip we plan to travel light in the perishable dept, if it doesn't fit in the ARB it isn't going. Once we approach a destination where we'll be for awhile then we'll restock the Dometic. When I built my own interior in the Four Wheel truck camper shell model I bought, I used a NovaKool marine 12v compressor fridge, no worries about stopping wherever whenever as to off level. Only draw back is yes on a long term (several days) stop the 12v consumption can be an issue, but then we never did that in the truck camper. BTW it also uses a Danfoss compressor and still going strong after 10+ years. What would be really "Cool" (pun intended) would be if someone made an RV absorption fridge that ALSO had a 12V compressor. Best of both worlds, superior cooling when on compressor with a lower current draw than the present 12V heater/absorption mode, but had the efficient propane when needed. |
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2014 179
Towed by a 2015 Ford Transit Diesel Supervised by a German/Aussie mix and a Labradoodle! |
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techntrek
Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9059 |
Posted: 31 Jul 2014 at 10:42pm |
These fridges only use a true compressor, no thermoelectric. The .87 amps quoted by ARB is an average during a 24 hour test including initial cooldown, starting from and continuing at a continuous ambient temperature. Actual running amps is higher.
The response I got from truckfridges was basically, "ours are made for big rigs where amperage isn't an issue so we don't really advertise that". However, someone here sent me a link to docs which indicated an average of .45 amps. I thank that is optimistically low when compared to the ARB average. Its a tough call, save a few hundred and maybe get hit with a higher amperage draw, or go with the proven product from ARB but pay for it.
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Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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Harry
Newbie Joined: 10 Jul 2014 Location: Nova Scotia Online Status: Offline Posts: 38 |
Posted: 31 Jul 2014 at 12:07pm |
Thank you Charlie. Great information.
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2013 R-pod 176T
TV: 2013 Honda Ridgeline 3.5 L 4WD |
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Hayduke
Groupie Joined: 03 Apr 2012 Location: Salt Lake, UT Online Status: Offline Posts: 68 |
Posted: 31 Jul 2014 at 11:05am |
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. |
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2012 177 HRE
2017 Tacoma Double Cab |
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CharlieM
Senior Member Joined: 23 Nov 2012 Location: N. Colorado Online Status: Offline Posts: 1797 |
Posted: 31 Jul 2014 at 9:48am |
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. |
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Charlie
Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
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Harry
Newbie Joined: 10 Jul 2014 Location: Nova Scotia Online Status: Offline Posts: 38 |
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.
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2013 R-pod 176T
TV: 2013 Honda Ridgeline 3.5 L 4WD |
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