Similar to Dometic, Costway electric coolers will cost you more than the Alpicool. However, they offer an extra-large version that has 2 separate lids. Even though the Dometic numbers are better in warmer temperatures the Alpicool 12V fridges held their own and use very little power. Small 12V Fridges Do Not Use Less Power When you first plug in your 12V fridge/freezer to get it down to the correct temperature it will use more power in the beginning then level off to the average values found in the tables above.

I would like to recommend the Dometic because it is also designed and built tough to last for mobile environments. This unit has reinforced corners plus a closing mechanism. You will also appreciate that it only consumes 0.665 kWh per 24h. Texsport 2 Piece Propane Distribution Tree with Outlets to hook up 3 Propane Appliances to One Tank Similar to Dometic, Costway electric coolers will cost you more than the Alpicool. However, they ofer an extra-large version that has 2 separate lids.At this point I did what I should have done a couple months ago. I looked into how much power this fridge actually pulls compared to a dedicated 12V fridge. Our Dometic 3 way pulls up to 18 amps when it’s running. Not only that, its duty cycle (time it spends running compared to idle) is well over 50% when in 12V mode.

As far as size compared to the power used the Dometic 40W 40 quart portable 12V fridge is by far the most efficient.If it’s really hot outside it’s a good idea to take a small fan and place it near the fridge vents to help circulate air. A: It is up to you, although not necessary. Most of the refrigerators we have featured above come with complete accessories, like a cover bag. Depending on the model you bought, you might not have to buy additional accessories for the fridge at all. It can be ready to use out of the box, so no worries. Of course, setting the portable fridges/freezers to freezing temperatures means they will use more power but it shouldn’t be that much more used on average once the freezer has gotten to the correct temperature and everything inside has frozen solid. So Which Brand Of Portable 12V Fridge Should I Buy?

NOTICE 2!! If the refrigerator won’t be in use for a long time, fully charge the battery and turn it off !! HOW DO I CONNECT MY ALPICOOL FRIDGE? You should also buy it because of its fast freeze mode system that can cool up to -8 degrees Fahrenheit. That is an innovative feature that adds to the ease of operation of the Whynter FM-45G. You can easily cool your drinks or food without long waiting time upon switching this refrigerator on. This refrigerator is ideal for home or car use. You can also use it in boating or fishing. The Alpicool CX50 also comes with two power cables, which can be separately be connected or attached with 110V to 240V AC power or 12/24V DC. You can use it to operate in solar power or off-grid applications, translating to more convenience. Thanks for the great advice. I agree that the condenser fan should be cleaned regularly to keep everything working and in good shape. Reply

Are Alpicool fridges good FAQs

It is also ideal for different applications, including for fishing, boating, traveling and camping. The refrigerator also has a compact size of only 1.7 cubic feet. In addition, the 12 volt portable freezer offers a reliable and quiet operation, which you can depend on for its top value and excellence. It is unlike any other units that might operate with noise.

Budget, we were already on the road when we realized we needed to change our fridge situation. We also didn’t budget for replacing such a large item this early into the trip and really didn’t want to spend too much money. The fridge also needed to be able to carry enough food for around two weeks for the two us. We loved our little Engel we had in Africa, and it did great in the heat. We also know that Dometics 12V fridges are very popular in the overlanding community. Unfortunately both of these options in a size that worked for us were out of our budget. They are basically the same size, the only difference is the lid is taller on the C20 to allow more space. The energy consumption difference is huge. You will also appreciate that it comes with detachable handles, useful when installed in small or tight compartments in a travel trailer or camper or when positioned on a fridge slide. Yes, the Alpicool fridge freezer is designed to be used in a car or RV. It can be powered by the vehicle’s 12V DC power outlet or a 12V battery.

Solar Powered Refrigerator

I also liked that the Whynter FM-85G is portable, so you can bring it anywhere you need it. You can use it on a 12V power source or standard household 110V outlet. Fourth, the lid features a built-in LED light. I know, this component might not be a game changer for many people, but it sure comes in handy at night! Alpicool VS Costway Travel Fridge/Freezer: In preparation for being “off grid”, we installed 2 x 217 Amp Hour 6V batteries and a 250 watt solar panel. It didn’t take long to realize just how much power this fridge was pulling when in 12V mode. With our batteries fully charged and in direct sun we could barely keep up with how much this fridge was drawing. Off grid and in ideal situations (good sun and lots of driving) we could keep that fridge going for 3 days before our batteries starting getting dangerously low. Why power draw is so important We have conducted real world testing and have found that Alpicool 50l fridge runs for 2-3 days from a standard 110 amp AGM battery, this is comparable to most of the leading brand compressor fridges of this size. For longer term cooling of more than 3 days we recommend the addition of 100 WATT solar panel this would allow the fridge to 4-6 weeks or off grid. The fridge can also be run on 240v electric hook up via your power management unit or 240v battery charger.