Portable Refrigerator

[Jeepnik]

Question for the group. I'm looking for a small compressor type, portable refrigerator. I'm looking for something that is both AC/DC. Frankly, I've seen prices from less than $200 to well over $1000. Do any of you have such critters or have used them in the past? Recommendations?

 

[SWR]

Take a look at BougeRV refrigerators and see if that might work for you

 

[Dave P.]

You might want to look at this link, may give you a few ideas...
https://expeditionportal.com/the-best-overland-fridge-freezers/We have an older Dometic maybe 12-14 years old that works well, can't remember the model right now but they probably don't still make it anyway.

 

[Colonialgirl]

GEE; Wish I could help you but it's been too many years (1971-1977) since our 36 ft "live-aboard" ketch had an Ac-Dc Refrig in case we lost shore power. That was in the channel behind Terminal Island and was next to the old Henry Ford Plant that was long closed (Thus the street name "Henry Ford Ave").

 

[Jeepnik]

GEE; Wish I could help you but it's been too many years (1971-1977) since our 36 ft "live-aboard" ketch had an Ac-Dc Refrig in case we lost shore power. That was in the channel behind Terminal Island and was next to the old Henry Ford Plant that was long closed (Thus the street name "Henry Ford Ave").

I wonder how many times I past you either on the street or in the channel. You wouldn't recognize the place now. The east side of the bridge is now all containers.

 

[Colonialgirl]

I wonder how many times I past you either on the street or in the channel. You wouldn't recognize the place now. The east side of the bridge is now all containers.

Yeah I noticed that one time when I went out to visit my Mom; Really disappointed that the Marina was gone along with the old FORD plant and the area filled in for containers. The old Henry Ford Ave lift bridge was still there but I dont think it was open to auto traffic.

 

[Jeepnik]

Yeah I noticed that one time when I went out to visit my Mom; Really disappointed that the Marina was gone along with the old FORD plant and the area filled in for containers. The old Henry Ford Ave lift bridge was still there but I dont think it was open to auto traffic.

Yea, the old bridge is train traffic only. The new one for vehicle traffic allows more vessels to pass under in the closed position. I almost forgot the Ford plant. It’s been gone a long time.

 

[Mobuck]

Lots of derelict RVs sitting around my area. I expect most still have the fridge intact. Simply a matter of removal, clean up, and doing an update on the gas charge.

 

[Jeepnik]

I’d thought if that but mist are the size of apartment fridges. Too large to be easily carried in the cab of my pickup. And certainly not transportable from the house to the truck. I first looked at ones folks set up on slide outs in the truck bed. Closer but still not easily carried.

 

[JimA]

Question for the group. I'm looking for a small compressor type, portable refrigerator. I'm looking for something that is both AC/DC. Frankly, I've seen prices from less than $200 to well over $1000. Do any of you have such critters or have used them in the past? Recommendations?

I have a Bouge RV 30 qt portable fridge. It's worked well for me for a year. There are usually sales on them that can make them pretty affordable. No ice and they are really low draw on power. My Bluetti AC50S will run it on 12 volts for an entire weekend.

 

[Mega Twin]

Are those cooler types any good?
My brother had one in his semi.

 

[t-reg]

Are those cooler types any good?
My brother had one in his semi.

Ask him?

 

[Mega Twin]

Ask him?

passed away in 1998.
I wish I could ask him

 

[Biggfoot44]

Is the OP looking for a 12v/ 120v and/ or LP such as installed in RVs ? Or the ones that look like an ice chest , that plug into a cigatette lighter plug ?

 

[Jeepnik]

Compressor type 12 VDC/120VAC. Small enough to fit into the backseat of my Tacoma, but not take up the entire space. I don’t need freezer capability.

 

[jimbo1096]

I found that none of them are really that efficient. I had a Coleman that would keep 10 or 12 cans at a temp around 42* or so, but out in the desert it wouldn't keep up on the 12v input. BougeRV make a couple of different models and they come with the 12v or 120v power adapters. They have very good ratings and a midscale price. As usual you get what you pay for. Now I use one of the 52hr ice chests, with the frozen gel packs

 

[BearBiologist]

My 4Runner has both AC and DC connectors but haven't used mine enough to make an opinion!

Amazon product ASIN B095Z3VVGR

 

[Jeepnik]

My Tacoma also has 120 VAC. It’s only 100 watts unless the truck is running the 400 watts under “some” conditions. I want to try that out and see how the AC works.

If it doesn’t I plan to add another battery and run power to a separate 12 VDC outlet in the rear seat area and bed.

 

[JimA]

I found that none of them are really that efficient. I had a Coleman that would keep 10 or 12 cans at a temp around 42* or so, but out in the desert it wouldn't keep up on the 12v input. BougeRV make a couple of different models and they come with the 12v or 120v power adapters. They have very good ratings and a midscale price. As usual you get what you pay for. Now I use one of the 52hr ice chests, with the frozen gel packs

I had one of those Coleman units. They are pretty much useless unless it's cool out. The 12 V compressor units from companies like Bouge RV, Iceco, lioncooler, and Dometic are much more efficient. They will all work as refrigerators or freezers if needed.

 

[JimA]

I’d thought if that but mist are the size of apartment fridges. Too large to be easily carried in the cab of my pickup. And certainly not transportable from the house to the truck. I first looked at ones folks set up on slide outs in the truck bed. Closer but still not easily carried.

They also take up to 6 hours to cool down to a useful temperature and need to be level to operate properly. Not ideal for for a "portable" fridge..

 

[Biggfoot44]

All depends upon what you need/ are looking to do .

There's a gap between the sorta ice chest substitutes , and real refrigerators that are semi permently mounted .