12v Compressor Fridge Comparison - ICECO, Alpicool, Engel, Ausranvik, and more!
12v Compressor Fridge Comparison - ICECO, Alpicool, Engel, Ausranvik, and more!
I purchased the SMETA under a different brand name about 8 years ago. At that time is was under $300 on Ebay. I like the 2 zones, keeps frozen things frozen and non-frozen things like fresh veggies from freezing. I leave it in the Jeep full time and only plug it in when i need it. To my surprise it has held up well over years of bouncing and jostling. I run a single Optima Yellow Top and I can set the temp to 32 degrees and leave it plugged in overnight and the low power cut off does not kick in. Best of all I can have ice cream while camping...
Jim (September 10th, 2020)
I have the little iceco 20 (small one on middle top of the preview above). I would have liked something a little bigger but the others were too tall and would have interfered with my sleeping platform. Works well, tiny but useful. I leave it in all the time as it's so handy when driving back from the grocery store.
Jim (September 10th, 2020)
Last summer I purchased a Blue 30 qt ice chest "starter kit" in the color white. They tout longer ice retention than Yeti coolers. My reaction - nice cooler - but man does it take up some real estate in the back of the jeep. It performed great as to keeping things cold though.
but I still wanted something different...
This arrived at my door today:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Engel-MRFD-...r/284120990124
A close version at Engel:
https://engelcoolers.com/collections...bulance-fridge
It uses the Sawafuji compressor touted for low current draw starts and longevity. I'm thinking there is not much food that _needs_ to be refrigerated that I can readily get by with this. It'll get a good test (or maybe I'll be very hungry!) at Canyonlands.
If all goes well, the Blue cooler will be up for sale.
It's on a desk behind me - the comp cycles frequently. I need to document times and draw. Unknown if I'll add a solar charger to the hood of the jeep...
Funny you should post this today. I have a 12V fridge arriving today as well. The one I bought is priced about half of that e-bay listing, though.
I will be standing by to take that blue cooler off your hands
___________
Steven
2004 Wrangler Rubicon
Jim (January 4th, 2021)