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edpelo's avatar
edpelo
Explorer
Jul 01, 2013

What's the most efficient fridge you've used?

I'm currently running a cheap Coleman thermo-electric cooler. It actually draws 4 amps per hour and because there is no thermostat that 4 amps is constant, 24/7. I plan on spending large periods of time off the grid and am in the market for a compressor-type, 12 volt fridge that's very efficient and has a front opening door (no top loaders). I've been to Norcold, Dometic, Engel's websites and they all have pretty much the same info and specs. All run around 40 watts and claim around 3 to 3.5 amps. I suspect those numbers are misleading though. Is it 3 amps just to kick it on? Is it a realistic number with a thermostat controlling it so it won't be cooling constantly like my current solution does?

What is your experience with fridges. who makes the most efficient ones? How much draw does your fridge actually pull? Help me choose my new fridge!

Thanks in advance.
Eric
Class B

14 Replies

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  • atreis's avatar
    atreis
    Explorer
    Jul 01, 2013
    Compressor fridges are more efficient than either evaporation (propane/electric dual-mode, what most of us have) or thermo-electric. However, it's easier to carry a large reserve capacity of propane than of electricity in batteries.
  • edpelo's avatar
    edpelo
    Explorer
    Jul 01, 2013
    stan909 wrote:
    Here is the place to ask about compressor fridges. Sportsmobile forums Compressor type fridges are standard on all Sportsmobiles.Propane fridges are an extra option.The fridge/freezer I just bought (Dometic 18cf top loading) cycles on and off.I assume the same for the rest of the line.I don't know what it uses as far as amps per hour but it would be on the 3 amp side since I use it as a freezer because our fridge is only a fridge.I just bought a 155 watts solar panel and charge controller today and will install in the morning.The batteries cannot last longer than 20 hours with the freezer running but at 7 amps in full sun the solar should help greatly.I may even try running the fridge on DC as well, just as an experiment.


    Thanks for pointing out the Sportsmobile forum. I'll post there shortly. Have fun setting up your solar! I have a 195 watt panel on my van's roof and it's really awesome. On a normal use day with full sun my batteries stay fully charged!
  • K_Charles's avatar
    K_Charles
    Explorer
    Jul 01, 2013
    The most efficient fridge for me was the well in the woodshed when the power went out. It was right off the kitchen.
  • stan909's avatar
    stan909
    Explorer
    Jul 01, 2013
    Here is the place to ask about compressor fridges. Sportsmobile forums Compressor type fridges are standard on all Sportsmobiles.Propane fridges are an extra option.The fridge/freezer I just bought (Dometic 18cf top loading) cycles on and off.I assume the same for the rest of the line.I don't know what it uses as far as amps per hour but it would be on the 3 amp side since I use it as a freezer because our fridge is only a fridge.I just bought a 155 watts solar panel and charge controller today and will install in the morning.The batteries cannot last longer than 20 hours with the freezer running but at 7 amps in full sun the solar should help greatly.I may even try running the fridge on DC as well, just as an experiment.

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