I have a lead on an Arctic King for a great price. But I bought a used 12 volt fridge once, and the compressor died after a couple of days. I've bought a lot of used 120v refrigerators and freezers in my life, and never had any trouble with one.Did I just get unlucky with that one 12 volt, or are they more touchy? Is there something in particular I should look for, other than just general condition and does it get cold? Thank you so much for any suggestions.

If it gets cold then its working. How long is always a guess. Thats why mfgs give a warrenty on new products.

12V is likely more touchy if the voltage drops which may be more likely on batteries.

This is what I do NaioYellow pages look for COMMERCIAL refrigerator freezer repairThe seller will have to go with you to get the refrigeration unit "sniffed" by an instrument with a wandExpect to pay for the sniff testThe unit can be warm and not workingThe guys at the repair shop know what they are doingIf they detect too much freon in the air the refrigerator is badBetter to know now than later.SECOND TESTPlace freezer in direct sunlight. Use a thermometer not guessworkFill a glass of water just like you did at home. Leave half emptyHow long did your home refrigerator take to freeze the water in the glassPlug the freezer in. Once in awhile check the temp. How fast is it droppingThe sun playing on the freezer makes this a stress testSeveral hours later, the freezer must chill down to no higher temp than +15FIt will do much better when it is shadedUse your nose behind the freezer. Does it smell like it's getting hot?Better you cull someone else's stinkeroo they are trying to dump. he object is to gain an appliance that works, and isn't going to leak it's gas out.

Well that is very hardcore Mex! And sounds like a great way to test out a more expensive freezer. But this guy is asking 70 bucks, and is probably not going to be up for a lot of fiddlefaddle :-).I wonder if I could rent one of those freon wands and bring it when I come to look at the freezer...

Naio wrote:Well that is very hardcore Mex! .Yep that is a good description of much that he does.I think you should search out reports from those who have actually USED a 12 V freezer in the past.The battery impact likely will be LARGE, especially if opened often or as new product is added.Most of the reports I've seen indicate that they are NOT worth the trouble.

How do I evaluate a used 12 volt freezer? | Good Sam Community

Naio
Explorer II
May 27, 2018
Well that is very hardcore Mex! And sounds like a great way to test out a more expensive freezer. But this guy is asking 70 bucks, and is probably not going to be up for a lot of fiddlefaddle :-).

I wonder if I could rent one of those freon wands and bring it when I come to look at the freezer...
MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
May 27, 2018
This is what I do Naio

Yellow pages look for COMMERCIAL refrigerator freezer repair
The seller will have to go with you to get the refrigeration unit "sniffed" by an instrument with a wand
Expect to pay for the sniff test
The unit can be warm and not working
The guys at the repair shop know what they are doing
If they detect too much freon in the air the refrigerator is bad
Better to know now than later.

SECOND TEST

Place freezer in direct sunlight. Use a thermometer not guesswork

Fill a glass of water just like you did at home. Leave half empty
How long did your home refrigerator take to freeze the water in the glass
Plug the freezer in. Once in awhile check the temp. How fast is it dropping
The sun playing on the freezer makes this a stress test
Several hours later, the freezer must chill down to no higher temp than +15F
It will do much better when it is shaded
Use your nose behind the freezer. Does it smell like it's getting hot?

Better you cull someone else's stinkeroo they are trying to dump. he object is to gain an appliance that works, and isn't going to leak it's gas out.
CA_Traveler
Explorer III
May 27, 2018
12V is likely more touchy if the voltage drops which may be more likely on batteries.
donn0128
Explorer II
May 27, 2018
If it gets cold then its working. How long is always a guess. Thats why mfgs give a warrenty on new products.

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How do I evaluate a used 12 volt freezer?

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