Dometic "ice chest" refrigerators

[mlts22]

What do people think of Dometic "ice chest" refrigerators. Not the Koolatron thermal-electric coolers, but the models that have an actual compressor?

I'm thinking of buying one in addition to the existing absorption fridge because it does a good job at getting stuff cold, and when it isn't chilling beverages, I can set it to 0 degrees, use it for additional space for frozen items.

[landyacht318]

Dometic is now using a Waeco compressor, which appears to be a clone or at least very similar to the Danfoss/secop bd35f. I do not know the little details.

I am not sure of all the differences, but apparently in their literature they warn of battery charging voltages when operating the unit, and they don't answer E mails.
On another forum a member received Dometic DOA and there is yet to be any resolution, and much frustration. Another member only got help by talking with a Waeco representative in Western Australia.

I'd avoid a Dometic product just on the reports of no Customer service.

[Almot]

Engel is not same thing as Dometic. They are the only one (of big brands) that use their own proprietary compressor.

Edgestar, being a Chinese knock-off (don't remember of what), is a different creature again. Ozzies compared it with their Engel and the conclusion was - Engel is better for offgrid use, more reliable and nice energy efficiency.

Dometic, Tundra, Novakool and Indel have German Danfoss DC compressors, also used in their upright models.

Truckfridge is a rebranded Italian Indel. Danfoss compressor.

Keep in mind that even though all these boxes look like Walmart coolers, they are not. With 30 lbs empty weight you won't enjoy carrying it around when full.

[rexlion]

Great info, Marc! Someday I'm going to have one of these units. I've been leaning toward a Truckfridge; they have some relatively affordable models. But I see that the Edgestar prices can be pretty low, too.

[marcsbigfoot20b]

I don't have a "Dometic" brand but I do have an Engel 45 qt and an Edgestar 86 qt that are pretty much the same thing.

Both you can set the temps from 50ish to -10F or so and anything in between, and it will hold that temp just like a real fridge or freezer.

They are both 12/24/ 110 v.

Only downside besides the fact they have to be plugged in is they are kinda heavy.
The Engel 45 uses 33 watts and the ES 86 uses about 77 watts, but this one also has variable speed compressor danfoss35.

Here is a review I did years ago on power draw from them....
https://www.amazon.com/review/RDUE2FXUOPJ5W/ref=cm_aya_cmt?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B0012EKHJM#wasThisHelpful

[Tiger4x4RV]

mlts22 wrote:
I am looking at the CDF-11... It isn't big... but it is big enough to hold some food and keep it cold.

What I'm curious about is the freezer mode. Would that be able to keep frozen food safely below 32 degrees even in Texas heat? I can also use it to freeze water bottles and freezer packs, to help augment cooling of the absorption fridge in these 100+ days here in Texas.

In testing at home and also on the road, I could not get the CDF-11 to get down to the requested 24 degrees when the room around it was hot. The user manual, which you can download online, warns of this in temperatures above 90 degrees. It did get to below 32 degrees.

As to loading freezer packs, access to the freezer compartment is a bit awkward. 3 or 4 hard-side "weekender" size packs would fit into the compartment if you could get them there, but you can't. They have to go in diagonally and then there is no room to turn. I had room for a half-size, two full-size, and then another half-size, inserted in that order. Or, there is room for 6 16-ounce bottles. There are some videos on YouTube which show the CDF-11 loaded with various items; take a look at them (just search for "CDF-11"). The smaller upper section holds two cans or various small items (cheese?) and chills but does not freeze.

[mlts22]

I am looking at the CDF-11, where it will reside by one seat in my TT and the wall when camping, and when on the road, will be behind the seat in my TV, plugged into a 12 volt socket. It isn't big... but it is big enough to hold some food and keep it cold.

What I'm curious about is the freezer mode. Would that be able to keep frozen food safely below 32 degrees even in Texas heat? I can also use it to freeze water bottles and freezer packs, to help augment cooling of the absorption fridge in these 100+ days here in Texas.

[Tiger4x4RV]

I recently bought a CDF-11 model, the smallest portable compressor-type that Dometic makes. It served me well on last week's trip in temperatures over 100 degrees. I used it as a refrigerator, since the built-in 3-way is just about useless in such hot weather. The CDF-11 fit nicely between the cab seats, ran off the 12V plug in the dash, and kept food and drinks safely cold. I am satisfied with its performance.

[donn0128]

Have had a larger sized one for about three years now we use as a freezer. Works great. It always rides in my fivers basement connected to a 12VDC plug and also plugged into a 120VAC outlet. Never had a worry about it. The downside, the small area on one end is NOT capable of storing frozen foods.

[Almot]

Some big trailer. If I put a trunk of that size on the floor, I would have to climb over it whenever I move around.
Other than that, and some compressor noise, and 20-40 AH a day to feed it - I don't think there is anything wrong with it. Same Danfoss compressor as in few other brands.

0 F degrees in a small chest - probably not in the entire volume.