Cooler fridge

[Buckman]

Although we have a tall fridge freezer in the caravan we are finding that it is not roomy enough for extras like cans, bottles and veg. We also need a small mini cooler at home. Previously we had a thermoelectric cool box from Halfords and although it was very good, the cooling cycle was related to the ambient temperature so on really hot days, it did not really keep drinks that cold, merely cool. We also need an additional cooler fridge at home for drinks and unfortunately medication so it will serve a dual purpose.
I have seen this cooler which is compressor driver and at a reasonable price and we can use it at home however I would appreciate any input from posters before going ahead. The 12v is not important, but having a compressor fridge is more important as they are not related to ambient temperature like a thermoelectric cooler. See

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Camping-Fr...4c-9e7f-1d4680af6f5d&pd_rd_i=B0BVDQV4DF&psc=1

 

[Mr Plodd]

I bought one of These fridges a couple of years ago. A bit more money than the one you have linked to, but it is over twice the capacity. It is absolutely brilliant on both 230v and LPG. (Never really tried it on 12v) it is an absorption not compressor fridge, but works very well indeed. It kept my beer cold (not cool, but really cold) when we were in 30⁰+ in Corsica a couple of years ago, and again in Spain a few weeks ago.
It's available from Amazon (and other outlets) as well (I couldn't seem to link to Amazon for some reason)

 

[Buckman]

I bought one of These fridges a couple of years ago. A bit more money than the one you have linked to, but it is over twice the capacity. It is absolutely brilliant on both 230v and LPG. (Never really tried it on 12v) it is an absorption not compressor fridge, but works very well indeed. It kept my beer cold (not cool, but really cold) when we were in 30⁰+ in Corsica a couple of years ago, and again in Spain a few weeks ago.
It's available from Amazon (and other outlets) as well (I couldn't seem to link to Amazon for some reason)

We did have one very similar but it was a Waeco fridge. It could keep frozen foods frozen if you turned down the dial. Sadly we sold it when we thought we had to give up the caravan in 2010.

 

[Buckman]

Just to add the reviews on Amazon look to be too glowing or is it just me?

 

[ProfJohnL]

I started composing this comment before #3 from Buckman was posted

About 20 years ago I used a Waeco Combicool 40L 3 way camping fridge for camping/caravanning, and when not on holiday also for use at home. Great for the extra bottle of milk and cans of drinks. It was very good. The biggest problem was its size to pack into the car as its not light, and its difficult to lift in and out of a caravan.

It lasted about 15 years. then it lost all its refrigerant, and I replaced it with exactly the same Dometic model as Plodd. It works, but its not quite as good as the Waeco model, as the cooling element freezes up and needs defrosting far more frequently.

Both of these are absorption cycle fridges, and consequently not as efficient as compressor driven fridges. The absorption cycle needs a very specific mixture of chemicals to make them work, but becasue of the way they work they are affected by ambient temperatures but not as much as the electric (peltier) coolers.

The most effective and efficient fridges are compressor fridges, their capacity to cool effectively covers a wider range of ambient temperatures, but their trade off is the fact they do produce some noise (just like normal domestic fridges) and they can vibrate. Most domestic fridges seem to last many years, but I don't know about the quality of engineering that goes into these 12V variable speed units.

The model Buckman is asking about only has 18L of capacity, but becasue of the size of the compressor its overall size and weight will be disproportionately greater than an absorption fridge.

According to the illustrations its only 4 drinks can diameters tall, Is that big enough for what you need?

There has been a lot of concerns recently about fake reviews for products. Some of the key indicators are sudden increase in the number of 5 star reviews, and the absence of intermediate reviews. This product might be genuine, but you have to be cautious,

 

[Buckman]

The fridge in question weighs about 10.6kg which between us we can handle. The Waeco now Dometic fridge weighs in a bit more than we would like at nearly 17kg which may be a bit much for us to lift even between the two of us.

I also noticed that Dometic frdige can be powered by a gas cylinder which would be okay in a prolonged power break otherwise not bothered with using it on gas. Either 12/240v or even just 240v would be suitable as we rarely go off grid.

 

[JTQ]

Have you hoisted in quite how small 18 litres is?
In pre 1965 measurements, think a cube 10.3" inch on each side: is that suitable for your needs?

 

[Buckman]

Have you hoisted in quite how small 18 litres is?
In pre 1965 measurements, think a cube 10.3" inch on each side: is that suitable for your needs?

The 18litre is a concern, but so is weight for us. Those Dometics come in at about 18kg and some of the mini fridges are about 12-14kg.

We are looking at about 4 x 440ml beer cans, 8 soft drink cans and some medication as we can always replenish the mini fridge. Alternatively put some food in it that is normally kept in the big fridge when out and about and the drinks in the big fridge.

As mentioned by another poster too many glowing reviews with no intermediary reviews and many reviews quoting actual specifications and features verbatim. Maybe shopping more often during the week instead of once a week is a solution?

 

[Mr Plodd]

I am 69, and can manage my (empty) Dometic fridge without any problems at all (so can Mrs P) it has a couple of hand holds moulded into the sides. I have an estate rather than saloon car, and it goes into the back of that with no trouble at all, but there is no boot lip to negotiate.

18 litres is not very much. Take a trip to Halfords/B&Q etc and see if you can find a cool box or similar of an equivalent capacity so you actually see what 18 litres looks like.

 

[Beachball]

We had this one for some years now
Mobicool MV30 portable cooler 29litres 12v /230v
Cools up 18 o C below ambient Temperature
Fast cooling with it double fan
So far we find it great