my portable fridge went out again

[henboy1]

My fridge seem to go out because of the common ride and vibration that the road casues.Can someone recommend a fridge that will last and that I wouldn't have to do mail order?Please don't send me to that $400 fridge that someone posted a couple of months ago.I cannot see my self spending 400 for a portable fridge that is only about 27 inches height.
I would like one with a small freezer compartment to keep all my frozen stews and sauces.
I don't think these truckstop fridges have those compartments.

Thanks!

[allan5oh]

That $400 fridge is actually a good deal. It's made for the road, and uses a 12VDC compressor, not an inverter like other setups. A lot less power consumption. If you keep buying those other fridges you'll be changing them every few years.

You also have to consider factory fridges are usually in the $1000 range.

[GMAN]

You might check with some of the RV dealers. They should have something that will work for you. Perhaps they are willing to make you a deal with the economy being down.

[TomB985]

Don't post over here much, but...

Just bought a wal-mart special for $80.00. It's a 1.7 cubic foot refrigerator, with a freezer compartment. Met someone a few days after I bought it, with the exact same one I have. He has had it for over 2 years, with no problems.

I figure, even if I replace it every 2 years...you sure can buy a lot of them for the price of ONE $400 unit!

[Rev.Vassago]

Don't post over here much, but...

Just bought a wal-mart special for $80.00. It's a 1.7 cubic foot refrigerator, with a freezer compartment. Met someone a few days after I bought it, with the exact same one I have. He has had it for over 2 years, with no problems.

I figure, even if I replace it every 2 years...you sure can buy a lot of them for the price of ONE $400 unit!

Those Wal Mart refrigerators are 110V, are they not? I believe the OP is talking about a 12V fridge.

I have one of those $80 Wal Mart fridges sitting in my basement. I had it in a Century Class at one time.

[TomB985]

They are, and need at least a 600W inverter to power one. I guess I assumed he had one...

Still beats $400, IMHO....

[allan5oh]

The problem is those fridges use a lot more power, and aren't road worthy compared to the true 12V fridges.

Most 12V fridges aren't true 12v fridges either, they have an inverter and a compressor that runs off AC power.

truckfridge.com are true 12v DC compressor fridges. They only draw 2 amps.

[henboy1]

The problem is those fridges use a lot more power, and aren't road worthy compared to the true 12V fridges.

Most 12V fridges aren't true 12v fridges either, they have an inverter and a compressor that runs off AC power.

truckfridge.com are true 12v DC compressor fridges. They only draw 2 amps.

Are you guys saying that you had the same walmart fridge I had and you have had it for 2yrs?All the fridges have been AC and plugged into a 1000w inverter with 1500 watt peak.I am beginning to think either the inverter killed all 4 fridges or the 110 V is not good for a truck.the problems is that the 12V ones have no small compartment for the freezer.
1.Haier(walmart)
2.Kenwood
3.Frigidair
I forgot the last one I had.
Maybe I need to think about a 12v fridge

[TomB985]

$400/$80 = 5 a/c 'fridges can be bought for the price of ONE 12V unit. Without a freezer.

So, if each lasts 2 years...you could go 10 years, without spending what you would pay for a 12v one. How long do the 12V ones last?

[allan5oh]

My 12v fridge has a freezer.

You also have to look at power consumption, the 120v fridges will use a lot more power because they have AC compressors. Most (not all) 12V fridges have DC compressors.

[henboy1]

My 12v fridge has a freezer.

You also have to look at power consumption, the 120v fridges will use a lot more power because they have AC compressors. Most (not all) 12V fridges have DC compressors.

TOMB knows someone who has had their frdge for 2 yrs and I am now thinking my inverter is doing all these killings.I will first change the inverter.On the 3rd death, anytime I hit a bump (while the fridge is plugged)it would knock out the inverter until I turn it off and on.The inverter seems to work fine but now the fan inside the inverter that used to come on when the microwave is on seems off and it gets hottter than it used to.
I really think that vector inverter is messing things up.

[GMAN]

Have you checked your inverter to see if it is performing properly? Perhaps it is over powering the unit and burning it up? I met a guy a few years ago who had a full sized refrigerator/freezer in his Volvo. He loved it but it must have added quite a bit of weight.

[allan5oh]

The problem is any inverter will be hard on anything that has a cheap power supply. Inverters do not produce a true sinewave. That's why most TV's you will get "noise" on the screen.

[boneebone]

You get what you pay for, spend the money and get a fridge made for a truck.

[henboy1]

You get what you pay for, spend the money and get a fridge made for a truck.

Bonee, I know that and as we have talked above it has shifted from the fridge to the inverter and so I wouldn't buy the fridge yet until I try a new inverter with my old fridge in the garaqge.Then yes I can go ahead and buy a $400 fridge depending on my findings.
Took 200 bucks to Cali and got back with $160 all because I had all kinds of home made cookings and juices that prevented me from spending much on the road.

[rigidsporty]

My fridge never tears up and only cost me $10. Heres a pic...

[henboy1]

I changed out the inverter with a 1500watt/ 3000watt peak inverter.I also found a working old fridge in the basement to try it with.The meter gauge on the inverter immediately jumped as it saw current being drawn from the fridge and the fan in the inverter came on.The old inverter never did do this an d no wonder that old inverter would get soo hot.
I will monitor this so called "fix".
Ridig, I bet you eat out on the road more than I do.Then again you could just be purchasing $2 ice on a daily basis.

[TomB985]

Henboy, please keep us updated on how this works out. I'm powering mine with a Cobra 1,000 watt inverter, and am hoping this thing lasts at least two years...

[tweety bird]

You can get an RV fridge but what you actually want is a marine fridge. A true RV fridge can run off 12v/110V/propane whereas a marine fridge has only 12V/110V options.

IMO the price for a 12V/110V is pretty durn high. If you're concerned your inverter may be shorting out your fridge, invest in a better inverter. If it's putting out bad power it's going to eventually mess up anything you plug into it. At least that's been my experience.

Keep in mind that a household fridge is not designed to go bouncing down the road- and none of them are designed to lay on their sides (as they must do when putting them in or taking them out of the truck). We were advised to put the rv in our truck and leave it sit OFF for- can't remember how long but may have been 12 hours- to let the freon settle. That's not the technical explanation but it was something along those lines. Eventually, all this vibration wears on everything. Unless you actually have a problem with your inverter, which is entirely possible, it's just a hazard of the road- imo.

[Rockatansky]

i've got a GE.
It was on sale for $110 at wal-mart.

Haier is junk when it's put in the box.