Dometic or ARB fridge?

[smlobx]

holy crap, i didn't know this existed, that's awesome its set up to run on a 1lb tank, easily run on 20lb with right hose. NO 12 VOLT PLUG? UGH, why do companies do this. Seems there's always some obvious feature left out. maybe somebody can make a propane tank to fit the spare tire area, then you could get like 500 hours =) thanks for sharing.

but how loud is it? Need to hear one in action.

most inverter generators are very quiet and I would expect this one to be quiet as well. Just read the reviews.

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[steffen707]

most inverter generators are very quiet and I would expect this one to be quiet as well. Just read the reviews.

now i gotta read up on what an inverter/generator is vs. a regular generator. lol

EDIT: THAT WAS FAST, https://www.greengearglobal.com/choosing-conventional-silenced-inverter-generator/ this article explains it quite nicely.

 

[WhatExit?]

what's your less expensive option fridge?

Answer:

Whynter fridge/freezer from Home Depot with their protection plan and zero % financing is tough to beat

https://www.homedepot.com/b/Applian...rs-Portable-Freezers/Whynter/N-5yc1vZc3orZ6r2

Whynter fridge/freezer combo from Home Depot (with extended coverage just in case)
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Whynter...ne-Portable-Freezer-in-Gray-FM-62DZ/203569129

 

[WhatExit?]

Anyone have experience with one of these units? (this one plus others lower down the page)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07D29QNMJ?aaxitk=D7zoqSZpYL06vUr.djv2PA

 

[TennesseePA]

Anyone have experience with one of these units? (this one plus others lower down the page)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07D29QNMJ?aaxitk=D7zoqSZpYL06vUr.djv2PA

That battery is only 20Ah so I'm not sure it would last long enough to be of any benefit powering a cooler as big as mine,

 

[TennesseePA]

I like the looks of this one too. Imagine how nice it would be to power your cooler and the AC in the tent. https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/p...rtable-inverter-generator-with-electric-start

 

[steffen707]

I like the looks of this one too. Imagine how nice it would be to power your cooler and the AC in the tent. https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/p...rtable-inverter-generator-with-electric-start

looks like that thing has an onboard air compressor?

EDIT: Nevermind, looks like that was the propane hookup i saw.

 

[TYJ]

I like the looks of this one too. Imagine how nice it would be to power your cooler and the AC in the tent. https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/p...rtable-inverter-generator-with-electric-start

12V DC fridges don't take much power, but air conditioning sure does. I'm not sure that would be enough power. Even if the TS gen has enough power you'll need a lot of gas and/or propane.

Here are the costs, weights, and basic power specs of the two inverter generators discussed so far in this thread:

Tractor Supply Champion 3400W Dual Fuel Inverter Generator:
$1100, 96lbs, and has a run-time of 7.2 hours (gas) or 14 hours off 20lbs of propane at 50% load of "Running Watts" (1550W).

Ryobi 900W Propane Inverter Generator:
$300, 24lbs, and has a run-time of 30 hours off 20lbs propane at 50% load of "Running Watts" (350W).

 

[TYJ]

Besides the obvious: No more soggy food, replacing melted ice, unstable food temps, etc...
This little video adds another perspective:

 

[steffen707]

Besides the obvious: No more soggy food, replacing melted ice, unstable food temps, etc...
This little video adds another perspective:

SOLD! nice video

 

[Moabite]

If you really want a fridge and are on a tight budget, just get one that shuts off automatically when your battery voltage reaches a certain level and power it off the vehicle battery. You'll probably be fine just plugging it into an accessory outlet. Carry one of a multitude of the tiny jump-starters just in case. You should always have some type of jump starter in your vehicle anyway. But be aware that fridges are finicky when it comes to power supplies. If the plug does not maintain a great connection or if there is some other reason your accessory outlet is not providing sufficient voltage, the fridge will shut off.

There's no way I would want to carry around a generator that required gas or propane fuel. There are plenty of other portable power options such as Goal Zero or ArkPak that do not require carrying fuel. More power or convenience always equals more money. For a couple of years, I used the ArkPak 730 with a standard and cheap 12V battery. I switched to the LiFePO4 battery in the ArkPak mainly because of the weight savings (at least 30 lbs less). Several companies make cheaper battery box power centers that include 12V receptacles...or build your own. Just insert the automotive battery of your choice.

While I could have continued to use the ArkPak with the 100Ah LiFePO4 battery, I wanted something smaller since I now keep the fridge inside the cab rather than in the bed. So I picked up the Dometic PLB40. The footprint is less than 8 inches square and it only weighs 16 pounds. But yes, it is expensive. I paid $850 (again, convenience = more $$). It's only 40Ah vs the 100 Ah I have in the ArkPak, but I've run the Dometic fridge for at least 2 days when ambient temps were well over 100F...and I can charge it when the vehicle is running and it is still supplying power to the fridge. As I mentioned in a previous post, I've installed dual Odyssey battery systems in 2 previous Jeeps just to power a fridge. I have found portable power sources to be much more convenient and they don't require complicated installations. Each of my dual battery installations required modifications to the Jeeps. Another advantage to a portable power source over dual batteries is that you can move it to another vehicle...or anywhere in your camp.

 

[TennesseePA]

12V DC fridges don't take much power, but air conditioning sure does. I'm not sure that would be enough power. Even if the TS gen has enough power you'll need a lot of gas and/or propane.

Here are the costs, weights, and basic power specs of the two inverter generators discussed so far in this thread:

Tractor Supply Champion 3400W Dual Fuel Inverter Generator:
$1100, 96lbs, and has a run-time of 7.2 hours (gas) or 14 hours off 20lbs of propane at 50% load of "Running Watts" (1550W).

Ryobi 900W Propane Inverter Generator:
$300, 24lbs, and has a run-time of 30 hours off 20lbs propane at 50% load of "Running Watts" (350W).

It is well known that a 3K watt generator will power most RV air conditioners. The main reason I like the generator option is the fact that I do not have to recharge it. It takes far less time to swing by Tractor Supply and fill up a few propane tanks than it does to charge a battery. Like I have stated in the past I am not 100% sure what I am going to do but after thinking about it a lot the generator idea is leading on the 18th green mainly because it is not only a travel companion but it could also provide emergency power here at my house.

 

[Moabite]

Like I have stated in the past I am not 100% sure what I am going to do but after thinking about it a lot the generator idea is leading on the 18th green mainly because it is not only a travel companion but it could also provide emergency power here at my house.

If you are going to power your fridge with a generator, you won't make many friends in camp. I've had a 2000W Yamaha inverter generator for a few years. The specs say it is about 10dB quieter than either of the generators mentioned in this thread and I would not even consider running it if I were camped near other folks. I doubt that many would think it practical to haul around a generator that approaches the size of the fridge itself and weighs even more. And that's not even counting the fuel. Generators are old-school but have their place...and that place is out of earshot. I only use the Yamaha (a relatively compact generator that still weighs 44 lbs, minus fuel) during power outages at my cabin, and I place it as far as possible from doors or windows so I don't have to listen to it.

I've seen some pretty nice partial roof racks in the SEMA thread. I've considered picking up one of those and installing a rigid solar panel on it so that the power supply I use can be constantly charging. I already have a 100-watt solar panel and controller that I'm not currently using. I might as well use some of that power that just bounces off of or is absorbed by the black roof of the Gladiator. But it's pretty dang simple to plug the power supply into the Jeep to recharge.

 

[TennesseePA]

I have camped with and near generators many times and have never received or offered any complaints. When I owned my own business I lived almost full time in a travel trailer with a diesel powered generator. From inside my camper I could barely hear a low humm and a slight vibration from the generator. I had a steel cage fabricated and mounted it on that so it was a steel to steel connection. If I had to do it again I would have some sort of isolator in the system.

And on a further note I think I have made my decision since I learned that TSC will be offering a 15% discount for Veteran’s Day. $850 for that dual fuel machine is too tempting to pass up.

 

[steffen707]

Everybody won't agree on the best setup, each has to decide what's right for them. Some cool options from both camps.

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