Better fridge for JLUR

[NJRadioGuy]

Hi all,
I've been using an Iceco JP40 fridge just sitting in the back of my Jeep and it's been OK, but it's time for an upgrade. Are there any GOOD dual-zone fridges that will fit behind the driver's side back seat of a JL? I have a Goose Gear plate system installed with a 60% seat delete, but I have kept the 40% seat in place. I have a tailgate table installed where I do my cooking, and I prefer my fridge to be behind the back left seat.

I have been looking at the Iceco APL55, and it's absolutely perfect for my application, but I think it's a few inches too big to fit with the back seat still in place.

While the JP40 is still OK, I don't like the idea of using a budget fridge when I have a week's worth of food in there, plus the lack of a freezer also means more trips to town. I also want something with an app that can alert me if the lid isn't closed or the temperatures are inching up beyond the food-safe zone. If I have to sacrifice a freezer so be it, but I want a high-quality and reliable fridge that will fit where it needs to go. Suggestions?

To be clear, I am absolutely not looking for a bargain-basement or no-name fridge. No Vevors, BougeRV, Setpoint, etc. National Luna's fridges are a bit too much in the other direction, hoever, so something in between? I like Iceco's SECOP compressor-based fridges, etc, and I will consider Dometic and ARB or anything similar. Bonus if it's able to fit in the GooseGear fridge slide made for the rear plate system!

Please and thanks.

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[jadmt]

I have had awesome experience with my ARB50 it has run 24/7 for over 10 years...no freezer but if you crank the temp down it will keep a bag of ice frozen for several days....works great for mixed drinks on the trail....I initially for several years with JK's and Power wagon just ran it direct to the battery via the ARB harness and never had an issue with running the battery down even if parked for 2 days straight. I did end up getting a jackery 1000 which works great I have my arb plugged into the jackery and the jackery plugged into the 12V port and it charges while driving and when I am done for the day I unplug the jackery from the 12V port and just let it run the arb.it will run the ARB for 3 or 4 days continually without a recharge if I want to let it do that...when I am back driving I plug it back in to the 12V port and it charges pretty quickly...I also have jackery solar panels if I want to use those and those will keep up with the arb for pretty much ever..I have never stayed in one place to actually see if the arb would ever run the jackery down but I know they will last at least a week without moving with the solar panels...the ARB50 once it is down to temps rarely kicks on. the arb50 is probably my best camping purchase I have made...definitely have gotten my money's worth out of it.

 

[wanderer]

I used a wolf box on my last trip and seemed to do pretty. well kept ice frozen for 6 days with only intermittent running. IT has a battery tender too. but I would say be conservative have it shut down pretty quickly. I woke up one morning with a dead battery and had to use a jump box to start it, I would also. suggest using a power box like a hackery to charge it over night when not running the jeep

 

[NJRadioGuy]

What I'm doing now has (had) a serious shortcoming. Iceco fridge connected to an EcoFlow River Plus (756 Wh), which in turn was connected to the always-on cigarette lighter plug in the cargo area. It has drained the crank battery on several occasions after I'd forgotten to unplug the Jeep-to-Ecoflow connection at camp.

Yesterday I swapped position of the F45 fuse to (hopefully) make that outlet ignition power only. With luck that should solve that problem. When I'm out I'm almost always exploring during the day, which will in turn keep the EcoFlow topped up, or at least put some charge back in.

Next big sale I will probably replace the old EcoFlow Lithium Ion power bank with a 1400Wh Bluetti AC180P LiFePO4 based unit, and a Charger One. I want to be able to run whatever fridge I ultimately get for three days at minimum. I can get no more than two days out of my current EcoFlow.

But with all that said, I do want something more reliable than a consumer-grade JP40.

 

[Jad4275]

I’ve been using this one and no issues over the last 1.5 years.

PHILIPS TB7101 12 Volt... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BZYY1BMN?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

 

[embedded rock]

Once again I find myself researching 12v fridge/freezers. It's not easy. Look at Dometic and ARB units and have to wonder if they are worth the expense. As above, I have read where users have been using their ARB for ten years; so, I also have to wonder if the reliability is still there today.

Chineeze units in the, say, $250-$450 range seem to be a roll of the dice to for me. Only lasting a couple/few years is one thing, it's another to fail in the middle of an adventure.

I just told a friend the other day that if I don't buy a fridge/freezer for the August/September adventure, I'll never buy one.

 

[NJRadioGuy]

Once again I find myself researching 12v fridge/freezers. It's not easy. Look at Dometic and ARB units and have to wonder if they are worth the expense. As above, I have read where users have been using their ARB for ten years; so, I also have to wonder if the reliability is still there today.

Chineeze units in the, say, $250-$450 range seem to be a roll of the dice to for me. Only lasting a couple/few years is one thing, it's another to fail in the middle of an adventure.

I just told a friend the other day that if I don't buy a fridge/freezer for the August/September adventure, I'll never buy one.

Yes. This is EXACTLY my issue. My cheapie JP40 is 4 years old and has never failed, but it's also a $450 fridge with no app support. I want a dual zone but I don't think a big enough one will fit, so I'll probably consider either a Dometic or a higher-grade Iceco. But I'm here asking for opinions so I haven't made any determination yet.

 

[embedded rock]

For myself, I'm not looking for a large capacity. Small foot print is better. As fast as these cool, I can add items daily as needed.

 

[NJRadioGuy]

For myself, I'm not looking for a large capacity. Small foot print is better. As fast as these cool, I can add items daily as needed.

That's fine for around town or at a big camping facility with shops, but out in the back-country for a week is a different animal. A week's worth of eggs, bacon, sausage, and dinner supplies, lunch meat, plus water, soda, and the occasional beer means I need a decent amount of space. I can do it in my 40 quart JP40 but just barely, and it means a lot of rearranging things on the fly.

 

[embedded rock]

This Dometic unit clearly looks portable; so, why would a mobil use case not be included in the user manual? Could bouncing around off pavement be trouble for the compressor?

https://www.dometic.com/en-us/outdo...07-0703-070327-070327001-368612?v=97000040395

Edit:

I'm seeing differences in the Dometic models. Here's what they mention for the CFX3:

Found this thread that seems to have some good information:

 

[Hard Rock Jeep]

I have the Goose Gear 60% delete with a Dometic CFX3 55IM. The unit has operated without issue for five years of having it, not continuous use. I have this in the passenger rear door space as it is easy to get into from there. Importantly, on the GG deck, the refrigerator lid fully opens and stays open without hitting the roof. I would recommend it.

 

[NJRadioGuy]

I have the Goose Gear 60% delete with a Dometic CFX3 55IM. The unit has operated without issue for five years of having it, not continuous use. I have this in the passenger rear door space as it is easy to get into from there. Importantly, on the GG deck, the refrigerator lid fully opens and stays open without hitting the roof. I would recommend it.

Doesn't that block access to your two hatches?

 

[Sidewalk]

I was so happy with the generic "Stakol" fridge that I bought an identical replacement when it failed. I know why it failed, and it is repairable, I just don't have the equipment for it right now.

https://carfridge.alpicool.com/products/alpicool-cf55

Not an actual dual zone. I'm not saying it's the greatest, but I am happy with it. The old one ran 4 straight years in my van off solar power. Vibration from an out of balance tire at the end of its life killed it (copper capillary tube snapped).

 

[Hard Rock Jeep]

Doesn't that block access to your two hatches?

What I keep under there is easily reachable from the open door (and to an extent from the 40% side). The GG deck is there to put stuff on and the hatches are going to be blocked by something. Yes the refrigerator is heavy and not so movable but I like the position. You can quickly stop along the road/trail and open the door to grab something. I keep stackable clear plastic totes of various camping gear in the rear. They are easily removed to the ground or picnic table to use the contents. I might add that with the Dometic, I have never had an issue battery management versus keeping everything cold. I do keep an extension cord in that slot under the refrigerator for shore power when available.

 

[zouch]

just curious; for what do you need a freezer? i didn't noticed anything in your list that needed to be frozen.
seems having to have a dual-zone unit is adding unnecessary cost and complication to the issue.

personally, i only very infrequently carry water in the fridge (like, i can't remember ever doing it), unless it's only a tiny bit that is easily rotated through as we go.
not everything needs to stay cold all the time.

more in line with your question, our Dometic just >barely< did not fit behind the rear seat when it's up because it needed to be moved forward enough to clear the Aux Power Socket in the cargo area; relocating that socket up and out of the way provides a couple more inches in the cargo area for the 'fridge to slide back. (note also that the stock wiring for that Aux port is feeble; running a more substantial wire set to that socket will help provide more power in a shorter period of time to charge your fridge battery.)

That's fine for around town or at a big camping facility with shops, but out in the back-country for a week is a different animal. A week's worth of eggs, bacon, sausage, and dinner supplies, lunch meat, plus water, soda, and the occasional beer means I need a decent amount of space. I can do it in my 40 quart JP40 but just barely, and it means a lot of rearranging things on the fly.

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