question about Fridge/Freezers

[Terrymo]

I recently used it for deer season trip in Utah. It was a great size for day outings with 2 of us in the jeep. I'll post a pic of it in the JLUR as it's still in there from another recent trip.

Thanks I’m looking for similar use. Just a day trip for 2.

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[Atom631]

From the advice they gave you its a good bet that the battery is either a LiPo or Li-ion. One thing that gets glossed over in discussions about storage and charging is safety. These types of batteries have crashed planes, sunk ships and burned down houses, they are dangerous.

They don't have to be but most people use them and charge them like they would a AA battery which over time increases the internal resistance of these batteries until they "pop-off."

I.m not going to get into the weeds on this, storing them at the right charge is a good first step and will help prolong the batteries life, but to store them safely it helps if people understand what actually happens.

Li-ions and LiPos are chemical batteries that utilizes a polymer electrolyte rather than a liquid electrolyte. This battery technology utilizes a positive and negative electrode with a dry thick, permeable chemical gel-like electrolyte. When the internal resistance of the battery goes up, usually during charging or a high discharge rate, it can generate enough heat that the polymer will liquify and the battery will collapse allowing the contrasting elements in these batteries to quickly meet. This begins a chemical reaction that converts the liquid to an extremely hot and toxic gas. At this point the gas has nowhere to go but out and causes what is affectionately known in California as a "car-b-cue" an EV on the side of the road providing a spectacular fireworks display.

The thing to be aware of and why its important is that once this chemical chain reaction starts you cannot stop it. No amount of water, covering it with a blanket, or a chemical fire extinguisher will make any difference - that's why they are so dangerous. But you can control where the heat goes. At work we place the LiPos in cinder blocks and place a plastic bag of sand on top, if the battery pops-off the sand is dumped on the battery the sand dissipates the heat enough to protect its surroundings and afterwards to end up with a big blob of glass. At home I have a vented metal cabinet on wheels so that if a battery pops-off I have a few minutes to push it out of the garage to make it my neighbors problem.

If you understand these batteries and have a plan for what to do if this happens then you can mitigate much of the risk. But if you just plug them into a cheap charger and forget about them that's when you burn down your house or your Jeep.

well this is kinda frightening.

people who race RC cars put their batteries in a fireproof bag designed specifically for that purpose. do you think this might be a alternative to cinder blocks and sand if im storing it in my house?

 

[roaniecowpony]

The 21qt iceco fits right behind the 40% side rear seat. I have the goose gear 40%seat bracket and my dog platform. I think I'd like to relocate the power socket to the top or up out of the way.

 

[Terrymo]

The 21qt iceco fits right behind the 40% side rear seat. I have the goose gear 40%seat bracket and my dog platform. I think I'd like to relocate the power socket to the top or up out of the way.

Thats a great set up! Much appreciated.

 

[Av8Chuck]

well this is kinda frightening.

people who race RC cars put their batteries in a fireproof bag designed specifically for that purpose. do you think this might be a alternative to cinder blocks and sand if im storing it in my house?

It really depends on the size and C-rating of the battery. Those bags are good for up to 4S (14.8V) 5000 mAh I would never use one. Here's a video of the different techniques for charging LiPos.

 

[roaniecowpony]

Thanks I’m looking for similar use. Just a day trip for 2.

They are $350 from Iceco right now. ICECO 21QT GO20 Dual Zone Compact Refrigerator 12V Portable Fridge Car Refrigerator (White) – ICECOFREEZER

 

[JINO]

I don't have the ecoflow fridge, but have the delta 2 and wave 2 (AC/heater). They recommend keeping battery around 75% when stored, I could be wrong on exact number.

I have an alpicool fridge, and when not in use, I keep it in the basement. But sometimes I use it often when it's summer, it's great to use for groceries. I'm at least 40 minutes from any grocery store, and over an hour from a costco.

 

[MILT]

I have a cheap alpicool fridge that’s small and works well for a 1-2 day trip (need to keep fridge size small to have room for my dog in back). I keep it plugged into the garage for extra storage when I don’t need it in the jeep. It’s been running constantly for nearly 3 years. When it finally dies I will likely purchase another.

 

[Vanburi]

I think the alpicool fridge has an LG compressor.

 

[Mules]

I clean it out and leave it in the garage with the top cracked open. If you don't leave the door open, you risk getting mold inside.

 

[donmontalvo]

probably a dumb question, but wanted to see what everyone does.

I just picked up the Ecoflow Glacier Fridge/Freezer for my beach/comping/wheeling trips.

What does everyone do with the fridge between trips? Do you just power it down until you need it? Or do you bring it in the house and keep it powered on? Maybe as a backup fridge or freezer?

I dont really need a 2nd fridge in my house, but if its better to try and keep it constantly powered vs powering on/off only when needed, then ill do that. but ideally if theres no concern with power cycling it often, thats what I would want to do.

My Jeep is my daily driver and it is always ready for camping. My Dometic CFX3 35 is permanently mounted and running. Several years and it’s been running smoothly with no issues.

I’ve done 26 BOH trails over the past few years and the kit has been rock steady. Being hypoglycemic helped drive my design decisions.

I empty it out and wash it after every camping trip. Nice having the drain plug at the bottom. I dry it out after washing it. Smells new so I must be doing it right.

 

[Mine&Hers]

My Jeep is my daily driver and it is always ready for camping. My Dometic CFX3 35 is permanently mounted and running. Several years and it’s been running smoothly with no issues.

I’ve done 26 BOH trails over the past few years and the kit has been rock steady. Being hypoglycemic helped drive my design decisions.

I empty it out and wash it after every camping trip. Nice having the drain plug at the bottom. I dry it out after washing it. Smells new so I must be doing it right.

Awesome setup would love to set mine up like that one day .

 

[chairborne33]

I just ordered my first 12v fridge. I plan to leave it in my Jeep most of the time. It will come in handy to keep cool drinks and snacks in the car.

 

[donmontalvo]

If you’re going down the permanently mounted and always on road:

https://donmontalvo.com/2022/03/27/main-line-overland-lifepo4-ftw/

 

[jadmt]

I have an ARB50 which I have had for 10 years give or take. It has seen plenty of trails and when not in my rigs is at home plugged in keeping beer cold. It has run mostly 24/7 since I bought it. I was told they live longer if they are always in use. I have gotten my monies worth on mine. I have run it off my jeep battery for many trips but also use a jackery 1000 and will use my jeep to charge the jackery while driving and then use the jackery to run the arb50 when camping so I don't have to worry about running the battery down altho that has never happened.

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