Install a mini fridge

Discussion in 'Heavy Duty Diesel Truck Mechanics Forum' started by Greggg, Oct 28, 2019.

  1. Greggg

    Greggg Light Load Member

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    Jun 30, 2018
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    hey I am wondering what’s the best way to install a mini fridge in a truck. Already have a inverter and lost two fridges already maybe my fault until I found out was too rough on the freezer part maybe made them leak.

    Anyone has a particular brand or set up that has worked for a long time ?
    Do any of the Walmart/all state warranties work in case it happens again ?
     
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  3. PE_T

    PE_T Road Train Member

    I have never had a problem with a fridge malfunctioning. I have an 1800-watt inverter and have always used Walmart mini fridges. The one I have now is Galanz about 33 inches high and no problems after one year. Maybe your inverter isn’t providing sufficient energy to the fridge.

    My fridge comes with a small freezer compartment, but I don’t really use it. The manual says it’s only good to keep food there for a week. You would have to crank up the temp really high to get the freezer to work at its max. I keep my fridge temperature level at 3.5 out of 7.
     
    Last edited: Oct 28, 2019
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  4. Greggg

    Greggg Light Load Member

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    Thanks. So no special install like bolted to the floor or anything ?

    My inverter is 1500 watt pure sin and mini fridges only consume like 350watts max pretty sure, doubt it’s the problem, can’t be sure though.
     
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  5. 77fib77

    77fib77 Road Train Member

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    I have a haier. Mine is 26" high. I pulled the passenger seat. Ran a strap around the fridge. Took the bolt for the passenger seat and put a hole in the strap. Do strap is bolted to floor. Then strapped the microwave on top of the fridge. I think Lowe's. 2000 watt harbor freight inverter.
     
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  6. PE_T

    PE_T Road Train Member

    If the truck is yours, you can remove the passenger seat and keep your fridge there. You will have to put a plug on the airline supplying air to the passenger seat, and perhaps also reroute the airline so it won’t get in the way. It’s nothing complicated, but you may need a breaker bar to break loose some bolts holding down the seat belt. I remember those were hard to remove with regular tools.

    I don’t think it’s necessary to bolt it to the floor. I have a kitchen trash can in front of mine (on the passenger seat), so it won’t go anywhere. I used to keep mine next to the bed on the floor, and it never fell down after Qualcomm hard braking events.
     
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  7. Greggg

    Greggg Light Load Member

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    Cool thanks. That’s I keep mine behind the passenger seat.
     
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  8. barbaragacdl

    barbaragacdl Bobtail Member

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    Aug 5, 2020
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    I'm having the same problem! I have went through 2 fridges in less than a year. They stop cooling and freezing. The lights still come on when the door opens but doesn't cool. I have a 3000 watt inverter in my truck
     
  9. Greggg

    Greggg Light Load Member

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    personally I found out what the issue was. I am the one who kept breaking them :) .........

    I was starting to see a pattern of the fridge not working every time I would take some time off.
    I would defrost and scrape the freezer compartment of any ice... started researching, there’s actually some oil (compressor probably) flowing through The freezer compartment and by scraping it I was damaging the thin copper tubing that contained that oil making it wouldn’t freeze or cool the fridge anymore...

    Not sure if that’s your issue but might help someone
     
  10. barbaragacdl

    barbaragacdl Bobtail Member

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    Aug 5, 2020
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    I haven't defrosted it. It is doing it at random intervals. I have it plugged into a 3000 watt inverter and I use the apu every time I switch off the engine for more than a few hours. I purchased this one in April and it lasted til today. The first one I purchased nov 2019 and it lasted til April 2020. I'm so tired of having to replace it. I have it strapped down tightly on the ledge that my 2020 Freightliner Cascadia has for a fridge or cooler. the first one I had sitting on the floor where my passenger seat used to be. From what I understand I have the same set up as most drivers and they don't seem to have this problem. It seems everyone else's fridge last for years lol
     
  11. Greggg

    Greggg Light Load Member

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    yeah I don’t have any idea what’s going on then sorry man
     
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