SMALL Fridge Options For Truckers

packrat, what type of inverter(size, full sine wave or msw) do you have? And how much do you idle your truck? I am obviously wondering how quickly the 150w drains the batteries.
thanks
j

 

Dometic or Engel. 12 volts will last forever, worth the $$$$$ IMHO. I love keeping a Dove Bar or two frozen in my Dometic during the middle of summer.

https://www.google.com/search?sitesearch=&ie=UTF-8&q=dometic+cooler+refrigerator&sa=Go

https://www.google.com/search?sitesearch=&ie=UTF-8&q=Engel+cooler&sa=Go#q=Engel refrigerator

 

Buying a regular small fridge for the truck coupled with an inverter is an option, but not the best IMHO.
sure the small fridge is cheaper but running it with an inverter is a recipe to run the batteries down very quickly unless you idle. If you have an APU then that can be utilized so the batteries don't run down, but I've tried this option in the past with mixed results. I found that the compressor didn't last.
I've been going the specially designed truck fridge DC option now for a couple of years and they work great.
having it directly wired to the fuse box because it's DC power means they don't use much power at all, especially when the engine is off. These fridges have a cut off switch when they detect that the batteries are low, but that's usually after two days of not running the engine.
Yes, these fridges are much more expensive, but the components are specially designed to be used on a truck.
Each to their own, but I wouldn't change a thing. Which ever way you go, these options beat the pants off those cheap thermo coolers. I gave up on those years ago.
Good luck

 

arent there quite a few starter companies that do not allow inverters?

 

Whatever the model Volvo installed. It's a inverter/charger. I'm going to assume it's a modified sine wave. I usually idle about 2-4 hours at the most during a 10 hour break and I can get by with running the fridge and my CPAP machine together for the remaining 6-8 hours without the batteries dying.

 

Most trucks have the battery protection. That shuts off all power to accessories. Once a certain voltage is reached ensuring you have enough juice to start your truck.

 

I've had to be jumped twice but both times was because I left the key in the accessory position while listening to the radio and turned down the volume and forgot I left the key on and left the key on.

 

I have a Haier dorm fridge in my truck plugged into the 1500 watt inverter
picked it up at Lowes for about $100 with a 2 year extended warranty

 

I know, they're about 600 clams, but I've had an ENGEL for over 6 years now no problem.

It sits between and behind the seats, kind of a pain in a small truck, but you're right - it saves SO MUCH money in the long run.