Dorm Fridge

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by madmoneymike5, May 16, 2019.

  1. Phumac

    Phumac Light Load Member

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    Jun 4, 2014
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    Mine lasted a couple years. Bought the same one after it went out. Was $100. Well worth the 2 years for me.
     
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  3. Snailexpress

    Snailexpress Road Train Member

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    Have dorm fridge in my truck for 5 years and in old truck it was about 8 years.
    Power consumption is 60-80 watts running, up to 500 watts at start peak.
    Three things you need to know for fridge long life.
    1. Assembling quality.
    Despite all made in China some are assembled really bad. Rattling is not accepted. Shake it running before installation. They are rattling when compressor going on or off. Take it back to the store for another one if rattling. IMO Home Depot or Lowe's quality better then Walmart.
    2. Installation.
    Fridge should be installed such way it has bolted bottom and top.
    For bottom I use 2' plywood board. Four good size screws from outside hold this board to the floor. Two screws hold fridge to the board on the rear and two clamps with screws on the front of the fridge. To secure top i made L-bracket from 1/8 aluminum sheet about 4' wide. Glued with construction adhesive to the fridge top and bolted to the cab wall.
    3. Engine start issue.
    Fridge compressor motor is weak. When compressor motor starts normally it is no load to the motor. After motor started and compressor create pressure on high side the motor can not start if power was interrupted. You can power on and start it only after pressure equalizes. Usually about 15 -30 seconds. If you power on immediately after power interruption motor can't start, thermo relay will cycle. Big chance to overheat motor winding.
    If truck batteries are weak or connection is corroded invertor will fall down during the engine cranking.
    Start engine when fridge compressor is off or turn off fridge for minute to protect.
     
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  4. Moosetek13

    Moosetek13 Road Train Member

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    Burnsville, MN
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    So... How should that statement be taken?

    It doesn't matter which company you work for, you control your own truck.
    If it goes shiny side down, that is on you - not the company you work for.
     
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  5. tow614

    tow614 Road Train Member

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    Mar 18, 2013
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    Walmart
     
  6. Nukem

    Nukem Road Train Member

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    It was a joke Moose... Nothing more.

    EVERYONE stabs at Swift, Prime, Western Express, etc...


    To the OP... What kind of truck do you have? I ask becuase I has a 2012 Freight that was company and I found a fridge that would fit into the space intended for it (but company didn't buy them) Albeit, it was more expensive than a cheaper dorm fridge, but it was out of the way, and didn't need any rigging to make it secure.

    TruckFridge Models: The complete breakdown of all our Products
     
  7. Boondocker

    Boondocker Light Load Member

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    20190517_172025.jpg I have a Magic Chef from Home Depot 9 mths now on a 2500 watt pure sine wave inverter. Works great I took out a lower cabinet and double sided tape 3/4 inch aluminum rail on top so things don"t slide off of it, I wanted one with the right configuration to hold my things, I cut and welded brackets to bolt to the existing cabinet mount also mount it on 3/4 foam rubber to take the vibration.
     
  8. HoneyBadger67

    HoneyBadger67 Road Train Member

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    Savannah, TN
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    15581348017321444795690487228012.jpg I've got this Frigidaire in a T660. 4.3cf and the only thing holding it in is a wire clothes hanger from the front foot to a vertical support on the sleeper wall. I run it off of a 2000w inverter from Loves.

    edit: I forgot to mention that it has a lock at the bottom that prevents opening on wunnerful roads that run
     
    Last edited: May 17, 2019
  9. 7seriestv

    7seriestv Light Load Member

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    Jan 28, 2016
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  10. VIDEODROME

    VIDEODROME Road Train Member

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    Jun 7, 2007
    angola, in
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    I picked up a Magic Chef from Home Depot. It's on the platform with straps on the passenger side of the Cascadia and of course the pre-installed Inverter is on the driver side and the cord doesn't reach. I don't think extension cords are recommended for refrigerators, but maybe a short one will be okay.

    I'm letting it 'settle' than I'll turn it on tomorrow. If that goes well, I'll look into a microwave and maybe an electric skillet.
     
  11. jdchet

    jdchet Medium Load Member

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    Sep 3, 2012
    NE Ohio
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    Just get a home power strip and run it over to passenger side. Plug your stuff in! Might need a short heavy duty ext. cord like one would use for a window a/c but works like a charm for me!

    JD
     
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