32 replies to this topic

[Advmoto18]

If someone would manufacture a refrigerator with this quality and insulation I would buy it in a second.  Would be able to quickly get rid of one battery and the second solar panel. 

ARB has been making a top loading frig with these characteristics for years.

 

However, a comparable frig will never be as efficient as a cooler because of the ports that must be cut/manufactured in a frig.  But, the ARB frig is far more efficient than 99% of all rv/camper refrigerators installed by the factory.  Plus, the biggest feature to saving battery power is top opening vs side opening.  Each and every time you open the door on a side opening frig, all the cold air literally falls out.  The frig's compressor will now have to run an extended period of time to return the inside of the frig to your cold setting.

 

I wish a top loading frig was a factory option.

[Stalking Light]

Amen to that. When I volunteered for a summer I had an Engle toploader in the back of my FJ and, since I only drove once or twice a week (45 miles to nearest town), I used a 60w foldable solar panel to keep the batteries topped off and never had a problem. Now I have 300w on top of my Eagle with Dometic fridge and still sometimes use the 60w foldable if I'm parked for a while.

[moveinon]

I agree.  I had an Engel top loading refrigerator/freezer in a VW Syncro Vanagon and it was great.  Three scooter batteries would power it for days without recharge.  Price was pretty painful though at over $1,000.  Wish I had kept it to replace my current front opener.  Slide out tracks were even available so that modifying the current fleet cabinets would not have been too difficult.  Only problem is the price which RTIC seams to be good at keeping well below similar products with similar quality.