9 replies to this topic

[Mykiss]

I was looking for a decent portable top loading ac/dc fridge and based on many reviews from the members here,I decided to go with a dual zone steel 65l Truckfridge, a rebrand of Indel.
They have not restocked their lineup since early 2021, blaming on supply shortages.
I would understand a few months but more than a year and a half that went by and no recent supplies received , that doesn't look good on the N. American distributor, nor the company itself. Be aware.

[ckent323]

Mykiss,

Most of the 12v refrigerators use the Danfoss SECOP compressor.  The SECOP compressors are made by a small handful of companies in China.  As I recall from my research 3 years ago, most of the assembly for the majority of these refrigerator brands is done in China as well. 

I think only Engel has their own proprietary compressor, the Sawafuji Swing Motor, which is made in Japan.  The Engel refrigerators were (still are?) made in Thailand

Given the supply chain issues over the past 2 years, particularly with China, as well as considering their current lock down status trying to contain a Covid outbreak, the availability problem is understandable.

Edited by ckent323, 09 May 2022 - 01:18 AM.

[Mykiss]

The IndelB fridges are available in US through equipt1, but not the identical ones rebranded and sold as truckfridge.
I don't want to speculate It's just an observation.

[ckent323]

Some of these may look familiar

https://www.cn-yuton...e-refrigerator/

https://www.made-in-...12v_Fridge.html

https://www.chinafas...r-refrigerator/

 

The key to understanding is learning the difference among manufacturers vs importers vs value added retailers vs brands.

I spent many hours digging into this in 2016 and 2017 when researching what 12 v refrigerator to buy and what the real differences were among the brands such as IndelB, Waeco, Truckfridge Whynter, Dometic, ARB, Edgestar, Ironman, etc.

Indel B, Truckfridge, Isotherm, National Luna and Ironman are just different brands offered by IndelB with some small brand differences and are all made in St. Agata Feltria Italy  by Indel B which is a part of the Indel B Webasto joint venture. Indel B is one of 9 companies owned by Amp.Fin S.R.L..

I think the final assembly and testing is done in Italy but I think the compressors and most of the components come from China.  Heck some of the cheaper of their brands may be assembled or partially assembled in China.

I recall it took a lot of searching to drill down to understand where the compressors were actually made and where the refrigerators are actually assembled.  That was 3 years ago and the world disruptions may have changed some of that.  Suppliers get replaced by other suppliers in the commodity industry all the time.

[TacomaAustin]

Try looking at a different brand like ICECO.  For example: with the exception of color - the ICECO JP40 definitely looks to be a carbon copy of my 6 year old IndelB Truckfidge Travel Box TB41A.  Both use a Danfoss SECOP compressor.

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

Yes that ICECO cooler is almost identical to the TB41.

I checked the Truckfridge site the TB51 is not available,sold out.

The other two coolers the appear to be in stock.

 

I have had the TB41 for 10 years and have had no problems.

Frank

[ckent323]

Similar to a number of manufacturers it appears that ICECO specifies what they want and then buy the major components or assemblies from Chinese manufacturers with the ICECO label put on.  This is one of the reasons so many of the different "makes or brands" refrigerators look very similar if not identical.  Many of them have identical components in a slighhtly different outer box.  Some are identical except for perhaps color or and the label.

 

Getting down to the specifics for comparison takes a lot of effort however which is too bad as some brand names command a premium even if they are internally identical to a "cheaper" brand.
 

ICECO appears to be owned by Magic Cooler International

https://icecofreezer...ages/contact-us

https://opencorporat...s/us_ny/5917876

Edited by ckent323, 13 May 2022 - 06:19 AM.

[Mykiss]

I ended up with the dometic cfx, hope it will last a long time, the compressor is quiet, they claim to use a proprietary VMSO3 compressor.
The dual zone is a nice convenient feature for long trips, but they are big and take space.

[ckent323]

Overview of 12V Refrigerator Compressors
https://www.mygenera...camping-fridge/

 

2020 12V Refrigerator Buyers Guide
https://www.overland...ge-buyers-guide
 

Pros and Cons of Danfoss (SECOP) Compressors
https://www.overland...ge-buyers-guide

 

 

I did a search on "VMSO3 Compressor"

 

I did not find many independent reviews or comparisons of the VMSO3 Compressor refrigerators.  I think it came to the market in 2020

There are some bog comments on the web (good and not so good) that I am not linking and which one can search out if interested.   I have no opinion on the VMSO3 compressor and I am agnostic about refrigerator brand. 

 

Edited by ckent323, 14 May 2022 - 06:17 PM.

[TacomaAustin]

"I am agnostic about refrigerator brand."

 

 

That's a good approach.  I'm going to add to your last link regarding pros and cons of fridges with a SECOP.

 

https://www.truckcam...and-a-few-tips/

Edited by TacomaAustin, 16 May 2022 - 02:44 PM.