ARB Fridge

[Le shed]

It's getting that time of year and I have just bought the bullet on an ARB fridge. It's the new one. It looks a nice piece of kit and will make a big difference from carrying around the sloshy cooler this year. Most places wanted around $777 for it but found a good deal at "trdparts4u.com' for $699. Service was great no hassles at all.
I compared it with the Engel 45 and the 40 but this is much better.
Thought this might help someone save a dollar.
Now someone will say the bought one for $500.:banghead:

 

[Blueboy]

I have just bought the bullet

"bit the bullet" is the saying.

it is a GREAT fridge.

bought mine about a year ago from Expedition Exchange.

you'll enjoy it.


Jaime

 

[MUSKYMAN]

have been running mine now for like 4 years and love it.

I also got mine from expeditionexchange.com and like always they were great.

 

[Axel]

You will love it. I got an Engel from EE a few years back, and could not be happier. You don't have to waste space for ice in the cooler, and you will especially appreciate it on multi day trips when you don't have to worry about the ice turning to slush and making everything soggy.

Both the ARB and Engel are great investments.

 

[matt marquardt]

So no worries with the fridge running down the battery over night? Or ever? Can you leave it in the back of the vehicle semi permanently?

 

[leeawalden]

I don't have one of these, I have always wanted one but I have a yeti cooler that works pretty well for my needs. However, I seem to remember reading that you can leave it for two or three days maybe and it will be ok...If you don't plan on using it on a day to day basis just pull it out and plug it up in your garage, or maybe you could come up with a slick way to leave it in the truck, besides an extension cord, to keep it plugged in.

I would also assume you could always use a trickle feed charger? I use one for my trolling motor battery...I'm not an electrical engineer but wouldn't that work if you wanted to leave town for a week or so?

 

[MUSKYMAN]

the fridge's all come with two power supply cords so plugging it in direct if you are near a power source is just that easy.

 

[jrose609]

I have one of the cheap Edgestar fridges. $400 shipped to my door. 43 qt.

It runs off 12v or 110v. It also has a low-voltage cutout and will turn itself off if there is not enough juice in the car battery. Although, I left it in 5 days with the big 2150 I put in my D1, and it still had enough juice to start my rig.

 

[Ballah06]

On the topic, did you guys get the "mounting platforms" for them as well or just did without them?

 

[Timmy!!!!!!!]

I have one of the cheap Edgestar fridges. $400 shipped to my door. 43 qt.

It runs off 12v or 110v. It also has a low-voltage cutout and will turn itself off if there is not enough juice in the car battery. Although, I left it in 5 days with the big 2150 I put in my D1, and it still had enough juice to start my rig.

Jason have you been running the fridge continuously since purchase? I need something to supplement my dorm fridge and wouldn't mind getting the edgestar fridge. Especially if I need to leave NOLA because of natural disaster.

 

[jrose609]

Jason have you been running the fridge continuously since purchase? I need something to supplement my dorm fridge and wouldn't mind getting the edgestar fridge. Especially if I need to leave NOLA because of natural disaster.

No, but all the threads I read say they like to run continuously and not start and stop all the time.

I did cool mine down on 110v before I plugged it in the Land Rover though. I think most of the battery depletion comes from the initial cool.

The thing is so quiet, you can't hardly hear it run.

 

[Le shed]

The ARB has a High, Med, Low battery saver function which is supposed to switch it off before the battery is depleted. Didn't get the tray just the cover. Am trying to wire up a continuous 12v to the accessory socket in the back but looks like it will have to be a new wire on the D2. The RRC has a permanently live wire at the back by the amp/woofer, Purple/Brown which will do. I'm putting Hella surface mount sockets that face down so they don't get smashed off pushing stuff in.
Mr Rose that was one hell of day at work you had. Nothing can ever repay what you did. Take care of yourself.
Bill B

 

[ChristopherP]

I got the mounting platform just to stop my Engel from sliding around when the back wasn't packed out with gear. I hardwired mine off my inverter under the rear of my passenger seat. It did flatten my battery after three days without me starting the truck so I opted for a dual battery system the best thing I have put on my truck. Not cheap but for my needs just the job.

 

[benlittle]

So no worries with the fridge running down the battery over night? Or ever? Can you leave it in the back of the vehicle semi permanently?

There are a few variables there like how hot it is, how often the fridge is cycling, whether or not you have a transit bag etc. Obviously the battery has something to do with it as well.

Last summer I left my fridge in my truck for 4-5 days while I was in Jamaica. Got back to the airport and my truck started right up. In addition, I leave my ARB fridge on pretty much all summer long.

A Slide lock and hinge lock are both a must IMO.

 

[rover4x4]

Does the condom bag really help it operate more efficiently?

 

[chris snell]

If you compare feature-for-feature, the ARB is the better fridge. My primary concern with it, however, is the build materials. It looks rubbery and plasticky, like it would break or at least smudge and look dirty easily. The Engel, on the other hand, seems like it would be much more durable. Would someone who's owned the new ARB for a while give an assessment of it's durability?

 

[05LR3AZ]

If you compare feature-for-feature, the ARB is the better fridge. My primary concern with it, however, is the build materials. It looks rubbery and plasticky, like it would break or at least smudge and look dirty easily. The Engel, on the other hand, seems like it would be much more durable. Would someone who's owned the new ARB for a while give an assessment of it's durability?

I thought so originally also but it has held up pretty well over this past year just ratchet strapped or bungie-cord'd in the back. I just got the transit bag for it which will try to eliminate minor scratches. The transit bag doesn't really stick well so I'll have to glue it which is the worst part about the bag/fridge. I run this 24/7 in my LR3 and packed all my crap on it for trails and camping and it has bounced around a couple times on a couple trails but no damage. Just use a wet cloth and wipe it down to clean it. I haven't found it to be 'cheap' or look dirty easily.

I bought from trdparts4u.com also.

 

[05LR3AZ]

Does the condom bag really help it operate more efficiently?

debate-able...but full of food (and beer) it operates more efficiently than empty...

 

[sven]

I have one of the cheap Edgestar fridges. $400 shipped to my door. 43 qt.

It runs off 12v or 110v. It also has a low-voltage cutout and will turn itself off if there is not enough juice in the car battery. Although, I left it in 5 days with the big 2150 I put in my D1, and it still had enough juice to start my rig.

Yeah, i got the same fridge last year. I got it for $350 during a one day sale. Works well. The cigarette lighter plug melted on me, but I think that was my fault...I used a cheap socket and it started arcing. Compact Appliance replaced the plug for free no problem there. So now its hardwired in the rover and I use the cig-plug in my other car.

 

[Rugbier]

Jason,

I just bought an Edgestar 43.
I was told the Engel slide mount fits find, but I don't have anyone with one to test it and don't feel wasting money on something doesn't work.

How did you mount yours ( if any mounts )?

Thanks