Portable Fridge Options

[Kev.O]

I’m after some advice on a portable fridge please.

I would like one that can fit in the Ovano draw system so no more than around 480mm in height, ideally have a freezer section.

I’m not after a massive version as it will need to be stored in the garage when not in use, though ideally I’d use this when travelling to the caravan instead of using the ‘freezer’ bag with an ice cube in.

I looked at the THQ version which has the on board battery, and as nice as it is, I’m not sure I can justify the cost as I really can’t see me using the battery that often.

The van doesn’t have a LB though I do have a Jackery (1500 W) should I use it off grid.

I’m open to suggestions please, and if anyone has one for sale, please get in touch.

 

[roadtripper]

I bought the Alpicool P18 and, like you, was sceptical about the battery.

However I found it for a reasonable price and decided to risk it as, like you, I don't currently have a second battery.

Don't discount it as I've found since that it's transformed my use of the fridge.

Post in thread 'Alpicool Battery Bay - P18 review' Alpicool Battery Bay - P18 review

 

[Kev.O]

Thank you, I remember reading your very helpful reviews. The battery is now £150 and the fridge is no longer on sale so it works out pretty expensive unfortunately. I would prefer a dual zone version in place of the battery as the fridge won’t be without the jackery and will be more benefit for taking frozen items to the caravan.

I appreciate the post though, thank you.

 

[Damobristol]

Hi @Kev.O

Been looking for fridge recommendations myself and spotted your post.

https://amzn.eu/d/eEiBCfs

Has a £50 off voucher until 22nd Sept so I bought this for £209 with Prime discount. I'll be using this with my leisure battery so no need for a battery for me either. This has a freezer compartment and fits in the Ovano drawer. (Better do anyway!)

Damian

 

[FerrisBFW]

Hi @Kev.O

Been looking for fridge recommendations myself and spotted your post.

https://amzn.eu/d/eEiBCfs

Has a £50 off voucher until 22nd Sept so I bought this for £209 with Prime discount. I'll be using this with my leisure battery so no need for a battery for me either. This has a freezer compartment and fits in the Ovano drawer. (Better do anyway!)

Damian

I bought this one in early Spring and its bloody brilliant. We accidentally dialled in -20 when loading it in the van and by the time we got home from camping our tomatoes were like snooker balls

 

[Damobristol]

I bought this one in early Spring and its bloody brilliant. We accidentally dialled in -20 when loading it in the van and by the time we got home from camping our tomatoes were like snooker balls

At least it was on the way home!

The freezer compartment will be handy. Eating out at the pub is an expensive past time these days, so it's handy to take some pre-cooked meals from home along and save a bit of money.

Good to hear from someone who has it. The reviews were pretty good. I can't really see much difference between this and the TWW35 which came out at the same time and THQ has for sale at £495 other than the battery. Almost £300 for the battery seems steep.

 

[Kev.O]

This is exactly what I want thank you very much I will buy this later.

 

[Kev.O]

Hi @Kev.O

Been looking for fridge recommendations myself and spotted your post.

https://amzn.eu/d/eEiBCfs

Has a £50 off voucher until 22nd Sept so I bought this for £209 with Prime discount. I'll be using this with my leisure battery so no need for a battery for me either. This has a freezer compartment and fits in the Ovano drawer. (Better do anyway!)

Damian

The height is 489mm from memory so well under.

 

[roadtripper]

At least it was on the way home!

The freezer compartment will be handy. Eating out at the pub is an expensive past time these days, so it's handy to take some pre-cooked meals from home along and save a bit of money.

Good to hear from someone who has it. The reviews were pretty good. I can't really see much difference between this and the TWW35 which came out at the same time and THQ has for sale at £495 other than the battery. Almost £300 for the battery seems steep.

Yep, the battery is useful but I wouldn't pay more than £100-120 for the convenience.

The battery bay on my P18 would just take the carefully coiled up 12v lead though, which can make use of the otherwise wasted space.

 

[Damobristol]

Yep, the battery is useful but I wouldn't pay more than £100-120 for the convenience.

The battery bay on my P18 would just take the carefully coiled up 12v lead though, which can make use of the otherwise wasted space.

That's a good idea. I was wondering where to store the leads.

Just spotted the battery on AliExpress for £102 after tax. Not sure I'd trust buying from here. Batteries aren't something you want to go cheap on. I'd be worried about fakes. Think a separate battery (Jackery etc) would be a more flexible option if you wanted to use it out of the van.

Alpicool Car Refrigerator Built-in Lithium Battery 15600mAh Removable Battery For TA/TAW/TS/TW/TWW/P8/CX Car Home Outdoor Fridge - AliExpress 34

Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com

a.aliexpress.com

 

[roadtripper]

Think a separate battery (Jackery etc) would be a more flexible option if you wanted to use it out of the van.

I have both and the built in battery is considerably more convenient as you just don't worry about needing to plug the fridge in when you are moving it about.

I'd summarise it as using the fridge battery makes it a more flexible fridge, using and an external power pack makes it a more flexible battery. If you can only invest in one than choose which is more important, I was able to invest in both.

I certainly agree with you on quality though, even though I suspect they are identical batteries in this case as I doubt it's a big enough market for someone to fake. There's certainly a chance that the ones that fail quality checks might be shifted that way though.

 

[FerrisBFW]

I did see somewhere that you can run it off of a RC car battery pack, i will try and find it

 

[Damobristol]

I did see somewhere that you can run it off of a RC car battery pack, i will try and find it

I have both and the built in battery is considerably more convenient as you just don't worry about needing to plug the fridge in when you are moving it about.

I'd summarise it as using the fridge battery makes it a more flexible fridge, using and an external power pack makes it a more flexible battery. If you can only invest in one than choose which is more important, I was able to invest in both.

I certainly agree with you on quality though, even though I suspect they are identical batteries in this case as I doubt it's a big enough market for someone to fake. There's certainly a chance that the ones that fail quality checks might be shifted that way though.

Good points, especially about how worthwhile making a fake would be.

I'm happy enough to make use of my leisure battery. I've got electrical hookup and a solar panel so should be good for a weekend which is mostly what I'll be using the van for.

 

[Kev.O]

I did see somewhere that you can run it off of a RC car battery pack, i will try and find it

That would be appreciated thank you

 

[FerrisBFW]

I did see somewhere that you can run it off of a RC car battery pack, i will try and find it

Ha here it is

Fridge Freezer 12v Battery Adapter XT60 - Alpicool, Waeco, Dometic campervan | eBay

Slimline Adapter for your Alpicool / Waeco CFX-35 CDF-36 CDF-26 Car Fridge to XT60 connector. Alpicool CF20, CF25, CF30, CF35, CX30,CX40, T36,G22. Alpicool, COSTWAY, ARB, ICECO, Setpower, JoyTutus, ICECO VL45, Go-Sun Cooler, Truma 96 DZ refrigerator, Setpower AJ30 EA35 Car Fridge, Lexus GX470...

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[Kev.O]

Thank you for all the help, this arrived today

 

[Damobristol]

Mine too . Next up, awning conundrums!

 

[Kev.O]

This fridge was great last weekend when I went away. Hardly used any of the Jackery either.