Member Since: 10 Mar 2020
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 39
Fridge/Freezer ???
Folks, after some thoughts on fridge/freezers, use would be for two of us, long weekends.
So many out there, what's anyone got, or what have they had they rate?
Anyone mounted one on the folded second row seats, accessing through the side door, potentially on a slider?
Thanks in advance D3 TDV6 SE '06
D2 TD5 ES '02
Defender 90 300 TDI '96
Everything Ford CV
1st Jun 2022 9:57 pm
Duc750
Member Since: 07 Aug 2017
Location: northampton
Posts: 305
if you want a fridge freezer combined then you're looking at 50L plus whihc is fairly hefty - i think you'd be best wit one that size in the boot on a slide
honestly we have a 40L snomaster fridge in our trailer and it did 3 of us fine when travelling around the alps and south of france fine for a month
unless goign to the back of beyond you're never far from the shops05 D3 V8 HSE, LR Passion tree bars, wildbear compressor guard, LRP switch panel, ARB rear locker + compressor, Trigger 6 shooter electrical system
12 RRS SDV6 HSE (Hers) - Gone and replaced with an I Pace - I can tell you now EV is not the future yet
Metalian Camper trailer
1st Jun 2022 10:38 pm
DG Site Moderator
Member Since: 12 Dec 2005
Location: The Gaff
Posts: 50934
Engel MT45 ...I've had one for twelve years ...never misses a beat either in a vehicle or sat under my lounge desk Very low draw for in motor use too 21 year LR veteran > D2 GS 2003 > D3 S 2006 > D3 HSE 2009 > D4 HSE 2013 > D4 HSE 2015 > D5 HSE 2018 > DS HSE R-Dynamic P300e 2021
1st Jun 2022 11:14 pm
sarumlight
Member Since: 07 Nov 2008
Location: Off the Plain
Posts: 1590
Engel are excellent and have the lowest current draw which may matter if you don’t drive much when you’re camping. We have an ARB one which we bought from a forum sponsor years ago which be serving ice creams for the street are this weekend!
1st Jun 2022 11:48 pm
Motolab
Member Since: 18 Oct 2019
Location: Sleen
Posts: 1815
+1 for a Snomaster
I have a double door classic CL 56D and simply love it..
Normally i use one compartment for freezing and the other for cooling on long (remote) trips
But for long weekend camping, both for cooling is most used (one for the cold drinks and one for the food)
Since the big secret saving on battery is, efficient opening and be able to find the stuff you need quick, so short door opening times) the included remote controler is also very handy, and it runs both on battery, solar and “220v” when you have the opportunity…
Best value for money IMHO..Best regards
Harold
Always looking for Pre '55's & Pre war British Motorcycles! knowing or having one for sale? PM please. I visit the UK 6 times a year
Ps. I edit my texts quite often, english is not my native language, so I will edit My “typo’s” etc.
2nd Jun 2022 12:19 am
tayaste
Member Since: 15 May 2013
Location: Chester
Posts: 7633
Engel for me too, I have an MT35 and MT45. Both currently under the desk, one acting as a freezer whilst the other is chilling the beers.
2nd Jun 2022 6:47 am
Moo D3 Decade
Member Since: 13 Aug 2010
Location: Wiltshire
Posts: 13882
We've been using a Waeco fridge freezer. We also use it as a back up. Had it 12 years and its never let us down. New Defender L663 110 SE (known as Noddy!)
Sold Volvo XC90 R-Design (known as Basil)
Sold - D4 HSE (Known as Gerty)
No longer the Old Buses original owner
231,000 miles and counting
05 S manual owned from March 2005
D4 Face lifted
Still original injectors and turbo
V8 Front brakes
BAS Remap, Allisport Intercooler and deCat
EGRs blanked
T-Max split charge
Hanibal Expeedition rack
Prospeed ladder
Duratrac tyres
IID BT
BAS FBH control
2nd Jun 2022 9:46 am
Motolab
Member Since: 18 Oct 2019
Location: Sleen
Posts: 1815
I think you will see that everyone has his own favorite and that they all do cool well (and freeze if it has that option) and all will work for years and years..
imho, the most important thing is: how do you use it, how long off-grid, how long without driving or long enough driving to load the battery's (both) full enough for another cooling/freezing period..
how often (and long)do you (need) to open the lid(s) to find what you need (opening (even short) is losing energy) traveling in Norway or Scotland is cooler (often) than traveling to/in Morocco in the summer..
and also important do you have a Leisure / auxillary battery AND how do you charge that
on a trip to eastern europe for 2 years, we used the fridge/cooler with a optima auxilly battery and a "split charge" system.. split charge does charge the auxillary batt when driving 600 km's in a day...
but when on place of destination and only travels there around 40 or 70 km's in 2 day's or like wise that does not charge the second battery well enough.. in my experience..
Now we use a (Redarc) DC to DC charger and we do not have that problem anymore! , when not driving at all, it charges very well even on relatively short drives) and if not driving at all for a day or two we plug in a solarpanel to the Redarc DC-DC charger and the beer is always cool and/or meat frozen for that matter Best regards
Harold
Always looking for Pre '55's & Pre war British Motorcycles! knowing or having one for sale? PM please. I visit the UK 6 times a year
Ps. I edit my texts quite often, english is not my native language, so I will edit My “typo’s” etc.
2nd Jun 2022 10:10 am
Coo
Member Since: 01 Jun 2015
Location: Fife, Scotland
Posts: 284
I have Waeco Coolfreeze CFX40 - as with others mentioned works great no problems.
Consider where you put it.
I prefer it to be out of sight for the opportunist thief - these things are expensive!
Mine sits in the boot and I can just pull the load cover over it.
Ideally I would have liked it to be a bit smaller in height to put on a slider for full access,
as it's a bit hefty for my wife to pull forward to reach into it, quick reach access with lower tailgate closed is good enough to chuck stuff in..but wont reach far bottom!
2nd Jun 2022 10:21 am
DaveT
Member Since: 01 Aug 2005
Location: Cornwall
Posts: 2572
We use an Engel MT35 mounted in place of 2nd row seat. The seats are easily removed, leaving a space that is perfectly fridge sized. We use a ply platform bolted through the seat bolt holes to for a level platform to strap the fridge down to. The last thing you'd want in an accident is an Engel hitting your back!
We always mounted in place of the off-side seat, but believe it would fit in place of any of the 3. Easy to access from side door.
Obviously you lose a seat, but can access while driving (passenger not driver!), and don't lose any boot space.Long succession of Disco's since 2001...
SIII Lightweight - neglected & rusting. Bulkhead, A panels, vent panel & outriggers now disintegrated - Next years project!
2nd Jun 2022 7:58 pm
BazH
Member Since: 10 Mar 2020
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 39
Thanks all, really useful, on reflection we have always used a cooler, not had freeze so think just fridge will do us, main use will be long weekends, and fresh is the Mrs preference.
40 ltr seems to be the ideal size, bigger than the cooler we have, on measuring I think will work well.
Any links for retailrs of Engel, I'm struggling to locate one?
Powerwise, got a second battery going in, Optima Yellow Top, either T-Max ot National Luna split charge system.
Fridge skiders are bloody expensive mind!D3 TDV6 SE '06
D2 TD5 ES '02
Defender 90 300 TDI '96
Everything Ford CV
2nd Jun 2022 8:55 pm
tayaste
Member Since: 15 May 2013
Location: Chester
Posts: 7633
Bought my last Engel from forum member SGH of MPS trading look up MPS Trading.
2nd Jun 2022 9:06 pm
Moo D3 Decade
Member Since: 13 Aug 2010
Location: Wiltshire
Posts: 13882
Ditto. I got my Waeco from them as well. New Defender L663 110 SE (known as Noddy!)
Sold Volvo XC90 R-Design (known as Basil)
Sold - D4 HSE (Known as Gerty)
No longer the Old Buses original owner
231,000 miles and counting
05 S manual owned from March 2005
D4 Face lifted
Still original injectors and turbo
V8 Front brakes
BAS Remap, Allisport Intercooler and deCat
EGRs blanked
T-Max split charge
Hanibal Expeedition rack
Prospeed ladder
Duratrac tyres
IID BT
BAS FBH control
2nd Jun 2022 9:10 pm
Green Land Rover
Member Since: 21 Oct 2017
Location: Stourbridge
Posts: 408
We bought a Dometic CFX3 45 last year. Really pleased with it
Build quality is excellent and it has a bluetooth connection so can monitor temperature and get an alarm if temperature drops below a preset level.
We put it on mains the night before we go away to get it to temperature and it doesn't draw a huge amount of current then during the journey.
These are the only pics I can find at the mo. Happy to answer any questions.
Discovery 4 HSE - Aintree Green
Freelander 2 TD4 SE Automatic - Tonga Green
Defender XS - Tonga Green - Gone Now
Freelander 1 Td4 ES Manual - Epsom Green - Gone Now
Freelander 1 Td4 Kalahari SE - Epsom Green - Gone Now
Freelander 1 XEi - Epsom Green - Gone Now
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Very low draw for in motor use too 
