Quote:
Originally Posted by REF
Better yet, get yourself an Engel or ARB 12V fridge/freezer and bring along a bag of ice, low draw and you can pack in some frozen foods for the long journey, or do what I did and bring back a freezer full of fresh caught salmon from Alaska[emoji2]
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I just got to ask a couple of questions REF, if you set the fridge/freezer to hold nothing but ice what is the draw over the evening hours inside a van that stays say 70 degrees all night long? I talked with one owner who claimed the draw was significant and put them into the red zone fairly quickly. They had an ARB. Like my fridge on board, it cycles more when the heater is on. Secondly if I were to fill up like three 10x6x3 Tupperware containers with lids, how long would that take to make solid blocks of ice in mild weather? Ice trays are out as the water would be all over the place as I drive.
I've also considered a small portable freezer with
soapstone or stainless steel reusable ice cubes which could be a great solution over water. Sure I would have to wash them and re freeze them but washing would take minimal amounts of water and all I'd have to worry about is the amperage the second unit pulls. I do like the idea of having a backup fridge/freezer on board. I just would hate to buy one only to find out it pulls too much. A 1000+ bucks is an investment that I'd rather have first hand information from people who already have been there and done that. If that works I would be more than happy to pull the roadie out, fork out the bucks, and make room for a second fridge/freezer.
From what I've read, most of those ice makers seem to look like they're made at the same place but get different
reviews
There are a few different sized models. I'm looking at the smallest version. From a few reviews, owners claim they pull at full amps during the first batch then taper off. I think the one guy who posted said something like 9A at start up, then dropped to 4 amps as it continued to produce. That was the largest version IIRC (which is info I can't claim is correct). Seems a lot of standard RVers use them but they are the folks with generators and shore power.
Currently I'm using a Yeti Roadie with a 7lb bag of ice along with a block of dry ice and although that works fine for over a week, I still end up running out of ice.
I just like the idea of having extra ice to throw on top of the beer in my larger Yeti but worry about the hauling of extra water and if these units will work while bouncing down a trail. The water usage might make it a deal breaker alone but I might give one of these ice makers a shot and if it doesn't work out in the SMB, I can use it at home.