12v Fridge Or Refrigerator For The Car

If you regularly take long trips into rural areas in your vehicle then the inclusion of a car fridge freezer in your gear can be a trip enhancing addition.  Being able to refrigerate or freeze drinks or perishables can be very handy.

However before running out and buying the first car refrigerator you see, please read through this article to get a briefing on your choices in car fridge technology.

All portable refrigerators will be available in one of two basic types. These two types are absorption and compression fridges. Depending on the way you plan to use the fridge, one or the other of these technologies will be superior for your application. So, how does this impact you?

12v DC Compression Fridges Versus 3 Way Absorption Fridges

At first glance an Absorption fridge can be very attractive. They can often be powered by propane as well as electricity, making them very flexible units. The very popular 3-way camping fridges - which are ideal for long camping trips – are absorption models. Some quick price comparisons online will show you can get a 3 way fridge for less than many dedicated 12v compression fridges. Less money, more flexibility; it is hard to dispute the appeal of that.

A Compression fridge cannot be powered by propane. So any high priced 12v fridge or dual mode electric fridge is likely to be a Compression unit. Your gut feel here may be more money, less flexibility – I'll try to address why the 12v fridge can actually be the correct choice here.

Absorption fridges do have some drawbacks. You absolutely should not use propane to run a fridge in your vehicle; it could potentially be extremely dangerous. If you are buying a dedicated car fridge you have thus nullified one of the great advantages of the 3-way fridge. When in your car your fridge will need to be powered using the 12v DC car battery.

An Absorption type refrigerator has terrible efficiency when run from electricity, and left untended can run down a vehicles started battery very rapidly. Compression technology shines in this area. A well designed 12v fridge has a very low amperage pull; this means that you can potentially run a 12v fridge from your car battery for a prolonged period of time without eliminating the ability to start your car.

Note that some simple math comparing the capacity of your battery and the amp hour usage of the fridge should be undertaken to determine safe usage time before attempting this in a remote location.  Also note that a modest investment in solar panels and the supporting infrastructure, you maybe able to power a Compression 12v fridge indefinitely.  This would be prohibitively expensive when utilizing an Absorption model.

Another issue with Absorption fridges is that they often do not cool well.  Many car or camping fridges that are on the market have verbiage hidden in their speciation's stating they will cool to 'xx degrees below ambient temperature'.  If you take trips to hot areas, or want your fridge to be a car fridge freezer and not just chill things, this can be a major issue.  Compression fridges can reliably function as a freezer while you are on the rad. Better units will combine fridge freezer functionality.

Finally, an Absorption fridge is designed to operate best when leveled.   If you are taking your vehicle into remote areas it is possible you will find yourself on un-level terrain.  Under these conditions you cannot be assured of proper functioning of a 3-way fridge.  The Compression technology used in a quality 12v DC car fridge will take the bumps and hills of a road trip in stride, and continue to function unimpaired.

As I have explained, Compressor type 12v fridges - despite appearing at first glance to be poor value - are generally a better choice than Absorption type 3 way fridges. Recommended quality 12v car fridge freezers manufactures are Waeco and Engel. The Norcold refrigerator line is also well regarded.

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