I have the same brand but smaller version with just 1 chamber (don't need multiple temps). I originally had a bigger one, but it was way too big for in-car camping, so I returned it and got a much smaller one. I've been really happy with it so far. I like that it actually uses refrigerant, not the useless peltier coolers that so many "car refrigerators" use, which are power hogs and barely work. I just use it for drinks and some refrigerated foods, nothing frozen. Works excellent, and its so quiet that you can easily sleep in the car while its running ( I do it all the time). The one I have is small enough to fit in the passenger foot well of my EV9. It takes a while for it to cool warm things down since there is no fan to blow cool air around, its just chilling the walls of the fridge, but it works extremely well for keeping cool things cool. It will cool down warm or room temperature drinks if you need it to, but it will take hours (similar to a mini fridge in a hotel room).
I had been thinking an electric cooler would be a great accessory for our EV. Thanks for reviewing one. I may have to splurge before our next roadtrip.
I'm thinking the lack of ice melt/manky water build up alone will be enough to make this a worthy addition to long trips. Size might be more than is needed for simple refrigeration but when those trips shift to camping or large family trips, there's obviously a lot more to store.
Steve. I upgraded to electric from ice about a year ago. I impulse bought an igloo one. It does work, but what I find is it is pretty loud. I could not car camp with it running. What I do is turn it off during the sleep hrs and keep the cover closed. I really like the SetPower unit reviewed. I can see it useful for both road trips that are multi day as well as camping trips. Also, your video made me think of how it would be useful to keep in the back and when doing normal grocery shopping to use it for toting around the frozens during summer months. The duel zone and silent running are really good luxury features.
I'm specifically thinking it will help keep the ice creams and pops frozen for our soccer teams next season! I sleep pretty well regardless of noise but overnight sound is a good call to review when we hit the road. We could plug it into V2L or the portable battery bank outside the car, in a pinch, but that would require either no rain forecast or the tent to be up for protection. Will have to see how that goes.
I had been using a similar unit in my MY, storing it in the subtrunk and powering it from the adjacent 12v socket. This all came to a halt when a recent firmware update from Tesla disabled that 12v socket when the car’s in sentry mode.. 🙁
Bah, not all OTA updates are desirable, I suppose. We also carry a portable battery bank for camping trips, so I would run it off that if the car couldn't power, for some reason.
My problem with portable fridges is whenever they get bigger, they get taller, but they don't get wider (in length and width.) As a result, we can't fit our 11 inch diameter pie pans in the cooler unless we want to tilt them and have them spill everywhere! I've looked at over 20 brands... All the same. The dimensions stop just short of allowing a circular 11 inch pan to sit flat.
Steve - can 12 oz cans sit on that shelf in the fridge side? It appears there is relief in the lid for clearance, but is it enough for cans to stand up? Maybe ithat shelf area needs a lip so you could lay a couple of cans on their side? Good looking unit!
Unfortunately not, Dennis. 12oz/330ml cans will fit there on their side and the top will close, but standing up the clearance in the lid isn't sufficient to fully close the lid.
How do you handle refrigeration on the road?
I have the same brand but smaller version with just 1 chamber (don't need multiple temps). I originally had a bigger one, but it was way too big for in-car camping, so I returned it and got a much smaller one. I've been really happy with it so far. I like that it actually uses refrigerant, not the useless peltier coolers that so many "car refrigerators" use, which are power hogs and barely work. I just use it for drinks and some refrigerated foods, nothing frozen. Works excellent, and its so quiet that you can easily sleep in the car while its running ( I do it all the time). The one I have is small enough to fit in the passenger foot well of my EV9. It takes a while for it to cool warm things down since there is no fan to blow cool air around, its just chilling the walls of the fridge, but it works extremely well for keeping cool things cool. It will cool down warm or room temperature drinks if you need it to, but it will take hours (similar to a mini fridge in a hotel room).
Great to hear, thanks for the extra info. Looking forward to getting back on the road to see how the size packs out with our other kit.
I had been thinking an electric cooler would be a great accessory for our EV. Thanks for reviewing one. I may have to splurge before our next roadtrip.
I'm thinking the lack of ice melt/manky water build up alone will be enough to make this a worthy addition to long trips. Size might be more than is needed for simple refrigeration but when those trips shift to camping or large family trips, there's obviously a lot more to store.
Steve. I upgraded to electric from ice about a year ago. I impulse bought an igloo one. It does work, but what I find is it is pretty loud. I could not car camp with it running. What I do is turn it off during the sleep hrs and keep the cover closed. I really like the SetPower unit reviewed. I can see it useful for both road trips that are multi day as well as camping trips. Also, your video made me think of how it would be useful to keep in the back and when doing normal grocery shopping to use it for toting around the frozens during summer months. The duel zone and silent running are really good luxury features.
I'm specifically thinking it will help keep the ice creams and pops frozen for our soccer teams next season! I sleep pretty well regardless of noise but overnight sound is a good call to review when we hit the road. We could plug it into V2L or the portable battery bank outside the car, in a pinch, but that would require either no rain forecast or the tent to be up for protection. Will have to see how that goes.
I had been using a similar unit in my MY, storing it in the subtrunk and powering it from the adjacent 12v socket. This all came to a halt when a recent firmware update from Tesla disabled that 12v socket when the car’s in sentry mode.. 🙁
Bah, not all OTA updates are desirable, I suppose. We also carry a portable battery bank for camping trips, so I would run it off that if the car couldn't power, for some reason.
Hey steve, great video, i have this unit and i can assure you this unit will keep your food cold even in the hottest of weather.
Great to know, thanks Robert. Makes me eager to get back out on the camping trail!
My problem with portable fridges is whenever they get bigger, they get taller, but they don't get wider (in length and width.)
As a result, we can't fit our 11 inch diameter pie pans in the cooler unless we want to tilt them and have them spill everywhere!
I've looked at over 20 brands... All the same. The dimensions stop just short of allowing a circular 11 inch pan to sit flat.
Pie capacity has never been in any of my testing... until now! 🥧 Thanks for the thoughts.
Steve - can 12 oz cans sit on that shelf in the fridge side? It appears there is relief in the lid for clearance, but is it enough for cans to stand up? Maybe ithat shelf area needs a lip so you could lay a couple of cans on their side? Good looking unit!
Unfortunately not, Dennis. 12oz/330ml cans will fit there on their side and the top will close, but standing up the clearance in the lid isn't sufficient to fully close the lid.
+1 for Wegmans. 😁
Always! 🎯