2 Year Review of my Cheap Portable 12v Car Fridge (Alpicool CF55 & CF45-LG) Long Term Test!
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- čas přidán 1. 07. 2024
- Has the Alpicool refrigerator stood the test of 2 years of constant use? Here's a long term review of both frigs from 4 different opinions.
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Alpicool CF45-LG 48qt frig with LG compressor: amzn.to/3fDiK6J
Alpicool 58 qt Refrigerator: amzn.to/3adSmwd
Unboxing video here with full specs: • Cheap LG Compressor Re...
👇🏽 Here's a list of other products I use: 👇🏽
Foldable USB-C Water Dispenser: amzn.to/3CtL3xw
Porta Potty: amzn.to/3lS6uCG
24" QHD monitor: amzn.to/3zSPsYO
Wooden Bluetooth portable speaker: amzn.to/3fhv5fW
Victron Smart Solar Charge Controller: amzn.to/3gGGd7w
Maxxair Fan Roof Vent: amzn.to/2TgnAht
3KW diesel heater: amzn.to/3cle8kg
Hitch carrier lock: amzn.to/3gKNuTx
Single burner butane stove: amzn.to/36uATyu
Android headunit: amzn.to/3qHkvTm
Collapsible bin and cutting board: amzn.to/3ckK9Hw
Micro SD card:amzn.to/2NFROaE
Thule Roof Load bars: amzn.to/3jn1TF8
Solar Charge Controller: amzn.to/3pAOpYP
Hitch cargo box: amzn.to/2MkqE8S
Nintendo Switch Deluxe Edition: amzn.to/3r5qEZm
Kelty 0 degree Down Sleeping bag: amzn.to/36paIcs
LED lights: amzn.to/2MH0Qnd
Blackout curtains: amzn.to/2M7vt5F
Phone/DSLR Mic: amzn.to/3oAWeMF
Kitchen Utencil kit: amzn.to/2NDsbXZ
12V Cigarette lighter adapter: amzn.to/3civn5M
Non-stick pan grill folding handle: amzn.to/36poDzc
Paracord and carabiner: amzn.to/36oE4I0
Aluminum Phone mount: amzn.to/3r1LiJO
Clothes organizing cubes: amzn.to/2KZKXb4
100W portable battery bank: amzn.to/2MgqGie
Upgraded portable tire inflater: amzn.to/3r2HAj5
Mini Rice Cooker: amzn.to/3adIJ0x
Electronics Organizer: amzn.to/3coMWkw
Back up camera: amzn.to/3oy1Gjq
Male/female urinal: amzn.to/3cw1tuG
Personal portable blender: amzn.to/2L7HQ12
Induction cooktop: amzn.to/3ovOfkd
Non-slip heat resisting mat: amzn.to/3r5dCeh
Ring light w/ tripod: amzn.to/2NPRBBZ
Car seat organizer: amzn.to/3j1Agl0
Tire plug kit: amzn.to/3t8RYHV
Camping chair: amzn.to/2NOqirH
10 gauge silicone wire: amzn.to/3j01BE8
Automotive fuses: amzn.to/3r5eFuJ
Heat sink tubing: amzn.to/2MkRnlL
heavy duty wire lugs: amzn.to/3aexjJO
Battery isolator: amzn.to/3pt43W6
Window visors: amzn.to/2MjHPaP
Maxxair fan: amzn.to/3tcjdBe
Reflectix insulation: amzn.to/3aeyau0
Thule loadbars: amzn.to/2NPfERu
Coffee Maker: amzn.to/3pwy8E9
IKEA Memory Foam Mattress: www.ikea.com/us/en/p/matrand-...
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Commonly asked questions answered here:
My bed dimensions, Lift, tires, handling, etc
Journey's Off Road Lift Kit: journeysoffroad.com/siennalif...
Tires: www.falkentire.com/tires/ligh...
Tire size: 245/65/17 + 20mm spacers
Lift didn't effect mpg
Handles like stock with a taller viewing position
Worth it? YES
Bed dimensions: 39x74
As Bob Baker would say, "The Price is Right!" Get it here: amzn.to/3fDiK6J #OTGganggang
I have the 60 and my biggest problem is figuring out the settings it’s so confusing that after an entire week camping with it I still haven’t figured it out. The instruction manual is one sheet folded in thirds and has instructions for about 10 different models. Any suggestions
@@bobolink39 listen towards the end of this video, I go through all of the settings explaining (max mode, eco mode, and the battery protection features)
Thanks for the review, I’m currently building out an Astro van and your videos have been very helpful!!!!!
DOTG! love your detailed videos! much love and support from hayward california!
Great review. Not just you, but hearing real experience from others who really use it.
Great job on getting others to share there testimony on real applications on these portable fridges I'm one for options and I'm glad you don't have to spend hundreds to enjoy a few days out or a weekend away. Thx 👍
Three years strong with my two CF45-LG 48qt coolers - I use one for food and drinks and one for BEER. I have gotten to the point where I can gauge the outdoor temps and set my beer fridge accordingly to get that perfect beer with just a hint of ice crystals in it. I've seen coolers that are more than double the cost (Dometic/ARB/etc) that perform the same or even not as efficiently. Alpicool is such a responsive company, great customer support. Great to hear other reviews and info - thanks!
Just ordered mine. Had the alpicool c20 for three plus years now. Used fours days a week typically. Now the upgrade.
Even though a little dated, I appreciate the data and input. Thanks.
👍Terrific, thank you.💝
💡Tip, put black electrical tape over light displays. I do this all of the time if there’s a light in a dark room bothering me. I take off a strip and fold one end so I can easily lift it. If you use an App to change / monitor the temp you don’t even need to look at the display on the unit.
Great video, thanks for sharing!
Thanks a lot man your videos are super helpful!!
Thanks for the review...been wondering how alpicool does long term
Great review many thanks..
Hey man! Thanks for going through this. Very valuable. How are you feeling this year? Any changes?
Love the video, wish I had one right now. New Orleans has had no power for 5 days and ice is a commodity right now.
Stay safe friend
Great job. 💪💪
Ordered the 58qt model this year during Prime days. Got a good deal on it. Figured it would probably give me the same storage as a 70qt cooler packed with ice... and I wouldn't have to worry about the water runoff from my cooler as the ice melts, food getting water intrusion as it works down into melted ice, and I don't have to buy ice all the time. I've had campgrounds run out before then I have to go hunting for ice. As far as dimming the display, you could probably drop by a tint shop and ask for a little piece of scrap and stick that over it.
Great reviews, guys! Thanks.
Sounds promising. There is a video of a fellow who had a lot of electric usage and so he put all the electric items together in order to have no long lengths of wires and cut his usage by 50% just from that.
Our panel is stuck and we can’t make any temperature adjustments. It went bad year 3. It holds true to the temp but we can’t modify it. Trying a BougeRV now.
Very helpful
Thanks for the reviews. May I please add......
FYI - an $80 AC dorm fridge ALSO uses about 40watts running and that's including the inverter. There is very little difference between these low cost DC fridges and small AC fridges as far as power consumption goes. The reason is that no matter what they say, these Alpicools use AC compressors. They deny it but take one apart and see. DC compressors are more complex and would make these low cost fridges cost the same as the higher end ones.
maybe but you're comparing a small stand up fridge (that spills it cool inside air every time you open it) to a cooler type "tub" that barely looses any cool air when you open the top because everything is contained. The compressor dosent need to start back up again every time you open the door.
So even though they have the power rating they are completely different types.
@@evypr0ductions thats what got me. had i bought my first "dorm" fridge withOUT the damned freezer i'd never have considered switching. also i can take it with me if i want. though i never go camping anymore.
All refrigeration compressors are, in fact, AC! Either single-phase capacitor-run, 3-phase through an inverter, or straight 3-phase AC for big industrial installations (rooftop ACs, walk in coolers...)
These small fridges have a DC->3-phase AC inverter built into the controller (often called "electronic start unit") and not at all dissimilar from BLDC ESCs for common electric motors.
Pretty good video comparing the different models availible from Aplicool; so many of these models are rebranded OEMs but this has been very informative of the overall vibe of this series. One question I have for you; does your Reflectix cover any of the built in venting? Hard to tell from the video but in order to really report temps accurately the system needs a bit of airflow around the compressor housings.
No, That area of the fridge needs to breathe
Thanks for the review. Are you guys like a van community?
That’s my van life family in Cali. We all met during Covid and are still in touch. A few of them have even visited me in Colorado!
I like the LGCF55 one. The CF55 would fit in the sienna between two front seats. Well, I like the LG comp quiet. Long term food saver is very much more than you have to buy fast food.
100%
@DaveOTG I made a mistake, bought the IceCo55 for 50 dollars less from discount. Hell, it is noisy, the fan is less noise but the damn compressor is knocking noise when it started, then after one minute it less noise. But it is really noisy. They sent me the replacement, and then the new one is noisier than the first one I got. Don't buy IceCo 12v frig.
To help with the intensity of the LCD you can cut a piece of window tint and add it to that portion of the screen. Thanks for the insights.
Genius!!!!!👍🏾
Not sure if you guys still have it but they sell stickers for screens that are too bright. It’s easy to remove and will dim the brightness.
I just bought it. Not the lg version, the cheaper one. From the 3rd of June I will be full time van living. I am currently testing it indoors and I in terms of the cooling it is working absolutely great. However the fan noise while the compressor is cooling is pretty annoying, much louder than my gaming pc rig. I woke up today and I heard the noise of vents, I thought my pc turned on itself in the next bedroom but no, it was the fridge running downstairs!
Now I started thinking how the hell am I gonna stand that noise in a small van during the summer? The intervals of compressor running on are quite low, so if the fridge is set to normal freezing temperatures the compressor kicks in not that often and it is running only for a while and then it's not giving any noise at all.
I believe the potential buyers should be aware that when it's running the fans are really loud and it might cause some problems for those who hate that type of fan noise.
Yes, thank you for saying what I failed to. I currently have the new CF-55 and I agree it's pretty loud. I have it under my bed and use it as a freezer. I plan on putting a sound deadening curtain to hopefully muffle the sound. I usually sleep with earplugs so it doesn't bother me during sleepy time. But yes agreed when it's quiet outside, you/me start fixating on the sound and it's annoying.
Thanks for the video. How did you mount the monitor in your van?
There should be a link to the monitor arm in description
Put some tint over the lcd screen. Cheap fix.
Hey there, nice video. Can you tell me what the lowest voltage is, i can set the BatteryProtection to? I have a Lithium-Ion 3s Battery and am worried that the fridge will turn off to early
I set mine on eco and low. But if you’re worried about the power bank turning off while the fridge is not running, try plugging in a small led that barely uses 1-2w. Hope that answers your question
I wanna know how you mounted that monitor.
I have a large monitor too and trying to figure out how to mount it so I have an "office" space
Link to Mount should be in description
Witch one is better LG comp or Regular Comp and why
Lg may be slightly quieter
Service and support is a big deal. Sounds like they support their products well. What is the life expectancy of these?
Idk from others, but from personal experience I've had my now for 3 years and is still humming along. I also have the new version of the cr55 w/ the black lcd and it been fine going on 10 months. My only complaint is that it's loud at night if you have sensitive ears
ok so i set mine to 36f and it still hits 40f at times, sounds like it might be normal then? my milk was sludg a week before it's date, never opened, hopefully it was dude bottle instead of a bad fridge. mine also has hum and a high high high pitched frequency but, i'm not sure all can hear it.
40 degrees is still within proper fridge temps... But if you're concerned set to lower degrees
Question about the electrical draw. It states 45 watts but that assumes the compressor is running a full hour which I'm assuming it doesn't. I'm kind of wondering about total power consumption over say 24 - 48 hours.
If you had a decent LifePo4 battery bank like a jackals or Bluetti, etc, I wonder how long you'd get?
There are of course variables like ambient Temps nearby, size of Lithium power setup, etc but the typical combined power draw averages over a day or two would be cool to know. Has anyone done a test on that?
Get Wh of battery, multiply by .85 (to account for inefficiencies), then divide by 45. This will give you operating time
I run mine on eco mode from a Powerworks PSE701, which is 410mh. I ran mine for 24 hours at around 70 F, and had 43% left on the power station battery.
Does anyone know how many watts the unit draws over the course of 24 hours? Considering that it cycles on and off.
45w an hour
I set mine to 40 degrees but it just keeps running until everything is frozen. What am I doing wrong?
That doesn't sound right. I would contact them for a replacement.
I have a fridge for 7 months and only used it 2 times and it won’t work any idea how to contact these people for customer service? I bought it second had from a friend who used it once and I used it one time and now the compressor just won’t turn on
Click on the link in the description, their contact info is there
As a HVAC tech I can tell you that other compressor don’t make a difference. They probably still use the same components.
When the car is off, how does it cool?
Separate "house" batteries
Does it have a freezer?
Frig or freezer
It's one or the other, not both at the same time
#DOTG
Where do you plug it so as not to drain the car battery?
I have a separate house battery
@@DaveOTG Is that on the list? How do you connect it?
@@ren7ee Yes it is! My battery is powered with solar and alternator charging.
Good morning. Thank you for this test ban which motivated my purchase of the same model in 35l. however, to be able to benefit from the same cold on both tanks I made a small modification which I share here czcams.com/video/LXRyxfR5kHw/video.html
I dk, this video is very susspect...so all these dudes have the same brand and model....gtfo. was considering buying it, but after this I will go to a reputable brand, not a fake review view brand.
Lol I've had mine for more than 2 yrs. I recommended them to my van friends and they also bought it, these are their reviews just like mine and I stand by them. The one criticism I didn't mention is it is pretty loud if you have sensitive ears.
👍🧊❣️🇳🇱🌷
Put a towel in your cooler and there is no condense anymore. Greetzzz