Are all non-ARB fridges garbage? - Toyota 4Runner Forum

Cheers! · 04-29-2015, 11:30 PM

I'm curious to know what are people's thoughts on this:

Coleman - Coleman - thermal electric cooler - thermo electric cooler - 40 Quart PowerChill? Hot/Cold Thermoelectric Cooler

or is ARB the only way to go?

This particular Cooler can be had for under $100 if you wait for a sale at Walmart. That means you would have to destroy 8 of these coleman (btw made in USA) before you get to the cost of an ARB cooler.

JD914 · 04-30-2015, 12:37 AM

I have one and it works really well. Really pleased with it. I bought the accessory voltage minder,which is supposed to turn off the cooler when the battery dips below a certain level. Unfortunately, mine doesn't work and I've woken up with a dead battery on several occasions. As long as I remember to unplug the cooler when I turn in for the night, it's great. You may have better luck with the monitor.
Despite what sounds like a negative review, I recommend it, and fellow wheelers have definitely expressed some jealousy over my cooler's cost vs function.

OU4x4 · 04-30-2015, 02:43 PM

i've got one also and it works great for what it is.
just be aware, it is a cooler, not a fridge/freezer like the arb.
i kept a thermometer in mine for a while just to see how it was working
temps ran in the upper 40s to low 50s.

theknack · 07-24-2015, 01:18 AM

Has anyone used this on a longer trip (4+ days)? I assume you unplug while parked and plug in while on the trail but is a ~half day of run time per day enough to keep the contents cool after a few days? Obviously a regular cooler with a couple bucks worth of ice will be fine for weekend trip so I'm mostly looking for people's experience with this on trips where ice runs out and cannot be replenished. Of course the ARB one is superior but taking a 0 off the price tag makes the coleman a strong option. (btw its on amazon right now for <$100 with free prime shipping)

OU4x4 · 07-24-2015, 10:06 AM

longer trips are ok, they just require a little pre-planning.
we always freeze some of our food which helps with keeping things cool.
and by day 4 or 5, the food has thawed out but still cool.
just make sure you aren't in and out of the cooler a lot after you stop for the day.
or keep it plugged in until your done with it for the night.

JD914 · 07-26-2015, 02:07 AM

...what Eric said. On longer trips, I'll bring a second cooler for beers so I'm not in and out of the Coleman constantly. Also, I'll freeze a bottle of water to help keep things cool. A few days in the desert during the summer will tax the Coleman's ability to keep things cold, I've found though.

Volcom · 07-27-2015, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cheers!

I'm curious to know what are people's thoughts on this:

Coleman - Coleman - thermal electric cooler - thermo electric cooler - 40 Quart PowerChill? Hot/Cold Thermoelectric Cooler

or is ARB the only way to go?

This particular Cooler can be had for under $100 if you wait for a sale at Walmart. That means you would have to destroy 8 of these coleman (btw made in USA) before you get to the cost of an ARB cooler.

They only cool down 30-40 degrees from ambient temperatures outside. If it's 100 degrees outside, they will only cool to 70 degrees. I wouldn't want my lunch meat at 70 degrees. They run all the time so they are not efficient. My EdgeStar has been great and half the price of an ARB.

mountain mike · 07-27-2015, 12:17 PM

I agree with Volcom. My Edgestar is great!

Volcom · 07-27-2015, 12:32 PM

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermoelectric_cooling

"A camping/car type electric cooler can typically reduce the temperature by up to 20 °C (36 °F) below the ambient temperature"

OU4x4 · 07-27-2015, 02:39 PM

we all know the limitations of the coolers but
we aren't keeping them outside in 100 degree heat
they're inside a cooled cabin. how many of us run in 100 temps with all the windows open?

Volcom · 07-27-2015, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OU4x4

we all know the limitations of the coolers but
we aren't keeping them outside in 100 degree heat
they're inside a cooled cabin. how many of us run in 100 temps with all the windows open?

All the time! I drive an 84 4Runner, no AC. And it does't take much to get the cabin temps that high if you roll the windows up and park it for a couple hrs (to go hiking or fishing). They are not efficient so you can only run them for less than a day before your battery doesn't have enough to kick over the starter if you are parked (think camping). My EdgeStar can go several days without my 4Runner being started.

They are ok coolers but the title of the thread is "Are all non-ARB fridges garbage?" As long as you know they are not a fridge and use them like you would a cooler, you'll be fine.

OU4x4 · 07-27-2015, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OU4x4

i've got one also and it works great for what it is.
just be aware, it is a cooler, not a fridge/freezer like the arb.
i kept a thermometer in mine for a while just to see how it was working
temps ran in the upper 40s to low 50s.

it was not my intention to get in an argument over the coolers.
we know they aren't in the same league as arb/edgestar, see above.
but i don't drive an 84 with no AC so my rig stays cooler, while running anyway.
plus when parked i don't have my power outlets running so no battery drain.
and it was $90 instead of $500 or $1000.
it works fine as a cooler.

Volcom · 07-27-2015, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OU4x4

it was not my intention to get in an argument over the coolers.
we know they aren't in the same league as arb/edgestar, see above.
but i don't drive an 84 with no AC so my rig stays cooler, while running anyway.
plus when parked i don't have my power outlets running so no battery drain.
and it was $90 instead of $500 or $1000.
it works fine as a cooler.

When did it turn into an argument??? I didn't see anything in the previous posts that was considered arguing? He asked about how people's thoughts and I gave him mine and you gave him yours. You threw out a blanket statement that nobody runs with their windows down in 100 degree temps and I replied that I did.

Bottom line, if you're expecting it to perform like a fridge, you're going to be disappointed.

Range · 07-27-2015, 05:30 PM

I didn't read the entire thread but Smittybuilt just came out with one.

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