12 volt Solar Friendly Fridges
Using the power of the sun to keep your food cold can be a game changer. If you are off-grid or want to live in your vehicle full time, a high quality 12 volt fridge is a must.
Be aware that lots of cheap 12 volt fridges are available online and they should be avoided because they are not solar friendly. These cheaper units are called "thermoelectric coolers" and they use a peltier module instead of a compressor, which means they require a lot more electricity. They also fail to work in hot temperatures and take forever to get cold. Avoid them like the plague.
If you buy a high quality compressor fridge (any of the fridges below), you will be set for years. They initially cost much more but they are worth every penny. Buy the largest size fridge that you can afford. You will not regret it.
If you are on a budget, please scroll to the bottom of this page!!
Be aware that lots of cheap 12 volt fridges are available online and they should be avoided because they are not solar friendly. These cheaper units are called "thermoelectric coolers" and they use a peltier module instead of a compressor, which means they require a lot more electricity. They also fail to work in hot temperatures and take forever to get cold. Avoid them like the plague.
If you buy a high quality compressor fridge (any of the fridges below), you will be set for years. They initially cost much more but they are worth every penny. Buy the largest size fridge that you can afford. You will not regret it.
If you are on a budget, please scroll to the bottom of this page!!
The ARB: Most popular and highest rated 12v fridge
This fridge can run directly off of your solar system. Needs at least 200-300 watt system, and at least a 100 amp hour battery.
I have run mine 24/7 for about five years. Other people have run these fridges while covered in mud, snow and sand, and they work non-stop for years. They are tough! 37 Quart ARB Fridge Click Here 50 Quart ARB Fridge Click Here 62 Quart ARB Fridge Click Here Ultimate Weatherproof Durable Off-road Arb 63 Quart Fridge Click Here |
Pretty much the same as the ARB, but it's cheaper. Some still swear that the ARB is better. In my opinion they are both great. Both are high quality. If I had to buy a new fridge today, I would go with a dometic because it's cheaper and has high ratings.
35 Quart Dometic Fridge Click Here 50 Quart Dometic Fridge Click Here 65 Quart Dometic Fridge Click Here |
The ultimate solar friendly fridge:
75 Quart Dometic Dual Zone Fridge Click Here 95 Quart Dometic Dual Zone Fridge Click Here |
Dometic's new 12 volt Fridge lineup
Dometic has responded to the demand for their 12 volt fridges and have created an entire lineup of small, lightweight solar friendly fridges!
These fridges are slightly different than the dometic fridges mentioned a second ago because they are lighter (different type of compressor) and are designed to be as small as possible. This lineup is made for vehicles!
Click here to buy one of the fridges below for a cheap price (price range of $400-$1100)
These fridges are slightly different than the dometic fridges mentioned a second ago because they are lighter (different type of compressor) and are designed to be as small as possible. This lineup is made for vehicles!
Click here to buy one of the fridges below for a cheap price (price range of $400-$1100)
Budget Friendly Solar Fridge Options
The fridges above work great, but most people will cringe while spending around $900 for a fridge with a capacity of a $70 dollar dorm fridge (such as the ARB). On top of that, most other options for vehicle specific fridges are over priced (RV specific dometic fridges, for example).
If you are out of money, or simply want to save a ton of money, here are your options:
If you are out of money, or simply want to save a ton of money, here are your options:
Option 1: Dorm Fridge
Pros:
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Cons:
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And to summarize:
It may seem like you are spending more because you need to beef up your solar power system, but a dorm fridge is still much cheaper!
Some dorm fridge options that I recommend checking out:
1.7 cubic foot fridge click here
3.1 cubic foot fridge click here
3.2 cubic foot fridge click here
- Use a 1000 watt (or larger) pure sine wave inverter to power the fridge
- Upgrade your solar power system by adding 100-200 watts of solar panels to negate AC power losses caused by fridge
- Buy a warranty for your fridge
- Add a child safety lock to the door of your fridge so it doesn't open while driving
- The larger your fridge, the larger your solar power system must be.
200 watt solar array+100 amp hour battery can handle a 1.6 cubic foot dorm fridge
400 watt solar array+ 300 amp hour battery can handle a 3.2 cubic foot dorm fridge
600 watt solar array+ 500 amp hour battery can handle a 5 cubic foot dorm fridge
These are rough estimates but should help you to get an idea of what should work. Keep in mind that running a fridge during winter is always difficult. These estimates come from personal experience of living in california, so keep that in mind. You can never have too many solar panels! Fill up that roof :)
It may seem like you are spending more because you need to beef up your solar power system, but a dorm fridge is still much cheaper!
Some dorm fridge options that I recommend checking out:
1.7 cubic foot fridge click here
3.1 cubic foot fridge click here
3.2 cubic foot fridge click here
Option 2: Ice Chest and Counter top Ice Maker
(or buy bag of ice once a week)
This option will actually cost about the same as the dorm fridge, but will require a lot less solar power. What you do is run the ice maker when it is sunny out, then fill up your ice chest. This method can be powered by a very small solar power system (even a 100 watt solar panel/100 amp hour battery), but I would still recommend having at least a 1000 watt inverter to run it.
A drawback to this method is that you will need to figure out a way to store/dispose of the ice water. You will also need to clean the ice box periodically.
So it requires more work, but it is a really awesome way to keep your food cold! You will only need to add ice every 5 days.
A drawback to this method is that you will need to figure out a way to store/dispose of the ice water. You will also need to clean the ice box periodically.
So it requires more work, but it is a really awesome way to keep your food cold! You will only need to add ice every 5 days.
Option 3: no fridge! Eat out every night :D
haha but really. this option is actually pretty great but usually not very healthy. the only reason I use a fridge is to enable me to have fresh vegetables 24/7