We bought at BougeRV 30 quart 12 volt fridge this summer when it appeared our 23 year old Norcold 900X was about to quit working. Some interior and exterior fans restored the Norcold performance and a few repairs kept the freezer door from falling off. Bob Wells of Nomad fame reviewed this fridge and a couple other inexpensive brands on his YouTube channel and we decided to take a chance.
Here is the link if you want details: BougeRV 30 quart (https://www.bougerv.com/products/12v-portable-refrigerator-30-quart?currency=USD&variant=32424220131376&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=Google%20Shopping&utm_source=google&utm_medium=value&utm_campaign=Max&utm_content=Poppy&gclid=CjwKCAiAs92MBhAXEiwAXTi25y1Z72KlxerRKChl7WTV4G2d8ZvHt6GSW3tf_JdXg2n6ivDkSYNl9BoCRZ8QAvD_BwE)
We put it in the main passenger side slide out compartment. The 12 volt plug did not fit well, and we had low voltage problems during the first couple nights use. I then flipped on the inverter and used the 110 connection, which converts down to 12 volt. I know, not very efficient to run a 2000 W inverter all the time. Had a little time on my hands here in New Mexico this week and pulled the 12 volt power to the factory TV outlet in the bay and wired it into a heavy duty 12 volt socket I bought on Amazon. The fridge plug fit very comfortably in this new 12 volt outlet. Immediately noticed that the fridge was getting a strong, stable 12 volt supply and now it runs great on 12 volt.
I built an Okie slide out platform for the fridge from some scrap wood "borrowed" from my son in Portland. This crude temporary slide platform is in danger of becoming permanent. We really like this fridge. It keeps stuff cold, it holds enough for us and it doesn't take up too much space. We use it mostly for drinks, defrosting the fridge and for overflow when we go to the store. It has an easily removed divider which we leave in most of the time.
We have the BougeRV 53qt refrigerator / freezer and have it inside the coach. Originally purchased when our Dometic fridge died, we used it while waiting for our 12 volt compressor cooling unit replacement to arrive. We've continued to use it even after the new cooling unit was installed and working. Need strong consistent 12V when running on such. I have it on 110V since we have been static here in NV.
It cools great. Using as both a fridge and freezer. It seems to have become permanent. Have plans to use it in the Jeep when going off road on extended overlanding adventures. Very happy with it overall.
I'm reviving this zombie thread because I found it helpful to us, and thought it might be helpful to others in the same boat.
Our Samsung RF18 is dead, and we have not yet decided what we want to purchase to replace it.
Samsung Rf18Hfenbsr Fridge Warm, Freezer Cold (https://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=44665.msg452696#msg452696)
We need to make a trip in the coach in a couple weeks, and I don't want to hassle with an old school ice chest, so I started looking online for a portable 12V cooler. Since I have a lot of faith is the recommendations of our Forum members, I did a search and it led me to this thread. I'd never heard of the BougeRV brand, but soon found out they have a pretty good reputation. Following a few hours of research on price vs quality, I decided to give them a try.
After picking the model I wanted (CR55 59 Quart combo fridge/freezer) I compared prices at Amazon and the BougeRV website. There is a 14% discount code on the BougeRV page. Bottom line at BougeRV came to $512 (including $39 tax and FREE shipping). Same item at Amazon (Prime) is $588 (including $39 tax and free shipping). So a no brainer - ordered from BougeRV.
12V 59 Quart Portable Modern Refrigerator with Freezer | BougeRV (https://www.bougerv.com/products/59-quart-portable-refrigerator-freezer?variant=40407807525055)
Amazon.com: BougeRV 12 Volt Car Refrigerator Dual Zone, Portable Freezer... (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B091TNK2WP/ref=sw_img_1?smid=AWA4NAV5T95KM&psc=1)
FWIW, BougeRV sent me a "sucker your friends into buying our stuff" discount code: http://bougerv.refr.cc/cajkdslextremecomc
If you order something from them and use the code, it will supposedly get you 10% off and I will get a 10% discount on my next order from them.
I don't know if this 10% off would be in addition to the current 14% discount they are offering. ?? Probably not...but wouldn't hurt to try it...
I recently spent some time in the rabbit hole, researching the portable refrigerators. Tons of them out there. I bought a Massimo 30qt from Tractor Supply for an amazing $149, but it was too small for our uses. I returned it and bought an Iceco VL-45.
All of the shopping effort was for one that would fit in our FJ Cruiser for overlanding and camping. No doubt it will end up in the basement of the FT when we take a long trip.
If you really want the best, look at ARB and Dometic. Great stuff, but I am too cheap for that. Note that some have doors that can open multiple ways, and some have separate refrigerator and freezer compartments. All do just about the same thing, though I am told those with a SECOP compressor have longer lives.
We are still happy with ours. I bought a sliding tray that I mounted on pieces of 2x4 on edge that allows me to slide it out for easier access in the joey bed. We occasionally use it as a freezer, but mostly to cool drinks and provide overflow for inside fridge. We now run it almost exclusively on 12V. Have put it in pickup for a few excursions. We don't use the divider as it limits what fits.
Thanks for reviving the thread Chuck! I am definitely interested in something like this now. Since I have a Marine BD50 fridge freezer that needs to be defrosted every few months, having a secondary system would be great. I always wanted to get an Engle or ARB. But as you know those things are more than $1,000. I will look into your recommendation and if I buy I will use your link.
Edit... I tried the link and it would take the 14% or the 10%, but not both. I want to order it today but I'm not exactly sure when I'll be in Alabama so I may wait a couple days. But I'm definitely going to order it. For the price. I don't see how you can beat it.
We've bought this a year ago in May. It's been great, no issues.
Amazon.com: Whynter FM-45G 45 Quart Portable Refrigerator AC 110V/ DC 12V... (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002W8BLUG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
I bought and have been using an Engel cooler for about 2 months now. Expensive but very nice also. It is the 80 qt or l unit. After I got it I fired it up on 120v and empty quickly went down to -29c or thereabouts. I haven't used it on 12v yet. There is no frost built up either. I like the chest style, all the cool air doesn't empty out every time the door is opened.
Yes, I figured it would only take one or the other...getting both discounts would be "too good to be true". You should definitely use the 14%. But thanx for trying! :thumbsup:
I just noticed the Amazon Prime price came down 10% since the last time I looked. Makes both prices a lot closer. You are buying from the same vendor either way, so would be personal preference I guess.
Our BougeRV fridge is supposed to be delivered today. I'm looking forward to getting our first look at it. Because, during shipping, the box often gets on its side or upside down, I have read that you should let the fridge sit in proper upright position for 24 hours before turning it on. Which I will do. This will give me time to arrange a place for it to ride in our coach. Since I have not yet removed the dead Samsung, that spot is unavailable. To facilitate temporary installation for our upcoming trip, I believe it will ride nicely on the floor on the curb side just aft of the copilot seat. I will remove one of our barrel chairs to make space, and install a couple tie-down rings to allow using a cargo strap to secure the cooler. Photos to follow.
Here is the review that led me to consider the BougeRV
https://youtu.be/-Q_78o4PZ78
Bob has used this type of fridge for many years and reviewed a number which were subsequently put to use in the nomad community. I also obsessively read through a lot of reviews, which I admit can be hard to decipher.