Basement Refrigerator

[Joenew61]

We are looking for an option to put a refrigerator in the basement, mainly to store items that don’t necessarily need to be kept at refrigerator temperature, but just to keep them cool so as not to spoil - canned beverages, water, dog food, etc., things that we don’t have room for in the coach. Anyone have any ideas or products you have seen? Thanks!

 

[Joezeppy]

I have a small fridge in the front compartment of my 5th wheel for beverages. I think it's 1 cu ft. Works great. The key is to strap it down, block the door so it does not open in transit, and be sure it has the required air space around it.

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

Lots of 120v fridges - just buy a "dorm fridge" of a suitable size and do what joezeppy does (post #2). But if you need 12v operation, I suggest either a portable "car fridge" of one of the large & more capable nice Dometic or Norcold box coolers. The latter are more expensive but can achieve much lower temperatures and are ruggedly built for RV life. Since you said you don't need real fridge temperatures, the car cooler type might be ok. Typically that type can only chill about 30 degrees below the ambient, so on a 90 degree day they can get a bit warm. Check the cooler specs carefully if that's a concern.

Dometic

Car-cooler

 

[Joenew61]

Thanks. That Dometic unit looks like it might work. I have an AC outlet in the compartment, so while on travel days, it wouldn’t get power (don’t want to run the Generator just for that). But I believe it will retain acceptably low temperatures for 4 or 5 hours if I cool to 37 degrees and fill it. Just need to take some measurements and make sure there is enough clearance to open the lid.

 

[John From Detroit]

My Alpicool draws about 30-35 watts hits zero to MINUS 4

Runs on 12 volt and yes expensive

 

[CharlesinGA]

There are many chest type fridge/freezer units on the market, such as BougeRV, Engles, icebox, and many others. These can be mounted on a frame on slides to allow it to pull out and stow easily.

Charles

 

[Fyrflie]

This is what I use. Amazon. $300 ish dollars.
Used it as a freezer on a month long road trip and a refrigerator all other trips. Have even used it in my car for short weekend getaways. Runs on 12 volt or 120 volt. I made the slide out tray and mounted a thermostat controlled fan inside the compartment to remove the heat that is generated by the cooler.

 

[John From Detroit]

Same make I use Fryfle mine is in below zero mode though I change adjust both on the control panel and on my 'droids.

 

[CharlesinGA]

This is what I use. Amazon. $300 ish dollars.
Used it as a freezer on a month long road trip and a refrigerator all other trips. Have even used it in my car for short weekend getaways. Runs on 12 volt or 120 volt. I made the slide out tray and mounted a thermostat controlled fan inside the compartment to remove the heat that is generated by the cooler.

This is exactly the way to do this. In Australia you can buy the trays with slides, ready made to install in the ute.

 

[Joenew61]

Thanks all for the suggestions - always good to hear what works for others.