Date:         Mon, 8 Jun 1998 22:52:56 -0500
Reply-To:     Budd Premack <bpremack@WAVETECH.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Budd Premack <bpremack@WAVETECH.NET>
Subject:      Dometic PORTABLE Refrigerator (with 3 way power)
Comments: To: Vanagon@VANAGON.COM
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

While browsing at my local RV supply center, I inquired about the
availability of a portable refrigerator, with three-way power: 110 V A/C,
12 V DC, and LP.  This may be of particular interest to those of us who use
our non-Westy vans for camping.

Dometic model RC 2000 (three-way power) is offered at a list price of
$422.65.  Dimensions are listed as 17.8' height and 22.3" width (curiously,
no specific depth is indicated).  The catalog picture indicated portability
is encouraged by a pair of indented hand-holds.  All sides are finished
similar to a rugged plastic ice chest (such as those made by Igloo or
Coleman).  Capacity is listed as 9 six packs, which I compute as a bit over
1.0 cu. ft.

If you want a larger size, Norcold model 323 is available with 1.7 cu. ft.
of capacity.  However, it is designed as a slide-in mount for an RV, so it
is unfinished except for the door.  The list price is $ 455.30.

Other (larger) sizes are offered by both Dometic and Norcold, but none of
them are designed to be portable.

A much less expensive option is available if you can live without LP power.
 Igloo and Coleman each make a dual power (12V, 110V) portable
refrigerator.  They are both 40 quart (1.3 cu. ft.) capacity, and have a
carrying handle.  You can get them at Target and Walmart for $ 70-80 for
the refrigerator and $ 35-40 for the a/c adapter.
We have used the Igloo model for about ten years with no trouble at any
time.  It does a great job of cooling, runs quietly, and seems to have a
modest current draw when using 12 V.  I would hesitate to run it all night
on the regular battery, but it could probably be done with the deep
discharge type, if you have a two battery system. (Sorry, I can't find the
exact specs.)    This type of refrigerator is also available in larger and
smaller sizes, but you have to search harder to find one.

Of course, you can always use an ice chest, and save even more cash.

Budd Premack
86 Syncro, 84 Vanagon (for sale)
73 Super
Minneapolis, MN (Land of Sky-Blue Waters)