Nate, except for the bottom vent, wrap insulation around the refrigerator and stuck a few blankets or a few towels on top and it will work more efficiently with insulation
Have you considered getting something like a camp shower? I have seen some of those before. You might even want to look into a swamp cooler to cool down the inside of your Element. You can make it a DIY project as they are inexpensive to make. It works like an air conditioner, only using a little ice or cloths soaked in water.
I always love Mission Bay, it gets Very busy in the summer when school let's out and families are on vacation. Being next to Sea World doesn't help! Very nice frig, can't get Tank's to work, I hate to take it to the shop! 🐙
I see your using some Reflectix in the van a great way to increase its effectiveness is to double it up. Just get some 3m spray adhesive and make two layers (even 3). That's what I do in my 5th wheel camper. The only down side is that it makes it stiffer so you can't roll it up as easily. But I find stiffness a positive sometimes because I store them under the bed so they are actually easier to handle. Ron W.
hey man, just wanted to check back in with you. I am in a similar circumstance, 100 watt panel, 1100 watt inverter, 80 amp hour AGM battery.. I am seriously considering getting the cf18 fridge. just want to make sure my system will support it 24/7. I live up in the NW of the United states. thanks for the help in advance!
Awesome dude! I have that exact same cooler but in red. lol I'd love to know how the fridge works out over the next month or so for ya. I'm thinking of doing something similar.
There are plenty of worse places to be hanging out than San Diego, and think about this...no increasing property taxes, property insurance or utility bills, and no living in a cookie cutter tract home being a debt slave. And you can pick up and go wherever and whenever you choose. I ask the question...who is really free? The people that don't get it will call you crazy, but you and I know who the crazy ones are.
I realized I forgot to show the inside after I uploaded the video haha. I put a picture as the thumbnail though. It doesn't seem to be giving off much heat so far. Size wise it seems perfect for just me.
I am also having to use a cooler but, I dont pay for ice ..... how ?? You ask ?? Well, I frequent a Whole Foods or Central market pretty much EVERYDAY and I grab a couple of bags of courtesy ice on my way out 👍 they have also been my kitchen but, with Corona they are not allowing access to areas with microwaves anymore so, I am going to get a camping stove tomorrow so I won't starve lol JK i have LOT on non-perishables so, am TOTALLY good :0) hope all is well. Love your videos !!!
Is it possible to add a second battery? If you can fill one battery to 100% by 11am on a sunny day you should be able to fill a second one by the end of the day as well.
Great video, thanks for the review! I was wondering how you connected the cf18. Did you connect directly to the battery, or are you using an inverted? Mine seems to be sucking more power and it’s running through a 3000 watt inverter. Just wondering if you or anyone else has connected it directly to the battery to save power consumed by the inverter. Thanks for any info, take care!
It is so awesome! I'm not really sure what the Element is "officially" considered. I've heard folks call it a minivan but I think it's technically considered an SUV.
I have to learn all this and I'm overwhelmed. can I have a solar panel in the dashboard inside my vehicle? I'm not on the road yet..but I only have three weeks to get my stuff together! I was thinking about getting an ice maker to use with the inverter to put in a cooler but a fridge seems good...must I use a battery that is powered by solar?
I am not sure what you are doing to charge your refrigerator. I heard you say Solar Panel...but what is it connected to? How is it working out for you, it's been a year almost. Have you made any changes in the way you charge the Dometic?
Hey Nate. Does that plug goes into like a cigarette lighter type deal or a standard wall sockett. I am not familiar with that type of stuff at all. I need to learn some of these things since I am getting close to living in my minivan.
Hey Anthony. Yep it's a 12v system so it looks just like a cigarette lighter plug. My whole system is 12v DC, I don't use an AC inverter. How are things coming along with the sienna?
Thanks Nate. The Sienna is actually coming along well. I should be finish this upcoming weekend. The following weekend, I will be taking my first weekend trip in it at a nearby campground (3 hrs away). Excited.
Q&A: Did you consider a minivan when you were deciding what type of vehicle to buy? They probably would have offered you more space than the element. They also are very common and shouldn't be too difficult to stealth in.
What's your solar setup in this video. I'm looking into making my element a camper and getting into some traveling. I've been looking at 400watt system to charge my electronics, a fridge, fan at night or when hot. Should be more than enough?
Hey Nate: How is the frig working out? Another van or car lifer got the same model and a few days in one of the pins on the lid bent and then broke off. I just wanted check in with you on yours.
With a 35 amp hour battery in only one solar panel your Fightin the odds there a little bit probably be better off trying get one more solar panel and a bigger AGM battery at least 100 amp hours ifyou can't do that then maybe you can get another 35 amp hour battery and parallel that to the one you got now
I am new to the solar power game and you seem to know what you are talking about. I am about to start converting a minivan , and I was wondering what you think the best set up is for solar power and batteries. How many panels , amp hours, etc. to feel comfortable with enough of everything.
Watch Rusty78609 SOLAR...YES!!! ZAMP 120 WATT He just bought his and has a good video explaining what was necessary. Then he bought the Dometic 12 volt and explained all that too.
surprised that 50w keeps up. in the early days what's the lowest your battery went to? I'm looking into one am worried about the battery charge going too low. thanks!
I already had the 100w panel when I bought the fridge. It never would have worked with only the 50w panel. My battery has gotten down below 50% before when I've parked in the shade for an extended period of time. The fridge cuts off though when this happens to avoid depleting the battery any further.
How's that working for you is it still doing good do you still feel that it's worth the money over curious because I'm trying to win one right now on eBay I don't know if I will or not it's used it's 52 quarts they say it's four years old but only used Summers camping and boating I don't know if it's as good as they say it is I hope I win it,,,,ok I didn't win it the bidders went nuts bid over bored,,,,,, I ended up getting one just like yours from Amazon on warehouse deals I believe I paid about $327 with tax and free shipping right out of the box plugged it into my home solar set up 12 V I was able to freeze water didn't take too long I was very impressed
Your video has ONE MAJOR FLAW ! You failed to get 2 half gallons of product and place them inside your fridge to demonstrate what you may carry with your fridge. I want to be able to carry half gallon of OJ half of milk. A gallon bag of cooked chicken and a package of ham 2 lbs. I see no reason to pay $500 for a larger fridge if I can accomplish all with a small unit such as this. Impressive that you use a single 100 watt panel for power that to me is just wonderful. Currently I am using a gen 2 prius but if I were to do what you are the car would be the Prius V and I think I would go with the flexible panels just would have 3 of them on the roof.
Nate, except for the bottom vent, wrap insulation around the refrigerator and stuck a few blankets or a few towels on top and it will work more efficiently with insulation
This. some fleece blankets on top and hanging over make it so much more efficient.
Have you considered getting something like a camp shower? I have seen some of those before. You might even want to look into a swamp cooler to cool down the inside of your Element. You can make it a DIY project as they are inexpensive to make. It works like an air conditioner, only using a little ice or cloths soaked in water.
I loved my time in Mission Beach. The nightly fireworks at Seaworld were great! Safe camping!
One of the best investments you can make for van life. Looks like your doing great man. Keep up the great vid's.
Nice dude im gonna invest in one myself! Thanks for posting. Safe travels see you on the open roads!!
Haha hey Cory good to see you here. Keep it tight bro.
Love you vids to man, watching people like you is what gave me the bug
Happy about your new fridge! Enjoy~
I always love Mission Bay, it gets Very busy in the summer when school let's out and families are on vacation. Being next to Sea World doesn't help! Very nice frig, can't get Tank's to work, I hate to take it to the shop! 🐙
Good video and glad you talked about other sites to get it from.
I see your using some Reflectix in the van a great way to increase its effectiveness is to double it up. Just get some 3m spray adhesive and make two layers (even 3). That's what I do in my 5th wheel camper. The only down side is that it makes it stiffer so you can't roll it up as easily. But I find stiffness a positive sometimes because I store them under the bed so they are actually easier to handle.
Ron W.
Thanks for the tip! I'm about to redo the Reflectix setup so I will definitely keep that in mind!
Yeah! Summer is coming so you're going to need it.
hey man, just wanted to check back in with you. I am in a similar circumstance, 100 watt panel, 1100 watt inverter, 80 amp hour AGM battery.. I am seriously considering getting the cf18 fridge. just want to make sure my system will support it 24/7. I live up in the NW of the United states.
thanks for the help in advance!
excellent! thank you sir!
Can you please provide an update on this Dometic? What is the size/type/brand of your solar panel that you need to feed this fridge?
Got my own today, thanks man
A lot of people turn these off at night, mostly for noise, and everything still stays cold because it's so well insulated.
$369.00 on Amazon vs the cost of the ice you buy in a week to a month it will pay its self off in a few months
My neighbor has a class a bus and he told me his fridge died,4k to replace it,and he only uses the rv 3 or 4 times a year.CRAZY 😀
yea the price from Jet.com on the fridge is great and its on my list to get also loL...
nice fridge! we have one on our to get list.
It's been so nice having it!
Awesome dude! I have that exact same cooler but in red. lol I'd love to know how the fridge works out over the next month or so for ya. I'm thinking of doing something similar.
awesome , have you looked at induction cook plates? cook well safe portable and cheap
deltatoofow ...is this better than a rice cooker?
There are plenty of worse places to be hanging out than San Diego, and think about this...no increasing property taxes, property insurance or utility bills, and no living in a cookie cutter tract home being a debt slave. And you can pick up and go wherever and whenever you choose. I ask the question...who is really free? The people that don't get it will call you crazy, but you and I know who the crazy ones are.
Thanks for the vid. I would of liked to see inside and curious if it throws much heat. Take care man
I realized I forgot to show the inside after I uploaded the video haha. I put a picture as the thumbnail though. It doesn't seem to be giving off much heat so far. Size wise it seems perfect for just me.
+Element Van Life
Thanks. You're vids are interesting and informative
Nice work..
June 14th 2017 I just checked, they still make this model. 20 dollars more than you paid at Amazon...
Where is this available?
Looks to be just the ticket bro especially power consumtion wize.
I noticed the plug says 12/24DC. It might be possible to insert a 12V solar panel directly into it.
I am also having to use a cooler but, I dont pay for ice ..... how ?? You ask ?? Well, I frequent a Whole Foods or Central market pretty much EVERYDAY and I grab a couple of bags of courtesy ice on my way out 👍 they have also been my kitchen but, with Corona they are not allowing access to areas with microwaves anymore so, I am going to get a camping stove tomorrow so I won't starve lol JK i have LOT on non-perishables so, am TOTALLY good :0) hope all is well. Love your videos !!!
Hey Nate know it's an old video but how much does the fridge draw man
Is it possible to add a second battery? If you can fill one battery to 100% by 11am on a sunny day you should be able to fill a second one by the end of the day as well.
Great video, thanks for the review! I was wondering how you connected the cf18. Did you connect directly to the battery, or are you using an inverted? Mine seems to be sucking more power and it’s running through a 3000 watt inverter. Just wondering if you or anyone else has connected it directly to the battery to save power consumed by the inverter. Thanks for any info, take care!
SUBSCRIBED!
dump that PWM controller and get a MPPT. you will charge your battery faster.
I have same fridge. I'm loving it. is your vehicle classified as a minivan?
It is so awesome! I'm not really sure what the Element is "officially" considered. I've heard folks call it a minivan but I think it's technically considered an SUV.
It is an SUV. I have an Element too.
Hi there when you run the cooler on truck and not on solar, should you unplug when stopped.happy travels.
stack, not stuck
I have to learn all this and I'm overwhelmed. can I have a solar panel in the dashboard inside my vehicle? I'm not on the road yet..but I only have three weeks to get my stuff together! I was thinking about getting an ice maker to use with the inverter to put in a cooler but a fridge seems good...must I use a battery that is powered by solar?
I am not sure what you are doing to charge your refrigerator. I heard you say Solar Panel...but what is it connected to?
How is it working out for you, it's been a year almost. Have you made any changes in the way you charge the Dometic?
Hey Nate. Does that plug goes into like a cigarette lighter type deal or a standard wall sockett. I am not familiar with that type of stuff at all. I need to learn some of these things since I am getting close to living in my minivan.
Hey Anthony. Yep it's a 12v system so it looks just like a cigarette lighter plug. My whole system is 12v DC, I don't use an AC inverter. How are things coming along with the sienna?
Thanks Nate. The Sienna is actually coming along well. I should be finish this upcoming weekend. The following weekend, I will be taking my first weekend trip in it at a nearby campground (3 hrs away). Excited.
Q&A: Did you consider a minivan when you were deciding what type of vehicle to buy? They probably would have offered you more space than the element. They also are very common and shouldn't be too difficult to stealth in.
What's your solar setup in this video. I'm looking into making my element a camper and getting into some traveling. I've been looking at 400watt system to charge my electronics, a fridge, fan at night or when hot. Should be more than enough?
Hey Nate: How is the frig working out? Another van or car lifer got the same model and a few days in one of the pins on the lid bent and then broke off. I just wanted check in with you on yours.
Where do you fill up the water jugs?
I just buy a new gallon every couple of weeks. I don't use much water with the sink.
how can you camouflage it to stop peep/smash/grab/run?
With a 35 amp hour battery in only one solar panel your Fightin the odds there a little bit probably be better off trying get one more solar panel and a bigger AGM battery at least 100 amp hours ifyou can't do that then maybe you can get another 35 amp hour battery and parallel that to the one you got now
I am new to the solar power game and you seem to know what you are talking about. I am about to start converting a minivan , and I was wondering what you think the best set up is for solar power and batteries. How many panels , amp hours, etc. to feel comfortable with enough of everything.
Watch Rusty78609 SOLAR...YES!!! ZAMP 120 WATT He just bought his and has a good video explaining what was necessary. Then he bought the Dometic 12 volt and explained all that too.
Great video Man keep it up :)
Kaleb S. I
are you running the fridge off the 50 watt panel you installed in a previous video ? if not what set up are you using.
I run a 100W flexible panel. I recently uploaded a video detailing my solar/ off grid setup.
surprised that 50w keeps up. in the early days what's the lowest your battery went to? I'm looking into one am worried about the battery charge going too low. thanks!
I already had the 100w panel when I bought the fridge. It never would have worked with only the 50w panel. My battery has gotten down below 50% before when I've parked in the shade for an extended period of time. The fridge cuts off though when this happens to avoid depleting the battery any further.
damn... 70 a month for just ICE... imagine telling someone that back in the 40's !!
Imagine saying them a BigMac menu is almost $9...
What size (watts) solar panel are you using???
100
like your videos
35 amp battery isn't big enough. You aren't getting the full benefit of the solar panel. You should have at least a 100 amp
Any where i can go to understand the electricity draw more?
How do you know how much electricity you have left if you don't have a meter to show you??????????
My solar charge controller has a light on it indicating the state of the battery. I also use a multimeter from time to time to check on it.
Element Van Life Oh. wish you would've shown how to check it with it. Great video tho :)
How's that working for you is it still doing good do you still feel that it's worth the money over curious because I'm trying to win one right now on eBay I don't know if I will or not it's used it's 52 quarts they say it's four years old but only used Summers camping and boating I don't know if it's as good as they say it is I hope I win it,,,,ok I didn't win it the bidders went nuts bid over bored,,,,,, I ended up getting one just like yours from Amazon on warehouse deals I believe I paid about $327 with tax and free shipping right out of the box plugged it into my home solar set up 12 V I was able to freeze water didn't take too long I was very impressed
See you cooking look rind be happy we lord God bless you and do good 😁👈
LOL.... inside view?
you should of showed the inside
Your video has ONE MAJOR FLAW ! You failed to get 2 half gallons of product and place them inside your fridge to demonstrate what you may carry with your fridge. I want to be able to carry half gallon of OJ half of milk. A gallon bag of cooked chicken and a package of ham 2 lbs. I see no reason to pay $500 for a larger fridge if I can accomplish all with a small unit such as this.
Impressive that you use a single 100 watt panel for power that to me is just wonderful.
Currently I am using a gen 2 prius but if I were to do what you are the car would be the Prius V and I think I would go with the flexible panels just would have 3 of them on the roof.
Yes, I wanted to have a look inside as well.
These are now much more expensive
Most lonlines people is in america
Waste of my time and limited bandwidth. Never got a good look inside even, nor did you shown the wire it came with.
I'm
dude. blah blah blah.