Dometic CRX50 Review: Best 12v fridge for small campervan conversions?

Today we review the Dometic CoolMatic CRX 50 compressor fridge. This is the most popular 12-volt (and 24-volt) fridge for small campervans and motorhomes in the UK and Europe. This is the newer more efficient replacement for the Waeco CR50.
With a total capacity of 45 litres, you can use all 45 litres as a fridge, or as a freezer. Using the cool box supplied you can also use the CRX50 as a 41-litre fridge with a 4-litre freezer compartment.
When installing the CRX50 the dimensions are 38cm wide, 53.5cm tall, and 50cm deep. The fridge will need 5 amps of power at 12 volts, but we recommend running a thicker cable to the fridge with a 10 amp fuse. We use 17amp dual-core cable wired to the leisure battery.
At an ambient vehicle temperature of 25c, the CRX50 will use around 270Wh of energy in a 24-hour period, this is roughly 20Ah from a 12v battery. Do note that at 32c ambient that power requirement almost doubles to nearly 600Wh per day.
For the size, we think that the CRX50 makes a perfect fridge for a small campervan conversion. Compared to other options such as electric coolboxes it uses significantly less electricity and maintains a lower temperature for longer.
The CRX50 can be installed as it is, or there are flush-mount and standard-mount fitting brackets available.
Dometic CRX50 Silver amzn.to/36NVdKg
Dometic CRX50 Black amzn.to/3dksNdb
Flush Mount Frame amzn.to/36Mtn0J
Standard Mount Frame amzn.to/2XjvkyM

[@abikerstale806]

Very nice presentation of the CRX50 👍 Thank you for sharing. Happy travel 🤪🎉🍻

[@findingouradventure_]

According to the website it is a 4.4 ltr freezer and 45 ltr fridge hence why the model is a 50.

[@duduleonthego2739]

Thank you for the clear explanation, especially about the consumption of it. Keep well. Cheeres from France. Christophe

[@TiddersXX]

Great video and perfect timing as this is the fridge we’re hoping to get.

[@T4Family]

Thanks for the comment, it’s an expensive option but in our opinion the best type of fridge for a van conversion and we wouldn’t be without it. 👍

[@graham_ozzy]

Hi great video just one question is the fridge free standing or dose have any fixings Thanks graham

[@simonjohnson4302]

Very good review, thanks Question: does it make gurgly noises when running and for about a minute after the compressor has shut off?

[@T4Family]

Yes it does, it always has done. It also does this on the Bodega branded fridge we fitted in our T5 so I think it might be a thing that all compressor fridges do.

[@LouAnnHiggins-bg2gn]

Great Video!! Is that fridge 110 also? Thank you

[@seekinglight1111]

my power button lights up orange. Any idea what that is about?

[@gipessoa7017]

Thank you

[@LouAnnHiggins-bg2gn]

Is there a 110 option

[@Kai77884]

Hello a great video and a lot of information 👍👍👍from Germany 🇩🇪 👋👋👋Kai

[@T4Family]

Thank you Kai 🤙

[@suussss71]

Hi, thank you for info! Coud you plse tell me what the dept of your fridge cabinet is? How much space does it need for ventilation?

[@michaelcorcoran2781]

Can u run this straight from a battery

[@Semi321654]

Hi mate, which battery are you using in your van to cover your energetic needs as fridge, lights, etc. Thanks

[@MrKelso85]

What’s your thoughts on the CDF range of dometic fridges? Thanks for the video Btw

[@huanliong]

super video, thank you very much, how is the noise at night? take care, Eric from Saint Etienne

[@amojak]

they are very quiet and have a variable speed compressor.

[@directorstu]

Nice review. Thanks

[@mattjazz1000]

Hello, Nice video!! How loud is the compressor? Can you feel the vibration when you sleep in the camper? Thx...from germany!

[@amojak]

i have one and it sits next to my bed. it is very quiet.

[@LouAnnHiggins-bg2gn]

Is this electric 110

[@ciaranconeely8579]

👍👍👍.

[@earthcrawler1159]

I've got a 150ah leisure battery, will I be able to run this fridge on it? I know absolutely nothing about electrics

[@T4Family]

150ah is a large leisure battery and it should be fine. What will determine "how well" it works is how cold you set the fridge, how warm the ambient temperature is, and how well ventilated the area is. As a comparison, our 100ah battery will last around 3 days on temperature setting 2 when the outside day temperature is around 20c (warm UK summer day).

[@meirionrhys3786]

how random, helping a friend build their Van, they send me this link, haaaaang on I know that face 😄

[@thefrenchfarmer194]

shame not to have explained how to fix the refrigerator to the floor

[@T4Family]

We have not needed to secure the fridge in our van, however if you do need to there are screw holes inside. You can remove the screw cap covers and screw through the sides into the cabinet. As far as I'm aware there is no built in way to fix this particular model to the floor. All the best, John.