How long will it last?... Dometic CFX3 55IM + PLB40

How long will the Dometic CFX3 55IM run in the heat of a July summer, while being powered by the Dometic PLB40 Portable Battery? That's the test question I wanted to test and answer in this video. I also how how the CFX Fridge fits in the back seat of my 2017 F-150 Super Crew.
I will have more to come on these products. In the meantime, if you are interested in learning more about these items, here are the product links and specifications:
Dometic CFX3 55IM: www.dometic.co...
Dometic PLB40: www.dometic.co...

[@sikandinc]

It's amazing how many youtube videos have these kind of tests done inside the house or in a garage that is shaded or temperature controlled. Kudos to you for doing it inside a rig that was parked in the sun. Ambient temperature fluctuations can easily add 50% to the power consumption of these fridges so glad that you incorporated that in your testing.

[@Dater]

Finally I found a real world test of the fridge. It seems it will use roughly 250-300 watt per day. So no problem to stay self sufficient with a 1kw lithium ion battery and 100watt solar panel. Thanks!

[@shadowstorm7]

Same, I'm going to try a smaller set up using a 54Ah LiFePo4 hooked up to a 125W panel and a Victron 75/15 MPPT. I'll run it for a month in the 4runner to see what results I get before I take it on an off grid trip.

[@ypnos1]

Thanks for answering the most obvious (but never before addressed question). Thank you.

[@shawnpatrick1817]

I had the same results using the PLB40 with an ICECO 50q fridge in the back of a Wrangler during last year's summer vacation in Moab, and this years' CO vacation in the back of a truck camper. In the summer, it tends to use about 40-60% of the battery, per day, depending on how hot it is.

[@Ricqu]

Don't know if you check the messages very often, but there's a recall on these fridges. You shouldn't run both power inputs at the same time, at least don't have them plugged in at the same time. "Dometic is recalling 5,533 CFX3 Series chest refrigerators (models CFX3 35, CFX3 45, CFX3 55IM, CFX3 75DZ, CFX3 95DZ and CFX3 100). The protection device on the electrical circuit may fail when the refrigerator is connected to both AC and DC power, allowing the AC/DC power supply to back feed through some or all of the other appliances (such as the air conditioner, water pump, lights, furnace, etc.) that are connected to the 12V DC system."

[@sosteve9113]

Interesting,looking into your warning right now

[@brianthompson9485]

I've been scouring the internet trying to find out if the CFX3 55IM fits in that position on an F150... thanks!

[@shadowstorm7]

Did you know they have a special unit that fits in the center console? You can thank me later for spending your money! LOL

[@brianthompson9485]

@@shadowstorm7 Yeah, it's neat but I use the center console for other things.

[@SOLDOZER]

New invention.....called "tape measurer"

[@fabienpics]

THANK YOU FOR ALL THIS INFORMATION, VERY HELPFUL. GREAT DEMONSTRATION 👍👍👍👍👍 AND GREAT ADD FOR THE SET UP FRIDGE... I M PROBABLY USE THIS SET-UP.

[@salmanalghatam8173]

The #cfx3 95 is the best, I've used it in the desert camp last week and didn't need any power for a week, thanks to the #Anker 757 with solar. all cooled and good.

[@shadowstorm7]

Good to know. I have the 55IM and a 95DZ. I have a Goal Zero 1500X and can back that up with 600W of panels.

[@dentray]

Should do a test opening the fridge 4 or 5 times a day in that heat like you would on a campground, not knocking the vid I really enjoyed it and appreciate the time you put in but running a car fridge and not constantly opening it is different to running it and using it which would affect the PLB40 run time.

[@geographyinaction7814]

The PLB can use a solar panel for top up. It is equipped, so using a solar controller is not just unnecessary but will damage the PLB. For my wife and I, this setup with a panel is good for four to five days with zero worry.

[@erumjadoon8124]

Which solar panel do u use

[@ShinerBockGirlz]

I have the big 95, the range is about 2 to 3 degrees, but the average is the temperature you set it at, similar to a large fridge, it cant keep the temperature exact, the compressor has to kick on and off. That is air temp which fluctuates greatly. Think about an island or near coast, during day cooler, night warmer. But the water temp is relatively constant. When you have food or liquid, they will be the temp you set it at. Your energy usage is so low, because its running on dc, and its already cooled off. These really are a great product. My husband just bought me the 95. But its too large to fit in a back seat unless you have all your seats down so It's in the back of my suburban using the power adapter(dc).

[@rchess79]

I just purchased the same fridge and considering the PLB but was unsure. This is really helpful thanks. Just to be sure, the only input over the time you tested was the 30min drive where it was connected to the car?

[@MarkTheFark]

Yes, the PLB was connected (AC power) to the truck and would be pulling power to begin to recharge itself while the truck was running. It was probably 30-40 minutes of running/charge time through the duration of the weekend test.

[@poellot]

You may want to make sure the vent of the cooler is not getting blocked when you shut the door.

[@darylcheshire1618]

I have the Waco FF40 and I connected the lead acid version to it in the car hoping it will run the fridge overnight when I’m in a motel. In this case the battery gave out at around 3:00am. I’m hoping that the PLB40 will run all night.

[@josecarrillo7079]

Dometic recalls CFX3 Series chest refrigerators

[@sethkubicek4295]

Hey Jose C! I can't get my new big boy CFX3 95? There's 5 apps. It connects via BT. But WIFI ask for password? What App should you use. One hasn't been updated since 17' I have a Samsung s10 ( fairly new) and read those have or have had ( hopefully) :) issues. I got it working great, but what the heck process and APP are involved? No other issues but they speak so highly of it. Any ideas. Does it have its own WiFI which needs to somehow connect to the app? Still unknown my casket sized box came with some low class xerox copy describing all the things I understand easily manually. Please...I know they've had growing pains- supply channel ( but of course) but how are some using...? Really appreciate anyone's assistance. PS: I do have the latest 2021 model. I Returned the 45 that was way too small for me. Lol...this one prob too big? Anyway...i started a ticket or chat with Dometic- but shouldn't a 1400$ fridge that is on backorder have a color or APP set you up. I get how to power and what sides. Its good. Same thing I'm asking lots of folks. Id greatly appreciate any advise. App should be 3-4 stars-easy system, etc...🙏 🙏 🙏...

[@Ricqu]

Why the recall?

[@payecarrillo6290]

Last summer I wanted to purchase one and they had told me that there was a recall on those frigerators so I did not purchase one I went ahead and bought a ARB 50L

[@payecarrillo6290]

Google it they had just came out with them and 3 months later they recalled them back I called a dealer at the time and they told me that they could sell me anything because they had a recall so I Googled it and yes they recalled over overheating chip in the cooling system

[@Ricqu]

​@@payecarrillo6290 Found it: "Dometic is recalling 5,533 CFX3 Series chest refrigerators (models CFX3 35, CFX3 45, CFX3 55IM, CFX3 75DZ, CFX3 95DZ and CFX3 100). The protection device on the electrical circuit may fail when the refrigerator is connected to both AC and DC power, allowing the AC/DC power supply to back feed through some or all of the other appliances (such as the air conditioner, water pump, lights, furnace, etc.) that are connected to the 12V DC system."

[@martee4]

Looking at a similar setup for a Tacoma. I'd like to have the fridge on a sliding mount on the decked storage. Any thoughts on where/how you would place the PLB40?

[@BRTreedogs]

Interesting. I want one so I can have ice cream and squencher pops when I get out of the backcountry.

[@MarkTheFark]

The 55IM model does have a smaller freezer section, so you'd be set.

[@missmacintox]

I wonder how long it will run with the cfx3 95

[@plinytheelder1956]

I've been running my CFX3 DZ 95 via the PLB40 for about 8 months now and to tell you the truth I'm kinda disappointed. Running the cooler as a freezer @ 5 deg and fridge @ 35 deg solar during the day and PLB40 thru the night. Now you figure that's about 14+ hours without good sun and the PLB40 is almost completely drained come morning to approximately 9-12%. I do however get a little better results running the CFX3 DZ 75. The CFX3 DZ 95 draws around 45-56 watts as the CFX3 DZ 75 is drawing about 10 watts less on average. The AC charging port on PLB40 is currently tripping whenever I try and charge it. I've been using the AC power brick as a pass through charging during the day off my inverter to run the coolers and relying on the PLB40 through the night. This method now is very unreliable as the PLB40 has to be reset often.

[@zacharymatthews9661]

Thank you

[@kanuckster1]

Great video! This is what people want to know with this kind of setup. I picked up a CFX3 55IM too along with 2 PLB 40s . I figured that will definately get me trough a hot weekend. Sadly i´m in Austria and the summer so far has sucked weather wise to test it in conditions like you did. I also got the cover for the cooler along with the Dometic solar blanket PSB150. Figured the cover will increase the insulation and protect the cooler from scratches and knicks. The solar blanket, will be nice to charge the PLB40 when we are not at a campsite. Looks like a real nice solar blanket with good specs. I figure some people would complain about the PSB150 having a pwm controller and not a mppt controller. I trust the Dometic name and wanted the whole package Dometic.Had to order the solar blanket and fridge cover from Australia as it seems for some reason Dometic will not be selling these in Europe. I think the cover will be coming to North Americal though. Again, great video!!

[@MarkTheFark]

Sounds like a great set up! I am interested in adding the CFX3 cover at some point.

[@Ricqu]

You got 2 of those expensive batteries? So now you got 80Ah of lithium battery for what, 1600euros? For 1000euros you could have gotten yourself even an 200Ah lithium battery that would run that fridge for over a week straight without charging.

[@DSD]

Hello, I’ve been reading that having both sources plugged in can damage the units. Did you ever run into any problems having both ac and dc plugged in?

[@topics1463]

Good content . im here to stay please keep us updated with videos also im tired but ill ask more stuff on videos you could do . xd love the contents also to the people i shared to this video like it up

[@elnidofan]

How long does it take to fully charge the battery using the car electric plug? Will it be quicker if you use your home electricityto fully charge the battery? Thanks.

[@MarkTheFark]

I haven't done any specific testing yet, but the PLB40 does charge back to full capacity quickly on AC power - I think about 3-4 hours when I checked last. Again, that was only a casual observation and not a true "test".

[@Dater]

The 12 volt car outlet will provide max 100-120watts so it would need around 5 hours to charge the dometic battery up again.

[@bchoi8224]

Quick question, I have to go pick up ice cream from 4hrs away. Will it be good cooler for dometic 55?

[@MarkTheFark]

Dometic lists the temperature performance range as -7°F to +50°F. I haven't run my unit freezer temps yet, but obviously with a temperate rating down -7°F, that'd be great for ice cream storage.

[@AndresKatAdventurez]

we have the same watch

[@Utubeisazzho]

Pre chill the fridge 24 hrs before you switch to portable power

[@Lechu1982]

Fun video but no idea how this fridge works in the field. Cool watch too…

[@G55-j9z]

Geez that fridge chews up the power, My PLB will run my fridge set @ 2*c for 2 days 16 hours and I still hss around 30% left, Just a point people need to be aware of, Your not supposed to run the PLB down below 20% and the power meter on it will flash if you go below 20%, If you do you will shorten the PLB's Life.

[@dpaq1328]

It’s not worth purchasing. Yes it’s smaller in size and lighter compared to others such as jackery but the amount of time it will power a fridge like this is much less than the jackery. If you’re camped for more than 2 days you will need to drive for some time to recharge. I believe other reviews of batteries can last up to 60 hours vs this 48 hours max.

[@geographyinaction7814]

Solar panel.

[@johnking9519]

Sorry but you said 5 days on 240 then wacked it on 12 v. No good for me I’m 100% 12 v moving and working in UK 🇬🇧 will this thing work from warm 12 v and make my steak and beer 🍺 cold if so how long and what amps good video 😃

[@Ricqu]

You really seems to like emojis. Have you even tried to visit dometics website where you can get all that info about the fridges? How long ur fridge will run from 12v dc is directly correlated to the size of your battery. Lithium batteries, like the one shown in this video can run way longer down the power than lead acid batteries. Lead acid batteries are best to left at 30-40% battery life, meaning from 100Ah battery you could get 60Ah of power out, and with example Dometic CFX3 45's power consumption of 1Ah/hour you could get something like 60 hours of runtime. Its not hard, its just math.

[@wileyfox4984]

Ice maker will chew that battery

[@shadowstorm7]

I've heard of that. I found out after I bought it and THEN doing the research. My only justification is getting it for $560. I do have a set up in mind to sustain it with the ice maker running but I need to get a Victron charge controller first.

[@robshmit6130]

you must like hearing yourself talk my domestic 55 rips 3 days on a Duracell inverter

[@robertsegura6451]

Thoughts , WTF!! Almost $2,000.00 for this setup, are you out of your mind! I can buy a nice home refrigerator for half that price.I'll stick to my poor man coalman cooler. You Gen X and Millennials are tech spoiled. Have a nice day. :)

[@AudiSportFan1970]

It’s called OfferUp and find quality items used, quit being cheap and buy some real shi* for your rig!

[@robertsegura6451]

Why is it called a rig? and aren't you just a sucker going down the rabbit hole of overpriced camping gear. Call it camping not overlanding, $1,000.00 for a cooler! your out of your mind Boy!@@AudiSportFan1970

[@AudiSportFan1970]

@@robertsegura6451 Well kid, I got mine used for $700 from a buddy who rarely used it, so no big deal. I work hard, make a decent living, and have every right to spend my money how I see fit. Once you get to that point in your life, maybe you’ll be able to afford nicer things and have some more conveniences. My kids are grown and out of the house, I buy whatever the fuck I want now!

[@robertsegura6451]

Must be a nice place to be in? $700.00 for a cooler, you must be out of your mind Alice.@@AudiSportFan1970

[@AudiSportFan1970]

@@robertsegura6451 it’s a refrigerator dipsh**, and yes it’s nice. Get a good job and maybe you’ll be less bitter. Maybe spend less money on your vape and video games????