Dometic CCF-T Center Console Refrigerator On Sale Now

[Tx-Tremor6.7]

I setup the Dometic Fridge on Friday to make sure it will run for more than 8 hours when receiving a constant 12-13 volts from the battery. I did not want to go on an 8+ hour drive, so I used a new auxiliary battery from my TT and kept it charged with my battery charger. I bought the charging outlet for my Builtright / 67 Designs phone holder, so it was easy to make the connections without cutting any wires.

I am happy to say it ran for 13 hours without issues. It does not get cold enough for food at 20 minutes, as was reported on the Raptor forum, but at about 1.5 hours it was in the 40s and my drink cans were cold to the touch. After several hours, there was condensation built up on the backside of the fridge. It was not a lot, but enough for me to feel it. The sides and front did not feel wet at any point during the day.

9:30 am Turned on >> Battery at 12.80 volts
9:30 am - 76F
10:10 am Battery at 12.39 volts >> put Battery on 12 amp charger
10:10 am - 56F
11:00 am - 47F
1:00 pm - 35F
4:00 pm - 32F
6:30 pm - 30F
7:30 pm - 29F
10:30 pm - 28F
10:30 pm Turned off >> Left the door closed overnight
8:30 am - 56F >> Inside surface and drinks still felt cold after 10 hours of no battery

At 7:30 PM (after 10 hours) NOTE: I reset the high low temp values several times to make sure it was not fluctuating too much.

 

[Tx-Tremor6.7]

Today, I installed the fridge in my console to run a similar 8+ hour test with the console lid closed and both fans running. I want to verify the extra heat in the enclosed area will not cause the fridge to shut off prematurely. I think the issues Vigilance was having with it getting warm after 6+ hours are related to the truck's power point voltage, not the fridge itself. However, I always like to confirm things for myself so I know what to expect.

The installation was straightforward and took about an hour. If you plan to test fit the upper trim piece, like I did, just be aware it is somewhat difficult to remove once in place. I had to use a large allen wrench to pry up on the fridge before I could snap the trim piece out. After drilling the 3.5" hole with a hole saw, I filed the edges to get the fan all the way in. It was not a big deal, but took an extra 5 minutes or so.

I want to remove the truck's power point and timer from the voltage equation, so I am still using the new battery to power it for today. I will report the details once the second set of tests are complete. It seemed to get colder faster today, but it might be because I am using the same drinks from yesterdays test or because it is enclosed in the console.

In console with lid closed and external battery
11:00 am Turned on >> Battery at 12.89 volts
11:00 am - 78F
11:20 am - 61F

 

[oops]

It takes a lot of energy to cool down full cans, so no surprise on how long it takes to get cool.

I wonder how long it takes to warm up (how good of a cooler it is) when the truck is sitting in the sun all day?

 

[oops]

We have a Volvo SUV that came standard with an insulated glove box that you can blast with A/C. Seems to be effectively the same as this. That should be standard on trucks.

 

[Smindustries]

It seemed to get colder faster today, but it might be because I am using the same drinks from yesterdays test or because it is enclosed in the console.

Was your garage climate-controlled and sealed when you performed your test?

My experience of the unit installed in a truck cab doesn’t match your results. Part of the unit’s design includes managed airflow, which was absent from your test. Also, the ambient air in an air-conditioned cab is cool and free of humidity, which will also affect performance.

 

[Smindustries]

We have a Volvo SUV that came standard with an insulated glove box that you can blast with A/C. Seems to be effectively the same as this. That should be standard on trucks.

No, not even close to the same in execution or effectiveness. Your Volvo’s glove box has a vent in it connected to the AC system. This is a bonafide refrigerator.

 

[oops]

No, not even close to the same in execution or effectiveness. Your Volvo’s glove box has a vent in it connected to the AC system. This is a bonafide refrigerator.

But basically only when the truck is running or off for short period of time? Seems like it would only then be reliable in the same way. Like keeping a sandwich cold on a road trip.

 

[oops]

Trust me I’m looking for reasons to buy this thing. I just can’t figure out the use case beyond a cooler just yet. ?

 

[Smindustries]

But basically only when the truck is running or off for short period of time? Seems like it would only then be reliable in the same way. Like keeping a sandwich cold on a road trip.

Uh, of course it’s only going to work when the truck is on or for however long the power point timeout is set.

Trust me I’m looking for reasons to buy this thing. I just can’t figure out the use case beyond a cooler just yet. ?

It’s absolutely not a cooler. It is a tiny refrigerator. It will make things cold without an ice bath, which is why coolers are effective.

Different people have different use cases. If you can’t see it in your life and sell yourself on it, Im not going to.

 

[oops]

Uh, of course it’s only going to work when the truck is on or for however long the power point timeout is set.



It’s absolutely not a cooler. It is a tiny refrigerator. It will make things cold without an ice bath, which is why coolers are effective.

Different people have different use cases. If you can’t see it in your life and sell yourself on it, Im not going to.

Not coming at you. Or speaking against this thing at all. Or looking for you to sell me something.

Oy vey.

 

[Smindustries]

Not coming at you. Or speaking against this thing at all. Or looking for you to sell me something.

Oy vey.

Sorry, didn’t mean it like that. It’s an idiotic luxury item that’s almost unjustifiable.

I’m that fool who’s been parted of his money, and couldn’t be happier. I let my truck idle for hours some days. It’s really nice to return to a cool cab and a cold drink. That’s worth the money for me.

 

[Tx-Tremor6.7]

Was your garage climate-controlled and sealed when you performed your test?

My experience of the unit installed in a truck cab doesn’t match your results. Part of the unit’s design includes managed airflow, which was absent from your test. Also, the ambient air in an air-conditioned cab is cool and free of humidity, which will also affect performance.

No, my garage is not climate controlled. For the first test I had both fans running and the second one was in the approximate location of the where I was going to drill the hole. The air was not managed, but it was not restricted in anyway. The high for the day was 81 and the temp range was 73 to 81 during the test.

For the second test, the unit is installed in my console with the lid closed and the truck doors closed sitting in the non-climate controlled garage. The fans are both running and would be more of the managed airflow you mentioned. The high for today was 88 and the range was 73 to 88 during the test. Here are the rest of the numbers so far.

In console with lid closed and external battery (no charger as I want to see how far it drains the battery)

11:00 am Turned on >> Battery 12.39 volts
11:00 am - 78F
11:20 am - 61F (20 min)
12:30 pm - 44F (90 min) >> Battery 12.28
3:15 pm - 32F (255 min) >> Battery 12.37
5:30 pm - 30F (390 min) >> Battery 12.31

If I compare the two, they are very similar with the second test being slightly lower in temps.

What has your experience been with the fridge in the cab/console?

 

[Vigilance247]

The installation was straightforward and took about an hour. If you plan to test fit the upper trim piece, like I did, just be aware it is somewhat difficult to remove once in place. I had to use a large allen wrench to pry up on the fridge before I could snap the trim piece out.

Thanks for the tip on the allen wrench. I removed the unit today just to check if there was any condensation inside the console. Happy to report it was dry as a bone inside the console.

Based on your test with the battery, do you still think my unit stopped cooling because of truck battery low voltage? It looked like your test battery maintained more that 12 volts during the test.

 

[Tx-Tremor6.7]

Thanks for the tip on the allen wrench. I removed the unit today just to check if there was any condensation inside the console. Happy to report it was dry as a bone inside the console.

Based on your test with the battery, do you still think my unit stopped cooling because of truck battery low voltage? It looked like your test battery maintained more that 12 volts during the test.

The only place I saw condensation was on the back side, away from the motor when the fridge ran all day in my garage. It was not very much, but I could feel the dampness. I am not surprised yours was dry.

On the battery question, I do not think It was your battery, but more the electronics in the truck turning off or lowering the output to the power point to conserve the battery. Even though you set the value to 8 hours, I think there are other controls in the truck’s logic that conserve the battery because they did not expect you to use Forscan to increase the timer value.

Here are the rest of the values from Saturday when I did not use the battery charger to keep the fridge running:

11:00 am Turned on >> Battery 12.39 volts
11:00 am - 78F
11:20 am - 61F
12:30 pm - 44F >> Battery 12.28
3:15 pm - 32F >> Battery 12.37
5:30 pm - 30F >> Battery 12.31
7:00 pm - 29F >> Battery 12.24
9:00 pm - 28F >> Battery 12.21
9:45 pm - 34F >> Fridge Off. Battery “dead“, but still reading 12.06
Next day:
10:00 am - 58F >> After sitting for more than 12 hours, the drinks were still somewhat cold.

At some point past the 10 hour mark, the battery had enough charge to keep the blue light lit, but not enough to turn on the compressor or the fans. When I pushed the power button, the blue light stayed on, indicating the fridge was in some kind of ”not enough power” state. I saw this before when I tried running the fridge directly off of my battery charger without the battery connected.

I hooked my battery charger inside the truck and the fridge turned back on almost immediately. The reading on the volt meter was more than 13 volts.

Battery charger hooked up and fridge restarted on its own.

Battery charger indicating it is at 0% and needs a full charge.

Volt meter showing 13+ volts after the fridge turned on.

 

[Tx-Tremor6.7]

After two days of testing the fridge in my garage and in my truck, here is the summary:

1. The fridge ran fine for 13+ hours when I supplied continuous voltage using a battery and charger to simulate driving down the road with your alternator keeping the battery charged. I sometimes drive for 16 hours on long trips, so this will work for my situation.

2. The fridge ran for just over 10 hours before it killed a freshly charged new Diehard battery. I plan to set my Power Point Timer to 6 hours rather than 8, as this will give me plenty of time to do things outside of the truck while the fridge continues to run. Plus, Vigilance reported his fridge was turning off somewhere around 6+ hours, so I will avoid the computer nannies that might be limiting power in other ways.

We both have 6.7L diesels with dual batteries, so I think there will be plenty of margin for safely restarting my truck after 6 hours of fridge if I accidentally leave it on. As a general rule, I will turn off the fridge when I get out of the truck for the day.

3. The fridge got down to 28 degrees on the inside, but due to the short length of time, it did not freeze the cans or the bottles in 13+ hours. I guess you could say the fridge is more like a freezer in regards to temperature, but that is not bad unless you plan to drive or leave it on for more than a typical day.

4. The fridge cools down into the 40-50 degree range in 90 minutes, but I found I had to start my truck in the morning to get it to turn on. Just getting in the truck and turning on the power accessories did not start the fridge.

As other have said, it is an expensive luxury, but now that I understand how it works, it will be a welcome addition to the comfort and convenience of the Tremor on long and short trips when pulling our TT.

On a final note, now that the price has gone back up to $599, I would have to think hard about buying one. I paid $455 and I feel it was worth it at ~25% off.

 

[Vigilance247]

For shits & giggles, I increased the power point timeout to 10 hours and left the console lid up. At the 8 hour mark, I checked and the blue light was on but I didn’t hear the fan running. To my surprise all the drinks were still cold in the fridge.

Does anyone know how to add solar charging to our trucks?

 

[oops]

Thanks for the thorough analysis of this guys. Pretty impressive. ?

 

[Tx-Tremor6.7]

For shits & giggles, I increased the power point timeout to 10 hours and left the console lid up. At the 8 hour mark, I checked and the blue light was on but I didn’t hear the fan running. To my surprise all the drinks were still cold in the fridge.

Does anyone know how to add solar charging to our trucks?

Did you try turning the fridge off and on again at the 8 hour mark? When I tried it with the external battery not being charged after 10 hours, the blue light would not go off and the fridge never started.

 

[Vigilance247]

Did you try turning the fridge off and on again at the 8 hour mark? When I tried it with the external battery not being charged after 10 hours, the blue light would not go off and the fridge never started.

On a previous day, I tried to turn the fridge off because it was hot. That was the day I had closed the console lid. The blue light was on but pressing/holding the button did nothing. I had to start the truck to use the button on the fridge.

I also noticed that remote starting the truck will interrupt the fridge and turn it off. At least, it did on mine and I had to press the button to turn it back on.

 

[Regular Cab Duallies]

Yes the mrs is also pushing the bench seat on me. And I like the wireless charging plus the rear vents for the backseat. I was 100 percent sold on the bench seat for my xlt. But since I’m upping to the lariet I really like the idea of the console. And I love this fridge. But I have a feeling like the sixth seat it won’t get much use. I do like the bench for a little more open feeling and leg room. Plus I’m like you and and I hate crap in my trucks. So less is kind of more. But ultimately our two little dogs get the final say and have to sit up front. Haha I’m check out that ICECO fridge. Ultimately I think I will get a dometic or something like that for the back seat for camping and etc.

Hey AM you should probably get the console. Benefits:
- REAR AC! A must here IMO.
- Resale.
- This awesome fridge (if you keep it).
- Option for rear heat. You probably don't need it but again, resale. And it might be beneficial at times.
- Probably more but I am too lazy to think of and list them.

But of course, I still really like the front bench seat. So you could swap the bench seat in. Luckily there is a thread on that:

Console to jump seat swap project (Reversible)

I have a pretty big family and we needed the 6 passenger configuration, but I preferred the console on the truck. After doing some research online I found some folks that had swapped between the two. I looked at part availability and found that the jump seats are relatively easy to come by...

www.fordtremor.com

Then you will have that essential rear ac and the other benefits of the center console if you need them. Plus if/when you sell it you could put the console back in then include the bench seat. That would make for a happy buyer!

Another thought is you could sell the center console. I imagine it will more than pay for the bench seat, so there comes some more savings! Then if you could figure out how to make the AC and whatever other rear controls the center console had work with the bench that would be sweet!

Just my thoughts. Good luck with the order.