When it comes to popular pastimes and activities, not only in the
US, bit in countries all across the globe, camping and road tripping are up
there as some of the most popular examples, and for very good reason. There is
a sense of freedom that you get with camping, that you just don’t seem to get
when staying in shared accommodation. Whether you choose to spend the night
camping in the woods, or perhaps an entire week, or even longer, at a
specialist camp site, one of the biggest issues you will encounter, is keeping
your foods and beverages, not only cool, but nice and fresh as well. If certain
foods aren’t chilled to a specific temperature, bacteria can grow on them and
the food can turn rotten and can seriously damage your health. Because of this,
12v refrigerators are incredibly beneficial for a number of reasons, and you
will also be pleased to know that there are a whole host of parts and
accessories for said refrigerators, that can really benefit you in the long
run. Here’s a look at some of the most popular and effective 12v refrigerator
accessories currently on the market today.
Engel Transit Bag – First up, we
have the highly popular Engel Transit bag, which fits the MT25 model. At around
$160 - $170, with free shipping, this is quite the bargain, and it’s no wonder
it’s becoming such a common purchase amongst keen campers and 12v refrigerator
owners. The great thing about this bag is that not only does it help to protect
your refrigerator, it actually helps to lock in the cool air and keep it even
cooler, as it is so well insulated. The bag features a shock-absorbing
insulated layer, so your fridge will be protected as you drive over rough
terrain etc, plus, with the simple zip design, you can easily remove and
re-install the bag as you see fit. There is also specially designed plastic mesh located in all of the right
locations, allowing your fridge to vent properly, which again, improves its
efficiency. With gun metal greys and blacks, the bag looks very stylish, and
functions extremely well.
Renogy 100 watts 12 v monocrystalline foldable solar suitcase
– This foldable solar suitcase from renology is one
of the most sophisticated devices currently on the market. For people looking
for a power supply whilst going off-grid I.E camping, this suitcase is the
answer to all of your problems. Featuring not one, but two, monocrsyalline
panels, along with an LCD screen for power regulation, alligator clips for the
battery, a heavy duty handle, an aluminium stand which is corrosion resistant, plus
a very stylish design, this case is your very own portable solar power station.
What’s more, as it is such a low voltage system, there are no electric shocking
hazards for the users to be wary of, which is a very good thing.
AcuRite Digital Thermometer –
When dealing with a portable fridge/freezer, having an accurate temperature
reading on hand is absolutely essential. This digital thermometer looks great,
it is wireless, and it can be easily mounted directly onto your device, using
the integrated magnets, or alternatively, it could be hung onto the wall. The
thermometer itself, attaches neatly to the inside of your device, where you can
then get an accurate reading on the display. There is even a visual and audible
alarm function, when temperatures get too cold, or too warm.
Transit Slide Lock 530/540 – This
transit slide locks fits MR040, MT45, and MT35 devices. From Engel, this slide
lock is perfect for devices that are likely to get thrown around during transit
I.E in camper vans, RVs, and on boats. You basically attach the lock to your
vehicle, and then slide your refrigerator into place, where it will lock into
place, and remain stationary at all times. If you wish to remove it, you simply
push the special clip and it will be released. It’s as simple as that.
FlyHi 90w power supply AC – DC Adapter – This AC-DC power adapter will convert a 120v AC household current
into a 12V DC power supply. It simply plugs directly into the cigarette
lighter, where it will then work its magic. It works very well with high power
12v DC appliances which may be operating on 110 V AC power. The cord itself is
very long, so you get plenty of room once you have plugged it into the
cigarette lighter of your vehicle. To help get the most out of your refrigerator,
this device is a real blessing, and at less than $18 with free shipping, it is
a real bargain in the process.
Heavy duty long ratchet Tie-Down straps – For times when you need to ensure that your refrigerator remains
firmly in place, I.E during transit, these heavy duty long ratchet tie-down
straps are absolutely ideal. These straps come in a 4 pack, they are 19 feet,
they feature black webbing plus a premium rubber candle, meaning that they
won’t come off. The S hook is coated in a protective material so you needn’t
worry about scratching your refrigerator as you utilize them. The straps
feature a 1500lb break strain, they do not stretch, and due to the fact that
they’re made from Polyester, as opposed to Nylon, they won’t hold water. The
ratchet itself is also heavy duty, meaning your loads simply will not move
anywhere whilst the straps are in place.
Odyssey 31-PC2150S Commercial Heavy Duty Battery – For camping trips, road trips, or any other times when you require
a lot of power, the Odyssey commercial heavy duty battery is absolutely ideal.
This battery lasts 70% longer than regular batteries, it features a much faster
recharge, it has a warranty of 3 – 4 years, it lasts an average of 3 – 10
years, it is tolerant to extreme temperatures, it is vibration resistant, and
at less than $327 with free shipping, it is very reasonably priced as well.
Magna Cart Flatform Folding Hand Truck – 12V refrigerators are certainly not the smallest devices in the
world, and they aren’t the lightest or the easiest to transport either, which
is why the Magna cart flatform four wheel folding hand truck is so beneficial.
The truck/cart can hold a maximum of 300 pounds in weight, it can be taken
anywhere, it features a telescopic handle, it will fold flat to 3.5” in
seconds, it features 360 degree rubber wheels, it is light weight, and at just
over 60 bucks, along with free shipping, it’s a great bargain. The dolly/truck
will fold down from 3 inches, through to 27 inches, and it is perfect for
anybody looking to easily transport heavy loads, such as a portable
refrigerator.
Final thoughts – And with that,
we’ll wrap things up and bring our article to a close. For camping, boating,
parties, days out, or anything else for that matter, a 12v refrigerator could
prove extremely useful indeed, and hopefully, after taking a look at the
accessories we’ve covered, you will have a better idea of which ones you and
your fridge could benefit from. These products are affordable, they work very
well, and of course, they are designed to help you get the most out of your
refrigerator. The next time you think of heading out into the great outdoors,
think about whether or not your fridge/freezer could benefit from any of the
products we’ve listed above.