The Dometic CFX3 Mega Thread

@ea

@EatSleepTacos didn’t you downsize from your 55 to a smaller size?

 

I had a cfx40(45?), then cfx3 55im, and now a cfx 35. 35 is the sweet spot for me and is good for 2-3 nights feeding 2-4 people.

 

Any chance you could measure the interior LxWxD of the two compartments, Randy? I figure I'll play around with some cardboard so I can compare it to the interior dimensions of my Ghetti. Plus, I figure it won't take much mental math to eyeball the additional height of the CFX45.

 

Sure! This is the previous generation though, so not sure how helpful it would be.

 

Eh, probably pretty similar. I will say... I do have a hard time believing that you can fit 50 12oz cans in there, based on your photo.

 

Honestly, I would believe it. You can fit a deceptive amount of stuff in there. I’ll get some measurements tomorrow for you.

 

Awesome. Thanks!

 

I ponder the same. I have a 55. It fits behind the passenger seat in my 13 access cab. Wife lost a bit of comfort. Thats ok on short trips.
I could not sit there with it behind the seat.

The 35 is appr. 2x3 inches smaller (height and width) than the 55. The 45 is really close to the 55.



Rule of thumb for these is they are double the size if you remember that there is no ice.
My 55 is huge .... without ice.

 

Yeah, we ended up looking at a 35 at REI this evening, the lady I'm potentially buying a used

$780 CFX3 45 -Liter Portable Refrigerator and Freezer, Powered by AC/DC or Solar

CFX3 45 from sent over the interior measurements, and I measured the Ghetti.

Ghetti - 46.6L (I had thought it was 55)
CFX3 45 - 41.8L (with rack), probably somewhere between 44 and 46 with the rack.

$761 CFX3 35 Portable Refrigerator and Freezer - 36L - Powered by AC/DC or Solar Portable Refrigerator, Smokey Gray

CFX3 35 - 32.3L, assuming depth is 2.72" less than the 45.

Given how much she wants for it, I'm just going to send it on the 45 and then trade down later if we determine it's too big. I figure somebody here will have a 35 that would be down for a straight trade. Next question: Is a Jackery or GoalZero 500 sufficient? Based on what I'm reading, the Jackery 500 can run the 45 at around 37 degrees for about 2-3 days.

 

Phew, this saves me from having to walk 50' outside to my truck to take some measurements.

If decide you still want them for some reason, let me know.

 

I use a 500 with my 55. I have 2 500s and a 240.
A few days, not freezing, set at 34°, works for me. I have kept (2) gallon jugs of frozen water in it.
I did that for 2 reasons.
One, I was testing the unit and wanted to make sure that stuff stayed cold.
Two, I find that it reduced the power draw.
I have not gone more than 3 days without driving, charging, but I have used solar successfully.

I am considering returning the 55 to REI and getting a 35. I just do not want something too small. Too big is better.

 

To clarify in the size comparison. You now have a CFX 35 or

$761 CFX3 35 Portable Refrigerator and Freezer - 36L - Powered by AC/DC or Solar Portable Refrigerator, Smokey Gray

CFX3 35?
Thanks.

I finally got all the way through this thread.

 

I have the cfx 35, the previous generation. The size comparison above is a cfx3 55im vs a cfx 35

 

Thanks, the CFX 35 must be a little smaller than the

$761 CFX3 35 Portable Refrigerator and Freezer - 36L - Powered by AC/DC or Solar Portable Refrigerator, Smokey Gray

CFX3 35.
Thank you.

Once we actually see a CFX3 35, we will probably exchange the 55I for a CFX3 35. The 55 is just too big for us.

 

I think you’ll surprise yourself with how capable the smaller fridges are and how much crap you can pack into them with a little forethought. Plus a smaller, fuller fridge will draw less energy.

 

Thanks. I agree.
I have followed this thread, and have learned a lot.
Rule of thumb, half the cooler is ice.
The 35 is 64% of the capacity of the 55.

The reason we might not like it (35) is the way the top lifts off. We like the way the 55 opens.

 

That’s a good point, I do wish they all opened how the 55+ opens as I find that more convenient for in-cab mounting. With the 55 I could easily reach in while driving and grab a drink, now it’s a little more difficult. It was easy to get used to though.

 

Thanks.

 

(Edit 07/23, 2022)
55IM 28.35 (L) X 18.9 (H) X 17.9 (W)
45 28.32 (L) X 18.8 (H) X 15.7 (W)
35 27.32 (L) X 16.0 (H) X 15.7 (W)

 

I have a

$761 Dometic CFX3 35 Portable Refrigerator and Freezer - 36L - Powered by AC/DC or Solar Portable Refrigerator, Smokey Gray

Dometic CFX3 35.

I am aware that the CFX3 35 can be powered via a vehicle starter battery or a 2nd "house" battery.

I notice that Dometic's PLB40 lithium battery has a 2 prong DC port. However, not all lithium battery's have a 2 prong DC port. Some batteries only have ports that take a standard DC plugs (the style used for cigarette lighters).

My fridge DC power cable has a 2 prong end and an adapter (which came with the cable) that can be screwed on to turn it into a standard 12V DC plug.

I am wondering if anyone is using a Dometic fridge (any model) with it connected to a lithium battery using the DC plug config on the cable rather than the 2 prong config?


Secondarily, does anyone know if Dometic fridges *should* work if connected to a lithium battery using the DC plug config on the cable rather than the 2 prong config? By "should work" I mean, stay running long enough for practical use when camping. I have a feeling that this configuring is not expected to work or work very well, and it would be very helpful to me to know either way.

Thanks much for any insight anyone can offer!