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

Product Information

To this whiskey-lover, this was a very pleasant treat. Never would I have imagined a portable 12V cooler being capable of forming ice. The game has changed indeed for the whiskey-sipping ritual that ends most overlanding days for me. Conclusions The chunky design of the Dometic CFX3 gives us the impression that it will last for years and can take its fair share of abuse. With reinforced edges and chunky carry handles, this fridge can handle the pressures of van life. For use without a secondary battery, the CFX3 line includes a three-stage dynamic battery protection system that prevents complete draining of a starter battery and allows deep draw on dual-battery systems. The Game-Changer Our overall impression of the Dometic CFX3 has been really positive. We have been using the Dometic CFX3 45 in our own campervan for a couple of years now and we’re super impressed with it. The powerful compressor technology makes this fridge much more functional than any coolbox we’ve used before, and the option to use 230V AC or 12V DC power makes it super versatile.

Once you’ve paired your phone, you can use the Dometic CFX3 app to control and monitor the fridge. From the app, you can monitor and adjust all the same settings as you can in the display. We thought an app for your fridge was a little pointless at first, but there is one feature we were impressed by. If the fridge door hasn’t closed properly, you’ll receive a notification on your phone, saving any chance of melted butter and warm beer! The CFX3 35 has a rated energy consumption of 352Wh per 24hrs . In other words, 29Ah will be drawn every day from a 12V leisure battery. The first question that comes up when going over the possibility of a fridge is “how much power does it use?” I scoured the internet to find answers, but nothing was readily available. So I hatched a plan to come up with a test of my own. The Test The CFX3 55IM has a rated energy consumption of 443Wh per 24hrs . In other words, 37 Ah will be drawn every day from a 12V leisure battery. This is based on a fridge temperature of 5 oC and an ambient temperature of 25 oC . Using our most advanced cooling technology, the Dometic CFX3 freezes down to –22 °C / –7 °F while using less power than a 60 W lightbulb. Connect to the 12V/24V DC outlet in your vehicle to roam free without worry. And relax knowing your cooler will never leave you stranded – the CFX3 actively monitors battery power and turns itself off when low voltage is detected.

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While cooling, it draws about 50.7 Watts of power, which is impressive given its ability to reach sub-zero temperatures. Once cooled to the desired temperature, the CFX3 draws just one watt to maintain that temperature. Combined with its superior insulating ability, the CFX3 ranks above average in this category. Is it Practical and Easy to Transport?

Designed for maximized internal capacity you can be away for longer. A rearrangeable wire basket and divider ensure organized storage. You don’t need to worry about space-consuming ice. As long as you have access to a power source, the CFX’s powerful cooling will reliably freeze food, allowing you to stay longer and experience more. The Dometic CFX3 range encompasses a comprehensive selection of products, ranging from compact electric coolers to larger options meant for extended times away, and everything in between. We cater to a wide spectrum of cooler sizes, ranging from 25 to 99 liters. Dometic’s CFX3 45 comes with a hefty price tag, but it’s well worth that price for everyday use or remote, off-road adventures. An impressive blend of reliability, durability, energy efficiency and usability, the CFX3 45 is a top recommendation for a powered cooler. Methodology: The CFX3 isn’t the only winner here. The PLB40 provided the power needed for the 24 hour test and with enough left over for a further 33 hours of use, making the combination perfect for long weekend use. When developing a test for these fridges, controllable variables must be identified and eliminated. For this test I will control as many of these variables as possible to draw some accurate conclusions on overall power use.

Dometic CFX3 limitations

Finally, the onboard soft-touch user interface is IP65-rated and certified as weatherproof. Conveniences

Available for the iPhone or Android. Total CFX monitoring and control at your finguretips! The CFX app can be used to monitor and control your CFX fridge/freezer from a distance providing you can connect via WIFI. You can use the app to: For context, Dometic advertises that “the Dometic CFX3 freezes down to –22 °C / –7 °F while using less power than a 60 W lightbulb.” Dometic PLB 40

The most significant new feature presented, which also happens to be an industry first, was the ability to make ice. The CFX3 55IM model has a rapid-freeze plate that formed ice in a few hours in included silicone ice trays. The Dometic CoolFreeze CFX3-45 Professional has some seriously impressive features. Firstly, there’s the CFX Special Electronics which include an intelligent automatic turbo cooler and memory function. Then not only is it suitable for deep freezing down to –22 °C but it can also operate on solar power. Plus, regardless of the outside temperature, this cooler will provide a first class, superbly quiet cooling performance. The USB charging port won’t be needed too often as the CFX3 45 Professional is amazingly efficient too! Energy class rating A++. You can take this amazing 38 l cooler and freezer wherever you go! It is simplicity itself to set up, literally just un-wrap, plug in, and it works! Within twenty minutes of switching on it had reduced the inside temperature from 20o C to 4o C and maintained that consistently since within 1o. There really is very little to set up, choose your required temperature and you are away. Or you can set an alarm to sound if the temperature varies between specified amounts. Or even set it so that it switches off at one of three voltages before draining your battery. There is even an option to connect it by wi-fi to an app on your mobile so that you can monitor/adjust settings remotely. Everything is easy to set up and there is a well written manual to explain things if required. Here’s a detailed breakdown of how the product scores in our evaluations: Is the Dometic CFX3 45 a Good Value?

Based on a fridge temperature of 5 oC and an ambient temperature of 25 oC) Dometic CFX3 55IM energy consumption The CFX3 series features an easy to read high-resolution colour display panel which states the temperature and status of the cool box. Several protection systems are built into the display, including a scratch-resistant cover and IP65 rated housing to protect against dust and water splashes, so you can feel confident wherever you go. The upgraded USB port is now located in the display panel for a faster and more ergonomic way to charge your portable devices. The intuitive user-interface displays the voltage, Bluetooth/WiFi connection status and temperature in colourful graphics. The operating settings of your cool box can be adjusted at the press of a button with a simple menu.

With chunky handles and a robust exterior, we really rate these fridges for rugged, outdoor van-life. They’ll be perfect when you’re hooked up to mains power but can also be powered from your leisure battery when you venture off-grid. The heavy-duty yet lightweight ExoFrame construction with fender frame protects edges and aluminium alloy handles.