ARB coolers...a viable alternate to Engel

[Frank]

Grime posted this earlier. He is happy with his unit and the cost was less than a comparable Engel.  Check it out....

Here is a link to a better description than I could give.  I didn't pay their price for mine. I found mine on Ebay brand new never used of  just under $800.   http://store.arbusa.com/ARB-Fridge-Freezer-50-Qt-10800472-P3626.aspx 

Do they have a separate compressor and 'cooling plate" that can be mounted in an existing icebox?  The answer to this is no

[Cyric30]

Im about to show my ignorance rather badly here, so please bare with me.
I was wondering why not use a small 110v "dorm" Fridge in these situations, the power draw on many are roughly the same as these 12v systems Engel and ARB are using, i realize salt water and such take there toll, but is it any worse on one as the other?

http://www.compactappliance.com/CRF321SS-EdgeStar-Midsize-Compact-Refrigerator-Freezer-Stainless-Steel/CRF321SS.html

this is the type ive been using in my cabin and i had thought about just taking it out and using it on any boat i get in place of the factory cooler. with solar and inverter to 110V of course
Somone please enlighten me.

[Grime]

I'm not the best to answer your questions. I do stand to be corrected.

With a 110volt fridge they are much larger than what Frank or I have. You are limited to space on a sailboat. Using 110 all the time with an inverter you will have to have much larger solar or wind or a combination of both to run the inverter. You could run a generator like some friends of my do. But then you have a fuel cost along with equipment break down like they have. Noise and more noise all the time. 

Spending the money for my unit was hard to do. I don't have much choice as my food needs to be kept cold just to drink. Charlie J gets by with just a ice box. We did also on our 60 day cruise but had the worry of finding ice every couple of days.

I do plan to upgrade my battery system once I figure out how to arrange them.  I want 2-6 volt for house and 1 12 volt Group 29 for starter.  I have 60 watts of solar now.