To answer my own question, the cooler most certainly does not fit for the Navigator center console. The single-CD player option in the center console, among other trim pieces, will not facilitate the install of the cooler.
How To: Center Console Refrigerator Install
- Thread starter HILLY
- Start date
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HILLY
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Well, just a heads up to anyone that was looking to get in on this, it looks like the "flash" sale is over and the fridge is back to the $399 price.
wakeboarder
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rpw2021
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I've done this install on my '22 Limited Max and taken it on a road trip of 2000+ miles (Florida and back). Works great - keeps things very cold. The auto power on/off works well - you really don't need to mess with it at all. I wouldn't do it for $399, but at $100 — great upgrade.
Great Write up and accurate to my experience - I agree - This thing is great - My only complaint is that i bought it about a month or two before it went on sale for 100.00....and paid 3x that...
If you don't have a hole saw, an option for correct size one is a budget kit from harbor freight that has multiple sizes: https://www.harborfreight.com/34-in-to-5-in-carbon-steel-hole-saw-set-18-piece-57524.html
item # 57524 $13.99
I have also designed and 3D printed a divider for the inside. The footprint is an almost perfect six pack, and the divider keeps everything upright and prevents movement. If anyone is into 3D Printing, I am happy to share the files. I could print as well for nominal cost of material, time and shipping. it was designed in two pieces to be able to fit on my 3D printer bed. It fits snug and accommodates standard cans or water bottles nicely. does not fit 20oz Gatorade bottles.
If you don't have a hole saw, an option for correct size one is a budget kit from harbor freight that has multiple sizes: https://www.harborfreight.com/34-in-to-5-in-carbon-steel-hole-saw-set-18-piece-57524.html
item # 57524 $13.99
I have also designed and 3D printed a divider for the inside. The footprint is an almost perfect six pack, and the divider keeps everything upright and prevents movement. If anyone is into 3D Printing, I am happy to share the files. I could print as well for nominal cost of material, time and shipping. it was designed in two pieces to be able to fit on my 3D printer bed. It fits snug and accommodates standard cans or water bottles nicely. does not fit 20oz Gatorade bottles.
NorthWestYuppie
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Amazon at $199 plus shipping
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HILLY
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It's meant to be a permanent install. It can be removed, but it doesn't come out quickly and takes care to do so.
It's very easy to clean with a stainless steel wall.
When this refrigerator came to light a few months ago, I wondered what happens when the vehicle's engine is shut off. Does the refrigerator keep running (cycling) and keep the contents cold? Would the vehicle's battery management system eventually cut power to the refrigerator in an effort to save the battery?
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HILLY
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IF you leave it on (there is an ON/OFF switch), either of the scenarios will happen:
1. Fridge will continue to run until the power point timeout is reached.
2. If voltage drops too low before timeout is reached, BMS will kick in at it's safety level and shut down any consumers running to protect the battery.
3. Fridge will continue to run until it's own internal switch cuts it off at <12V.
I'm not sure what the BMS threshold is, but I believe the fridge will shut off before the BMS kicks in.
wakeboarder
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From my experience, it would only run when the vehicle is running. There is quite a bit of voltage drop when the fridge is running. My refrigerator will start at 12.6 V or greater and will run until the voltage drops below 12.0 V. Without the engine running, it will try start, but when the compressor kicks in, the voltage at the fridge drops below 12.0 V and it shuts off for a few minutes. At this point it is no longer cooling.
To solve this issue I bought this DC/DC converter. It maintains the output at 13.8 V regardless of the input voltage.
HOMELYLIFE Voltage Converter DC... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07WFMG11F?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
The cigarette lighter plug on the refrigerator is connected with spade terminal. I installed spade terminals on this DC/DC converter and put between the lighter plug and the fridge. There was room to mount it to the bottom of the compressor frame with a zip tie.
I also did a few other things:
1. Increased the cigarette lighter timeout from 30 minutes to 4 hours via Forscan
2. Bought a cigarette lighter to SAE cable.
On days when I need it to stay cool while parked, I hook up a battery charger the night before. Conveniently, the cigarette lighter sockets won’t time out if a charger is hooked up to one. I use a 2 amp charger and hook it up to the SAE plug. I leave the plug hanging six inches out the lift gate since I back into my driveway.
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HILLY
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Thank you for sharing this. Will have to look into it as I'm positive that this will have to prolong the life of the compressor by regulating the voltage (less cycling).
Mr Big
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Great idea for road trips. Unfortunately the fridge is back up to $399.
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