[I've seen some recent postings asking for info and experiences with portable refrigerators and the Model X. Since I recently purchased one after some research, I thought I would post my initial impressions with my selection. Hope this is useful for others....]
After taking many short and long road-trips in my P90D Model X (6-seat) configuration, I had grown tired of trying to keep the ice fresh in the 16 qt (~15 L) Stanley Adventure Cooler that had occupied a place somewhere in the X during every road trip I had taken since the spring of 2016. And even when I did, there was the constant need to drain the cooler and repack it. For short trips of a few days, this wasn't much a problem, but for longer trips, I often found myself skipping breakfast and not making the effort to keep some simple breakfast and snack groceries in the vehicle. This bothered me, and as the odometer approached 30K, I began to research powered mobile coolers that would fit in the X.
I quickly focused on the Dometic CFX 40W, whose physical dimensions match up almost perfectly with the space between the two seats of the second row of the X. With an advertised dimensions of 15.7" x 18.1" x 27.2", the Dometic CFX-40 is a snug fit, which I hoped would serve to keep the unit well secured while driving while not interfering with the comfort or function of the second row seats. Placed between the second row seats in my 6-seat configuration X, the CFX 40W would not just deliver easy access to more than twice the volume (38 L) of cool drinks and snacks while on the road, but would also provide a nice alternative to a second row center console for any passengers seated in the second row. I also noted that the unit's cooling vents would vent underneath the second row seats without obstruction by the seats. With the unit appearing to fit well and Dometic's reputation as a quality provider of products established, keeping my breakfast and snacks properly refrigerated using the X's 12V DC system (or maybe even a solar panel?) seemed like a smarter way to travel than searching for ice while on the road....
Or so I hoped. It was time to take the plunge and order a new toy.
Dometic makes several models of portable refrigerators intended for automobile and RV based use. The CFX 35 and CFX 40 series are physically similar, with the CFX 35 series being slightly shorter. Based on the advertised dimensions on Dometic's website, any of CFX 35 or CFX 40 variations should fit the Model X (6 seat) configuration as described above. Plus, these two models are equipped with a lid that opens from the rear of the unit, making it especially convenient to access the contents of the refrigerator from the front seat as well as either second row passenger seat. The "W" models include a WiFi function to allow for some rudimentary smartphone based control and also appear to be newer and more power efficient than the slightly older models. Shop around and be sure you know what model is being advertised when comparing prices.
It took some time to find the best price and delivery arrangement to my home in southern California. I ultimately purchased the CFX 40W from Dyers Online, and other than having a minor issue with their website (which they corrected promptly via email), the purchase proceeded smoothly. I had not purchased from Dyers before, but I would consider doing so again, as not only did they offer the best price, but also free shipping! The order was placed on a Monday, and before the weekend I found the following waiting for me earlier than expected:
Unboxing was easy and the unit seemed to have been well packed and protected for shipment:
At about 40 lbs empty, the CFX 40W unit itself was light enough that I was able to remove it from its packaging by the handles on either side in order to lift it out of the box. The handles also made it easy to carry the unit and place it on a nearby table for further inspection.
As mentioned earlier, one of the features important to me was the ability to easily open the lid of the unit and reach inside from any seat in the front or second row of the vehicle. This was the first feature I confirmed upon delivery. The lid closes firmly but opens easily. It is certainly much easier to open than my old Stanley cooler.
As seen above, the interior is comprised of two refrigeration areas: a larger deeper area and a shallower smaller area. The unit's compressor and front-panel electronics appear to take up the "missing volume" beneath the shallow container where the instruction manuals and power connectors for both 120/240 VAC and 12/24 VDC were packaged for shipping. Both areas are cooled when the unit is operational.
Dometic also provides a wire frame rack for the larger refrigeration area to keep items upright and/or separated. My first thought upon seeing it was to hope that it doesn't rattle when the vehicle was in motion.....
With the unit unpacked, I was ready to test and explore the basic operation before trying to fit the CFX 40 inside the Model X and test its operation there. Details of this coming up in a posting below (assuming there's interest!).
[ For those that cannot handle the suspense or are considering purchasing this unit already, after several weeks of testing, I'm generally happy with the CFX 40W and would recommend it if you also have a 6-seat configuration Model X. If you plan to keep the refrigerator in the rear trunk area, a different model might be a better fit. The only issue with this type of mobile refrigerator arrangement within the X that I've found so far is that most (all?) Model X's will turn off interior 12 V DC power after some period of time, which means the refrigerator will not operate when your Model X is parked for long periods of time. See this thread for more discussion on this topic. As a result, and for other reasons, I have been exploring alternate ways of powering my CFX 40W when on extended road trips. More on this in a later post.... ]
After taking many short and long road-trips in my P90D Model X (6-seat) configuration, I had grown tired of trying to keep the ice fresh in the 16 qt (~15 L) Stanley Adventure Cooler that had occupied a place somewhere in the X during every road trip I had taken since the spring of 2016. And even when I did, there was the constant need to drain the cooler and repack it. For short trips of a few days, this wasn't much a problem, but for longer trips, I often found myself skipping breakfast and not making the effort to keep some simple breakfast and snack groceries in the vehicle. This bothered me, and as the odometer approached 30K, I began to research powered mobile coolers that would fit in the X.
I quickly focused on the Dometic CFX 40W, whose physical dimensions match up almost perfectly with the space between the two seats of the second row of the X. With an advertised dimensions of 15.7" x 18.1" x 27.2", the Dometic CFX-40 is a snug fit, which I hoped would serve to keep the unit well secured while driving while not interfering with the comfort or function of the second row seats. Placed between the second row seats in my 6-seat configuration X, the CFX 40W would not just deliver easy access to more than twice the volume (38 L) of cool drinks and snacks while on the road, but would also provide a nice alternative to a second row center console for any passengers seated in the second row. I also noted that the unit's cooling vents would vent underneath the second row seats without obstruction by the seats. With the unit appearing to fit well and Dometic's reputation as a quality provider of products established, keeping my breakfast and snacks properly refrigerated using the X's 12V DC system (or maybe even a solar panel?) seemed like a smarter way to travel than searching for ice while on the road....
Or so I hoped. It was time to take the plunge and order a new toy.
Dometic makes several models of portable refrigerators intended for automobile and RV based use. The CFX 35 and CFX 40 series are physically similar, with the CFX 35 series being slightly shorter. Based on the advertised dimensions on Dometic's website, any of CFX 35 or CFX 40 variations should fit the Model X (6 seat) configuration as described above. Plus, these two models are equipped with a lid that opens from the rear of the unit, making it especially convenient to access the contents of the refrigerator from the front seat as well as either second row passenger seat. The "W" models include a WiFi function to allow for some rudimentary smartphone based control and also appear to be newer and more power efficient than the slightly older models. Shop around and be sure you know what model is being advertised when comparing prices.
It took some time to find the best price and delivery arrangement to my home in southern California. I ultimately purchased the CFX 40W from Dyers Online, and other than having a minor issue with their website (which they corrected promptly via email), the purchase proceeded smoothly. I had not purchased from Dyers before, but I would consider doing so again, as not only did they offer the best price, but also free shipping! The order was placed on a Monday, and before the weekend I found the following waiting for me earlier than expected:
Unboxing was easy and the unit seemed to have been well packed and protected for shipment:
At about 40 lbs empty, the CFX 40W unit itself was light enough that I was able to remove it from its packaging by the handles on either side in order to lift it out of the box. The handles also made it easy to carry the unit and place it on a nearby table for further inspection.
As mentioned earlier, one of the features important to me was the ability to easily open the lid of the unit and reach inside from any seat in the front or second row of the vehicle. This was the first feature I confirmed upon delivery. The lid closes firmly but opens easily. It is certainly much easier to open than my old Stanley cooler.
As seen above, the interior is comprised of two refrigeration areas: a larger deeper area and a shallower smaller area. The unit's compressor and front-panel electronics appear to take up the "missing volume" beneath the shallow container where the instruction manuals and power connectors for both 120/240 VAC and 12/24 VDC were packaged for shipping. Both areas are cooled when the unit is operational.
Dometic also provides a wire frame rack for the larger refrigeration area to keep items upright and/or separated. My first thought upon seeing it was to hope that it doesn't rattle when the vehicle was in motion.....
With the unit unpacked, I was ready to test and explore the basic operation before trying to fit the CFX 40 inside the Model X and test its operation there. Details of this coming up in a posting below (assuming there's interest!).
[ For those that cannot handle the suspense or are considering purchasing this unit already, after several weeks of testing, I'm generally happy with the CFX 40W and would recommend it if you also have a 6-seat configuration Model X. If you plan to keep the refrigerator in the rear trunk area, a different model might be a better fit. The only issue with this type of mobile refrigerator arrangement within the X that I've found so far is that most (all?) Model X's will turn off interior 12 V DC power after some period of time, which means the refrigerator will not operate when your Model X is parked for long periods of time. See this thread for more discussion on this topic. As a result, and for other reasons, I have been exploring alternate ways of powering my CFX 40W when on extended road trips. More on this in a later post.... ]