ARB 47L
THE ARB fridge is a well-designed and thought-out fridge. The compact, rectangular-sized, powder-coated steel cabinet – with removable, end-opening, injection-moulded lid – is cleverly engineered with a spring-loaded detent system to easily detach and replace.
The over-centre, cam-lock lid latch is easy to operate single-handed and provides a good closing pressure to seal the lid. The lid’s rubber hollow section seal is recessed to prevent damage, while a raised lip on the cabinet compresses into it to provide a good seal.
Just below the latch are solid, recessed, powder-coated metal carry handles that double as tie-down points. The mounted digital readout control panel is well recessed to prevent knocking and can be easily set.
Inside, the cleverly designed basket is reversible to allow for different length loads, plus a separate dairy section is provided. The evaporator plate is integrated into the internal wall, as is the LED light.
A drain plug is fitted into the base between the mesh of the basket to allow for easy access. It seems ARB’S engineers/designers took note of drink can dimensions, as the internal fridge dimensions – length and width – allow for a number of cans.
Clips in the rear external wall help secure 12-, 24- and 240-volt leads. The fridge will automatically select to run on mains power whenever it is available (if both plugs are plugged in) but revert to battery power if the mains go off.
The latest crop of ARB fridges include a rear-mounted plug from which a remote wireless temp sensor can provide relevant fridge information to the driver.
IMPROVEMENTS
IT COULD do with a basket for the dairy section, and the remote temperature monitor could be included as standard equipment. The evaporator plate could also extend to the top of the internal walls to help spread the cold more evenly. That’s nit-picking, though, as it wouldn’t make a huge difference to the fridge’s operation.