This is Paul Chapman’s cart that he built using the E-Z Built Hot Dog Cart Video and Plans Package. He modified it to include a fridge. Nice job Chappy!
Hi Steve! I am looking for some input on a battery operated and also a propane operated Cooler/frig freezer. Would like comments, recommendations on a brand or type to buy. THANKS All the best!
– Kelley
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Hi Kelley,
I guess the first step is to determine which you really need, a propane refrigerator or an electric one.
Electric
If you will be doing mainly events where you have reliable access to electricity then you could go electric.
An electric fridge also can be run from a deep cycle battery hooked up to a DC power inverter. These are available at your local auto parts store. They can also help you size your batteries and inverter if you tell them how much power your fridge draws. Look for the label that gives you the amps or watts rating.
Note: We are hearing reports from our readers that the “modified sine wave” auto parts store inverters may not work as well as a “pure sine wave” inverter. See Mark’s comment in the comment section below (thanks Mark!).
Your last alternative for running an electric refrigerator on a hot dog cart is to use a small generator. The four stroke generators are more expensive but they are also a lot quieter. Nothing is worse than having to listen to a noisy generator all day.
Propane
The obvious advantage of a propane refrigerator is that is runs on a fuel that 99 percent of us already have on our carts. Just tee in a line to the fridge. The biggest disadvantage is the cost, but think long term. You will get years of use out of it, so you need to spread that extra cost out over let’s say three years. When you break it down that way, it makes a lot of sense.
Recommendations
I’ve never used a refrigerator on my cart. I’m just a regular old cooler and ice guy. So let’s put our heads together and help each other out in the comments section.
If you have an onboard fridge, what kind do you use – propane or electric? What are your experiences? How do you like it? Also, what brands and models do you prefer?
Leave your comment below. Thanks!
-Steve
P.S. Want the E-Z Built Hot Dog Cart Video and Plans Package plus a complete hot dog business training course (book and video lesssons). You can get it all online. Click here.
Some great info matey !
I didn’t know you could run them on batteries.
I’m back and getting settled in.
Life is good. And hot !!
Arrrrrrrr !
1St Mate Jim.
We have to use them in Seattle. Most everyone gets a generator to power an electric refrigeration unit. The genny has other uses such as lights, music, charging batteries.
Most power invertors you buy at your auto parts stores are modified sign wave convertors and in most cases it will not run a fridge or freezer. On my Good Doggy hot dog cart I have a 7 cubic fridg — freezer with a deep cell trolling battery I bought a 800 was converter and it would not deliver power to my fridge. I Checked out on youtube why it wouldn’t work. The reason given was that I needed a( pure sign wave convertor). That type of a converter delivers a different current flow to the fridge. It is a current similar to what the current you going to your home. The modified sign wave may run a smaller fridge– freezer then what I have . I draw 180 watts when the fridge kicks on at start up. You can buy a decent modified converter on amazon or ebay for $150 to $200 you do not need to buy a $600 convertor.
Hope you find this information useful.
God Bless Have A Great Day
MARK THE DOG SLINGER
“HAVE BUNS WILL TRAVEL’.
Thanks for that valuable info Mark! I’ll update the article to reflect it.
-Steve
I bought the whynter 65 qt frig/freezer. I carry my frozen in the bottom and my fresh on top…i run it with one marine battery hooked directly to the battery with gator clamps connected to a 12 volt female cig liter. I get about 30 hours out of the batt befor recharge….i bought the frig refurbished for 459.00 withe a warranty….more ? Email me
I’m like Steve, cooler and ice. But my brother put me on to a great way to get the most out of it: layer the ice with kosher salt and it will keep the temps much lower and make the ice last longer. I had frozen foods in the cooler all day that stayed frozen even after I got home!
Great tip!
It also depends upon what the Health department wants. I know in WI you cannot use a residential fridge it has to be commercial. I don’t know of any commercial fridge that is propane or 12 volt. I was going to use one from a camper they said no. So I had to put one in a truck with a generator. You can get pure sine wave inverters on places like eBay but be careful. remember, if it says 1500 watts, that is what it puts out at 220 volts so any wattage it states you have to cut it in half.
PRAY FOR ORLANDO, FL. One day this madness will end. But that day is not today.
Praying indeed.
like you,Steve,im an ice man.NJ is a tough place to vend with RULES that are nuts.dont want to get into more bs
Hi Steve, If a non commercial fridge can be used, this company sells 12vdc compressor fridges. These fridges do not waste power converting 110vac into dc through inverter, so they are very energy efficient – will run like 24 or 48 hours from a single deep cycle battery. http://www.truckfridge.com
– Famous Jonny
I love my fridge! I feel lucky I found just the perfect cart for me that was already equipped
I use the little honda generator which is easy for me to manage by myself always starts on the first pull! I have been selling for about a year and a half now and my business is just continuing to grow! Thanks to Steve for all the great info on how to get started! 🙂
Good for you Jeanne!
so I’m on my 5th cart now,I’ve done all on Steves plans i got like 6 years ago..i keep selling and rebuilding in winter. all metal i weld but its still the same. Anyway i had same idea but always try to keep below $800 So two builds ago i tried electric not so great unless you do feasts or trade shows ann propane fridges are expensive, Then i was at my friends campground and saw his camper fridge was propane!!! Lightbulb so i started hunting allot of yearly camping Rv parks have abandoned trailers they sell for parts. i purchased my last 2 fridges for under $60 and after 5 cart builds i have never went over $800… you just have to get creative and think outside the box. I’ve turned other peoples garbage into parts on my carts… hope that helps
That’s awesome Tony! Thanks for the great source for refrigerators.