Fridge Y — 35QT powered fridge/freezer for Tesla Model Y 5-seat sub-trunk

I had a minor issue with Model Y Fridge and contacted CS. They rapidly resolved the issue.

The fridge worked great on our 24 day road trip. The actual brand of refrigerator is ACO Power. We got a surprising amount of condensation when set to 35 degrees F, but Teslafridge supplied a microfiber cloth with the unit to wipe up the moisture. The app makes you scan for bluetooth devices then tap on the found fridge every time instead of going straight to the fridge info screen. IMHO it should automatically go to the last seen fridge info screen first, and only throw up the scan screen if it can’t find fridge. The fridge can get very hot in the sub-trunk so we added thicker lid spacers than what was supplied. The only other issue was the DC plug was knocked loose once and it took several hours before we noticed. A LED light on the plug would be helpful to indicate the plug had power without having to check app or lift sub-trunk lid to see if fridge has power.

I unpacked the unit, nestled it into what I call “the basement” of my Model Y’s trunk, and connected the power.

Although the panel came on, the controls were unintuitive, and the instructions weren’t of much help. But, after fiddling over attempts I was a finally able to adjust the settings.

But then, nothing happened. The compressor would only activate for a few seconds, so over hours of experimenting, the unit never cooled.

I went to bed the first night thinking to myself, "Oh brother, my product was dead on arrival. I'll probably have to go through the hastle of a return and then missing having the fridge during an upcoming two-week vacation in the mountains of North Carolina."

The next morning I hunkered down and read all the reviews at teslafridge.com, where I learned about a setting that would provide full voltage to power outlets, including the one that powered the fridge to stay on when the vehicle is parked.

That did the trick! The unit quickly cooled to the desired temperature.

My hours of frustration and experimentation would have been saved if this were only mentioned in the manual!

So, I give it 5 stars for the product, and, if it were possible, 1 star for the documentation. The unit quickly cools. It's quiet, roomy and draws little power, primarily because it takes advantage of Tesla's sophisticated electronics and software. I plan to keep it set to just a few degrees above freezing, although I've tested down to well below zero degrees Fahrenheit.

Following are suggestions for improving the design for the next model:
• The app only works with Bluetooth. If it were re-designed for wi-fi, it could be enhanced to allow the app to be used in the same way as the Tesla app. This would allow monitoring and setting the temperature from a wi-fi or 5G connection rather than within the short range of Bluetooth.
• Automatic defrost would be much more convenient. (Since the unit doesn’t drain the battery quickly, I plan to rarely power it off.)
• Although picky, the power cord attaches to the opposite side of where the Tesla’s power outlet is located.

I am really happy with this fridge that fits perfectly in my Y's subtrunk. It is great for leftovers from a meal if you don't want to go straight home, cold drinks and snacks on a road trip and picking up a gallon of milk during lunch hour.

The only complaint I have is that the temperature you set in the app is always warmer than the actual temp in the fridge. I had it set at 39 and all my drinks froze because it was so cold. I have to keep it set at 45 to keep the temp around 39.

I would love to give this product five stars, but I can't. It's well thought out and nicely executed, but customer service is non-existent. I ordered mine with an AC adapter, which didn't come. I have tried three different contact methods to request status or expedite on this item, and have received no communication whatsoever. Nice product, but if you ever need help with it, you're on your own.