Member - Jimbo (VIC) replied:

Paul,

For price comparison, Repco are doing the 40L Waeco for $699 including a 240V adaptor.

Also note that the Supercheap job doesn't have a basket, and 8.5 amps is pretty heavy draw if that is constant whilst running or is it start up current.

Cheers,

Jim.

Member - Ed. C. replied:

G'day Pauldingo, (any relation to Ernie???)

You may wish to check out Autopro as well...

They've been advertising a 35L 12v fridge/freezer (separate freezer compartment) w/- a 240-12v transformer included for $570...
According to their 'cattle-dog', this one "features quality German compressor", which suggests that it's probably a Danfoss (BD35?)... I haven't checked the current draw on these, presumably it would be the same as a Waeco...
My experience with Autopro has been that they are (usually) open to a bit of "haggling", so you may be able to do better than the advertised price...

If I were in the market for a fridge in this size/price range, I reckon that this is the one at which I'd be looking most closely... Happy hunting!!

Regards, Ed. C.

dano01 replied:

I would not worry about a cheap fridge spend the extra a get a good one. I also was looking at cheap fridges but in the end i spent the extra and got a 40l engel. It only draws max 2.5amp on freeze. It is a great fridge and i have had no problems with it.

porlsprado replied:

If it draws 8.5amps i can't imagine its the BD35F compressor, or if it is the electronics must be kindegarten level (my level) to require such wastage when the max. rating on the waeco's of the BD35F (non-turbo models) is 3.5amps. The engel on 2.5 amps sounds great but may represent a false economy as the compressor does run longer and in any event is way way more expensive. But if you want to really get your teeth into refrigeration issues look up the post below about the guy enquiring about the CK-40 waeco, life used to be so simple. i think the link is this:

http://www.exploroz.com/forum/view.asp?forumqid=18859

Black Jack replied:

Hi Paul, Like the others I looked at the Supercheap fridge and dismissed it for the same above reasons, plus there is no reference to 240 volt power supply and the salesperson didn't think it ran on 240 v. You would have to buy an inverter to run it at home. Add this to the cost of the fridge and the price doesn't look so good any more.

Footloose replied:

I looked at the same fridge and rejected it for the same reasons. I bought the smaller Waeco from across the isle on Boxing Day special foraround $475. The insulation bag cost me $40! Yes its not a big fridge but I was only after something I could lift by myself and enough space for a few basics for 1 :))