Waeco Fridge - 12V

I've just ordered a Waeco CDF-35 12/240V fridge freezer.

We are towing our van around Oz next year and want something to use for daytrips and also when we do camping sections e.g. Gibb River.

Question - is the cigarette lighter connection OK or should we get a new circuit (eg Anderson Plug) put into the back of the car for the Waeco?
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Reply By: dbish - Saturday, Oct 09, 2010 at 21:24

Saturday, Oct 09, 2010 at 21:24
Hi Geofff, I use 2 Waecos & the first thing to go was the cigarette lighter plugs, I use Clipsal polarized 2 pin plugs on every thing. Anderson plug would alse be better. Daryl
AnswerID: 432543

Reply By: Member - Megan and Kevin D (AC - Saturday, Oct 09, 2010 at 22:44

Saturday, Oct 09, 2010 at 22:44
Hi there
We found the cigarette lighter adapter at the rear of the Land Cruiser unsatisfactory (even a heavy duty one). We got an Auto Electrician to hard-wire (soldering the wires together) a Waeco fridge lead into the vehicle's wiring system. Cigarette lighter points can provide very poor connections especially over vibrations. Dust and moisture also cause problems. Hard-wiring eliminates one connection and thus one source of trouble. We have had absolutely no trouble over many thousands of kilometres of extreme road conditions.
Megan
AnswerID: 432548

Follow Up By: TerraFirma - Saturday, Oct 09, 2010 at 22:50

Saturday, Oct 09, 2010 at 22:50
Yes spot on Megan.
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Reply By: Member - Redbakk (WA) - Saturday, Oct 09, 2010 at 22:59

Saturday, Oct 09, 2010 at 22:59
Hi Geoff....totally agree with the above.....ditched my cigarette plugs for 50 amp anderson plugs and had no trouble since.

.
AnswerID: 432550

Reply By: PradOz - Saturday, Oct 09, 2010 at 23:04

Saturday, Oct 09, 2010 at 23:04
check out the Waeco RAPS R12U units. I have had no issues since fitting one and not expensive or hard to fit. Can use the Hella fitting then in lieu of a cig plug by sliding off the red tip on the waeco plug. The Hella fitting locks it into place unlike the cig fitting cheers....
AnswerID: 432553

Follow Up By: Stu & "Bob" - Saturday, Oct 09, 2010 at 23:15

Saturday, Oct 09, 2010 at 23:15
I am using the Waeco RAPS unit in my fridge installation. Quite happy with it, it also can switch on/off with the vehicle engine, if required.

.
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Follow Up By: Geofff - Sunday, Oct 10, 2010 at 00:48

Sunday, Oct 10, 2010 at 00:48
Is there any advantage of the RAPS R12U unit over an Anderson Plug?
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Follow Up By: Stu & "Bob" - Sunday, Oct 10, 2010 at 08:55

Sunday, Oct 10, 2010 at 08:55
Only that it is switchable between constant power and on/off with the engine for battery charging. In constant power mode, it also cuts out at low vehicle battery voltage. And, I guess there is no need to modify the fridge power lead to suit the Anderson plug.

Apart from that, no real advantage, I suppose.
HTH
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Follow Up By: Stu & "Bob" - Sunday, Oct 10, 2010 at 08:58

Sunday, Oct 10, 2010 at 08:58
Weaco RAPS unit
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Follow Up By: PradOz - Monday, Oct 11, 2010 at 10:38

Monday, Oct 11, 2010 at 10:38
Hi Geoff

The RAPS is only around $119 (plus postage) for a complete Waeco purpose built kit with the required cable size to run your fridge/freezer. It comes complete with everything you need and is transferable between vehicles if you decide to sell or need to run it in another vehicle. I am just about to go and remove mine from my old 90 series Prado ready to install later this week in my 'new' 120 Prado.

I do know of an Exploroz Member who sells 4WD/RV gear and Waeco products. Not sure where you are but he is in Gold Coast area but can post out anywhere. I found him extremely helpful and his advice was great for me. If you decide you would like his details let me know.

Engel also make one for their fridges and I have seen these in Repco but cost a little more and have their own plugs on them. I like these Raps as you decide if you want to use the Hella fitting which locks the Waeco plug into position so it wont fall out, or use the cig fitting or even use that for something else. It is switchable by pushing a button on it for constant power or on/off with engine and cuts out when voltage is low in either mode.

Have a look here: RAPS UNIT

If you are in SW Sydney you are welcome to look at mine, Cheers....

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Reply By: ross - Saturday, Oct 09, 2010 at 23:22

Saturday, Oct 09, 2010 at 23:22
My auto electrician upgraded some wiring to the cig lighter to make it work but Ive measured the output and its better through the Anderson plugs I fitted.
AnswerID: 432555

Follow Up By: Geofff - Sunday, Oct 10, 2010 at 01:01

Sunday, Oct 10, 2010 at 01:01
I already have an Anderson plug at the rear of the car. Would it be feasible to wire up a double-adaptor Anderson plug (one outlet feeding the 100L fridge in the van and the other feeding the Warco fridge? I know I could have the lead made but would the wiring handle it given that it is only running two fridges????
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FollowupID: 703376

Follow Up By: Member - John and Val - Sunday, Oct 10, 2010 at 07:37

Sunday, Oct 10, 2010 at 07:37
Geofff,

Suggest simply fit a second anderson plug in parallel with the first, rather than a double adapter lead. They could be close together or separated, but I'd try to minimise the number of connections. In view of the length of wiring and the current that'll be drawn by the 2 fridges, it'll be important to use heavy cable throughout.

Cheers

John
J and V
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Follow Up By: Sigmund - Tuesday, Oct 12, 2010 at 08:54

Tuesday, Oct 12, 2010 at 08:54
Anderson plugs can vibrate apart too if in the unsprung weight zone; has happened twice to me.

Have had no trouble with a Hella Merrit connection in the sprung zone.
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