test report for those about to buy a car fridge
Submitted: Tuesday, Dec 16, 2003 at 13:51
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pathfinder
there is a comprehensive comparo of the major car fridge makes available in the current (December) Choice magazine - makes interesting reading...and more thorough than the tests in the 4wd mags...
Reply By: CHRIS - Tuesday, Dec 16, 2003 at 15:24
Tuesday, Dec 16, 2003 at 15:24
How did the WAECO fridges go. What product did they recommend in the 50 ltr range, and what was the best performing fridge of the lot. (don't have access to their magazine).
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Follow Up By: pathfinder - Tuesday, Dec 16, 2003 at 16:09
Tuesday, Dec 16, 2003 at 16:09
the Waeco did
well and actually performed better then the Engel which was surprising considering I thought they used the same Danfoss compressor - maybe a diff in insulation properties of respective cabinets. The Waeco managed to maintain minus 10 degrees (minus 6 for Engel) in plus 43 degrees ambient temp, had low current draw and the advantage of auto cut-off at certain voltages to avoid flattening your battery - ideal for single battery vehicles...
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Follow Up By: Member - Eskimo - Tuesday, Dec 16, 2003 at 16:27
Tuesday, Dec 16, 2003 at 16:27
engel use a swing compressor and the danfoss is a reciprocating
They are not not even similar Pathfinder.
The engels are known for their lack off insulation...but having said that if the compressor is big enough it should have done better than the
test says.
I guess the
test says its a bit small after allWow! am I cute
If yer ain't fishing, Yer ain't livin
Richard
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Reply By: macca - Tuesday, Dec 16, 2003 at 16:35
Tuesday, Dec 16, 2003 at 16:35
you can buy a review from choice on line for $8.25 per review
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Reply By: Members - Andrew & Jen - Tuesday, Dec 16, 2003 at 21:28
Tuesday, Dec 16, 2003 at 21:28
The Choice article compared the Evakool RF47 (which now I think is the ED50), the Bushman SC 35; the Engel MT45F-G4 and Waeco CF-40 as
well as thermoelectric models and the Chescold Dometic.
The article is useful to compare these models but otherwise was limited.
Comparing Waeco (W) and Engel (E) and Evakool (K) freezer/fridge see below:
Coldest temp reached in 20C: W-17; E-18; K-23/-5
Coldest temp reached in 32C; W-17; E-16; K-25/-2
Coldest temp reached in 43C; W-10; E-6 ; K-19/+7
Cooldown time (40 to 0C in 43C); W1hr; E2.11hrs; K0.53hrs
Temp variation when ambient changes 10 - 43; W2.6;E0.3; K 7.1dividers out/ 13.2 with dividers in
Battery current:average cycle incl on and off times/ while cooling /max in all tests
W1.0 /4.0 / 7.0 amps
E 1.1 /2.7/4.0
K 2.0/2.6/6.0
In the reports they said the Engel was slower than some models to reach the desired cold temperature but on the positive side it draws much less current from the battery ( though my reading means the average is about the same as the Waeco).
The Waeco was quick to cool and good at maintaining the temperature. They didn't like the temperature settings being only available in 5C increments. Low average current draw was good as was the battery protection cutout. Said that the lid did not always latch closed properly.
They also tested the Bushman SC35 which gave a good account of itself with relatively low average current draw and only downside was that in some directions it would cut out on inclines of more than 15C.
AndrewMy Toy - 2001 Landcruiser 100S Turbo Diesel
"We do not stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing"
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Follow Up By: Dave from Fraser Coast 4WD Club - Wednesday, Dec 17, 2003 at 08:42
Wednesday, Dec 17, 2003 at 08:42
Andrew and Jen, did they detail their testing procedure, ie were the fridges full or empty?
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Follow Up By: Members - Andrew & Jen - Wednesday, Dec 17, 2003 at 19:03
Wednesday, Dec 17, 2003 at 19:03
In the cool down
test they said it was the time taken for the empty box to cool from 40C down to 0C in an ambient temperature of 43C.
AndrewMy Toy - 2001 Landcruiser 100S Turbo Diesel
"We do not stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing"
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Follow Up By: Dave from Fraser Coast 4WD Club - Wednesday, Dec 17, 2003 at 19:15
Wednesday, Dec 17, 2003 at 19:15
okay, for the cool down, that's probably fair enough, but what about for all of the other tests. IMHO, if they conducted the tests with the fridges empty it is essentialy fairly useless.
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Follow Up By: Members - Andrew & Jen - Wednesday, Dec 17, 2003 at 20:19
Wednesday, Dec 17, 2003 at 20:19
They didn't mention anything about contents but on the coldest temperature reached readings, they said "The temperature was measured in the centre at mid-height from the bottom to the tip of the lid." It implies to me that they were empty.My Toy - 2001 Landcruiser 100S Turbo Diesel
"We do not stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing"
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