Camping Fridges.

I am looking at buying a 12v, 24v & 240v camping fridge. I cant get over how much they cost. I purchased a large stainless fridge for my Kitchen at home and it cost $850. Yet a camping fridge that is a fraction of the size costs $1200 plus. Are we getting ripped off in this country or what? I looked on ebay and there is the no name fridges with similar specifications delivered to your home for $400. Are these fridges any good and will they do the job?

Thanks
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Reply By: garrycol - Wednesday, Jul 03, 2013 at 15:24

Wednesday, Jul 03, 2013 at 15:24
I have one of those cheap ebay fridges for nearly 4 years - works fine, low power use, thick insulation - cheaper than many parts or services on the big name stuff.

I would recommend them.

Garry
AnswerID: 514210

Follow Up By: Member - Frank P (NSW) - Wednesday, Jul 03, 2013 at 16:59

Wednesday, Jul 03, 2013 at 16:59
X 2. I have an unbranded Chinese 12/24V 55litre compressor fridge which originally had a copy of a Danfoss compressor. It failed and I had a Waeco repair shop fit a genuine Danfoss (used) from a written-off Waeco with a broken display panel.

Had it for 6 years. Its great.
FrankP

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Follow Up By: Keith H7 - Wednesday, Jul 03, 2013 at 19:55

Wednesday, Jul 03, 2013 at 19:55
I bought a beer 3 way fridge from ALDI for about $250 its great. Watch for their specials.



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Reply By: Member - wicket - Wednesday, Jul 03, 2013 at 17:55

Wednesday, Jul 03, 2013 at 17:55
Just had a look at thisebay fridge and it makes some interesting power usage claims

They reckon it uses 0.13kWh/24hrs which is .46 amps per hour which is almost unbelievable until you realize they don't tell you the ambient temp which if it was 0 degrees c then it would be a bit much but if it was 30 degrees c then it's bs
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Follow Up By: TerraFirma - Thursday, Jul 04, 2013 at 11:29

Thursday, Jul 04, 2013 at 11:29
yeah Wicket it pays to read the small print, ambient of zero is laughable really, we mostly need our fridges in the warmer months . I have noticed there are so many fridges on the market now, Anaconda were clearing out some Primus fridges for next to nothing they didn't last long. It pays to wait for clearances and specials if you can. I have also noticed some cheap fridges with Danfoss compressors.
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Reply By: Member - MUZBRY(Vic) - Wednesday, Jul 03, 2013 at 20:15

Wednesday, Jul 03, 2013 at 20:15
Gday
Have a look at the fridges in Patterson Cheeney , Kirkham road Keysborough ,truck division , you might be surprised at the price.

Muzbry
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Reply By: Robyn R4 - Wednesday, Jul 03, 2013 at 21:49

Wednesday, Jul 03, 2013 at 21:49
Try seconds outlets.
We went for a big brand name for (hopefully!) back-up if anything went wrong...we're not sold (pardon the pun!) on "little brands" in anything that needs a warranty. But we found a website that informed us of seconds and there happened to be a place 45 minutes away that sold them. We kept an eye on their web site for a few weeks and found a big name fridge for about $300 off, all for $12 in petrol.
I think it was reduced because it had a scratch. Whatever the reason, it hasn't affected its performance!
AnswerID: 514233

Reply By: Batt's - Wednesday, Jul 03, 2013 at 23:05

Wednesday, Jul 03, 2013 at 23:05
There expensive because they will run on the roughest tracks, can operate up to a 30deg angle they draw a small amount of power and will probably outlast most house fridges made these days. Anyway Evakool have reasonable prices on their fridges and they are made well I have a white fibreglass 47ltr which is a fridge/freezer or you can use the whole thing as a freezer I don't think you can do that with a house fridge just another feature which helps to justify cost. I think most are reasonably priced for what you get and how versatile they are.
AnswerID: 514242

Follow Up By: Batt's - Wednesday, Jul 03, 2013 at 23:10

Wednesday, Jul 03, 2013 at 23:10
Also you can use it if you loose power and don't have a genny like we have done a couple of times after a cyclone knocks the power out .
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Reply By: Member - evaredy - Thursday, Jul 04, 2013 at 12:00

Thursday, Jul 04, 2013 at 12:00
When it comes to fridges, I think you get what you pay for. Sure you might be able to buy one cheaper off ebay but how long will it last and will you have warranty?

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Follow Up By: garrycol - Thursday, Jul 04, 2013 at 12:19

Thursday, Jul 04, 2013 at 12:19
Absolute nonsense - those who have these fridges - like me - find they work great. You have warranty and and they can be repaired by any competent fridge mechanic. But the cost means that if you do have an issue you through it away and get another one for less than the service cost of some "major" brands.

My 55l was a 1/4 of the cost of an engel - you rarely see problems posted about problems of these cheapies but you see many posted about Engels and Weacos.
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Follow Up By: Member - evaredy - Thursday, Jul 04, 2013 at 14:08

Thursday, Jul 04, 2013 at 14:08
I posed the question about warranty and longevity when buying online.


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Follow Up By: Sigmund - Thursday, Jul 04, 2013 at 20:06

Thursday, Jul 04, 2013 at 20:06
You may see lots of posts of probs about Waeco and Engel ... but that's cos they're so widely used. As a proportion of those out there? You don't know and neither do I.

This kind of thread is close to useless.

Peeps can only talk about their own experience.

Mine with Waeco is faultless after 4 outback trips. I'll stick with that brand and wish good luck to those choosing others.
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Reply By: Luke F1 - Thursday, Jul 04, 2013 at 13:46

Thursday, Jul 04, 2013 at 13:46
It seems like the people that have the cheaper fridges are happy with them and the people that knock them are the ones that pay big dollars for the brands. Think ill try the $350 ebay special. beats paying $1200+ for a big brand
AnswerID: 514261

Follow Up By: garrycol - Thursday, Jul 04, 2013 at 14:13

Thursday, Jul 04, 2013 at 14:13
I take it you are looking at the 32l version. I have a 55l different brand (metal body) and as commented above is fine on all counts.

I also have a 25l EvaKool bought from BCF which is similar to the 32l you are looking at but its insulation is not as good as my 55l but still works OK but does have a higher current draw as it looses a bit of its cold when opened and closed. It is a good fridge for weekends but not for longer as it is a bit small.

When on longer trips I use the EvaKool as a dedicated freezer as it is not opened and closed a lot and use my 55l as the fridge with the beers etc.

Just make sure the 32l will suit your needs.

Garry
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Follow Up By: Luke F1 - Thursday, Jul 04, 2013 at 14:53

Thursday, Jul 04, 2013 at 14:53
Thanks Garry. There is some good deals on ebay. Some include the insulation cover with 2 year warranty. I think itt might be a good idea to compare the different capacity fridges at BCF to decide on the right capacity fridge for me.
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Follow Up By: garrycol - Thursday, Jul 04, 2013 at 15:43

Thursday, Jul 04, 2013 at 15:43
Just be aware that many of the "insulation covers" are in fact protection covers and have no insulation in them- so clarify before buying. My 55l is one of those and the 25l from BCF the insulation cover was an extra $99.
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Follow Up By: Batt's - Thursday, Jul 04, 2013 at 21:58

Thursday, Jul 04, 2013 at 21:58
A protective cover would be good if your fridge is in a ute tray but I would be concerned about the insulation properties if you need an insulation cover. When I bought my fibreglass Evakool at a 4WD expo it was the only company that had their display set up in the sun to prove how good they worked all the other brands were under marquies in the shade
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Follow Up By: edwin - Wednesday, Jul 10, 2013 at 13:41

Wednesday, Jul 10, 2013 at 13:41
bought a factory second evakool 70 litre direct from them , cost me $799 plus $30 freight. have no idea as to why it was a second , there wasnt a scratch or blemish on it, just got back from a 6 week cape york trip, it worked fine, a bloody great bargain I reckon.
check out there site, theres all sorts of seconds there.
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