Budget Car Fridges

Ironman hands down I would say, Danfoss combined with the superior warranty AND outstanding after sales service makes them a standout choice.

No experience with those fridge brands, but I do have experience with Domus and Danfoss compressors.

I have an unbranded Chinese 55 litre fridge originally equipped with a Domus compressor, a copy of the Danfoss BD-35. After a couple of years of outback travel the suspension for the internals inside the sealed unit failed and it clunked around, banging itself inside the steel canister, though it continued to work.

Not wanting the fridge to fail on a trip, I had a Waeco repair shop install a second-hand Danfoss BD35. It cools better and draws less current. It's been in there for 3 years of outback travel.

Better p[erformance, more economical on battery power, better warranty - go for the Ironman.

Cheers

As an aside and FYI,

Anaconda Stores have 25% off store-wide (including fridges) until store close Monday. That makes all of their range a bargain (Waeco and Engel). Was just down there.

Waeco's older models are very similar in appearance to the Ironman units - Danfoss etc.

Cheers Mick

You could have a look at the bushman, engel eclipse, or the primus mammoth. Very hard to go past the danfoss compressor, had my engel for 10 plus years and ran tags to the cape and gulf, the only problem was the 10 amp fuse suffering from a little corrosion, only the second fuse in all that that time. Go to your local Fridgie service centre, they will tell you what's good and what's bad. Nothing worse than well into your trip and your fridge packs it in.

Has anyone checked out this place in BNE, they have a Waeco 50 looking fridge with seperate freezer compartment for about half Waeco price.
I don't know anything about them, but somehow started getting advertising from them.
http://www.importerdeals.com/portable-refrigeration.html

Sorry should have been a bit better with the grammar, yes engel do run swarfiga, but the danfoss is equal, my apologies.

I have got the 40l ironman fridge. Had it for nearly 2 years now and have had no probs at all with it. Have it held down with a couple of the cam buckle straps in the back of the pathfinder.
Price and warranty got me and have been happy with it.

You could also look at the 55ltr Evakool fridgemate, its sub $1000 has danfoss compressor and good insulation. Ive got an ARB 47ltr and a 70ltr fridgemate which has been running non stop for 5 years. Both are good fridges and the Evakool has good versatility as it can be used as fridge and freezer or take the divider out and go all fridge or all freezer. Also comes with a 5 year warranty, Some people don't like the yellow colour but I reckon it looks good:) Only my opinion but id buy the Evakool before id buy either of the other 2 you mentioned. have a look.

http://www.australiandirect.com.au/buy/evakool-55-litre-fridgemate-portable-fridge-freezer-combination/FM055_P

Hi Peter…

Whilst acknowledging this doesn’t answer your specific question, as I have no experience with either of the brands mentioned.

However, I am a firm believer that “cheap” does not always equate to “less expensive”.

I have been running a 60-litre Engel for 7 years, continuously, and it has done over 100,000 kilometres plus of outback travel and I have not had one problem with it, ever.

In my opinion, that makes it cheap. In fact, I purchased it from ABR-Sidewinder, a business member on ExplorOz.

Good luck with research and purchase…

Cheers, Baz – The Landy

It's good to try and save a bit of dough but it can end up costing you more in the long run.

I would stay with Engle, Waeco or ARB..... bigger dealer network, more repairers and a greater chance of getting spare parts in the future when out of warranty.

Most people who buy quality fridges have them for years and years so the little more you spend now becomes insignificant in the long term........ if you have a known brand fridge that cost $300 more than a cheaper rebranded one, over 10 years thats only $30 per year.

We have all Waeco's and out of 8 we own only one went back for warranty and that was 4 years ago. I'm sure Engle and ARB would be the same.

Thanks for all the replies and advise.

For the benefit of anyone else looking in a similar price range my research so far has narrowed it down to the following (maybe with a little budget leeway)

Ironman 50 litre $697 inc transit bag delivered free

ARB 47 litre $1199 inc transit bag and towel

Engel MRF 40 (plastic 38 litre model) $779 inc transit bag plus freight

Engel MT45FP (meta 40 litre model) $1199 inc transit bag plus freight

The Ironman does seem very tempting however as some have said you don't save buying cheaply? On the other hand I cannot find anything negative about the Ironman fridges.

Unfortunately I dont live near any of the large discount stores therefore pretty much stuck on what can be freighted to me.