Waeco CF-80 Query Update
Submitted: Friday, Mar 11, 2016 at 15:23
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Member - Gary R M (VIC)
G'day all don't know if anyone will be interested but thought I'd give an update to my query THREAD ID 131114 posted on 13 December 2015.
I noted then that my Waeco had a voltage under load of around 0.75V less than at the battery bank but further investigation showed that this increased to around 1.15V at start up putting it close to the units minimum start up voltage when the battery's voltage was showing in the low 12 V's and think this may have been the root cause of my problem.
Our Wodonga Battery World dealer was particularly helpful and sent the unit away to be tested by Waeco who responded that the unit was operating as intended.
To get around this problem I sold the Waeco (at a fair price) to a mate who reckons my problems won't be his problems and bought a Engel 57 litre fridge freezer.
Took it away for 5 days in the high country recently running on batteries only and it worked like a charm.
Regards, Gary M.
Reply By: Member -Dodger - Friday, Mar 11, 2016 at 16:52
Friday, Mar 11, 2016 at 16:52
At the risk of starting a Shoot fight I believe that the Engel is a better product although much dearer than any other.
Having owned both over a number of years I have found that the Weaco died after about 8 years however the Engel is still going strong after purchase in 1995.
AnswerID:
597254
Follow Up By: Member - Wildmax - Friday, Mar 11, 2016 at 17:15
Friday, Mar 11, 2016 at 17:15
ditto re the Engel
FollowupID:
866276
Reply By: D-MaxerWA - Friday, Mar 11, 2016 at 23:37
Friday, Mar 11, 2016 at 23:37
Have the same Waeco unit and it has performed faultlessly in the 12 months I have owned it. The only problem to date was a broken lid latch, replaced under warranty. I do keep it running 24/7 on mains in the shed when not on the road. The missus thinks it is a great idea as I keep my speciality beer in it and her cans of cider and not the house fridge. Also have a beer fridge in the shed, but that is to keep the kegs from UBrewit cold before transferring to the kegerator.
AnswerID:
597264
Reply By: Jackolux - Saturday, Mar 12, 2016 at 07:41
Saturday, Mar 12, 2016 at 07:41
I have a 24year old 39lt Engel , still going strong , but it's pulling a battery down to 12.3-12.4v overnight .
I have tried 2 different batteries , same result .
Are the new Engels more efficient .
Jackom
AnswerID:
597269
Follow Up By: Member - Tony S (WA) - Saturday, Mar 12, 2016 at 12:47
Saturday, Mar 12, 2016 at 12:47
Hi Jackolm,
You haven't mentioned what setting it is running at.Assuming it is on re-fridge the voltage seems about right . Don't forget that your battery once it has settled down is around the 12.8 volt mark. I have two Engels one a the original 18ltr over 40 yrs old and the other a 32ltr. which is about 10 yrs old.
The 18 a little more power than the 32.(being ancient) I have monitored the 32 and on a setting of 1 it starts off around 32 watt and turns off around 18 watt. It is used as a freezer in the van and at a setting of 3 it is around -18 degrees. Same start up and stop figures.Neither of them has let me down.
Tony
FollowupID:
866308
Follow Up By: Member -Dodger - Saturday, Mar 12, 2016 at 13:43
Saturday, Mar 12, 2016 at 13:43
100% Battery = 12.7v at rest
70% Battery = 12.32V at rest.
Assuming that your vehicle aux battery was fully charged when vehicle motor was Turned off and that the weather was fairly IE. above 22C then the Engel would use approx 36amps or a little less in 12hrs.
If your battery is 110 amp hr job then 36 amps would be approx 1/3 of the capacity which would be in keeping with the above percentage figures.
FollowupID:
866314
Follow Up By: Member - Gary R M (VIC) - Saturday, Mar 12, 2016 at 16:19
Saturday, Mar 12, 2016 at 16:19
Thanks Jackolux, yeah similar draw down but with a larger unit so I guess they're marginally more efficient.
Cheers, Gary M.
FollowupID:
866321
Reply By: Member - WBS - Saturday, Mar 12, 2016 at 08:14
Saturday, Mar 12, 2016 at 08:14
Without quoting voltages because I don't remember them, my experience is that my Engel continued to operate at lower battery voltage than my Waeco when I was having a few problems with my auxiliary battery charging properly. The Engel kept running for quite a while longer than the Waeco that called it a day citing low voltage.
Under normal conditions both fridges work equally well and I couldn't separate them.
Traditionally I like Engels because I've been using them for 40 years but I can't fault my Waeco and would certainly buy another one if the price was right.
WBS
AnswerID:
597270
Follow Up By: Frank P (NSW) - Saturday, Mar 12, 2016 at 15:37
Saturday, Mar 12, 2016 at 15:37
WBS
The Waeco cut out because it uses a Danfoss compressor which has a low voltage cutout built in.
With an improperly charged or worn out/damaged battery (eg sulphated) battery both fridges will pull the battery down quickly. The Waeco will cut out, as designed, in an attempt to protect the battery.
You can adjust the cutout voltage on a Danfoss compressor by changing a resistor - you need a Danfoss manual to get the right component value to suit your needs. I think the factory setting is around 11.1 volts, but my manual is locked away in my van in storage so I can't check.
The Engel does not have a low voltage cutout. It will run until the battery can no longer support it. That will be better for your beer, but may stuff your battery, especially if it a repetitive occurrence.
Cheers
FollowupID:
866315
Reply By: Mal58 - Saturday, Mar 12, 2016 at 09:49
Saturday, Mar 12, 2016 at 09:49
It sounds like you needed to use heavier cable to the fridge.
Cheers,
Mal
AnswerID:
597273
Follow Up By: Jackolux - Saturday, Mar 12, 2016 at 10:00
Saturday, Mar 12, 2016 at 10:00
I did think of that , using std Engel cable with the screw lock plug .
FollowupID:
866302
Reply By: Member -Dodger - Sunday, Mar 13, 2016 at 09:53
Sunday, Mar 13, 2016 at 09:53
For all those interested below is a scale of 12v battery volts I have come across .
State of Charge
AnswerID:
597302
Reply By: CSeaJay - Sunday, Mar 13, 2016 at 16:14
Sunday, Mar 13, 2016 at 16:14
Gary
Most important is that you are happy.
I had a similar problem, and my Weaco 80l just used too much juice. So I got the new Weaco CFX60l. Like you I find it runs much better when bushcamping and without the need to constantly power up with solar.
But my point is, this is what you (we) SHOULD expect when coming down from 80 litre size to 50-60 litre. More to do with size than brand I reckon.
CJ
AnswerID:
597318