Super Cheap Fridges

Submitted: Saturday, Dec 04, 2004 at 16:34
ThreadID: 18317 Views:2927 Replies:6 FollowUps:5
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Any one find out what compressors are in those fridges they are selling and if they have a basket.
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Reply By: David Au - Saturday, Dec 04, 2004 at 16:49

Saturday, Dec 04, 2004 at 16:49
The fridges are a Waeco with a Danfoss compressor. I went into SuperCheap today just to look at them as I was passing the front door. They were sold out, but the guy showed me the paper work, and it is Waeco with a Danfoss compressor. They are getting in more next week, and I will have a good look at them.
I also went into AutoPro just around the corner, and all they had was the standard Waeco range.
AnswerID: 87274

Reply By: crowie - Sunday, Dec 05, 2004 at 13:46

Sunday, Dec 05, 2004 at 13:46
I had a look at one of the Supercheap Fridges today. Don't look to bad except for the hinges for the lid and the plastic lip on the lid which the clip lock attaches to. The ridge is a molded part of the plastic top and I don't think it would last to long on a rough road. Would have to glue and screw something a little bit stronger to the lid to replace it.

I have been using a Finch 3/Way so can't really compare finish and quality compared with say Waeco and Engel. Probably work as well as the others but whether they would last as long who knows.
AnswerID: 87331

Follow Up By: crowie - Sunday, Dec 05, 2004 at 13:51

Sunday, Dec 05, 2004 at 13:51
Forgot to add they don't come with a basket
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Follow Up By: Black Jack - Sunday, Dec 05, 2004 at 16:17

Sunday, Dec 05, 2004 at 16:17
Crowie, just a question on the Finch fridge. I am leaning that way or its bigger brother the 40 lt, as most my camping is arrive and set up for a week. Do you find the Finch keeps things cold in hot weather?

Thanks
Balck Jack
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Follow Up By: crowie - Monday, Dec 06, 2004 at 13:43

Monday, Dec 06, 2004 at 13:43
BlackJack

I've never had a problem keeping things cold in hot weather when using it on gas or 240V. Low 30s is the hightest temp I've had it operating in. They must be level of course and I carry a little spirit level as part of my camping gear. They are almost too efficient. I have to be careful that vegies do not fall to the the bottom because they will freeze. The bigger Chestcolds probably have even better insulation and probably better. Someone else may comment on that.

12V results in the back of the truck is adequate when travelling and 240V about equivilant to the gas. As some one else has mentioned, keep them clean and covered if they are being stored as insects can get into the pipes to nest etc. They also need to be run every few months. I was told that the refrigerant will Crystallize if left sitting to long. Its almost cheaper to buy a new fridge than recharge them if this happens.
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FollowupID: 346251

Follow Up By: Black Jack - Monday, Dec 06, 2004 at 21:02

Monday, Dec 06, 2004 at 21:02
Thanks Crowie. I think you answered why a friend hated the Chescold so much. He only ever used it once a year. You hear positive and negative stories all the time and when you dig a little there is always another aspect of the negative story. Always read the intructions. I was also undecided about getting the 40 lt with the freezer so that I knew it would get the temperature down, but nor really wanting to freeze things. The Finch is all I really need.
I dropped in to Supercheap on the weekend to look at these new fridges, but they didn't have one in stock. The small article they had on it didn't mention 240 volt. I'm not sure if this was a misprint of if it is 12 volt only. The saleman knew nothing about the fridge. No basket and 12 volt only is one way of getting the price down, but also limits when and how it could be used.

Thanks again
Black Jack
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FollowupID: 346295

Reply By: Member - Jimbo (VIC) - Sunday, Dec 05, 2004 at 22:40

Sunday, Dec 05, 2004 at 22:40
Black Jack,

I've got and old Chescold that I used at Fraser in September ten years ago (not stinking hot, but quite warm) and running on gas it would start to freeze stuff (other than beer with its alcohol which decreases its freezing temp) left under the cooling fins.

This was a fridge only type, not the freezer one. Assuming the newer ones are more efficient, they should work fine. Keep them in the shade. Not sure how they work in extreme temperatures because I don't go camping when its really hot.

Cheers,

Jim.
AnswerID: 87390

Follow Up By: Black Jack - Monday, Dec 06, 2004 at 20:53

Monday, Dec 06, 2004 at 20:53
Thanks Jim,
I was allset to buy a Chescold when a fellow I work with said he just sold his because it never worked properly. Add Crowie's comment about the refigerant crystalizing if not used regularly and that will be the reason for his problems. He would use it once a year only. The 3 way fridge is still the best option for my usage and if I run it as a beer fridge when not camping it should work just fine.

Black Jack
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FollowupID: 346294

Reply By: RussellV - Monday, Dec 06, 2004 at 10:35

Monday, Dec 06, 2004 at 10:35
Hey Black Jack

With the 3 way - I have an old chescold which performs very well in the sub tropics but when taken up to the tropics and that type of heat eg. Lakefield NP etc it did struggle and the gas jets must be kept clean of dust which is bloody hard in the bush!! For that reason I'll prob go for a compressor type fridge next time. But the checolds are pretty much bullet proof apart from that.

Cheers

Russell
AnswerID: 87432

Reply By: signman - Monday, Dec 06, 2004 at 11:03

Monday, Dec 06, 2004 at 11:03
Definately NOT a Danfoss..pulled the back of one this morning (it had been returned coz it didn't work)...The compressor is a Chinese made one..similar in apperance to Danfoss..but nothing like the construction..
AnswerID: 87435

Reply By: Boxheadc - Wednesday, Dec 08, 2004 at 21:26

Wednesday, Dec 08, 2004 at 21:26
Hi,
I have a problem with my 3 way fridge, I assume it is a chescold but has no identification on it. It came with my pop-top but because it was secound hand it may have been changed. It is a small box,with brown panels on it.

Anyway my problem is that on gas it just does not get down to temp ( except at night when it will get down to approx 3+ degrees) it will be anywhere from 6 to 14 degrees during the day. But on 240v it will get down to about 1-2 degree all the time. I have pulled apart and looked at the jet ( how do you clean it,i have nothing small enough as the hole is mineute) But the flame seems reasonable, although i am unsure how big it should be.

Would anyone have any ideas that i could try?

Any help appreciated

Corey
AnswerID: 87869

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