Waeco fridges

Submitted: Wednesday, Dec 29, 2004 at 01:20

ThreadID: 18923 Views:3593 Replies:10 FollowUps:8

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Jamie M

Thinking of trading my 20+ year old engel on a new model. Thinking of getting a waeco 'cause I've plenty of good stuff about them and their cheaper. Just wondering if anyone has had one for a while and given it a good workout. I work out bush (Central Oz) mostly and the old faithful engel has not been phased by the 1000's of Kms of corrugations it has riden over. Has anyone had similar success with a waeco or should I just flog the old engel to death?

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Reply By: Footloose - Wednesday, Dec 29, 2004 at 02:05

Wednesday, Dec 29, 2004 at 02:05

There are posts galore around the waeco/engel question. From what I read both sides have plenty of success and horror stories like the Holden Ford debate of yesteryear.
One fact is that Waeco is cheaper. And many people see them as being as good as an Engel. Now having just bought a Waeco I'm both biased and inexperienced. But there is no way that I'd pay a heck of a lot more for a fridge that has a great name but essentially does the same job.

AnswerID: 90608

Follow Up By: Michael ( Moss Vale NSW) - Wednesday, Dec 29, 2004 at 11:39

Wednesday, Dec 29, 2004 at 11:39

Go the Holdens!!!

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Reply By: Member - Anni M (SA) - Wednesday, Dec 29, 2004 at 08:38

Wednesday, Dec 29, 2004 at 08:38

Hi Jamie,

Check some of the info about fridges in the archives. We've got a Waeco and have taken it to some very rough places with no problems at all. However, if I was going to the sales at Rays outdoors (see previous posts) I'd probably buy an Engel! They are both very reliable, and I think it is just a matter of what deals you can get - right now is a good time to be looking.

Cheers
Anni

AnswerID: 90616

Reply By: Member - Brian (Gold Coast) - Wednesday, Dec 29, 2004 at 08:40

Wednesday, Dec 29, 2004 at 08:40

Consider a Trailblaza, they're a reliable tough unit!

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Follow Up By: Nudenut - Wednesday, Dec 29, 2004 at 18:43

Wednesday, Dec 29, 2004 at 18:43

ditto brian....i liked them so much I made one!

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Follow Up By: cokeaddict - Wednesday, Dec 29, 2004 at 22:35

Wednesday, Dec 29, 2004 at 22:35

Hey Nudenut,
You mean you DIDNT buy the company?

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Follow Up By: Nudenut - Thursday, Dec 30, 2004 at 08:18

Thursday, Dec 30, 2004 at 08:18

Cokeaddict

Made the offer but withdrew when I found out i had to move to queensland.......haha

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Reply By: Member -Dodger - Wednesday, Dec 29, 2004 at 09:18

Wednesday, Dec 29, 2004 at 09:18

If the Engel is syill working ok then keep it as a back up come beer fridge just in case.

I used to have a handle on life, but it broke.

Cheers Dodg.

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AnswerID: 90620

Reply By: Truckster (Vic) - Wednesday, Dec 29, 2004 at 10:07

Wednesday, Dec 29, 2004 at 10:07

At the top of the main forum page there is a search box...

Type in

FRIDGE and press GO

ENGEL and press GO

WAECO and press GO

in that order, you will get 100's of matches to the search.

Good luck.

AnswerID: 90624

Reply By: Sparks_3096 - Wednesday, Dec 29, 2004 at 11:06

Wednesday, Dec 29, 2004 at 11:06

Jamie,

If you use H.F. Radio and are thinking about a Waeco Fridge proceed with caution. I have one that is several years old, it is still working even after a lot of shaking about. It only gave trouble once and this was traced to a voltage supply problem.

The fridge that I have is a real screamer when the HF Radio is running. The bl@@dy thing should have a commercial radio licence of its own, as it broadcasts that much trash across the HF Bands when running.

While I have been assured by Waeco Dealers that the newer ones have had this problem fixed. This is normally said just after the "No-one else has complained..." Hmmmm...

If you do use HF, before you purchase, make sure you can return and get a refund if it displays the same bad habbits. The dealers just don't want to know about RFI once they have your money.

Regards

Philip.

AnswerID: 90634

Reply By: Member - Sand Man (SA) - Wednesday, Dec 29, 2004 at 11:54

Wednesday, Dec 29, 2004 at 11:54

Jamie,

What's wrong with "old faithful"?

You appear to have a product that you are familiar with, is still working and has taken 20+ years of whatever you can throw at it.
Me, I'd be flogging it to death. (if you can)

Even a new model Engel may not take the same "abuse".

Bill

I'm diagonally parked in a parallel Universe!

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Follow Up By: Jamie M - Wednesday, Dec 29, 2004 at 16:15

Wednesday, Dec 29, 2004 at 16:15

I was mainly looking at the newer models as they are a little lighter and use less power. With the power comsumption of the new fridges, I wouldn't need to carry a generator just for the fridge on most trips.

Looking at the new engels in the shop they don't seem as rugged as the old ones, except maybe the stainless steel models.

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Follow Up By: Member - Sand Man (SA) - Thursday, Dec 30, 2004 at 09:13

Thursday, Dec 30, 2004 at 09:13

Jamie,

Then for the same reason, I think you would be disappointed in the Waeco. Perhaps wait for the next Engel "special".

Bill

I'm diagonally parked in a parallel Universe!

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Reply By: derraux - Thursday, Dec 30, 2004 at 22:07

Thursday, Dec 30, 2004 at 22:07

Hi
If you were to consider a stainless engel i would say look at explorer made in queensland very good and thick insulation and built to take the outback conditions marine grade alli outer fibreglass inner dual thermostat fridge freezer, about 60mm insulation in fridge box and 75 in the freezer takes along time for temp inside to change (less cycling less power used) unfortunatly not the cheapest fridge around but a real contender.
Derek

AnswerID: 90807

Reply By: Member - Browny (VIC) - Saturday, Jan 01, 2005 at 21:42

Saturday, Jan 01, 2005 at 21:42

Jamie,

20 + years out of your Engel and your thinking of changing brands??

I don't own a fridge but when I do (what ever brand) and it gave me 20 years....I'd stay loyal.

Browny

AnswerID: 90969

Follow Up By: Member - Ed. C.- Sunday, Jan 02, 2005 at 02:56

Sunday, Jan 02, 2005 at 02:56

Yep, totally agree!!
I acquired a (pre-owned) 29L. Engel in 1978 or '79.. Can't remember exactly, but definitely no later than early '79, which makes it at least 26 y/o (and it looks every day of it!!)...
It has never been serviced (apart from occasionally blowing the dust out from 'round the compressor/condenser area w/- compressed air), and it still works as good as new after having been literally "around the block" a few times, and across the country every which way...
Recently, when SWMBO & I decided that we really could use a larger 'fridge, we did not hesitate to choose another Engel (got the 57L. combi), even though the cheaper prices of some of the "competition" brands was rather tempting, to say the least... IMO, one simply cannot turn one's back on 26-odd yrs of faithful service!!..
The 'ol faithful 29L. still gets used for shorter duration trips, & of course, still keeps the "necessities of life" nice 'n' cold..

Regards, Ed. C.

Confucius say.....
"He who lie underneath automobile with tool in hand,
....Not necessarily mechanic!!"

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Follow Up By: Jamie M - Tuesday, Jan 04, 2005 at 14:32

Tuesday, Jan 04, 2005 at 14:32

Thanks everyone for your replies.

Went through the plethora of archives 'till I was sick of reading them, and decided to stick with the engel.

Sorry for not checking the archives first,, this subject has had more wear and tear than my old engel.

Cheers,

Jamie

FollowupID: 349828

Reply By: stevo1965 - Thursday, Jan 27, 2005 at 06:17

Thursday, Jan 27, 2005 at 06:17

WELL IVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY FRIDGE/FREEZER 50LT WAECO
MOTOR HAS BROKEN DOWN TWICE SENDING IT BACK AGAIN SOON I HAVE ASK WAECO FOR A NEW FRIDGE SEEING ALL THE TROUBLE IVE HAD, I WILL LET YOU"S KNOW WHAT HAPPENS

stevo

AnswerID: 95070