Portable fridges

Submitted: Saturday, Oct 08, 2005 at 16:18

ThreadID: 27089 Views:5889 Replies:5 FollowUps:10

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Rosy

Does anyone know anything about Swagman Fridge freezers. We are thinking of buying one but havent heard much about them.

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Reply By: Shaker - Saturday, Oct 08, 2005 at 17:45

Saturday, Oct 08, 2005 at 17:45

At$1180 for a 33 litre they would need to be good, as they may well be, but if you are going to be travelling, stick with the main brands, Engel, Waeco or anything with a Danfoss compressor, as repairs may become a problem.

AnswerID: 133661

Follow Up By: nevandpat - Sunday, Oct 09, 2005 at 06:46

Sunday, Oct 09, 2005 at 06:46

I have had three different fridges, all 60l. Had a stainless Swagman and although it looked great it did not do the job. It travelled over some pretty rough terain and lost gas when I was up at Gove, had it repaired and it failed again, really did not perform well when in that tropical climate. Sold it and bought a Trailblazer upright, great fridge, never put a foot wrong, cold beer anywhere, bulky but very good. Changed my mode of travel and it was too high for the new rig so sold it and bought a 60l. Engel, have had it for three years and have never had a problem, does not use near the power of the older ones, same "swing" type compressor but much more efficient.
Good luck with your choice.
Nev.

FollowupID: 387885

Follow Up By: Rosy - Sunday, Oct 09, 2005 at 15:09

Sunday, Oct 09, 2005 at 15:09

Thanks everyone for your help. Sounds as though we might have to look at different make

FollowupID: 387919

Follow Up By: Rosy - Sunday, Oct 09, 2005 at 15:28

Sunday, Oct 09, 2005 at 15:28

Thank.We got offered a swagman on special but sounds as though it needed to be!

FollowupID: 387922

Reply By: mowing - Saturday, Oct 08, 2005 at 19:30

Saturday, Oct 08, 2005 at 19:30

Hi Rosy, I have an old Overlander Magazine that tested fridges about 12 + years ago and they were in that. Out of a rating of 5 it got 2.5. As a reference Engel and Trailblaza got 4 and Autofridge 4.5 If you want something tough with a Danfoss compressor at a reasonable price have a look at the Trailblaza or as mentioned the Engel (although no Danfoss). I mention the Trailblaza because it is made in Oz.

Regards

Mark

AnswerID: 133669

Follow Up By: Member - Chrispy (NSW) - Sunday, Oct 09, 2005 at 15:48

Sunday, Oct 09, 2005 at 15:48

As are EvaKool

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Follow Up By: Jim Evans - Sunday, Oct 09, 2005 at 20:32

Sunday, Oct 09, 2005 at 20:32

And Autofridge!

FollowupID: 387945

Follow Up By: Mainey (WA) - Sunday, Oct 09, 2005 at 21:22

Sunday, Oct 09, 2005 at 21:22

and also.... Reefer .....

FollowupID: 387956

Reply By: rusty1 - Saturday, Oct 08, 2005 at 22:45

Saturday, Oct 08, 2005 at 22:45

hi,
I haven't done a lot of 4wd but have had an Engel fridge in my truck, doing interstate driving for the last 10 years, it has not missed a beat, being on and off fequentley and enduring some very hot weather conditions, i have found it brilliant and highly recommend Engel

AnswerID: 133698

Reply By: ShnogDog - Saturday, Oct 08, 2005 at 23:57

Saturday, Oct 08, 2005 at 23:57

http://www.refrigerationresearch.com.au/RT%20Reefer.html

These Reefers are crackers...

AnswerID: 133711

Follow Up By: Shaker - Sunday, Oct 09, 2005 at 09:20

Sunday, Oct 09, 2005 at 09:20

I think you will find that they are very power hungry, I believe they are a 240 volt fridge with a built in inverter.

FollowupID: 387887

Follow Up By: Nudenut - Sunday, Oct 09, 2005 at 10:22

Sunday, Oct 09, 2005 at 10:22

they also do one with a 12v danfoss comp....but stay away from the 240v compressor models as Shaker says...they are hungry for power

FollowupID: 387890

Follow Up By: Mainey (WA) - Monday, Oct 10, 2005 at 18:46

Monday, Oct 10, 2005 at 18:46

Unfortunately Shaker the information you have posted is wrong!
We are in the 21 century and using the technology of today, not the past.

*fact* ... REEFER fridge's DO NOT use an inverter ... *fact*

NN you state; "they are hungry for power" all I ask of you is -> prove it

place a link to ANY test that confirms your statement
or state what you believe the Reefer fridge power consumption is ?

To make it even easier for you;

When was the REEFER fridge tested ??
Who tested it ??

I eagerley await your non-affirmative reply, L0L

FollowupID: 388095

Reply By: mattie - Sunday, Oct 09, 2005 at 09:54

Sunday, Oct 09, 2005 at 09:54

Hi Rosy
below are the details of bushboy i have owned mine for 12 years it spent the first 6 years of it's life bouncing around Longreach and surrounding districts in the back of my Hilux without a canopy and with dogs climbing over it etc. and the later years it has been under a canopy in a dual cab still with dogs and now i in a wagon. I sent it to be looked at as it was cutting in and out very often, all that was wrong was there was to much (heaps) dog hair had been sucked in and around the wrong places, he ran it along side of a brand new one and was running within .5 of a degree of the new one(running on full throttle). It is marine allum exterior with skids on the bottom and a one peice stainless inner (very strong and nothing to break) and use the danfoss compressor. A mate of mine bought one 3 or 4 months ago they have improved the insulation put a gas strut on the lid and use the danfoss compressor, but still the same exterior and inner,and they are made in Melbourne just be prepared for a chat if or when you ring as he is very freindly.

Cheers Mattie

Bush-Boy Fridge-Freezers

37 Altona St Heidelberg Heights 3081
(03) 9459 8913
Fax(03) 9459 3130

AnswerID: 133742