Current Draw of Waeco fridges

Plenty of info around on this, if you have a spare couple of hours do a search. Basically the Engel _Affordable_Storage_Drawers.aspx less current when running but runs longer, end result they use about the same, some may say the Waeco uses less than the engel per day. But the 80L Waeco will use more than the 50. Choice did a resonably good test on this a while ago.

cant help you with the 80 but i have a 90 ltr Waeco and when my 85 amp battery is fully charged i get 2 full days around 30 deg with 4 kids and 2 adults opening it around 9438756029837459847 times and bat is still good enough to start the jack.
cheers

Forget totally the amperage a fridge is drawing when it's running as that figure is pretty much irrelevant on its own. The only true way to compare is by measuring the amp hour consumption, in other words the amps the fridge runs at multiplied by the percentage of time the motor runs for during a one hour period.
On average a fridge using only 2 amps will run for twice as long as one that uses 4, both effectively using the same power. Efficiencies between brands are normally made by better insulation, lid sealing, ventalation around the evaporator etc.
So when comparing E Vs W make sure both units are together in the same temp running off the same power source with the same contents or the results will be inconclusive.
How long will they go? Really depends on how hot it is & the condition of the battery. At our new years camp in the 42 degree heat most of the batteries were struggling in less than 24 hours as the fridges ran continuously but given a 30 degree day they would still be running well after 2 days.
Cheers Craig......
Autofridge.

Hi Voxson,
Like everyone else we all have our own experiences & there is plenty of posts on here.
I have a 110litre Waeco & depending on the outside temp, fridge setting & no of times it is opened etc I have seen my fridge run as little as 10min/hr up to 40min/hr. According to the regulator is _Affordable_Storage_Drawers.aspx about 4.7amps when it runs & I recharge a 200amp hr AGM battery (dual battery set up) with a 120w Solar panel.

John

On a recent hiking trip in the high country (Vic). I left my 110 Waeco running on the economy setting, in my Tvan. (not connected to the car battery). The Tvan has the 140 A/H standard battery and a 50w solar panel.
The Waeco was still running 65 hours later and temp was still 4.5 in the fridge. I was impressed.
Daytime air Temps were 30 plus, nights around 15.

Voxson I know the fridge keeps running depending on the ambient temperature until the battery goes flat and not a moment longer.

All the best
Eric

I spose the bottom line is big fridge - big current draw,,,, as somebody has already said.....
I am tring to set up a bigger fridge without upgrading my batt system but it looks like if i get a larger fridge i will have to at least go with a solar setup......
Which is too hard because i cant see a way of using it whilst not with the car,,, eg: fishing in an estuary, out swimming when your car is in a public carpark etc etc...
The only time i could use it is when we get back to camp,,,, (night time)...

Or is there a solar setup which can be draped across the steering wheel or something similar???

G day Voxson

Australian 4wd mag did a great comparison on all fridges late last year. Engel, waeco, eva kool, reefer,bushman etc. Test was done in a room at 50c, testing current draw, temp inside fridge and performance. After reading this article i went out and bought a bushman.

good luck

Voxon ,my 80lt Waeco set at 4 lights = -10deg in freezer and 3deg in fridge at an ambient of 35 deg days and 27 deg nights used atotal of 64amps per 24hrs overa 10day period ,at same time my 15lt Engle set on 2 = 2deg [beer] used 48amps per 24hrs ,Engle opened and closed /restocked / rotated with hot cans at least 10/12 times per day,,,, Waeco opened and closed at least 6 times per day ,both have travel bags ,both in shade all day.

G day Voxson

Late last year Australian 4WD Magazine did a review on nearly all car fridges in the market. The test was done equal and independent, eg 50c room, testing current draw, temp inside the fridge, performance etc. It would be well worth a read if you can get your hands on it. Engel and Waeco were tested, also Evakool, Reefer and Bushman. After reading this article I went out and bought a Bushman.

Good Luck

Big fridge, bid current draw.

I've had a CF80 for about 15 months and run it from a 100amp AGM battery. The battery needs charge everyday even in cool conditions. It also depends how cold you like it. I run it as all fridge and switch between 3 and 4 lights. This keeps it at about -2 at the beer end and +4 at the far end and varying in between.

I like to look after my battery so ensure it never gets below 50% discharge, and preferably 30%.

You MIGHT get two days from a 115amp if you don't mind flattening it.

Cheers,

Jim.