potrable fridges what brand to get

Submitted: Saturday, Mar 25, 2006 at 18:47
ThreadID: 32157 Views:2837 Replies:15 FollowUps:16
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I WANT ONE. Not sure on what brand ENGEL, WAECO, and I have been told about a norcoat trailblazer, the guy thinks they are unbreakable and very efficient. Any suggestions.
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Reply By: Mike Harding - Saturday, Mar 25, 2006 at 18:50

Saturday, Mar 25, 2006 at 18:50
I think you should buy a Tirfor.

Mike Harding
AnswerID: 162858

Follow Up By: D-Jack - Saturday, Mar 25, 2006 at 19:01

Saturday, Mar 25, 2006 at 19:01
Mike,

You had better be joking when you say buy a Tirfor. No way. Get Coopers.

D-Jack
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Follow Up By: Axle - Saturday, Mar 25, 2006 at 19:36

Saturday, Mar 25, 2006 at 19:36
At least he could tirfor everything out he dosen"t need ?
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Follow Up By: scottp - Saturday, Mar 25, 2006 at 20:49

Saturday, Mar 25, 2006 at 20:49
Your a worry Mike!

For all of us!
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Follow Up By: Steve - Saturday, Mar 25, 2006 at 20:58

Saturday, Mar 25, 2006 at 20:58
Jack, it's a Ford/Holden thing. You can't go wrong with either. Go for whichever model suits your needs. 40L/60L/70L and Google for the "Fridge Shop". They have ex-display models you can get at big discounts and they only charge a reasonable ($50 interstate) delivery fee. You might have to hover around the site for a month or so until they have what you want on special
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Follow Up By: Steve - Saturday, Mar 25, 2006 at 21:01

Saturday, Mar 25, 2006 at 21:01
just to clarify Jack, when I said "either", I meant Waeco/Engel. They are the best.
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Follow Up By: Mike Harding - Saturday, Mar 25, 2006 at 21:02

Saturday, Mar 25, 2006 at 21:02
Thank Goodness someone is looking out for me Scott!

Mike Harding :)
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Reply By: Derek from Affordable Batteries & Radiators - Saturday, Mar 25, 2006 at 18:53

Saturday, Mar 25, 2006 at 18:53
First check what size unit you need.

Then check your bank balance and then choose from within the range.

Prices can double from brand to brand to the same cubic capacity.

IE: 70L Evakool $900.00 v/s 60L Engel $1700.00

Regards Derek.
AnswerID: 162859

Follow Up By: Notso - Saturday, Mar 25, 2006 at 19:36

Saturday, Mar 25, 2006 at 19:36
Too right Derek, Evakool roools

Had one 6 years going great, freezes to -15 at 48 degrees ambient
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Follow Up By: Member - Ozdyssey (QLD) - Saturday, Mar 25, 2006 at 20:47

Saturday, Mar 25, 2006 at 20:47
900 for a 70l evakool - is that a dual temp?
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Follow Up By: the real chopper - Saturday, Mar 25, 2006 at 20:57

Saturday, Mar 25, 2006 at 20:57
Hey....

Evakool (yellow) RRP around $1070 for 70 litres....

Anyone selling them for $900 has got to be in it just for love as there is buggerall % in fridges.

(but yeah, great little fridge, not to be confused with the white Evakools however)
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Follow Up By: Derek from Affordable Batteries & Radiators - Saturday, Mar 25, 2006 at 21:22

Saturday, Mar 25, 2006 at 21:22
Yes, I love my work and love to work.
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Follow Up By: jamas - Sunday, Mar 26, 2006 at 08:19

Sunday, Mar 26, 2006 at 08:19
Hi Derek, we've got an Evakool ED70 (very happy with it) - can this be converted to a "Dual-Temp" by introducing a (moveable) partition and if so, are the partitions available and what are their cost? Thanks :-)
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Follow Up By: Derek from Affordable Batteries & Radiators - Sunday, Mar 26, 2006 at 10:17

Sunday, Mar 26, 2006 at 10:17
They are listed on the Evakool site as an accessory. Never sold one as yet. Contact me next week. The forum is not used for sales.
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Reply By: Sparkiepete - Saturday, Mar 25, 2006 at 19:36

Saturday, Mar 25, 2006 at 19:36
Just bought a 40L Engel today for $1099.00 and I have it cooling drinks as we speak. Been running about 6 hours and 2x 2L bottles of water are really cold after about 4 hours. So far no complaints and if it holds up as well as my brothers 40L Engel I'll be more than happy.

Lot of money to spend on a fridge but there are people who have owned an Engel for many years without a problem so it helped me make up my mind.
AnswerID: 162866

Reply By: Austravel - Saturday, Mar 25, 2006 at 19:55

Saturday, Mar 25, 2006 at 19:55
It all depends on how much money you want to spend. Engel have the reputation for length of life but cost more. I'm sure however the Waeco will do the same job but over a shorter time frame, that is if you don't get any dramas. Pretty much you get what you pay for. Yes there is something in brand names that calls for a premium but what do you call a brand name now-a-day. Waeco have been around overseas for many years. I've got an engel but for other reasons than brand name. I'd look at what I want to spend and how long I might want it and go from there.
AnswerID: 162871

Reply By: Member - David 0- Saturday, Mar 25, 2006 at 20:04

Saturday, Mar 25, 2006 at 20:04
IN m view you can't go past the Explorer

Fridge and Freezer with dual thermostat unlike most others, allows you to control the temp of fridge seperately to the freezer. The fridge can also be used as a freezer if you want. Tough fridge too.

AnswerID: 162872

Reply By: Alloy c/t - Saturday, Mar 25, 2006 at 20:25

Saturday, Mar 25, 2006 at 20:25
Type in fridge into SEARCH ,after reading 4,187,294 opinions on which 12v fridge to buy /steal /borrow use and abuse then ASK ,Should hear from you in about 6 mths after you have finished your reading.
AnswerID: 162877

Reply By: Member - Brian (Gold Coast) - Saturday, Mar 25, 2006 at 20:33

Saturday, Mar 25, 2006 at 20:33
Trailblaza
AnswerID: 162879

Reply By: Member - Prickle (SA) - Saturday, Mar 25, 2006 at 20:35

Saturday, Mar 25, 2006 at 20:35
Jack,
I have a 39l Engle and could not be happier. Good incare charging system (Redarc) & always have cold drinks/food.

Used it for 2 weeks travel up north SA and across the Simpson, very happy with it. Tests in the shed off my Thumper and it ran for 52 hours set on #1.

Having said this, if I was buying now, I reckon I would be having a close look at Evercool. Check them out. From what I recall, they have a fluid which freezes over night keeping your fridge cold during the day without drawing too much on the battery.

Happy hunting
Russ


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AnswerID: 162881

Reply By: derraux - Saturday, Mar 25, 2006 at 20:59

Saturday, Mar 25, 2006 at 20:59
You get what you pay for except when you buy an engel (over priced to buggery) refridgeration is more about insulation than anything else make sure whatever yo ubuy it is well insulated at least 65mm thick would be good you will find this in an explorer and trailblazer good luck.
Derraux
AnswerID: 162884

Follow Up By: Sargent Dan - Saturday, Mar 25, 2006 at 23:13

Saturday, Mar 25, 2006 at 23:13
My research has shown that insulation thickness is a complicated business. Thicker is not necessarily better it has to be matched to the compressor size and the grade of insulation taken into account.
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FollowupID: 417650

Follow Up By: GU II - Sunday, Mar 26, 2006 at 17:13

Sunday, Mar 26, 2006 at 17:13
I know that the trailblazer come in 75mm thick as standard and even thicker if you want.
I personally own one and have no complaints, speaking about insulation that’s why ingel sell insulation bags for their fridges, because they don't have enough insulation to begin with maybe.
Also Trailblazer are constructed from marine grade aluminium compared to mild steel, I do a lot of fishing and used to store fish, rust is not a problem. Also one other factor which is very important when choosing a fridge and that is power consumption, you might want to look at the technical side of things and compare the two, I know I did and that’s what made me choose my fridge. Good Luck
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Follow Up By: Sargent Dan - Sunday, Mar 26, 2006 at 17:51

Sunday, Mar 26, 2006 at 17:51
I agree GUII, Engels Bag is a very clever marketing ploy to extract more dollars. My research on this site tells me this bag is good for protecting the fridge but does nothing for the efficency, maybe making it worse. I think Engel would have done the maths regarding insulation thickness, these guys are the masters.
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Follow Up By: Sand Man (SA) - Monday, Mar 27, 2006 at 19:35

Monday, Mar 27, 2006 at 19:35
GU II & Sargent Dan,

You guys are talking crap.

The transit bag primarily provides mechanical protection. That's why it is called a TRANSIT bag. My three year old Engel has been wearing its sleeping bag since I bought them both and the fridge still looks new.

The bag also just happens to provide extra insulating effect if the Fridge is out in the sun, or enclosed inside a hot vehicle.

Your lack of knowledge on the subject indicates that you probably have "Engel Envy".
Bill


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FollowupID: 417978

Reply By: friar - Sunday, Mar 26, 2006 at 07:27

Sunday, Mar 26, 2006 at 07:27
G/Day Jack
Trailblazer supply their fridges to the army. I have had mine about 10yrs no problems to date,there are others on this site that have had them longer, dont no about the unbreakable but they are built very tough.
Friar
AnswerID: 162929

Reply By: pjd - Sunday, Mar 26, 2006 at 18:35

Sunday, Mar 26, 2006 at 18:35
this is an easy one if you have the money get the trailblazer if not go the waeco
cheers
AnswerID: 162994

Reply By: Member - Norm C (QLD) - Sunday, Mar 26, 2006 at 19:19

Sunday, Mar 26, 2006 at 19:19
Yep, an easy one. Same as deciding between Holden, Ford, Toyota, Nissan, Mazda etc for the 2WD. Personal choice and budget. All the top brands are good. I have a Reefer, and very happy. But so are most of the owners of other brands.
AnswerID: 163003

Reply By: Member - Pud & Barb R (NSW) - Sunday, Mar 26, 2006 at 19:27

Sunday, Mar 26, 2006 at 19:27
Jack, we have 2 Bushmans, I love 'em. When going away for any lenghth of time we use 1 for a freezer and the other as a fridge. Just for a weekend we just use one as a fridge.
Barb
AnswerID: 163006

Reply By: grayson - Monday, Mar 27, 2006 at 13:49

Monday, Mar 27, 2006 at 13:49
I have a 110ltr (I think) waeco which I have had for around 5 years. For the first 2 years it pretty much lived in the back of my work wagon or on my boat and served me very well, however after moving on and doing some touring with thhe fridge getting chucked from vehicle to vehicle and living on ute backs and roof racks it began to deteriorate. The flimsy plastic inset on top hat acts like a little pocket for holding things had the entire floor fall out, then the same where the thermostat control is located has begun to happen. The unit also lost its gas and after getting it repaired has done the same again so I have to take it back again when I get home. My brother has a much newer modle with turbo boost and little led's everywhere that looks a treat and is a good unit, however it had a fan fail on a trip we did to Dirk hartog island not long after purchasing (it was repaired under warranty and hasn't let him down since). He has looked after his far better than I and has a cover on it permanently.

It cost too much for me to get rid of now and all the problems will be easily rectified but with the benefit of this experience, I won't be getting another waeco unless it will live somewhere well protected like in the back of a wagon, camper trailer/caravan, boat etc. Of course, if I wasn't such a rough bugger with it and treated it a lot better then maybe the story would be different.

I reckon the evacool looks the part.
AnswerID: 163148

Reply By: Willykj - Monday, Mar 27, 2006 at 14:49

Monday, Mar 27, 2006 at 14:49
I have a Bushman & it is great. You get 2 lids - a high one for 42 L which is what we usually use. It has been to Cape York without any problems.

Willy
AnswerID: 163153

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