Fridges again
Submitted: Tuesday, Apr 01, 2003 at 00:06
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Tim
I am about to buy and Engel, one mate has a chestcold (gas) and the other has a Weaco.
Firstly does anyone know if there is any truth to the rumour that the Weaco has cardboard baffles?
Secondly my mate with the Weaco has had all types of issues with power, in that the fridge is very finiky about receiving exact power and if the power gets too low it turns off. That is great for a single battery but I run a dual and don't want the fridge deciding for me. Additonally the Waeco had to have a convertor purcahsed for it (240V) and then with the power issue he had to buy a charge unit which is fine for short trips but for long ones no good. He just gave in an and purchased a generator. My observation here is that the Waeco has ended up costin ghime more than my Engel will (plus another $1200 if you include the generator).
The Chestcold seems to be a great fridge but is extremely big and bulky inaddition to needing a gas bottle.
I would love to hear from Engel owners if you have have had any of these finiky power problems?
Reply By: Member - Chris - Tuesday, Apr 01, 2003 at 01:38
Tuesday, Apr 01, 2003 at 01:38
G'day Tim,
I've got an Engel with a dual battery setup - starter battery and deep cycle one. To answer your question the Engel doesn't shut off at a certain voltage level of the battery. I think there are products out there that you can put in place to shut fridges off when the battery is getting 'dangerously' low. You can purchase an Engel voltimeter which is something similar to a bar reading to indicate what battery is left.
I've become accustomed to hearing the Engel do a funny low whirring sound when the juice is about out which is pretty rare. I make the most of using 240V A/C at caravan parks when stopping for the night.
In cold climate with frozen goods it'll last two or more days easy on a power setting of about 2. Hot climates shorter. I make a habit of when getting up in the morning running the motor for 20 minutes and again in the afternoon if camped for a few days.
As to Chestcolds I don't know a thing about them. I wouldn't like to be camping on a warm night and as you say have the fridge turn itself off. I've been talked into solar panels which after being presented with the evidence will definitely eventually get them.
All the best
AnswerID:
16548
Reply By: Rod - Tuesday, Apr 01, 2003 at 08:49
Tuesday, Apr 01, 2003 at 08:49
I used to own a Chescold and bought an EvaKool.
Before buying my new fridge, I spoke to a local company who repaired them. He stated that in the 4 years he had worked there, he had only seen three danfoss compressors fail. The rest of his repairs were to Engels and Chescold/Electrolux.
Whilst he praised the reliability of the danfoss compressor, he was wary of the other areas where Waeco had 'cut corners'. eg. Apparently the electronics for the thermostat/temp setting are a bit of a reliability weak link in the Waeco. He also stated that he had quite a few customers complain that Waeco after sales service was poor. He was of the impression that Engel was better at after sales service.
A friend has a Waeco (no problems) and another an Engel (on his second compressor). Neither have finicky voltage problems.
AnswerID:
16565
Reply By: Groove - Tuesday, Apr 01, 2003 at 09:16
Tuesday, Apr 01, 2003 at 09:16
I have used a Waeco for about 2 years without a problem as
well. I am not trying to convince you to get a waeco but rather I think your mate with the waeco should
check his wiring. He must be experiencing a voltage drop somewhere if he is not getting enough volts to the fridge.
Things like crappy cigarette light plugs and sockets are also a possible source of voltage drop.
Also it is worth noting that all batteries even deep cycle will benefit from a low voltage cutout feature. The benefits arise from increased battery life.
With my dual battery system and a deep cycle battery I could get three days of fridge run, as
well as a small flouro light. Very hot conditions (
cape york). The fridge is a 40 litre and most importantly the beer was always cold.
Cheers
AnswerID:
16567
Reply By: rors101 - Tuesday, Apr 01, 2003 at 09:35
Tuesday, Apr 01, 2003 at 09:35
With WAECO make sure your car doesn't get too hot. The plastic lids on the WAECO tend to warp with heat / direct sun and then never seal properly!!. I just sold
mine to a (ex?) friend and have ordered the a new EvaKool ED70 DT with the improved panel and lead location .
I will probably use it as all fridge on the big trip, bit for the few extra $ I have a choice of a dual compartment for short trips.
BTW if you want to make your fridge similar to the most efficient and
well regarded Auto Fridge make your own utectic solution by adding 3-5% Meths to a water container pushed against the chiller plates or in my case within the freezer compartment.
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Andi - Tuesday, Apr 01, 2003 at 11:16
Tuesday, Apr 01, 2003 at 11:16
Excuse my ignorance but what is the utectic solution, how would I use it and what will it do?
Andi
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: rors101 - Tuesday, Apr 01, 2003 at 12:17
Tuesday, Apr 01, 2003 at 12:17
Have a read at
http://www.quirks.com.au/autofrdg.htm
The eutectic fluid acts as an ice bank. Just think of it as an ice battery for your fridge. ie recharge the ice bank when you would the car battery (adjust setting to coldest) and use the stored cold when vehicle is not running (Turn fridge off overnight or adjust to warmer setting).
Beacuse the eutectic freezes colder than water it is more efficient than block ice you would put into your esky.
The Auto fridge is the BEST on the market but unfortunatley it is not for me - I want to use my fridge on a boat for beer most of the time and dont want the extra weight and reduced volume this is despite the better efficiency.
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