ALL Happy With WAECO,S
Submitted: Friday, Mar 23, 2007 at 12:01
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dj Patrol
Just a short Question are you all Happy With your Waeco Fridges as I just Brought one a 50 ltr have I done the right thing will I be happy.
What are the Problems that I should look for as I know that there are some Issues with electrics,
Thought hard about a Engel but dont like the steel case.
I am retireing my Bushman 35.
djpatrol
Reply By: Robin - Friday, Mar 23, 2007 at 12:58
Friday, Mar 23, 2007 at 12:58
Hi Dj
Got the little 25lt one because with a little bit of work it fits between the Patrols front seats with console removed, hence greatly increased space in rear for other things.
Engels had nowhere near the same size/weight ratio.
Been a seriously good unit without issue, although the replaceable plastic lid catches feel like they won't less many years.
Our camping philosophy is to minimize weight and hassles
The fridges light weight of 13kg , means its easy to put in and out of car, under a tree etc whereas watch so many others have to climb over things to gain access and basically forced to leave there's inside car.
It already only used about 800ma / hr to keep things below 5c but this position meant that it operates in a much cooler average environment than if in rear and hence uses even less current.
We run our entire system with only the cars main battery and the fridge with it selectable inbuilt low volts cut out helps in this regard.
Back it up with good esky sometimes , but this is becoming less now as with some planing because of the smaller size , we tend to have menu that requires low level of frozen stuff , and hence just make sure that supplies for next 24hr are mainly whats keep in fridge. About half is drinks, and despite its small size is one of few that can both keep a 2lt bottle upright and have genuine little space which is warmer for cheese etc.
$520 during Rays 20% off sale 15months ago
Robin Miller
AnswerID:
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Reply By: Alloy c/t - Friday, Mar 23, 2007 at 17:17
Friday, Mar 23, 2007 at 17:17
Bought our 80lt in Jan 03 from the fridge
shop as a 2nd , not 1 mark on it ,got a deal, $990 with a new cover and the Mobitronics convertor , has never missed a beat ,uses an avgerage of 64 amps per 24hr period with the freezer section set at -18c , only complaint would be that the fridge cover has faded ,but then again so has the cover on our Engle.
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Reply By: Sand Man (SA) - Friday, Mar 23, 2007 at 18:10
Friday, Mar 23, 2007 at 18:10
dj,
I'm not a Waeco owner but mate, why look for trouble before you have any.
"Bang for bucks" you have bought one of the more popular brands of fridge and I'm sure you will get satisfactory operation from it.
I would guess that many of the problems we hear about on this
forum, concern the "seconds" fridges that are sold.
Now how's that! An Engel owner not criticising your purchase:-)
AnswerID:
229320
Reply By: Member - Stephen M (NSW) - Friday, Mar 23, 2007 at 19:57
Friday, Mar 23, 2007 at 19:57
Got the 50L waeco runs 24/7 and has not missed a beat. Used it in the high country prior to xmas and ran it at -16 as freezer and didnt miss a beat and was running off main starting battery for 7 days. We were obviously starting/using the vehicle everyday so runnuing the battery flat was not going to be an issue. Prior to high country went up
farm and got 2 &1/2 days out of a fully charged 720cca battery. Was the old one out of my lux but still ok so took it with me as my dual battery controller shat itself prior to going away so whacked in a new heavy duty battery for the starting of the hilux and threw the old one in the back. Was going to use it to jump start if needed. The 50L draws very minimal power. Not knocking engel they are a brillian fridge as
well but went the waeco due to 5 years warranty and cheaper will it last the distance who knows but so far so good. Regards Steve M Regards steve M
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Reply By: Crackles - Friday, Mar 23, 2007 at 20:34
Friday, Mar 23, 2007 at 20:34
dj an interesting post. 22 replys & barely an issue with any. This begs the question is that because Waeco's don't have any problems or are the owners that aren't happy just not game to admit it? Quite a few I travel with have had reoccuring issues with warped lids, the light not working, broken latches, fawlty power leads & complete failure of the electronic control unit. One had been back for warrenty 4 times, which I must say Waeco has an excellent back up service.
Possibly to get a better idea on what can go wrong with them is to look back through the archives.......plenty of storys on them there.
Have you done the right thing?........of course you have. It's nice & light, easy to transport, compact, has a 5 year warrenty & is great value for money. (It even keeps things cold ;-))
Would I buy one..............................? No.
Cheers Craig.
Autofridge.
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Follow Up By: Jimbo - Friday, Mar 23, 2007 at 20:50
Friday, Mar 23, 2007 at 20:50
A very "balanced" opinion from someone who has never owned or used the product.
Armchair expert????
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Follow Up By: Crackles - Saturday, Mar 24, 2007 at 07:27
Saturday, Mar 24, 2007 at 07:27
Don't actually need to own one to see how they work. Around
camp I've spent a little bit of time with multi meters & pointy nose plyers trying to fix a few ;-)
Cheers Craig.........
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490166
Reply By: sav - Friday, Mar 23, 2007 at 21:11
Friday, Mar 23, 2007 at 21:11
I have both a 40 litre Engel and 50 litre Waeco.
Both are solid performers, however the Waeco (18 months old) has needed a warped lid replaced (that also resulted in breaking one of the plastic tabs.
If they sorted out the plastic tabs on the Waeco there wouldn't be anything between them IMHO.
The steel tabs on the Engel are simply more robust.
Sav.
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Reply By: Alan W - Saturday, Mar 24, 2007 at 00:14
Saturday, Mar 24, 2007 at 00:14
My philosophy is to try before you buy, so for our
Simpson desert trip in 05 I hired a engel and also a waeco fridge.
On this trip we had in total 3 engels, 2 waecos and 1 finch.
Both waecos died, including my hired one, as did the finch. The 3 engels, no problems.
So I went out after the the trip and brought myself a 60 Ltr engel and as expected ,have had no problems.
The majority of replys to you are favourable towards the waeco so sit back and enjoy that cold beer that just came out that fridge.
Regards
Alan
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Reply By: Member - Russell H (WA) - Saturday, Mar 24, 2007 at 00:25
Saturday, Mar 24, 2007 at 00:25
I have two Waecos, 40l and 50l. The older one is now 6 years old. These fridges have been in the back of two vehicles that the road conditions completely destroyed, all the while the fridges never missed a beat. Thats almost 400,000 K's without issues.
What I do know is this: The Waeco DC cords have a plug that allows them to be plugged in a standard ciggy socket or a more "postive locking" socket. Use the latter. Either replace your ciggy socket or add the positive locking one. I have burnt out two cords because the contact was "feathering".
Also my fridges are quite sensitive to input voltage...they are designed that way... so invest in some good, heavy-duty wiring to where the fridge is and you won't have any trouble.
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