Fridges

Marco

for quality i dont think you can go past a Engel,cheers.

You could check out the EVA Kool.

Great fridge, had one for 9 years now and very happy.

Marco there aren't too many models to keep away from other than the thermoelectric type which don't work at all on hot days.
There is a compromise to be made between the space the fridge takes up verses the thickness of insulation. Fridges like the Waeco & Engel have a relatively thin insulation (hence the need for transit bags) but are very compact for their internal space. Something like a Trailblazer is at the other end of the scale taking up alot of space but continuing to work efficiently in 40+ degree temps.
The other features to look for are the quality of fittings & what the case is made of. Again some have flimsy plastic catches while others stainless steel with fibreglass probably being the pick for a sturdy case. Personally the simpler a fridge is the better so if it doesn't have fancy electronic displays etc there is less to go wrong.
Most manufacturers seem to have a reasonable warrenty & backup service although with their huge dealer network Waeco would be the best............but then they need to be, as if this forum is any indication they seem to have more failures than all other brands put together. (have a search)
If moneys not a big consideration I'd spend a few extra dollars & get one of the Australian built fridges.
Cheers Craig..............
39 & 73L Autofridges.

Lots out there is an understatement , Waeco 80lt is BIG in size and uses power bigtime as well ,have kept a record of useage over the last 5+ yrs ,average is 64amp hrs per 24 hrs , takes 2 to lift when full ,,If I was to do a refitout of our camping gear I would go for 2x 50/60lt either Waeco or Engle , gives more versatility than 1 large all fridge or fridge freezer.

Quality: Autofridge

Reliability: Engel

Price: Waeco

Compare the prices of this far superior product (Trailblaza) to the others.

Trailblaza click on the Trailblaza button for the price list.

Waeco

Engel

Cheers Steve

I have an engel and while I've had two fail over the years back up is good. Pretty reliable, poor insualtion, poor pull down rate (as per all others) and damn expensive. Don't see it as knocking them as most are in the same boat.

Have checked into evacool for a mate and much cheaper, quite robust, dual fridge freezer and reliable.

During my research I spoke with a service guy (refrigeration mechanic). He services most brands mainly focusing on waco, engel and evacool. His view was for reliability most brand name fridges are similar. For pull down rates most are similar. He owns engel but said won't go wrong with an evacool.

Essentially saying stick with a brand name, look at value for money, long warranty and don't expect them to pull down like your fridge at home. Make sure you limit vibration and treat them very carefully. Ie don't add hot drinks during the day, do it in the morning or night. Don't open fridge during heat of day. Pull out food you want for lunch in the morning and put in an esky.

Sounds like a chore but if you're in one spot for a while with limited power you will need to reduce the fridge load as much as possible.

I'd buy an evacool next time for around $1000 cheaper than the engel.

The Waeco website reports a +ve independent test of the CF40. AFAIK the CF50 is essentially the same.

Hi Marco

What will you be using your fridge for?

If you are on the road constantly, then buy an Engel. Perhaps get a 40L Engel and a Two Zone as well, which should bring it up to 60L and cost around $1500 new. I really think Engel's are the tried and tested car fridge and infact my friends 110L Waeco would not keep bait frozen in 30 degree weather.

If you're going to be doing a lot of camping in the one spot and don't want to be living out of your car, then I would recommend a Chescold 3 way fridge. The 2 Chescolds worth looking at are the 40L F400 and the 50L RC1180. The F400 can be used as a fridge or freezer, while the RC1180 has a removable divider so can be used as a fridge-freezer combo or just a fridge (Most people seem to prefer the combo). Chescold's are quite robust and will still freeze in high 30 degree weather.

I have both a 40L Engel and 40L F400 Chescold and find I use my Engel more, as I am on the move more often. I just use mine to keep drinks cold, so don't need to use it as a freezer, although it is good to have a powerful model for warmer conditions. Don't discount the 3 way fridges though, as they do serve a purpose.

Regards, Will

Marco


The best is the trailblaza. It is the toughest in build and very well insulated. Because of this they are heavy and large.

Engels have been around for a long time and make a quality product.



Tjilpi

I use a 40 litre Engel fitted with a 30 litre basket.
Under the 30 litre basket I put 2 x 2 litre ice cream containers and 6 plastic tumblers of water. I run the Engle as a freezer and pull out 5 litres of block ice every second day. This is put into a quality esky (a 45 litre fibreglass Engel) with thick insulation.
This adequately supplies the esky with enough ice for drinks and thawed food on an ongoing basis. Naturally a week before we go on a trip I fill the esky with about 10 litres of block ice as a starter.

If really want a great fridge look at the 74l national luna. Great insulation, stainless steel construction and 2 seperate fridge/ freezers with seperate controls and their own doors. It is expensive though. Used by WHO to transport blood in arrid areas.

I've owned both Engel and Waeco.

Engel are vastly overpriced.

Frankly wouldn't buy either again as their insulation is poor.

I see a lot of fridges and reckon Evakool/Fridgemate is the best value for money by a mile.

Cheers,

Jim.

Hi, I have owned an Evakool Fridgemate 95L now for several years, I have used it everywhere from Sydney to Tasmania, in temps up to 55 degree C in the car.
I also use it in a base camp set up with a solar panel, I can say that it draws about 1 amp when used as a fridge on setting 1 up to about 30 degree temps. I often use my fridge on setting 3 with a divider so that at the bottom of the freezer side keeps the meat just frozen, i then keep dairy on top of the meat and any thing else that needs to be critically cold, I keep the drinks on the fridge side which keeps them adequately cold.It draws about 1.5 amps on setting 3.

i would recommend the 95L Evakool to anyone who is looking for a large fridge for the family, it is very robust and can handle a bit of bumping around.
cheers
Matt

70ltr Evakool for the past 5 years and would buy another when/if this one goes belly up. Friends with Waecos and Engel's, I have no issues with them.

Hi Marco,
We have been running an Evacool for 2 years now none stop on our trip. It is an 80ltr ran as fridge/freezer. It sits in the rear drawer in the camper. Very efficient on power. Has an in built diagnostics for fault finding. This was how we found a stuffed battery in the trailer, fridge showed low voltage after driving all day so I knew there was a problem. Back up service is amazing. Before we worked out it was the battery I rang Evacool for help. We were on our way out of Wilpena. They talked me through the fault finding process over the phone cause there was no service centre near by. Anything I did was still under warranty. They said if I couldn't find the fault just find the closest fridge repairer even if not an Evacool authorised repairer and they would ok the repairs under warranty. Found out it was the battery not the fridge. It has worked faultlessly for us. Very tuff and well insulated. We were in Darwin in 45+ deg heat and it never missed a beat.

Josh

We have one from ABR/Sidewinder. I reckon great value for money compared with the big name brands.

www.sidewinder.com.au

Ive seen the Waeco 50 on sale at $999. Thats good value