Waeco Design Fault ??

I have both the Waeco CF40 and the Engel 40 litre – I use both in either freezer or fridge mode.
Never had a problem with either. From your comments the Waeco 18L must have a different construction to the CF40

Hi. I am not a Waeco owner, but I am aware of problems with Engels when the volage at the actual unit is not 'up to scratch'. Have you tested the voltage available at the WAECO end of the power cable?
Hope this helps.

Perhaps your thermostat is dicky? I have a CDF35 (which is 32L) and it freezes stuff no problem at all, regardless of the ambient temp. In fact, moving the temp adjustment slide just past half way is enough to freeze my beers.

Totally agree, the 18L is great as a fridge but as a freezer I've experienced similar problems.
Mind you if you can maintain the temp as low as posible then it will stay frozen. Trouble is that this requires a very strong battery or 240V.

It's odd as cold air is supposed to flow down hill so the deeper well should be the coldest part of the fridge.

Over Christmas the controls on mine shorted out whilst running on 240v, fortunately the fridge was fixed under warrenty.

Had the same problem with an Engel 39L bought new in 1998. Doing a trip down the CSR and using an older 29L Engel as a fridge and the new 39 as a freezer we found the stuff stored in the bottom was starting to thaw. Swapped the frozen food into the older 29L and cranked it up and used the 39L as the fridge, no more problems, the older unit kept everything frozen no problems. I too wondered why the top stayed frozen while the bottom thawed. The only reason I could see was that that particular model Engel had the same size evaporator as the smaller 29L and it was mounted to the top. Yes I know cold air is supposed to fall but I could see no other reason. Apparently the later Engels of that size have a full size evaporator so maybe not have that drama or maybe it was too much food and not allowing enough air circulation.
We still have both units and still use the larger as a fridge only
The older 29L still freezes no problems

Cheers Pop

Seems to be a design flaw. Heat from compressor must be making its way in.

Maybe install a little computer fan to circulate the air better. Although there wouldnt be much room to spare would there. Maybe try and line some better insulation around the lower part.

G`day Stevo,
Try this,
Pack the items around and around in the cabinet so there is a small, (50 -- 100 mm is usually enough) hole in the centre that goes from the bottom of the cabinet to the top of the stack, it must allow the cold air to circulate down through the center.
If the stack looks like collapsing place wire trays over it every so often,(I use cheap rectangular cake stands) and then build on the tray again leaving a gap in the center.
I have found I can stack packs of Filleted Fish this way and it will freeze and stay frozen.

Regards,

Scrubby.

G/day Stevo,Yep,I find the same with our 18, we use it as a dedicated freezer. The bottom well is not quite as cold, if I set mine to freeze, it must be almost at max to keep it frozen for any longer than a week in the lower section if your battery isn't at full charge. I have no probs on 240v,It also depends on how often it is opened, maybe re arrange your food every few days, I also found the rubber lid seal to be faulty on ours. Waeco replaced the whole lid , no questions asked, we are happy with ours. Regards Keith

Hi Stevo

You have many answers above and I would like to comment on our Engel's.

When they are put to freeze, everything inside goes rock hard and stays that way until taken from the fridge. They then take 2 days in an esky to defrost. For the record, on is a 17 year old 39 litre and the other is a 5 year old 40 litre.

Cheers

Stephen

Thanks for all your advice folks, I'lll ensure there is plenty of air space between the frozen food and rearrange it every few days.

Steve,
because of the cost of your purchase is it worth while trying a basket in the fridge just to give a little air circulation and see what that does. Even thin sheet aluiminum lining the inside may be enouh to transfer cold.

As suggested earlier a very small fan would be good but not much room in there.

Hope you sort the problem out