Car fridges

Submitted: Sunday, Mar 06, 2011 at 19:46

ThreadID: 84833 Views:3193 Replies:3 FollowUps:2

This Thread has been Archived

Portable Fridges

The debate over which fridge is the best on the market is one of the most contested discussions in the camping recreation. In this article we look at the range of features and the major issues to

poitr

Does anyone have any experience with the small 35 litre Waco TC-35FI car fridge currently available from Supercheap Auto.
Thanks, Poitr

Back Expand Un-Read 0 Moderator Share

Reply By: Member - Toyocrusa (NSW) - Sunday, Mar 06, 2011 at 20:31

Sunday, Mar 06, 2011 at 20:31

Hi. I have been looking at this fridge myself for a short trip item and found this review here Their advantage seems to be their light weight which is what I was looking for. I have a CDF 45 which is great for longer term use. A site called Shopbot has them here with an extra $10 voucher. No affiliation with either site. Just what I found seaching. Regards,Bob

AnswerID: 447496

Reply By: olcoolone - Sunday, Mar 06, 2011 at 20:48

Sunday, Mar 06, 2011 at 20:48

The TC-35FI is a cooler and not a fridge, they use thermoelectric and not a compressor....

The cooling box is suitable for mobile use. It can cool goods up to max. 30 °C under ambient temperature (thermostatic switch-off with approx. +1 °C) or keep them cool or warm them up to max. 65 °C or keep them warm. (from the owners manual)

A compressor fridge will cool goods up to a max. 50 °C under ambient temperature.

Plus the thermoelectrics draw up to 4 amps as opposed to a compressor fridge 1 to 2 amps.

If you live in a cold climate or you want to use it to heat it would be OK

AnswerID: 447498

Follow Up By: TerraFirma - Sunday, Mar 06, 2011 at 21:06

Sunday, Mar 06, 2011 at 21:06

If you want a fridge first steer clear of thermoelecs as they cannot cool on hot days, eg: 25 Deg below 40 deg and the fridge is giving you a temp around 15 degrees etc etc. They also take forever to get to cooling stage imo, compressor fridges are by far better as a fridge, as opposed to a thermo cooler/warmer..

FollowupID: 719795

Reply By: Member - The Bushwhackers -NSW - Sunday, Mar 06, 2011 at 21:16

Sunday, Mar 06, 2011 at 21:16

G'day Poitr

I own the smaller version (18 ltr), and reckon they are great. As mentioned, they are a cooler (and warmer), not a compressor powered fridge, so are limited in their cooling capacity, however, when the weather is hot, I have the air-con on in the car, so the 'ambient temperature' of the environment that the cooler is working in, is not too hot anyway.

I chill mine down on 240v at home before I go anywhere, then run off the cig lighter socket while travelling. We just carry drinks and picnic food (salads and meat etc), and it has done the job for us every time, no problems.

Certainly not a replacement for a 'proper' fridge, but a handy travelling item.

Cheers, Dave

AnswerID: 447506