Build your own fridge?
Submitted: Friday, May 18, 2012 at 13:05
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tonydav
Has anyone ever done this?
I have an old Waeco 50L that works perfectly except for the thermostat. It's too big to go in the back of the wifes (proposed new) falcon, so was thinking of trying to integrate it into a 20-30L icebox. It would really just be used for drinks etc and the odd bit of shopping.
I have the big 70L EvaKool in the bus which is mostly used so a smaller one in the car would be great.
Reply By: Caravan & RV World - Friday, May 18, 2012 at 13:20
Friday, May 18, 2012 at 13:20
What about this as a solution???
http://www.caravanandrvworld.com.au/roadpro/12-volt-7-litre-cooler-warmer-with-cup-holders
Plugs straight into your 12v socket.
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Follow Up By: Member - Boobook - Friday, May 18, 2012 at 15:51
Friday, May 18, 2012 at 15:51
Those things are utterly and completely and totally and 100% useless.
Oh and they draw a lot of power while not cooling your food and drinks down too.
They could be re-marketed as a "keep your drinks exactly at ambient temperature" device.
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Follow Up By: GT Campers - Friday, May 18, 2012 at 16:17
Friday, May 18, 2012 at 16:17
My mate got an 'armrest' Engels when he bought a proper fridge. He uses it to keep hamburger patties warm when he goes to the drive-in movies so he doesn't have to pay $19 for a s**ty hot dog :)
..anyhow, did you know you can buy Engel internals for building your own fridge? Maybe you could look at that... it's be like putting a Toyota turbodiesel into a Patrol...
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Follow Up By: tonydav - Friday, May 18, 2012 at 17:46
Friday, May 18, 2012 at 17:46
Know what you mean! I've seen some of those in action. Have a similar one for keeping wine/food cool/warm. Not really the same as the waeco/evakool.
The waeco has a danfos 35 compressor which works
well so I don't think I need to get a kit. Realistically if it's all too hard I'll just buy a ready built unit. Just thought it might be interesting to see what's involved in building my own given I already have the dearest component.
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Follow Up By: tonydav - Saturday, May 19, 2012 at 06:58
Saturday, May 19, 2012 at 06:58
Lots of good pics here. Think I'll need to study fridges 101 before I start though.
I'm guessing the issue I'm having with the temperature / thermostat not working is pretty common. (ie the waeco runs 24/7 and freezes everything). What do you need to fix this, and where do you get it?
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Follow Up By: Member - Boobook - Saturday, May 19, 2012 at 07:17
Saturday, May 19, 2012 at 07:17
Before you do anything make sure you check that the bypass switch at the bottom isn't on. That makes it freeze regardless of the settings.
I would also get a quote to fix it. It may be a common problem and less expensive than starting again.
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Follow Up By: tonydav - Sunday, May 20, 2012 at 20:35
Sunday, May 20, 2012 at 20:35
Damn good point about the bypass. Hadn't thought of this and I do remember playing with it a few years ago. Possibly left on.
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Reply By: kwk56pt - Friday, May 18, 2012 at 21:30
Friday, May 18, 2012 at 21:30
Unless you really enjoy the DIY challenge I would consider fixing up the unwanted waeco and sell that and buy a late model second hand fridge that suits. Often the DIY solution can end up costing more than you think in time and money and has no resale value. A good second hand buy can easily be sold on when something else appeals. Other than that I have no knowledge on fridge conversion itself.
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Follow Up By: dbish - Friday, May 18, 2012 at 23:05
Friday, May 18, 2012 at 23:05
I have 3 Waecos & i can tell you that the insulation on them is marginal. So converting an Evacool esky to refrigeration using the parts from the Waeco was a good moove as the insulation is far better. I think i now have a far better fridge & it now fits in the boot of my car. To do the job you do need to be capable of doing the job. It certainly wont be a proposition if you have to pay some one.
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Follow Up By: tonydav - Saturday, May 19, 2012 at 07:00
Saturday, May 19, 2012 at 07:00
There's also the fun of the challenge!
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Reply By: Ross M - Saturday, May 19, 2012 at 16:30
Saturday, May 19, 2012 at 16:30
If you are thinking of making a fridge you possibly have the ability to go to BOC gasses and get a fridge/freezer thermostat and wire it in place of the original Waeco thermostat. Once you determine the settings for cool/freeze it should continue to work as normal. About $20
I don't think there is any 240v involved.
Ross M
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Reply By: Greenant - Monday, May 21, 2012 at 08:48