[Blkfxx]

Hey guys, After going camping/wheeling several times with others that had fridges it has made me want to get one.

Looking at the usual suspects Engel and Waeco, Is there any other decent brands?

It will live on the back of the ute so I'd prefer a steel case (Are Engel the only ones that do this?)

Also what size would be good, I was thinking around 30L but would like to hear your opinions.

[suz_rolly]

Trailblazer http://www.norcoast.com.au/

Explorer i only have a number for them off the fridge 07 4122 2246

[buzbox]

I bought myself the fancy gold limited edition Engel, although it is a bit on the heavy side, it's great. I just wish it had a freezer on one side and fridge on the other like the larger units do.

Also invest in some anti leak, air tight, locking Tupperware, there's nothing worse than having meat juice through everything, and a lift out basket so you don't have to pull half the contents out to get to that last bottle of beer.

[bohuler]

40L engel is what I have. it has been underwater up in coffs and still goes strong. only suggestion is to look for a side opening lid instead of an end opening one cause you need more height above the fridge to open it in car. (mine is bolted down in the GV and not on pull out slides)

Dave

[Chop]

buzbox wrote:

I bought myself the fancy gold limited edition Engel, although it is a bit on the heavy side, it's great. I just wish it had a freezer on one side and fridge on the other like the larger units do.

Also invest in some anti leak, air tight, locking Tupperware, there's nothing worse than having meat juice through everything, and a lift out basket so you don't have to pull half the contents out to get to that last bottle of beer.

They sound good in theory but unless you get an 80l model with freezer and fridge compartment your space is compromised. On big trips we use the Engel as freezer and carry an esky for drinks and just rotate ice packs and meat to defrost and it's great. The best thing for a fridge is a vacuum food sealer. Saves space and food lasts longer.

[Blkfxx]

bohuler wrote:

only suggestion is to look for a side opening lid instead of an end opening one cause you need more height above the fridge to open it in car.

Ute


Looking at second hand units, Can't justify the prices for a new one.

[suz_rolly]

these fridges are the ducks nuts and will take a hiding they even run for a short while on their side they are aluminum with fiberglass cap for seals best fridge i ever owned hard to find second hand though


http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/dalby/other-automotive/trailblazer-80-litre-fridge-freezer-12v-240v/1062586882

http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/browns-plains/other-parts-accessories/trailblazer/1063059556

http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/cairns-region/fridges-freezers/trailblazer/1060250754

[pete_79]

Blkfxx wrote:

Looking at second hand units, Can't justify the prices for a new one.

I was the same, but I found the second hand units weren't that much cheaper.

Then I scored the 40L Waeco that we just bought.
It is the 'older' model and was $600 brand new, that's half the price of the new model Waeco in the same size.

I've read about the Danfoss compressors that are in the 'older' models are now made in china and there's a chance they might not last as well as they have in the passed.
But considering we where looking at second hand units and don't care too much for the 'latest model' of anything, I'm more then happy with this one.

And besides, saving $600 on the fridge gave me enough cash for the second battery and all the extra bits needed to set it up properly. Win, win I say....

[Blkfxx]

Thoughts on the Ridge Ryder re-badged Evacool fridge for sale at SCA currently...

[Poz93]

Big fan of the Engel Eclipse Fridge. Would always recommend it if you were looking at a 40L fridge back when I worked in retail. If you bargain right BCF and Rays should do it for $649 without the bag and $699 with a bag. Its the same motor as all the $1000+ engels but its has a Polypropylene casing instead of the metal one all the others have and has a 3yr warranty.

[striker99]

pete_79 wrote:

Blkfxx wrote:

Looking at second hand units, Can't justify the prices for a new one.

I was the same, but I found the second hand units weren't that much cheaper.

Then I scored the 40L Waeco that we just bought.
It is the 'older' model and was $600 brand new, that's half the price of the new model Waeco in the same size.

I've read about the Danfoss compressors that are in the 'older' models are now made in china and there's a chance they might not last as well as they have in the passed.
But considering we where looking at second hand units and don't care too much for the 'latest model' of anything, I'm more then happy with this one.

And besides, saving $600 on the fridge gave me enough cash for the second battery and all the extra bits needed to set it up properly. Win, win I say....

I've been looking at the same waeco fridge on ebay for some time now and it sure looks tempting...

I currently have one of those rubbish Waeco 35L coolers... it can get down to 4 degress on a... very good day in ideal conditions, but it tends to sit much warmer than this most of the time, it's just not suited to SEQ weather i think It also tends to pull about 3-5 amps constantly which makes it much much heavier on batteries for camping than a proper fridge.

[Blkfxx]

Went looking at some fridges today and came home with the Engel Eclipse.

[pete_79]

New or second hand?

[Blkfxx]

New unit, Similar price to what the modern metal 2nd hand units seemed to be going for.

[Munster]

I've had a Waeco 50lt for about 10 years now and cannot fault it.

[Perram]

Photos?

Couldn't be any cooler than my one!

[Blkfxx]

Perram wrote:

Photos?

Couldn't be any cooler than my one!

Is your google broken?

[sideways]

Lettuce know what you think of it. I'm thinking of getting one. I'd really like a Bushman though.

[DAZOOK]

+3 for Trailblaza. I have a 70lt one. Swapped it for a clean Sierra and a heap of ammunition haha

[shakes]

sideways wrote:

Lettuce know what you think of it. I'm thinking of getting one. I'd really like a Bushman though.

Dads survived two laps of australia and kept stuff cool in northern WA. And he is pretty harsh on gear.

The guy that does them is based out of a shed not far from me and is easy to deal with, happy to help over the phone etc.

[Perram]

Mines survived
1 lap of aus
Fraser
Newness a million times
And 2 years of camping with me.

And it's just turned 24

[threshold]

Just bought a bushman. Seem to have good reviews and i like the idea of the extension collar and the different lids to save space.

[henno]

Some serious bargains to be had at the moment with eBay's 20% off sale at places like BCF, Ray's, etc. Waeco 40L for around 500-ish and Engels for a tad under $600.

[suzukikid]

I run a 40l Waeco! It's awsome freezes everything if you have it anywhere over the 3rd setting! The only thing I don't like about it is how easy it is to turn on and off..... It's only a button that can get pushed easily with out knowing

[DC3PTIKON]

I run a couple of cheapies. I look at the components, compressors manufacturer and go from there. I can't justify the prices for Waeco and Engel. Both of these freeze nicely, have had a belting and been great in my experience.

For the Vitara I run a 40L ebay compressor fridge, was $375 delivered around 2 years ago. When it's not on a camping trip it's my garage/gym fridge running on 240v. Runs 24/7 in that time. Gets bloody cold quick with it's turbo function. If you dial in a temp and it sees it taking a while to pull down, it boosts compressor speed automatically to get cold quick and make sure your food doesn't spoil. For an ebay job, that price and running 24/7 since late December 2013. I'm happy as!

Couldnt find my actual one. Looks like this, but differently badge and price more.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/NEW-40L-Port ... Sw8-tWUwej

This is the one I have run in my work van, now coming up to 5 years of use. Was about $150 cheaper back then, same model. Has been a trooper! Only thing I need to do about 2 years ago is replace the lid seal. Made my own with material from Clark Rubber. $4 fix.


http://www.australiandirect.com.au/buy/ ... r/EVAG80_p

[rustyzook]

Hi guys, refrigeration pays my bills, after working on waeco, engel, and primus fridges, from a repair point, engel is the only one worth the money! If the evaporator plate splits, Engels are the only brand that the whole refrigeration unit slides out for repair. The rest if you get a leak in a bad spot end up in the bin.

I have a 45L engel it's been threw hell and back, I've lost it off the back of the ute, it's been swimming a few times. Rolled over here an there. I'm rough on the gear, but it never fails!

[Zook_MICK]

I've got a Waeco CFX-50 awesome fridge, super low current draw and handy USD port to charge the phone. Had it for 3 years not one drama!

[Flanders]

Just put a layby on a Waeco CFX 40 today at Anaconda. Not the cheapest out there at $1049, but comes with a pretty decent bonus pack. I've tried the cheaper fridges in the past. They are ok once at the campsite but useless in the back of the car.

[Zook_MICK]

You wont be disappointed mate.

[Sookie]

i got a cfx-50 last year from anaconda with a bag a stand and wireless monitor thing for $1100, have not used it much bu so far so good!