Cheap Fridge <$400 shipped

[jrose609]

It has to be capitalized

aaaaaahhhhhhhhh!!!!

 

[Wes Craiglow]

The service from Compact Appliance is top notch. The phone lines can get a little busy but they answer their emails generally same day within hours... Based on my dealings with Compact Appliance and warranty I would not hesitate to buy another Edgestar fridge from them again.

I couldn't agree more, and I'm very happy to hear that everything turned out well for you, roadkill! Your story was concerning to all us owners, I'm sure...

I failed to speak of it before in my review, but when the factory 12v plug broke, I contacted them via email to inquire about what to do. I put in that message my model and serial numbers and a photo of where the plug snapped off... I had a replacement at the house--free of charge, mind you--by the end of the week. Admittedly, I chose not to use it; I elected to solder in a better alternative for my needs (slider-over-sleep platform req'd something on a coiled/retractable cable), but I was very impressed to see my inquiry met with immediate response. And now I have a brand-new factory cable on-hand for reconfig should I ever desire.

I stand behind the EdgeStar unit and Compact Appliance's price and service. I'm looking at ordering a wine cooler and keg fridge from them now simply due to my experience. Two thumbs up.

 

[Bennyhana]

Just found this kind of interesting. I was reading the latest edition of JPFreek magazine and on page 104 there is a little write up on a fridge that looks amazingly like my Edgestar. The article states it brand name as Whytner and the full line of fridges can be found at www.sierraexpeditions.com
http://www.whynter.com/RF_Product19.htm

 

[Nate13]

This has likely been answered somewhere, but I have failed to find the answer.

Is it safe to assume that refrigerators, such as the EdgeStar, can be run continuously like "normal" refrigerators that are found in the house? Me knowing very little about appliances, and hearing of different compressors...etc..., I do not want to have my investment (which takes a large portion of my student "fun fund") to be misused due to my ignorance?

I am on the wall about this, and hoping that they can be run continuously with no adverse effects would all but seal the deal for me.

Thanks for any guidance.

 

[ExpoMike]

Actually I think you will find most manufacturers recommend running them all the time as most fridges don't like to not be running. Something with the compressors IIRC.

I know we have been running ours non stop for almost a year now. On 110AC at home, with bottles of water or soda and we load it up for camping whenever we get to go.

 

[kai38]

Actually I think you will find most manufacturers recommend running them all the time as most fridges don't like to not be running. Something with the compressors IIRC.

I know we have been running ours non stop for almost a year now. On 110AC at home, with bottles of water or soda and we load it up for camping whenever we get to go.

Since I got mine last year when its not being used in my cruiser its plugged in running as a garage fridge with water,Gatorade sometimes beer.
Its like having a small fridge, no problems running it non stop.

 

[Wes Craiglow]

^^^ x3

I just keep mine in my tacoma and leave it running 24/7. It's been there for months, running without a hiccup.

And now, no matter where I go or to which buddy's house I drop in, I always have a cold beer or two.

Or thirty.

 

[tommudd]

Maybe its been answered before but how much noise/hum do they produce inside of the cab area. I had heard an older model , can't remember the brand, that had a very loud hum when on. Old neighbor had it and was showing it to me. Wasn't that into them back 5 or 6 years ago

 

[Bennyhana]

Trust me if you have the engine on, you wont even notice it..Very quiet.

 

[JamesDowning]

Just found this kind of interesting. I was reading the latest edition of JPFreek magazine and on page 104 there is a little write up on a fridge that looks amazingly like my Edgestar. The article states it brand name as Whytner and the full line of fridges can be found at www.sierraexpeditions.com
http://www.whynter.com/RF_Product19.htm

I just saw this too! I'd prefer to send my money to Sierra Ex instead of the Compact Appliance company anyways.

Listed for $479.99! Nice!

 

[teotwaki]

Sierra Expeditions is a very good group to work with as well as a Portal Vendor-Supporter. They offer good deals and great service.

Post about carrying fridge: http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=36840&page=2

 

[ldivinag]

Gripe: I don't like the factory 12v plug at all. I broke mine off in the hole on the first outing with the fridge. I have since upgraded to a better marine-grade plug I bought at Radio Shack and soldered/hardwired new connections. (This is easy, as the entire panel comes off the fridge with only a few screws.) Now it's solid as a rock and can take add'l punishment without the fear of another broken power connection.

ok... mine finally arrived after seeing it on "sale" for under $400...

now, what actually broke? the cig lighter end or the 2 pronged end that actually plugs into the fridge itself???

thanks...

 

[Wes Craiglow]

ok... mine finally arrived after seeing it on "sale" for under $400...

now, what actually broke? the cig lighter end or the 2 pronged end that actually plugs into the fridge itself???

thanks...

The 2-pronged end that plugs into the fridge. While it was plugged in on a trip, my toolbox fell on it and snapped it right in half. That left one half of the plastic 2-pronged part still attached to the wire, and the other half stuck in the fridge port itself. I had to dig it out with a knife and needlenose pliers. (I called EdgeStar, and they shipped me a new one, free of charge, immediately. Great cust serv.)

At that point, I went to RShack and bought one of these:

I cut the ends off of it, keeping only the coiled wire portion. Using a solid 12v quick-connect (a tight, weatherproof one, sorta like boat trailers have), I connected one end of that coiled wire to the straight wire leading to my fuseblock, and the other end of the coiled wire got soldered directly to the fridge's "in" lead on its little motherboard-looking thingy. (Just take the front panel off. It'll be staring right at you.)

Now, when I move my slider in and out, the coiled wire does all the work. Plus, being that it's all soldered, things are super secure. Finally, the quick-connect still lets me get it all out in a hurry.

NOTE: If you're going to solder directly into the fridge like I did, I'd suggest affixing the coiled wire to the fridge body itself about 6" from its end (I used a simple hoop-style antenna strap screwed into the metal panel). Do this to keep some slack in the wire that leads from there to the motherboard thingy. This way, if the coiled wire ever takes a tug from something, the stress won't be placed on your solder at the motherboard, but instead on the metal panel.

Hopefully this wasn't too confusing. I can shoot some pics later if you still have more questions. Good luck!

 

[ldivinag]

yeah, a pix would be great... guess you werent too worried about warranty?


first failure... while picking it up, it was filled with about 20 cans of soda, left handle broke...

sigh.

guess i'll get to test their cust service...

lol...

btw, maybe because it's new, the temp reading vs a meter i have onnected, is way off... sometimes it reads a diff of 12... sometimes 5... and everything in between...

has yours settled down to a consistent measured temp difference?

 

[Wes Craiglow]

Just finished packing the truck for a trip out, and I'm walking out the door in about 10 mins. I'll grab you some pick asap when I return. Sorry, bro!