EdgeStar 43qt review

[Need For Speed]

I finally broke down and bought the "scratch and dent" EdgeStar 43qt via ebay for $299.00 shipped. living direct is the ebay arm of Compact Appliance.

took about 6 days for the unit to arrive, double boxed.

Took me a few minutes to find any blemish, finally found a small dent at the very bottom corner of the unit.

After checking the box contents, I took the side panel off to check the connections and everythng looks A-Ok. Buttoned it back up, plugged it in, and set the temp to 38 degrees. The temp went from 74 to 38 degrees in approximately 35 minutes, and I ran it for 24 hrs straight (varying the temp a couple times)

The thing works like a dream and is suprisingly quiet.

The unit switches over to 12v without any issues, but as others have stated, the 12v plug is crap, so I will be upgrading the plug.

Hard to beat for $299.00!

Running it today off of a portable charger unit to see how long I can get off a charge...

I also plan to hardwire the unit in the back of my Avalanche. There are two interior lights in the bed (the lights have a on/off switch on the dash) I think I can just disconnect one of the lights and hardwire the plug. Anybody see any issue with this?

 

[Herbie]

I also plan to hardwire the unit in the back of my Avalanche. There are two interior lights in the bed (the lights have a on/off switch on the dash) I think I can just disconnect one of the lights and hardwire the plug. Anybody see any issue with this?

I would check the gauge of the wiring to those lights, it is probably not heavy enough to allow efficient operation without voltage drop. I've been neck-deep in the illumination wiring on my 2003 Astro in order to extend the harnesses around my new pop-top, and I can say that it looks like GM specs mostly 18 gauge (or smaller!) for the lamp wiring. (At least the map/courtesy lamp circuit.)

I know it sounds like a pain, but you'll probably be happier in the long run if you run a dedicated circuit with a higher gauge wire.

I'm running my Edgestar off of the OEM rear 12v accessory socket for now, but only because I know I've got a house battery on the short to-do list, and when that happens it will get its own circuit and higher-amperage wiring.

 

[Xterabl]

Yes, upgrade the wiring. Otherwise the fridge will stop running at around 11.8V instead of 10.5 V, since the high instant current draw when the compressor turns on will cause apparent drop in voltage. Sounds like a pain, but better in the long run, for sure.

 

[Ludedude]

Speaking from personal experience, that unit runs so much better on 120V AC compared to 12V DC. Install an inverter and run the fridge from there instead.

It's a great performer and has kept me happy on many multi-day desert trips.

 

[jeepdreamer]

I can't ever...

Why can't I ever seem to find these for less than 350? I've looked and searched but can't find either CA or their store! What am I doing wrong? Could someone give me a link to the real "deals" Pleeeeeese!?!
thank you:sombrero:

 

[Need For Speed]

keep your eyes open. Here is the 63 qt for 349.00

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160475930436&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

 

[Need For Speed]

what size inverter is needed if that is all I am running is the fridge?

 

[jeepdreamer]

x2

what size inverter is needed if that is all I am running is the fridge?

And where is a good source to get the best bang for the buck on inverters?

 

[hurricane harry]

Best I can tell the edgestar draws .75 amps, less than 120 watts. If so, one of these simple cig lighter inverters from the shack should work.

 

[Need For Speed]

what's the start up draw on one of these?

 

[RHINO]

i honestly havent noticed a difference in performance between the two,,, for reference i run a dedicated 10g wire from the batt to the truckbed, then 12g pigtail for the fridge.