Mobicool/Waeco A40 3-way Fridge?

R_Lefebvre

R_Lefebvre

Expedition Leader
Anybody have any experience with this thing?

http://www.mobicool.com/pages/products/outdoor/a40dcacgas_full.htm

I have somewhat... different fridge requirements. It's going in a trailer, which will be used more like a basecamp. Or, sometimes, will be used more like a basecamp. Sometimes we may tow it daily, other times, we may use it parked for a week at a time. I really like the high quality fridges, but this trailer has really stretched out budget. They also don't seem like they'd work too well for long term camping. Since I'm in the north, solar doesn't work as well either, both because of declination, and also because we'd usually be under tree cover. Not to mention, it would be another few hundred bucks on top of the price of the fridge.

So, I found this locally for $280. With the propane absorption cycle, it seems like it would fit the bill. The only problem is, it says on a 20C temperature drop. I don't get that... that's like Thermoelectric territory?

Is it normal for absorption cycle to only give a 20C drop?

Also, it seems like there is some sort of tie-up between Mobicool and Waeco?
 
Red90

Red90

Adventurer
It would be good to see some actual first hand experience.

When I lived in Australia, I had a Chescold cooler and it was fantastic. 1 week easy on a 5 lb bottle and would freeze at will in 40 C weather. Much more convenient than an electric fridge. But...they cost $1100 new. Easy to pick up used there for $300 or so.
 
R

roscoFJ73

Adventurer
R_Lefebvre said:
Anybody have any experience with this thing?

http://www.mobicool.com/pages/products/outdoor/a40dcacgas_full.htm

I have somewhat... different fridge requirements. It's going in a trailer, which will be used more like a basecamp. Or, sometimes, will be used more like a basecamp. Sometimes we may tow it daily, other times, we may use it parked for a week at a time. I really like the high quality fridges, but this trailer has really stretched out budget. They also don't seem like they'd work too well for long term camping. Since I'm in the north, solar doesn't work as well either, both because of declination, and also because we'd usually be under tree cover. Not to mention, it would be another few hundred bucks on top of the price of the fridge.

So, I found this locally for $280. With the propane absorption cycle, it seems like it would fit the bill. The only problem is, it says on a 20C temperature drop. I don't get that... that's like Thermoelectric territory?

Is it normal for absorption cycle to only give a 20C drop?

Also, it seems like there is some sort of tie-up between Mobicool and Waeco?
Click to expand...

20c drop doesnt sound too good and the sales assistant at my local camping store didnt seem too interested in recommending them,in fact he said they were nearly useless
Chescold are considered the best in these type of fridges,they are the only one that will work well in hot conditions.
A compressor fridge in cool conditions uses very small amounts of power.
Sometimes used fridges can be a bargain if the budgets tight.
Ive seen the Waeco 50 new for $550 on US sites

I dont know about Mobicool ,but Chescold and Dometic are in with Waeco these days
 
Last edited:
Red90

Red90

Adventurer
I was such a fool selling my Chescold before leaving Australia... I may need to buck up for shipping and get another.
 
R_Lefebvre

R_Lefebvre

Expedition Leader
I emailed Mobicool about this, and got a response back from somebody in Asia, and they simply stated 20°C is all it will do. Very kurt, no explanation or discussion of whether it performed better on propane or not. I still find that hard to believe, as legions of RV's use this same technology for refridgeration.
 
Lemsteraak

Lemsteraak

Adventurer
Rob,

I was looking at the fridge and the first thing I thought was that it was a knock off of an Electrolux 3way fridge I use on my boat. Then I looked further and Mobicool is a venture with Dometic which bought out Electrolux.

I think you can figure it will have pretty good performance if it is an Electrolux design.

Rich
 
R_Lefebvre

R_Lefebvre

Expedition Leader
Oh yeah? How well does it work on your boat? How cold can it get?

I was thinking of picking it up and giving it a shot, but then I noticed the store has a NO RETURN policy on coolers and 12V fridges. Guess they get a lot of people "borrowing" them.
 
R_Lefebvre

R_Lefebvre

Expedition Leader
Yeah, that's the one.

I asked:

Hello, I was interested in purchasing one of the Mobicool A40 DC/AC/Gas unit. I notice that the temperature drop is limited to 20°C. Is this correct? I'm mostly interested in using it for gas operation, but I would need it to be able to drop lower than that. If it's 30C outside, and maximum 20C temperature drop that results in a 10C temperature inside which is not cool enough. I just wanted clarification if the 20C max temperature drop is correct for all 3 modes of operation, or if maybe that was the DC mode only?
Click to expand...

The response was:

Thank you for your e-mail and interested in Mobicool product.

The A40 3-way absorption cooler is designed mainly for normal cooling and not for deep freezing use.
The temperature performance is 20 degree Celsius below the ambient for all 3 modes of operation.
Click to expand...
 
Lemsteraak

Lemsteraak

Adventurer
OK, can't say anything about the Mobicool unit, haven't seen one and don't know the construction.

The old Electrolux unit I have on my boat is great. It is 15 years old, I used it solid for five years and it would make ice. My wife is really picky about food and storage and it passed her test. One tank of propane would last us over a month. Oh, and you aren't supposed to use them on a boat because of the possibility of propane leaks and the efficiency is less when the boat is at an angle, yada yada yada ..... Seriously, if you do use one inside, have a CO monitor and propane monitor and check your propane systems on a regular basis.

I would be very nervous about buying from a company with a "no return" policy. When Dometic bought out this division from Electrolux, they moved the assembly to Hungary. I had about a 10 percent DOA on the propane fridges I would bring in for friends and clients.


Rich
 
R_Lefebvre

R_Lefebvre

Expedition Leader
It's not the company that has a no-return policy, it's the store. Seems like these are worth trying... I just don't like taking a chance.
 
SWbySWesty

SWbySWesty

Fauxverland Extraodinaire
This seems a good option compared to the Engel/ARB fridges at 2x price...does anybody have more reviews? I've seen none online so far that were negative
 
SWbySWesty

SWbySWesty

Fauxverland Extraodinaire
after extensively searching, it doesn't seem that this product is available IN the USA. Shipping to the USA would push the price for one of these high enough that it would be good to just wait for a used Engel or ARB to pop up.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
188,337
Messages
2,905,699
Members
229,959
Latest member
bdpkauai

Members online

Total: 1,505 (members: 6, guests: 1,499)
Top