After reading the Overland Journal test on fridges, I noticed the Waeco scored very well in all categories except power consumption. With winter temperatures approaching and for those who live in cooler climates, there is less need to run the compressor at it's preset rpm. I understand it is possible to add a selectable resister(s) to the DanFoss compressor to reduce power consumption. I think this selectable RPM feature is standard on the CF-80 and larger but not anything smaller. From Waeco's website:
"Waeco delivers all refrigerators with the variable speed Danfoss compressor set to high performance mode (3.5 - 3.9 amps) for freezing in very hot weather. We delivered them this way because we expect that’s what you really need. A freezer that can work in even the hottest Australian conditions. For battery critical applications you can set the Danfoss compressor speed to it’s lowest position where it will draw only 2.2 – 2.5 amps and still give really good performance. This change only requires a wire link to be inserted between two pins on the microcomputer control box. It is a very simple operation however accessibility to this point varies between models. We do not recommend that the customer does this themselves but any service agent could do it very easily. In many ways it does not make sense to reduce the speed of the compressor simply to get a low power draw because, as we have said, you do not get cooling performance for nothing. What happens is that the refrigerator will simply run longer in hot conditions if the power of the compressor is reduced. This of course applies to any refrigerator not just Waeco. A low power setting only makes sense in conditions up to around 30 (86 degrees fahrenheit);. In such conditions there could be some benefits if for example you are using solar panels. Waeco is not interested in playing tricks with numbers. We sell the most powerful and most efficient fridges on the market dollar for dollar and that’s a fact the others just can’t get around."
Now, download the DanFoss Technical Info PDF. Here you will find info on which resister type to use to set the RPM. It ranges from 2,000-3,500 RPM. I believe the Turbo button switches the motor to 3,500 RPM. Factory preset must be either 2,500 or 3,000 RPM.
As you know, the Waeco also has a low voltage cut-off protection. The default "low setting" value being 10.4 volts cut-out and 11.2 cut-in. Well, if you are running more than one battery, you might opt to set this at an even lower cut-out voltage to be able to run your fridge longer. Maybe somebody else can advise on how low you can go without long term damage to the batteries but I'm guessing a bit lower (maybe 10.2) as my engine starts fine on the lowest setting. Anyway, you can set it as low as 9.6 volts cut-out (probably not good for your battery) and 10.9 volts cut-in. Refer to the PDF for your type of compressor.
"Waeco delivers all refrigerators with the variable speed Danfoss compressor set to high performance mode (3.5 - 3.9 amps) for freezing in very hot weather. We delivered them this way because we expect that’s what you really need. A freezer that can work in even the hottest Australian conditions. For battery critical applications you can set the Danfoss compressor speed to it’s lowest position where it will draw only 2.2 – 2.5 amps and still give really good performance. This change only requires a wire link to be inserted between two pins on the microcomputer control box. It is a very simple operation however accessibility to this point varies between models. We do not recommend that the customer does this themselves but any service agent could do it very easily. In many ways it does not make sense to reduce the speed of the compressor simply to get a low power draw because, as we have said, you do not get cooling performance for nothing. What happens is that the refrigerator will simply run longer in hot conditions if the power of the compressor is reduced. This of course applies to any refrigerator not just Waeco. A low power setting only makes sense in conditions up to around 30 (86 degrees fahrenheit);. In such conditions there could be some benefits if for example you are using solar panels. Waeco is not interested in playing tricks with numbers. We sell the most powerful and most efficient fridges on the market dollar for dollar and that’s a fact the others just can’t get around."
Now, download the DanFoss Technical Info PDF. Here you will find info on which resister type to use to set the RPM. It ranges from 2,000-3,500 RPM. I believe the Turbo button switches the motor to 3,500 RPM. Factory preset must be either 2,500 or 3,000 RPM.
As you know, the Waeco also has a low voltage cut-off protection. The default "low setting" value being 10.4 volts cut-out and 11.2 cut-in. Well, if you are running more than one battery, you might opt to set this at an even lower cut-out voltage to be able to run your fridge longer. Maybe somebody else can advise on how low you can go without long term damage to the batteries but I'm guessing a bit lower (maybe 10.2) as my engine starts fine on the lowest setting. Anyway, you can set it as low as 9.6 volts cut-out (probably not good for your battery) and 10.9 volts cut-in. Refer to the PDF for your type of compressor.
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