Which Fridge

[Ramdough]

I am selling a car on ebay, so I will have enough money for one toy (thanks honey), wedding rings, honeymoon, etc... :jumping:

I am considering the ENGEL 65 or the Waeco CF-080.

From what I can tell, the Engel uses less amps, but of course the waeco is bigger inside, but roughly the same outside dimensions.

The waeco is cheaper. I talked to someone that sells both, and the guy said he liked waeco better than engel.

Any comments from anyone? Thanks.

 

[OutbacKamper]

Ramdough;
The only experience I have with Waeco is a little TB-15, whick works great by the way. My Engel MT-45 died ( after running it almost continuously for 9 months), so I am not too impressed with it at the moment. My next fridge will probably be a Waeco.
I think the Waeco 80 won in a recent fridge comparison test in Aus4wd monthly (sorry can't remember which issue), you should try and find that issue before deciding.
Good luck
Cheers
Mark

 

[Ramdough]

I have that issue actually. #87

The winner was the Explorer DC-70.

The Waeco had one of the worste power consumption ratings. Unfortunately, they did not evaluate an engel in the same size range (only 45's).

Max temp during test 131 degrees F.

Waeco had 62 amps/ 24 hrs for the 80Liter

two other 70 liter units had 45 and 55 amps/24hrs

one 85 liter had 53 amp/24 hrs


The salesman that sells both engel and waeco said the waeco would last longer. The waeco was cheaper, so unless it has a larger margin of profit in it, I don't see any angle in it for him.

The Waeco 80 was cheaper than the engel 65.

Most of the units tested either had the Sawafuji swing motor or Danfoss compressors. The rest of the cooling system may vary a little, but the efficiency difference is probably due to the design of the heat exchangers, lid seals, and the insulation.

I am thinking that the only thing that I can improve on these coolers is that I can insulate them and provide proper ventilation.

I am considering buying the Waeco cf-80 and then building a my deck around the cooler. I would put the cooler on a slide and have a "cave of 1.0in foam and 1/4in plywood" that I would slide the fridge into in transit. Both intake and exhaust vents are on one end of the 80, so that end of the cave would be open to the air. Thus, I would get 80 liters of cooler, less cost, and maybe if I am lucky - similar efficiency.

What do you guys think?

 

[flyingwil]

My Vote is for the Engel Units... The warranty will cover you for what breaks, and they also have a better reputation from what I hear. I think they are both a good choice, however.

 

[blupaddler]

I can't comment on the Waeco. But, I know Vince has one and loves his. I think he has the 50 or something close to that.

Also, if you don't mind, they sell refurbished ones for half the cost on their website.

www.waecousa.com

 

[saltamontes]

what about fridgefreeze?

anyone try the FridgeFreeze units?
expensive, but seemingly well built.

http://www.fridgefreeze.com

 

[Ramdough]

I guess I should put some numbers to my decision.

The Engel

64 quart $950

The Waeco

77 quart $760 5 lb Lighter

They are roughly the same size externally.

 

[shawkins]

I guess I should put some numbers to my decision.

The Engel

64 quart $950

The Waeco

77 quart $760 5 lb Lighter

They are roughly the same size externally.

If the Engel and the Waeco are about the same size external, why does the Waeco have 13 more quarts capacity? My guess would be that the Engel would have more insulation? Might be why its power consuption was quite a bit less than the Waeco's?

I dont really know much about the different fridge offerings, I was just taking a stab in the dark at why one would have so much more capacity than the other when they are about the same size externally. Something in the Engel is taking up quite a bit more room then the Waeco.

 

[hoser]

Here is another good write-up on Fridges. I chose a Waeco CF-50.

Edit: http://home.iprimus.com.au/rfh/portablefridges.html

 

[dbolton]

I'm curious if anyone has used something like Waeco's RPD series refrigerators:

http://www.waecousa.com/page.aspx?p=probuiltin

They appear to have similiar hardware (danfoss type compressor) and would have the advantage of (for example, in Scott's Tacoma rear of quadcab installation, or the back of a LR with gear piled on top) not needing to slide out to be easily accessible.

Are these not as off road worthy? More power consumption? I could see that they might be less convienent from a cold storage standpoint (vertical door versus top-loading).

 

[hoser]

I'm curious if anyone has used something like Waeco's RPD series refrigerators:

http://www.waecousa.com/page.aspx?p=probuiltin

They appear to have similiar hardware (danfoss type compressor) and would have the advantage of (for example, in Scott's Tacoma rear of quadcab installation, or the back of a LR with gear piled on top) not needing to slide out to be easily accessible.

Are these not as off road worthy? More power consumption? I could see that they might be less convienent from a cold storage standpoint (vertical door versus top-loading).

I was thinking the same thing but decided for the conventional top loader because of 1) spill retention--in case something liquid inside spilled, it wouldn't leak all over the vehicle and 2) being able to open the fridge on any incline/decline without the contents falling out as the fridge is often fully loaded.

 

[BajaTaco]

1) spill retention--in case something liquid inside spilled, it wouldn't leak all over the vehicle and 2) being able to open the fridge on any incline/decline without the contents falling out as the fridge is often fully loaded.

Exactly - I agree. Another thing is loss of cold air - probably much less with a top lid.

 

[Dave Bennett]

I'm looking into a fridge - my last trip to AZ with the cooler made me realize perhaps I should have bought a fridge before my winch... it would have seen more use... :chowtime:

The thing is PRICE, they are an investment: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ARB-...001QQitemZ110001080209QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWD1V

I've decided on an ARB or an Engel (same mfg, right?), but where is the best deal on a 40L unit? Refurbs? Are there any Forum or military discounts? I'm looking for the best deal I can get, Uncle Sam doesnt pay much...

 

[cruiseroutfit]

I'm looking into a fridge - my last trip to AZ with the cooler made me realize perhaps I should have bought a fridge before my winch... it would have seen more use... :chowtime:

The thing is PRICE, they are an investment: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ARB-...001QQitemZ110001080209QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWD1V

I've decided on an ARB or an Engel (same mfg, right?), but where is the best deal on a 40L unit? Refurbs? Are there any Forum or military discounts? I'm looking for the best deal I can get, Uncle Sam doesnt pay much...

From my website:

ARB Versus Engel Units
In 2005 ARB discontinued carrying the 33 & 63 Quart Freezer/Fridge units. Cruiser Outfitters is proud to announce that we are now an authorized Engel Dealer. Engel is the OE manufacture of the ARB Freezer Fridges. There are only minor cosmetic differences between the Engel and ARB units. The ARB unit will have have the "ARB Freezer Fridge" logo versus the "Engel" logo on the Engel unit. In addition ONLY the ARB 42 Quart will have the built in thermometer, the Engel units in the US will not.

And a shameless plug too
http://www.cruiseroutfitters.com/acc_ARBfreezer.html

 

[Grim Reaper]

I managed to come up with several Danfoss DB50f Compressors (used in the lager model Waeco's. They were set up as A/C units (air coolers) with blowers in some equipment boxes I recently purchased. I actually as I write this have two of them running with the preset thermostat bypassed to see what sort of temp they cant get a 44x31x28 insulated equipment box down too today.

I think I will need to swap out the air exchangers to an evaporator plate like these http://www.waecousa.com/page.aspx?p=theevap. Trying to see if I could use one out of a cheep o fridge and harvest a used one from the appliance repair place up the road.

I have been researching this and found some good information on boat sites. According to what I have read these compressors could handle a 6cubic foot deep freezer if it had 6 inches of insulation. :yikes: Realistically I am looking at making a pair of 2 cubic foot freezer fridge one for the Suburban one for the 4Runner/ expedition trailer. Then make a 2 cube freezer with one and a 8 cube fridge with the other for our Airstream.

Let you know how it goes and will do a write up when I build them. I may be able to buy a few more of these as well. Should know more today on that.