We went for a short trip over the weekend and discovered our Engel upright fridge sprung a gas leak around the freezer internal element (somewhere). So we're looking at buying a new fridge. Currently looking at Engel 88lt , Waeco 90lt, Vitrifrigo 115L, & EasyCool 85lt all of which are Fridge Freezer combo upright's. I'm not interested in 3 way's at all.
Would like to get an indication of who's using what any any recomendations. Note that our traveling follows the sun, so we need something to handle the warmer days. With my own research I'm currently leaning towards a Vitrifrigo but can't find too many reviews on them.
So..... any chilling responces or reviews???
Thanks Steve.
msg said
11:08 PM Feb 22, 2016
My Vitrifrigo is now 8yrs old. Runs on solar and has never let me down.
Hetho said
11:22 PM Feb 22, 2016
Hi Steve.
Have just built my van and considered all the models you are considering.
However; after a great deal of reserch I purchased a "Nova Cool" RFU9000 ridge/freezer combo. Freezer is at the bottom.
They are made in Canada and run a Danfoss BD50 compressor.
Have been to Port Hedland WA, last November and across the Nullabor after Christmas to Victoria. Had quite a few days of 40 plus and the fridge was set on setting 4 (out of 7).
The fridge is a "12 Volt only".
All food remained frozen, and the fridge was just starting to freeze lettuce at level 4.
I`m more than happy with the performance, but they do cost a little more, but i`m impressed.
They come with black front panels which can be removed quite easily. Nova Cool will sell the Stainless steel front panels for approx $200.00
I went to my local boat builder and purchased stainless sheet (cut to size) for $60.00
They have a web site, have a look.
Regards.
Hetho.
Delta18 said
03:11 PM Feb 23, 2016
Many people are now turning to the likes of household Samsung Inverter technology fridges which allow then to happily run on a 300w inverter.
They are available in two-door 180L odd to 225L.
They retail for between $500 - $800 from the likes of Good Guys stores.
The difference in price between these and dedicated van 12v fridges will buy a lot of solar power if needed.
Neil.
Snail said
08:35 PM Feb 23, 2016
Hi Steve,
Why don't you have a go at repairing your old fridge. Engel sell the internals in one piece you can just slip out the old and slip in the new or you can have your local Engel agent repair it for you.
Snail
madaboutled said
09:32 PM Feb 26, 2016
Decided to go for a new Vitrifrigo 115L 12-24 Volt fridge. Got a very good deal from 12volttechnology.com.au and the new fridge arrived late yesterday afternoon. Started to fit it today, then hit a slight snag, the dimensions showed the fridge as being 550mm deep including the door. But, when I unpacked from the box I straight away noticed that there's a pipe coming from the compressor, going up the back of the fridge which adds another 40mm which was not specified and the pics in the manual also don't show the pipe.
My cabinet cavity (thought I'd clarify that) is 510 mm deep, and I originally allowed 490mm for the fridge into the cavity, leaving a 20mm air space to the back to the wall. Then I saw the pipe which which adds 40mm to the fridge so it won't fit into the cavity by 20mm. So after much deliberation I've decided to packout the front of the cabinet by 25mm. This will give me the clearance needed for the pipe, plus 5mm so the pipe isn't jambed up against the wall and the added bonus that the air space will be 45mm at the back less of course the pipe itself.
Thank God I joined the local men's shed just before Christmas, I'll be able to go there on Monday and use the bench saw there to trim up some timber for the packing. By Tuesday sometime, I should have it all fitted.
The only other downside is the shower door opens across the fridge, that loss of 25mm means the shower door will no longer open flat against the fridge, so we loose about 75mm in opening access into the shower, with the shower door opening to about 70 degrees instead of 90 degrees. Oh well, another excuse for a diet!.
The hassles will be worth it in the end, This fridge has 25 litres more space than the old engel and the internal layout is much better. We'll actually be able to fit a 2 or 3 litre bottle of milk in the door and the Freezer section whilst about the same height as the engel, is much wider and deeper.
As for the Old Engel.... I plan to get it repaired and sell it, or may sell it as is if anyone's interested, the compressor alone has gotta be worth something.
Thanks for the advice to all that posted.
Regards Steve.
in transit said
09:43 PM Feb 26, 2016
We bought an Evakool 110L 12volt fridge about a year ago. It is quiet (when I am in bed my head is about half a metre from the compressor) and although the thermostat is graduated to 10, any setting above 3 will convert green veg to brown frozen garbage. We did install 2 PC fans to aid cooling and save power. A recent test in sunny weather proved that our portable 120W solar panels will cool it from ambient and maintain a suitably cold fridge and freezer. We also spend time in the tropics so didn't want an absorption model.
Good luck with whatever you get.
msg said
03:55 AM Feb 28, 2016
Hi Steve,
Just a word of caution. I have a big sign on my door advising not to put heavy items in the door. It can distort and not latch properly. I store 3ltr bottles by raising the bottom shelf.
madaboutled said
11:32 AM Feb 28, 2016
msg wrote:
Hi Steve,
Just a word of caution. I have a big sign on my door advising not to put heavy items in the door. It can distort and not latch properly. I store 3ltr bottles by raising the bottom shelf.
Thanks for the heads up, I did wonder about that so I will have to wait & see. I have to admit, whilst the catch looks good in theory, its only thin plastic and I've already started to think about fashioning a new one out of aluminium. Looking at the door, the corners of the frame appear to be plastic, so I can see the door might warp with weight in it, again I've worked out a way to strengthen it but I'd have to check with the supplier to ensure my mods won't affect warranty.
Most things these days are plastic & break easily which really sucks when you consider how much you pay for things..... That's life now apparently!.
msg said
03:18 PM Feb 28, 2016
In spite of it being plastic, its pretty secure. Mine survived the 600k gravel road round trip to Birdsville. Plus 300k's the day before from blackall to Quilpie. Then out bush in Quilpie and back. No probs. Just make sure it is firmly secured in the compartment. My screws holding it in came loose and it started to walk across the floor.
mr glassies said
05:13 PM May 13, 2016
First of we have a 240 inverter fridge in the house gr8 m8 woof but a bit noisy as in motor noise . 12 volt compressor fridges I have 3 eBay specials . All 240 ,12, 24 . A 50 ltr uprite in the pop top , a 120 ltr in the van 180 on the back deck ( beer fridge ) couldn't be more happier . Only issue was the dealer is a wanker . I also run 3 100 ml fans on the bottom vent to circulate air there's operated by a little thermo switch and a 50 ml fan inside the fridge to circulate the air in the fridge . My idear of that it should make al the fridge the same temp . Or closer to it
Dibs
-- Edited by mr glassies on Friday 13th of May 2016 05:13:54 PM
We went for a short trip over the weekend and discovered our Engel upright fridge sprung a gas leak around the freezer internal element (somewhere). So we're looking at buying a new fridge. Currently looking at Engel 88lt , Waeco 90lt, Vitrifrigo 115L, & EasyCool 85lt all of which are Fridge Freezer combo upright's. I'm not interested in 3 way's at all.
Would like to get an indication of who's using what any any recomendations. Note that our traveling follows the sun, so we need something to handle the warmer days. With my own research I'm currently leaning towards a Vitrifrigo but can't find too many reviews on them.
So..... any chilling responces or reviews???
Thanks Steve.
Hi Steve.
Have just built my van and considered all the models you are considering.
However; after a great deal of reserch I purchased a "Nova Cool" RFU9000 ridge/freezer combo. Freezer is at the bottom.
They are made in Canada and run a Danfoss BD50 compressor.
Have been to Port Hedland WA, last November and across the Nullabor after Christmas to Victoria. Had quite a few days of 40 plus and the fridge was set on setting 4 (out of 7).
The fridge is a "12 Volt only".
All food remained frozen, and the fridge was just starting to freeze lettuce at level 4.
I`m more than happy with the performance, but they do cost a little more, but i`m impressed.
They come with black front panels which can be removed quite easily. Nova Cool will sell the Stainless steel front panels for approx $200.00
I went to my local boat builder and purchased stainless sheet (cut to size) for $60.00
They have a web site, have a look.
Regards.
Hetho.
Many people are now turning to the likes of household Samsung Inverter technology fridges which allow then to happily run on a 300w inverter.
They are available in two-door 180L odd to 225L.
They retail for between $500 - $800 from the likes of Good Guys stores.
The difference in price between these and dedicated van 12v fridges will buy a lot of solar power if needed.
Neil.
Hi Steve,
Why don't you have a go at repairing your old fridge. Engel sell the internals in one piece you can just slip out the old and slip in the new or you can have your local Engel agent repair it for you.
Snail
Decided to go for a new Vitrifrigo 115L 12-24 Volt fridge. Got a very good deal from 12volttechnology.com.au and the new fridge arrived late yesterday afternoon. Started to fit it today, then hit a slight snag, the dimensions showed the fridge as being 550mm deep including the door. But, when I unpacked from the box I straight away noticed that there's a pipe coming from the compressor, going up the back of the fridge which adds another 40mm which was not specified and the pics in the manual also don't show the pipe.
My cabinet cavity (thought I'd clarify that) is 510 mm deep, and I originally allowed 490mm for the fridge into the cavity, leaving a 20mm air space to the back to the wall. Then I saw the pipe which which adds 40mm to the fridge so it won't fit into the cavity by 20mm. So after much deliberation I've decided to packout the front of the cabinet by 25mm. This will give me the clearance needed for the pipe, plus 5mm so the pipe isn't jambed up against the wall and the added bonus that the air space will be 45mm at the back less of course the pipe itself.
Thank God I joined the local men's shed just before Christmas, I'll be able to go there on Monday and use the bench saw there to trim up some timber for the packing. By Tuesday sometime, I should have it all fitted.
The only other downside is the shower door opens across the fridge, that loss of 25mm means the shower door will no longer open flat against the fridge, so we loose about 75mm in opening access into the shower, with the shower door opening to about 70 degrees instead of 90 degrees. Oh well, another excuse for a diet!.
The hassles will be worth it in the end, This fridge has 25 litres more space than the old engel and the internal layout is much better. We'll actually be able to fit a 2 or 3 litre bottle of milk in the door and the Freezer section whilst about the same height as the engel, is much wider and deeper.
As for the Old Engel.... I plan to get it repaired and sell it, or may sell it as is if anyone's interested, the compressor alone has gotta be worth something.
Thanks for the advice to all that posted.
Regards Steve.
Good luck with whatever you get.
Just a word of caution. I have a big sign on my door advising not to put heavy items in the door. It can distort and not latch properly. I store 3ltr bottles by raising the bottom shelf.
Thanks for the heads up, I did wonder about that so I will have to wait & see. I have to admit, whilst the catch looks good in theory, its only thin plastic and I've already started to think about fashioning a new one out of aluminium. Looking at the door, the corners of the frame appear to be plastic, so I can see the door might warp with weight in it, again I've worked out a way to strengthen it but I'd have to check with the supplier to ensure my mods won't affect warranty.
Most things these days are plastic & break easily which really sucks when you consider how much you pay for things..... That's life now apparently!.
First of we have a 240 inverter fridge in the house gr8 m8 woof but a bit noisy as in motor noise . 12 volt compressor fridges I have 3 eBay specials . All 240 ,12, 24 . A 50 ltr uprite in the pop top , a 120 ltr in the van 180 on the back deck ( beer fridge ) couldn't be more happier . Only issue was the dealer is a wanker .
I also run 3 100 ml fans on the bottom vent to circulate air there's operated by a little thermo switch and a 50 ml fan inside the fridge to circulate the air in the fridge . My idear of that it should make al the fridge the same temp . Or closer to it
Dibs
-- Edited by mr glassies on Friday 13th of May 2016 05:13:54 PM