I am unhappy with the performance of my 210 lt fridge/ freezer.
I bought it 15 months ago and it has been thru the highs and lows of ambient temps and has never kept things in the fridge section cold...cool yes but not cold.
So I tested the internal temp with a thermometer to find it between 7.8 deg and 11.0 deg (depending on time of the day)
So I contacted the manufacturer (Evakool) and after much and many emails, they confessed that they were not selling that model anymore and that I needed to pack the fridge onto Ipec and send it back to Brisbane. Thats all very well but I am 150klms from Tom Price WA and I will be without refidgeration for ?? weeks.
This has been going on for some months now and one day they will come to me with a more acceptable solution.
So What fridge do you suggest I buy.
I do like the size as it is 165 lt fridge and 45 freezer. Total 210 lt. I can go bigger but I do want it 12 volt/ 240 volt.
I have installed a 220l Waeco 12 volt compressor fridge. Got it in beginning of 2007 and all working very good. I didn't worry about the 240v bit as if I am on mains power then it will charge the batteries anyhow. Obviously Evakool have a problem with your fridge but don't let that discourage you from sticking with 12v fridges. I reckon you will disappointed with a 3 way fridge if you go that way now. One thing you have to keep getting gas to run it and when it get ot they don't work so well.
If you are travelling up north, the only way to go is a compressor fridge. 12v or 12/240v.
We had a 12v Vitrifrigo fridge in van. From 1998 to 2012, we spent nearly 9 years living in van, so that fridge ran for a long time. It travelled over some very rough roads, too. It needed regassing once or twice, and a new thermostat or two. But it worked brilliantly, even in temps over 40 degrees, when we were working in the Pilbara over one summer. It didn't matter that it was only 12v because if we were plugged into 240v somewhere, that charged the batteries that the fridge drew from, anyway.
Bus came with a 12v/240v fridge (Dometic???) with which we are happy, to date.
If you have a system that is solid enough.. being good solar system. Good Batteries and other thing's i would say go to harvey norman or good guys or who ever and Buy your self a Good Efficient Domestic household fridge..
Personally I have a small samsung fridge for my setup, but then My Power situation is not normal..
The change in the design of Domestic fridges is huge, they are super efficient and are a fraction of the cost dedicate camper/motorhome fridge..
Juergen
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some other "unknown" brands floating around OR they don't want to name them.
If you end up with 12V or 24V DC fridge freezer I recommend seeking one with Danfoss compressor. I've had 4 danfoss's (boat, 2 portable and now van) very reliable IMHO.
Hope this helps.
Cheers Baz
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In regard to the suggestion that I get a domestic fridge, ie a 240 volt household type fridge...I have been down that path.
I had a LG fridge/freezer that only cost me $495 and it lasted 12 months in the bus and wouldnt work.
My power generation is VERY ample as I have 4 x 175 watt panels with 4 x 150amp hr batteries that did/does keep everthing going beautiful.
So....
I will wait a little longer to see what Evakool will do to solve my problem as they admit that these models require a external condensor adapted to the fridge to make them work propperly. And as I am in the back of the Pilbra on a station enjoying the mustering for a bit longer, I will expect Evakool to 'offer' me a deal.
Are Evakool proposing to modify your unit and then return it to you? Have you proposed having them send you an upgraded unit and you returning yours after you've received it?
Yes at this stage EVAKOOL are proposing to modify my fridge by adding the external condensor to the unit. BUT they say that THEY must do it themselves and do not 'trust' their service agents to fit it. (Gee that gives me some vibes)
So I have suggested that we do a swap but that's not their policy. In fact, I even said you can have my %^& fridge, give me my purchase price back and I will walk away saying 'nothing' (as Sgt Schultz would say in Hogans Heroes...) That fell on deaf ears to say the least.
And so I sit here and wait for his answer....I'll call you on Monday//// but I didnt get which Monday he was talking about.
