Whilst our van, when we get it, will have its own fridge we'd still like to get a portable one for use with or without the van.
Was looking at a Waeco setup in Rays Outdoors (fold up solar panel to battery box to fridge, all Waeco branded). Forget the cost. But when discussing this at work we got the inevitable Waeco v Engel "discussion" going.
Perhaps I should continue it here. I'd like to hear from experienced people about which way to go.
I have both, a 40 litre Engel that I have had for about 15 years. every 3-4 years I need to replace the thermometer battery. This unit is almost always used as a freezer.
The Waeco is a 25 litre that I have had for 6years & is mostly used as a refrigerator, can't remember replacing the internal battery. Waeco have three types Absorption/cooler. & two compressor types ( When I bought mine anyway). I bought the better compressor type.
Both units have bounced over the best & worst of roads & conditions. Would recommend both, if I had to go and buy one only unit it would be an Engel but that's not knocking the Waeco.
I have a waeco 80 litre that rides in the back of the Navara and is only ever turned off to defrost it. Had it for 20 years now and it has a new lid and some hinges.
If I was buying a new fridge I would buy an EvaKool, made in aus for aus conditions. They have good insulation and use a genuine Danfoss compressor.
good luck choosing one.
frank
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Avagreatday.
Kathy and Frank currently at Home near Quirindi NSW
Depends on whether or not you want cold beer at the end of the day. Lots have had trouble free runs out of both brands. Search a few forums for reports of fridge problems and you can make a decision on the frequency people report issues with the brands. I have seen lots of dead ones of one of the brands.
Iza
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Iza
Semi-permanent state of being Recreationally Outraged as a defence against boredom during lockdown.
Hi we have had both and have found them both good, but we also saw the EvaKool and as per frank if we had to get another one we would get the EvaKool also. hope this helps.
Take Care
Rod
We have had 3 engel 40L fridges spanning 30 years only have 1 working one now, but the best we have ever had is the Bushmans we currently have. Has the danfoss compressor and is a very versatile unit and it's 15 years old consumes less power than the engel.
It also depends on how often you intend to use it. I have had Engels for about 40 or so years and lost my last one in the Dec 2010 Carnarvon flood. Things have changed over the years and I only need one a couple of times per year for maybe 5 or 6 days. I priced a conventional piston compressor type Engel here in Carnarvon at nearly $1400 for a 40 litre. I ended up getting a 40 litre Philippines made Oscillating type Compressor Engel, from BCF in Geraldton for About $700. May not be as good as the original Kiwi made ones, but will probably out live me at 75.
That's my 2 bobs worth.
Simmo.
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Hard work never killed anybody but why take the chance.
The make really is immaterial - both are basically equal, however more important are ascetic features like which way the lids opens (side or end), is lid removeable, does it come with a cover, how heavy is to carry, are the cooling vents in a position where they could get blocked easily, how long are the 240V and 12v cords and are they tight when plugged in, is the machine a dark or light colour which can affect performance, is it noisy etc.
By the way, we have a Waeco copy which we bought mainly for price. In hindsight we should have checked further as the lid opens at the end, otherwise it's "OK".
Good Luck.
Funny I was talking to a guy who services all brands . He says they all have there problems ..
Like a lot of things these days .. It depends on the batch you've bought .. As possibly the next batch could be bad or even better..
No such thing as the old Rolls Royce these days ..
I agree with hako, more important to get the features you want. ie fridge/ freezer or combo. what does it weigh, do you need to lift it? I purchased the engel combo model but is very heavy. Works very well and is very solid. also look for the prices of extras you might need. extra power cords, tie down brackets , bag
etc...
I have a 50 lt Waeco which is temp adjustable to be either a fridge or fridge/freezer and very happy with it.
We have a large fridge and freezer in our van so don't use the Waeco much, but keep it in the ute. Great when you go shopping and all the frozen and cold food stays that way.
We bought ours when Annaconda were having a special on it (which they often do). We paid $800 and with it came an insulated cover, a decent stand to keep it off the ground and the best of all - 2 x Annaconda caps and deck chairs (lol). But aside from the chair and caps, we saved quite a lot of money this way from the RRP.
It pays to become members for all these camping and sporting store chains - BFC and Rays does it. Annacoonda does specials for club members only, discounts of other stuff and has members only night with some really good prices (plus free food and drinks lol). BFC ad Rays give you a credit depending on how much you have last spent - the only problem is the offer is only good for a short period of time
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Cheers Bruce
The amazing things you see when nomading Australia
Usage. I live 2hrs out of Melbourne. We're members of Costco so we're limited in what frozen stuff that we can bring home. So, for things like that the car fridge will be used.
Or overnight camping up the bush. For example, an hour and I'm up on the Aberfeldy River, north of Walhalla, camp set up, tinny being consumed, relaxing.
And for when we get the van in case extra refrigeration is required.
Yeh 03_Troopy, I took my 92 model from 40,000 Km to 320,000 Km over 14 years. A few batteries and tyres, 1 water pump and thermostat. Changed oil and filter every 10,000 Kms, and trouble free including twice around the block.
Simmo.
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Hard work never killed anybody but why take the chance.
