Thoughts re Aldi fridge??

aussie_paul · Guru

Thoughts re Aldi fridge??

Kebbin · Guru

The only thing that I can tell you is that it uses the same compressor as most manufacturers except engel, it also has a waeco dc plug so maybe made by Waeco for Aldi.

Kebbin · Guru

The only thing that I can tell you is that it uses the same compressor as most manufacturers except engel, it also has a waeco dc plug so maybe made by Waeco for Aldi.

Mike Harding · Guru

I'd give it a go.

Aldi have a well proven 60 day returns policy and the fridge has a two year warranty.

The fact they have used a Danfoss compressor suggests they weren't trying to shave every cent off the manufacturing cost.

And don't you worry about the sale date - I'm sure Aldi are just joking :)

macka17 · Guru

Make sure it's a Danfoss. NOT a Chinese copy of same.
I believe they were using them.
A lot of the cheaper mfg's are using the copy of.

hako · Guru

We bought an identical unit but it wore a different brand - "Indel B" but they are also sold under many different brands. We paid $469 plus $75 for the cover on Ebay which we thought was a good price. Ours was used continuously for 14 weeks while we did the lap and we powered it with a old car battery in the back of the Territory plus an 80 watt solar panel on the roofrack. It was used as a freezer and set at -20c for the whole trip. Had no problems at all, only negative is the side hinged lid....one hinged on the long side would be more convenient but each has its' benefits.
Since then we have used it for a few days at a time however once we ran it on a elcheapo generator (240VAC) and the erratic power somehow blew the 240VAC side of the power, so now we run it on 12v all the time either by battery or a 240/12v 7.5amp power supply ($49 Ebay). We have not bothered to fix the problem.
I'm in the process now of fitting an external ex computer fan to the air vents to help the airflow over the condenser coils which should cut power consumption during very hot weather.
Wfes brother accompanied us on the lap triup and he used a 40l Engel ($700) - the plastic model which also went OK although his was only set at a temp to keep the beer cold.
Bottom line is they do the job. Purist may sneer at the cheap fridge/freezers but they all seem to have the same workings inside and with the Aldi guarantee really you can't lose.

Good Luck.

Kebbin · Guru

The Aldi fridge freezer has a Secop BD35F compressor, Secop a German company acquired Danfoss Compressors in 2010.

macka17 · Guru

Good to know mate.

hako · Guru

Pretty sure you will find the Secop (formerly Danfoss) compressor and circuitry are made in China...head office may be in Germany but that's all.
Engel and Waeco are both made in China but you pay a few hundred extra just for the name.
Good Luck.

Kebbin · Guru

You obviously have evidence supporting this Hako, so please share with the rest of us as it would be most helpful, as I too am looking at purchasing this Saturday.

hako · Guru

Kebbin wrote:
You obviously have evidence supporting this Hako, so please share with the rest of us as it would be most helpful, as I too am looking at purchasing this Saturday.

Not sure exactly what you are referring to but if you put into Google "where are Engel made" you will see extracts like the one below. As far as I'm concerned there is nothing wrong with "made in China", but plenty of people seem to think they are all rubbish. You can also do a check on "Product Review" where they have reports on all fridge/freezers including Stirling. Similarly you can ask Google where any product is made...you may get different answers and it's up to you to sort the chaff from the wheat. Alternatively you can strip a fridge/freezer completely apart or ask the seller or even the manufacturer.

Whilst Engel used to be made in Japan, to compete with price manufacturing is now in China. Waeco fridges are made in China and used to have the German Danfoss now known as SECOP compressor in them. The CFX range runs a new compressor also made in China.Oct 21, 2015.

Regards

-- Edited by hako on Wednesday 29th of March 2017 07:43:13 PM

Kebbin · Guru

I was simply refering to the compressor, I realize that it is probably made in China but is the compressor made there for sure as that would be a deal breaker for me.

Cruising Cruze · Guru

what is not made this days in China

dirvine · Senior Member

AS Cruising Cruze says lots made in China. Difference is who is supervising the workers? Who is ensuring the Quality Control. Made to budget price usually means made under liceince and not well supervised. Otherwise nothing wrong with made in China

Yaketty · Veteran Member

There's a good comparison article here of 8 different 12v fridges - from August 2016 so pretty up to date:

www.4x4australia.com.au/gear/electronics-gadgets/1608/eight-way-fridge-comparison

It looks like over the years not much has changed from most manufacturers but there are some differences that may sway a decision to purchase - or not. The Aldi option looks pretty good on price given the warranty.

Des and Jane · Senior Member

Currently awaiting delivery of new 42lt from Kogan $419 including free delivery Melb to Perth.
Sounded like a good deal...hope it is OK.

hako · Guru

Yaketty wrote:
There's a good comparison article here of 8 different 12v fridges - from August 2016 so pretty up to date:

www.4x4australia.com.au/gear/electronics-gadgets/1608/eight-way-fridge-comparison

It looks like over the years not much has changed from most manufacturers but there are some differences that may sway a decision to purchase - or not. The Aldi option looks pretty good on price given the warranty.

That's a good review Yaketty and thanks for posting, however they only tested the expensive units all prices over $1000 whereas the Aldi and similar units are under half that price.

I wonder why they never test the cheaper ones of which I'd imagine more are sold?.....I suppose there is more profit in a $1400 unit than a $410 one and if they tested the cheaper units prospective buyers may then wonder why brand X is 3 time the price of the el cheapo.

Regards

macka17 · Guru

Don't know so much about the KOGAN.
Never had anything any good yet from them.

But modern Chinese seems to be fairly good. depending on QC.
There's some good TV's. Motor Yacht, Sailing Hulls coming from there too
for decades.

As long as you getting a decent backup from AUS dealer.
I wouldn't be too worried.
My 3.8kva Genny 5 or 6 yrs ago still ticking over nicely.
Shipped in from Hong Kong for around $450ish.

And these cheap LED torches for under $15\20 as long as you put a decent battery in them.
are pretty good too.
My fav, is second one I bought. $7 del. Inbuilt charger.
never misses a beat (shhh).

I've just bought a single battery, diving.. Torch
Zoomable\sealed with O Rings. $9.70 del
with a double battery, 3 LCD chip head, Diving one too
for $19 del. ex battery's

Put some Panasonic or LG etc battery's in there.
they as good. Beam, build, wise as mates sons $150\200 security torches.

They mostly seem to have "iffy" switches in them.
BUT as soon as you insert a decent 18650 battery.
They become a different torch.

Des and Jane · Senior Member

Well the Komodo from Kogan arrived 1/2 hour after my last post, 5 days from placing order.
Unpacked, set up, powered up and set it to 4 degrees and it has been holding temp with an outside temp of 34 degrees without a cover on.Off to work now but will set it to -18 when I get back and see how it stacks up.
For the price you could get two and use one as a freezer as well, and still have change from a $1000.00
Des

Jenko1 · Veteran Member

Another good buy is the Cold Station 11 from Anaconda for $599. The original cold stations weren't any good but the new model seems good. Secop / danfoss compressor.
Just returned home from holidays and found it very quite when we had it in the van running overnight and on eco setting used less amps than advertised in the manual (on economy) Also comes with thermal cover free. Very happy with it.

www.anacondastores.com/camping-hiking/power-cooling/fridges/spinifex-cold-station-series-ii-50-litre-fridge-freezer/p/BP90070633

-- Edited by Jenko1 on Saturday 1st of April 2017 11:07:50 AM