portable fridges - what do you use, and why

[bigcol]

sounds to me like the older Engels are the ones to have, not the newer ones...............

when I first wanted a portable fridge, I asked 10 long distance Truckies what they had and why
7 had Engels
2 had Waeco's
1 had a waeco, but it kept dieing, so he was going to change it for an Engel when he got back to Perth

my first one, never had a problem, and Noah used it on the Ark, and I still have it
the Newer one (5 yrs old) died
new cooling pack
new Turbo Fan
new Thermometer

not cheap

 

[Maxisverymad]

40lt Engel, 26 years old, the compressor died in the first 12 months driving around the Kimberly (no spring board in the back of LC ute whoops!) replaced under warranty and bought a spring board. This unit has not missed a beat since but it always runs if in my vehicle or on shed bench on low, best way to keep seals lubricated.
Also have a 21lt 10 year old approx Engel as the travel freezer when required, also runs constantly in shed on low.

Only ever had to do with Engel and will stay that way hopefully!

 

[cruza driver]

We have a 13 year old Engle and its had it fair share of use around the country side and has never missed a beat from bouncing through the High Country to trying to rattle itself apart through the Kimberley's and the Outback. No fancy temp gauge just the dial.

I haven't heard any problems with the ARB brand fridges @bigcol

 

[Bellbirdweb]

twas funny, but I had never heard of them failing as well until I went to the Engel shop to get a quote to repair
the back was absolutely full of the newer models that were broken

maybe 2 of the old types, but a shed load of the newer ones like mine
View attachment 38003

was not impressed thats for sure
cost to repair is near on the same for a new one

Not Happy Jan

Could be like lots of other things, the old ones built to last, perhaps the newer ones not so much

 

[Dobbie]

Could be like lots of other things, the old ones built to last, perhaps the newer ones not so much

Could be manufacturing has changed? China?

All I know is that ours...8 yrs old...is still going strong. Might be worth checking out country of manufacture again?

 

[megcam]

Have a 50l 6th Gear fridge for about 4 years. I like to call it the Faeco. Lived out of it for 3 months straight no problems. Was all we could afford at the time and still goes well.

 

[bigcol]

dont get me wrong, for the first 5.5years, it never missed a beat, and was pretty much worked constantly - at least every second week

I can understand something thats getting used alot needing repairs -wheel bearings come to mind, as well as brakes
but they dont cost as much as a new car to get fixed

 

[Kenshi123]

We had an 80l Waeco that still runs no problem and now run a 50l Waeco Cfx. Haven't had any issues with either. Our reason for purchase is that they were on special at the time. I kinda see the Engel vs Waeco as the Holden vs Ford debate.
I am sure that both brands of fridges are fine and we all know that Holden are the best.

My folks have the anaconda brand one and haven't had an issue with it either. They seem a lot less solid than the aforementioned brands though.

 

[bigcol]

I kinda see the Engel vs Waeco as the Holden vs Ford debate.
that Holden are the best.

used to be, once the killed the Kingswood, there was no future for them

but I do agree with the Engel / Waeco passions

 

[Bellbirdweb]

After saying all of that, 10 years ago, I wouldn't have touched a Waeco with a 10 foot pole, but today, I'd happily buy one, but in turn they have increased in price to be almost the same as the Engels.

 

[Smirke]

dont get me wrong, for the first 5.5years, it never missed a beat, and was pretty much worked constantly - at least every second week

I can understand something thats getting used alot needing repairs -wheel bearings come to mind, as well as brakes
but they dont cost as much as a new car to get fixed

You obviously havent taken a MacBook Pro into the Apple Store recently....if ever, have you??

 

[17triton]

40lt Engel here as well. Lives in the triton on the dropslide and hasn't missed a beat touch wood. Its about 8-9 years old love it!

 

[Pace]

Waeco 80L DZ (dual zone) with insulator blanket. Goes in the back of car. Runs like a charm. Pace.

 

[Drover]

my other 30L Engel is about 25 yrs old, I inherited it from SWMBO's auntie - never had a problem with it

View attachment 38005

That looks similar to mine @bigcol and I think I win the oldest prize, it was purchased in 1978, it is battered, covered in stickers and hasn't missed a trip in the last 37 yrs, no spring base or cover other than a blanket or towel, it has been bouncing around in 4x4's, done a run up the Cape in a Unimog, travelled the country in semi's, even went flying in a Herc and at other times running on the bench as a beer fridge, I would like to upgrade to a CFX 50 but it doesn't look like stopping.

Years back i wouldn't have gone a Waeco but they have improved heaps, I do think the early Engels had the KISS approach, now lights, temp displays, remotes...just more stuff to short out..........There used to be a fuse incorporated in the socket of the old Engels @bigcol, have to remove the socket to get to it I think.

 

[peterg]

Waeco cf40. Run constantly for the last 8 months or so bouncing around the NT and WA outbacks for a bit of the time.

Lives in the back of the cruiser running of the third battery. Only had it 18 months or so but at constant running it's probably up around 5 years worth of use for most people.

No problems at all other than the constant use wearing the zips out.

 

[Moto Mech]

60lt engel, never a problem. Even in temps. 40plus keeps doing its thing easily.
Thank goodness we have it on our current trip as our 3 way didnt like 40 deg heat.

 

[Jaybird]

Engel 40 ltr for me 18 years old now and been used so much I resprayed it. Runs all the time as a beer fridge as well as travelling. Never missed a beat.

 

[spiderpig]

15 year old 40lt Engel for us, used and abused never missed a beat.

 

[Crusty181]

I think both are pretty good units @bigcol.

Ive got the cheapie plastic Eclipse 40ltr Engel. Probably 5 years old. Lives in the tub of the ute (canopy) and has been on 24/7 its whole life. All good. It works, no theatrics, keeps stuff cold.

But this trip ive been blown away by the mighty steel Engle's cheap plastic red head cousin. Because of space, I removed the rear split seat in the twin cab and strapped the fridge down on the seat belt anchors

The car get way hotter inside than the canopy ever did. So this trip to the outback in summer was always going to test it. This whole trip (4 weeks so far) i havent touched the dial and the thing has not once gone over 6 deg.

The dial reads off, cool, 1 ref, 2, 3, 4, 5. Its sat on 1 ref for 4 weeks .... the car in direct 42deg, and 50deg in the car, yet its still not been internally been higher than 6 deg, mostly hovering around 3 to 5.

Theres no temp gauge, boo hoo. But at about $650 (i got mine for) who cares, it has the same gizzards as its fancier popular cousin's.

On an additional note, ive never had dual batteries either, so the little Engel happily plays well with just the starting battery and with all the rest of the crap we run and charge.

 

[Drover]

My old girl (steel Engel)in the Ute Shed on back keeps things cold as, even when the temp in the Shed climbs to meltdown, needs insulation and vents, chews some power though when it does , have to be well over 50c in there so expect that.