Waeco Sorry I Just Couldn't do it

[BaxnRach]

Waeco CF50 here, must be about 12 yrs old and never missed a beat, was used as a beer fridge in the shed for a couple of years too, bought it because the CF50 was cheaper,and had the same external dimensions were the same as the 40lt Engel and no other reason.
Both brands use very little power but the waeco requires a momentarily higher startup voltage that can cause the low power light to come on, which can be a pita if your wiring is borderline undersized.

 

[Adam G]

I've got two Waeco's cf50dz and cf60. Never had a problem but the old hinge design is pretty crappy. I don't like the idea of steel panels on a portable fridge, surely they are bound to end up dinted and scratched... Plastic for me. I like the idea of the drain plug on the ARB.

 

[17triton]

I've got two Waeco's cf50dz and cf60. Never had a problem but the old hinge design is pretty crappy. I don't like the idea of steel panels on a portable fridge, surely they are bound to end up dinted and scratched... Plastic for me. I like the idea of the drain plug on the ARB.

We've got the insulated canvas cover over our engle help keep it cooler and there's not a mark on it, but I do like the idea of the drain plug in the ARB fridge

 

[BaxnRach]

Another interesting point I noticed is the ARB fridge has the same evaporator and compressor as the waeco but a similar lid design to Engel, although plastic, I'm guessing ARB have taken the best of both Waeco and Engel, added a few bits of their own design, and have the better fridge overall.

 

[greggels]

I had an Engel 40 lt it crapped itself, (compressor or should I say swing motor) so I made a fridge out of a 140 ltr chest freezer, cut it down to about 90 ltr and fitted the cycle plate out of the Engel, used 2 Engel condensers joined together and fitted a second hand 12 volt Danfoss compressor, I obtained from a so called fridge mechanic who replaced the compressor because he thought it was buggered, after replacing it he found out the importance of a good power supply,(loser) it worked really well for about 12 years, it had a freezer section as well as fridge, it died while on holiday at Longreach, cost me about $100 all up so can't complain.
I didn't have much choice in Longreach but to buy a Waeco, in my opinion it had to have a Danfoss compressor! had it now about 10 years and have used it as a drinks fridge at home as well as camping, better insulation than Engel, if I was in the market now I would probably buy a ARB, just my opinion as an ex Fridge Mechanic!

 

[Antman]

I have an engel - mr40f -only entry level. My father in law has had one for about 20 years - same fridge and its still going strong. He also has a Waeco CF50 also now (won it). The engel's appear to draw less power - the waeco is bigger. Interestingly the waeco required a heavier guage wire installed in his car where as the engels would work fine. Probably means that the original wires in the car were too small anyway? maybe? but the engel's worked and the waeco didn't. Pure observation.

anway, long and the short is that we still prefer the engels.

 

[Capt. Gadget]

Well since this thread has reared it's head again I might just update on my musical fridge's situation
When I started this thread I had sold my 60l Engel and my 40l Engel and bought a 80l Combi with the (crazy) Idea that it would be a good move , turns out the 80l combi was a tad too big for just a plain old weekend away,which seems to be what we mostly do, so I sold it to my neighbour and bought a 40l ARB, then borrowed the 80l combi back from my neighbour for the 2 week trip to Exmouth.
Now while the 40l ARB is a great performing fridge, nice and quiet uses a bit less juice and is truly thermostatically controlled, that waste of space above the motor etc thats a "keep your butter soft" area means I can't keep as many of my favourite bevvies cold as I can in the same capacity Engel, no matter how many they say you can fit side by side, so....... another 40l Engel which I picked up for a real bargain, less than what I sold the old one for and a few years newer has joined the stable for the drinkies which means the ARB is now the Freezer on the long trips and I am happy once more , or though a tad lighter in the pocket.

 

[Antman]

living up to your name @Capt. Gadget i see - obsessive & Compulsive Gadget Man! Well done.

 

[jvp]

I have a 40 ltr engel bought second hand 20 yrs ago. Already had been around Ausie once before purchase. (Shed fridge)
50 ltr Waeco 10 years old. Works OK. Broke down when new & needed a new internal thermal fuse. ( Car fridge )
18Ltr Waeco 8 years old. Used only as freezer. Due to design things on bottom of small lower. compartment won't freeze so it is limited with what you can do with it. ( Going away freezer )
Next fridge might be Engel but now there not made in Japan are they as good as they used to be ? Any thoughts ?
jvp