My Waeco Failed and Now I'm Looking for a New Fridge

TheBilly on 21/04/2021 - 11:35

Hi Everyone

TL:DR: Should I buy an Engel 12v fridge or go for a cheaper brand that is still good quality?

The Story: I own a Waeco CF40 which has given me nothing but issues.

For example;

  1. It doesn't cool evenly (items on the bottom freeze but items on the top don't refrigerate properly)
  2. It is very sensitive to current so when the current drops or the weather gets too hot it clocks out
  3. The cigarette plug it came with is no good and heats up and fails (I'm on my 3rd)
  4. Most recently the 12v failed and now the fridge only runs on 240v
  5. The 40L wasn't enough for me with a family

I'm now looking to buy a new fridge to replace this and I'm going to use the Waeco as a drinks or meat fridge in the garage.

I also irregularly go on very remote trips (so twice a year) I'll head into the desert or the alpine areas and maybe another 3 times a year I go camping closer to home - so I need a reliable fridge.

My decision to buy the Waeco was cost and saving money, but I've now paid for that in other ways so I'm hesitant to do that again. I want to now purchase a high quality expensive fridge and naturally I thought you can't beat an Engel. However there are other brands such as Bushman, National Luna which have a good reputation but they are cheaper (for example Engel is about $1600 National Luna $1400 Bushman $1200). Should I consider an alternative to Engel and save $200 to $400 or just pay the money and buy a sure thing?

Thank you

Sports & Outdoors Portable Refrigerator

Comments

  • jaimex2 on 21/04/2021 - 11:56
    +2

    Go to Jaycar and get something from them. They're good quality without the absurd price tags, have more features such as inbuilt battery/solar support and bluetooth control but most importantly come with a 3 year warranty.

    I have this one and its been awesome so far ( 6 months in ), don't even need a fridge slide.

    https://www.jaycar.com.au/45l-brass-monkey-portable-dual-zon…

  • watts on 21/04/2021 - 12:01
    +2

    I’m pretty happy with the 55litre Evacool I grabbed from SCA during their 30% off Easter sale.

    I planned on getting an engel one day but needed something urgently when my camper 3 way carked it. With a punt for $280. I don’t expect Engel reliability but I don’t really need it for the camping we do. I’ll always have a good esky with me too b

    If I were you I’d just get the Engel as it sounds like that’s what you really want. ~$200 extra over the life of the fridge is bugger all.

  • Euphemistic on 21/04/2021 - 12:14
    +3

    Whatever you replace it with, get a proper 12v connection. Cigarette sockets can’t really handle the power draw for long periods.

    • TheBilly on 21/04/2021 - 13:56

      Yes I did this about 3 months ago. My deep cycle is under the hood and the original cable was under sized so I ran a completely new cable, over sized it and made sure there were no crimps and solders, then Anderson connected it to the Waeco. I thought that was the end of my gremlins until this happened.

  • JIMB0 on 21/04/2021 - 12:27
    +3

    Get rid of the lighter socket and put an Anderson plug on it. Then setup a power outlet in the car with a good connection to the battery. That might solve a few of the problems.

    • TheBilly on 21/04/2021 - 13:57

      Yes did that about 3 months back, it solved it for a while until the fridge carked it.

  • pharkurnell on 21/04/2021 - 12:27
    +1

    Had my engel 40 for over 15 yrs… Love it.
    Plenty of people in our club have both wako's and engels, and other brands…

    have you had it serviced?

  • wayfastwhitie on 21/04/2021 - 12:31
    +1

    if used a fair bit. Engel all the way, worth the extra coin if you can afford it.

  • AdosHouse on 21/04/2021 - 12:33

    My brother just bought himself a Companion brand fridge for his 4WD. Apparently it has lithium batteries in it to run it after unplugged. Also has a solar power input to run it.

  • pharkurnell on 21/04/2021 - 13:28
    +1

    I saw you mentioned Bushman, outstanding product… just the size of it can be a pain, and if you get the extra bit to make it bigger again it becomes more of a pain.

  • Presence on 21/04/2021 - 14:54
    +2

    I've used both Engel and Waeco lots. The Waeco is heaps quieter and had digital temp control, whereas cheaper Engels don't - just something to consider. The plastic hinges on the Waeco are a known failure point, whereas Engel are steel.

    I'd suggest you've just had bad luck rather than any issues with Waeco.

    I wouldn't try and save money and get a cheaper brand tbh, they'll use more power - maybe check the specs.

    • TheBilly on 21/04/2021 - 15:23

      In the Waeco defense I have had it for 5 years and I got it for $500 so that is still great value, despite the issues.

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