advice on fridge

[wiseguy67]

I'm looking to get a fridge, Engel waeco chescold..... 40 ltrs or better, I would like to be able to freeze as well. What about solar panel support, I do have dual batteries as well the previous owner had a solar panel fitted and its still wired in but no panel.
Any advice on what fridge is better would be great.
Thanks Gerard

[Needmorerum]

Oooh here we go, won't this one bring in some debate.
I run an Engel, 39l, and run it off dual batteries. I've been looking into the 60l dual compartment Engel, and will always have an Engel. Too much experience with other brands not cutting the mustard. But, everyone for themselves, you will get alot of conflicting reccomendations with a topic like this.
One suggestion, give a couple of the repairers or servicers a ring and see what they say about the different brands.
Dom Jones Refrigeration can give some handy advice, he repairs both Waeco and Engel, try (07) 4922 1788.

Corry

Let the flak fly

[Bill_Klein]

got a chescold meself but have used an engel long time ago found it drew a lot of power from the batteries worked well though but i find the chescold freezes better and dont draw as much power it's better on gas anyway

[SURF_SNIPER]

snapper freezer, custom built from Marine Refrigation and Electrical at scarbrough. i run my setup with dual 80 watt solar and dual batteries, runs 24/7 is 100 L. 60 L freezer/ 40L fridge dual lids, all fully welded stainles and aluminium fits in my landrover wagon....... indestructable and will probly out live me.

all depends on what you wanna spend?

cost me for the 100l fridge freezer approx $2400.00, + solar, roof rack for panels, and dual batterys.

with the solar panales i also run a 12 volt microwave oven.... get to fish for tailor and eat a hot pie at the same time...lovit

Drew

[Needmorerum]

Strewth Drew, you got more money than anyone I know. $2400 bucks on a fridge... wow.

Cheers
Corry

[SURF_SNIPER]

corry, as i fish lots of comps and do a lot of fishing and camping over week long strectches it has saved me heaps and is the best money i have ever spent.

this size fridge freezer enables me to keep a whole weeks 24/7 fishing bait in my vechicle on the beach without any of it going to waste or being thrown out because its off. it can hold approx 20-30 Kg of whole bonito, tuna fillets and mullet for a week long comp plus the fridge will hold everything food wise no probs.

considering i probliy spend about $1000 - $1500 per year on bonito etc for my comps etc, keeping it in the best possible condition during and when not fishing is essential. previous to this i was working out of three eskys and use to throw away about half of it or turn it into burley because i couldnt keep it well enough.

trust me, if i had lots of money i wouldnt be working and right now ( instead of typing on the computer ) i would be up the beach fishing.

if you are realy serious on a fridge i cant highly recomend snapper freezers enough. they dont all cost what i paid i was just giving an idea of size vs price and you dont have to have solar panels to run them. my solars also run lights in the landrover, Gps, compressors and other things thats the main reason why i got them + you dont want to be stuck with a flat batery 1 am in the morning on the beach with an incoming tide

they have a website but am unsure of it, serch for snapper freezers and you will find it. they have set sizes or can custom build to any shape or size. think there smallest one starts at 45 L.

M.R.E are well worth looking at if you are comparing the likes of engles and waecos, they also sell these along side there own fridge freezers plus all your solar and 12, 24 Volt gear. to match.

Drew

[wiseguy67]

too true surf_sniper. Thanks for the info.

[reefraider_II]

I run waeco 80L with dual batteries had no problems.The fridge freezes and it didnt cost too much for the set up.I am not going to mention that I think engels are over priced nor am I going to mention that they use more power to run cos it will only start another one of these crazy debates [smiley=laugh.gif]

[wiseguy67]

looked around and spoke to a few who seem to know whats up. waeco and evakool run the same compressor but the evakool has much better insulation factors. In the long run the evakool will out perform most fridges except the custom built by snapper fridge.
Now its just a matter of making the choice, evakool and snapper are pretty close in my books though the price is the final factor.

[adrian]

buy the best you can afford . keep in mind what you are doing traveling or a base camp . are you going to be far form gas supplies . and will you have enough sun for the solar panels remember you need the watt output when the day is overcast too i've run an engel the only problem is the car gets too hot inside and then watch it work hard

[SURF_SNIPER]

once again i cant praise my snapper freezer any more i belive it is without doubt the best you can buy. It is dearer then the engle but a better product.

the twin lids of the snapper freezers are a major bonus. having seperate fridge freezer compartments is fantastic and your not opening and closing the whole shebang every time you want to get a drink out. i run mine with a setting of 4 ( 1 being warmest 8 being coldest ) this is ample to keep every thing cold and frozen on a very hot day. if i need extra freezer room i can turn the setting to 7 and the whole unit will become one big freezer. i run dual battery with a second heavy duty deep cycle battery ( fully sealed ) with dual 80 watt solar panels. i have enough power on board to run my fridge 24/7, fluros, gps etc for a full week even if i have no sun for the solar to charge.

my father has a 60 L engles in his truck and to compare the two is like chalk and cheese.

Ps, the guys at MRE are great blokes and one of the fellas there makes some great metal slugs to spin with calls them slider lures.

Drew

[Needmorerum]

As I said, it will bring on the debates.

Gerard, what type of camping do you do? Do you intend to stay in one place for extended period of times, or are you moving around alot? What sort of vehicle is the fridge going into? This will have a huge impact on what type of fridge.
As stated, the Chescolds are a good fridge, as long as you can run them on gas only.
As for others, everyone has their own opinion. My Engel runs for about 4 days off one battery in the car. As far as the car getting to hot, park it in the shade or use a travel bag for the fridge as I do.
I have a Waeco and an Engel, so I can compare the two without having to go off what I have heard or seen from others. I know which one is more reliable, and which one is more efficient when used in the same environment, and under the same conditions.
If I was looking at getting the ultimate fridge and money or physical size wasn't a big problem, I would be looking at either the Snapper fridge as mentioned, they sound like a fairly decent option, or have a look at the Bushman and Trailblazer types. Hassle with these, and with the likes of the EvaKools, is yes the insulation is thicker and is more efficient, but they take up alot more room in the car. Anyone who does remote travelling can vouch that room is everything when you are on a remote holiday and won't be seeing any shops for 4 weeks.

Cheers
Corry

[wiseguy67]

hey thanks for all the advice. I have gone with 6 month old RF60 EvaKool for $985, they retail for $1300 so i think i did ok.
Its got the freezer fridge with internal lid for the freezer.
I will know in a few weeks when i get to put it to the test how much i really like it.
My plans are to install a third sealed house battery and not bother with the solar. This way i will be able to go 4 to 6 days without charging. Not quite decided on the extra battery as the room factor plays a big roll in small spaces.
My intention is to take 6 months to a year taking my time getting from fishing spot to fishing spot. I do a lot of scuba as well and have just purchased a 330 Quicksilver with 15 mercury. It packs up well but i may sell the 15 and go to a 7 as 15 is heavy and a bit overkill. Ideally i would like to find a honda fourstroke about half the size. I know the honda fourstroke is heavy but so nice to operate.
I lived in Exmouth WA and will go back, there are many great diving locations very close to shore.
Every time i see a trailer i say hmmm thats what i need to haul this gear with... But I want to stay with four wheels

[wiseguy67]

interior

[wiseguy67]

quicksilver, note rod holders