The Portable Fridge Thread

Outback bloke · Post by **Outback bloke** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 5:49 pm

Don't believe all you read about how long the fridge will run. Tests are done in perfect conditions. Real life will see your fridge drawing more power, no matter what brand, than what the manufacturers claim. Quiet often you will find your fridge sitting in the back of the wagon with the windows up turning the car in to a furnace. The hotter the car gets, the harder the fridge works, so the hotter your car gets.

Or simply being up the beach on a 37 degree day is enough to make them work over time.

I use 2 x 125 amp-hour batteries in the van with solar panels to charge things up. They cope well. A single 70 amp-hour deep cycle in the car will go a day with out charging before it is flat.

Also, if you have 54 Ah in total you will find you will only get half that max in actual use. They will be down below the in built battery voltage saver that the fridges have built in to them and it won't run your fridge.

My father has an Engel 25 litre that he bought about 30 years ago, if not more and it is still going strong. It has been all over this country with us and served well.

I have got 2 waecos, an 80 litre and a 110 litre. The 80 is looking a bit sad but still works great. I use it as a freezer when at Fraser. Now that puts a strain on the batteries. The 110 I just got and even though it is a bigger fridge it is more economical than the 80 power wise.

I have had the 80 for years and put it through hell. I have seen it above the back seat in the rear view mirror at times while 4wding. It has never been tied in since I have had it, so it has been thrown around a hell of a lot and it just keeps on going. It always goes fishing with me either in the back of the car, or sitting on the sand at the beach. It often sits on the patio here in the weather while running all the time. I stand on it, sit on it, rebuild things on it, spill drinks on it, cover it with fish blood guts and scales at times when they don't fit inside it any more. I hose it down when I get home and it just keeps going.

Dad's Engel looks brand new, has always been restrained and never been used as much as my Waeco. Even though it is nearly as old as I am, I doubt it would have lasted with the same amount of abuse.

Suby Wan Kenobi · Post by **Suby Wan Kenobi** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 9:21 pm

BYB-01 wrote:I have had the 80 for years and put it through hell. I have seen it above the back seat in the rear view mirror at times while 4wding.

Ditto here seen your and both of mine kissing the roof on more than one occasion during a spirited off road jaunt

Wilbur · Post by **Wilbur** » Sat Sep 15, 2007 8:26 am

Myne is restrained these days. I thought it would be a good idea in case of something bad going on. It is also sitting on a cushion if you can call those ****y seats that. Other than that its in the old mans gooseneck horse trailer rolling about in the living quaters un-restrained.

Dane, most batterys don't like being discharged too far. I know the one I've got is 50%. So really I have 50 useable amp hours. The 50L fridge lasts about 2 days before I needed to go for a drive, but that is in 'mild' weather. So nothing much over 30, parked in the shade as much as possible with all the windows open during the day.

stamp_licker · Post by **stamp_licker** » Sat Sep 15, 2007 4:34 pm

it comments like the last few that convinced me to buy a waeco

vincentvega · Post by **vincentvega** » Fri Oct 12, 2007 2:48 pm

dammit just missed out on a 50L waeco for $760. they had one left, by the time i pressed buy it was gone!

Wilbur · Post by **Wilbur** » Fri Oct 12, 2007 2:57 pm

You still goofing around looking for one? Keeping in mind I didn't say this, but the vera models are getting replaced soon so there may be some good deals around. Major update is the new danfoss compressors.

Xtreme_RX · Post by **Xtreme_RX** » Fri Oct 12, 2007 3:47 pm

SSHHHHH Wilbur!!!!!! The compressor has not changed in the new model.......

vincentvega · Post by **vincentvega** » Fri Oct 12, 2007 4:01 pm

I thought "VERA" were the new model, with the digital temp control / display ??

any idea when the new range will be released? I wouldnt mind buying before DI this year

Wilbur · Post by **Wilbur** » Fri Oct 12, 2007 4:08 pm

VERA is the 'newer' digi display model but VERB is the brand new release (november 2007)
VERA models will continue to run out until existing stocks are sold.

vincentvega · Post by **vincentvega** » Fri Oct 12, 2007 5:01 pm

well i guess thats what i'm seeing on the getawaeco site at the moment. The price seems to be dropping twice daily until stock runs out.

They are running out 60L fridges at $850 at the moment if anyone is interested.