12V compressor fridge

[loanrangie]

In case you didnt read the ebay fridge post -

I was in Kmart today and noticed a fridge on sale, close inspection shows its made by Waeco and uses a compressor and i dare say its a danfoss unit, 40ltr 12/24 V with S/steel interior and steel body/ plastic lid. On sale for $499 reduced from $649, could be a goer- branded as Mobicool.

Just found this - WAECO mobile solutions (http://www.getawaeco.com.au/products.asp?id=423&catId=6)

[101 Ron]

I have put one on laybuy.
The things I noticed were.
Made in china........I dont think its Waeco product, only the name and uses a different product image/ range
4 amp current draw
Magnetic hold down of lid.
Lid hinges are stainless steel and look like they can be replaced if required or repaired.
The condenser tubes inside the rear of the unit remind me of a 40 litre engal unit the way they are wrapped and supported.
The bottom of the interior is plastic ,smooth and water proof to 1/3 of the way up and then it is cooling tube/plate surface like a engal to the top.
Some of the construction is steel and the housing appears to be solid.
The three position low battery cut out switch and thermostat control knob appear cheap and nasty.
The plastic door over the above controls will break with any sort of normal use.
The price is good and the bits that count appear to be well enough made.
The door over the controls breaking will not affect any thing and the only gamble is the quality of the thermostat control.
I hope to have my unit paid off by November.
I am not happy about buying from Kmart in Nowra via laybuy as they have no competition and service is poor .

[loanrangie]

I have put one on laybuy.
The things I noticed were.
Made in china........I dont think its Waeco product, only the name and uses a different product image/ range
4 amp current draw
Magnetic hold down of lid.
Lid hinges are stainless steel and look like they can be replaced if required or repaired.
The condenser tubes inside the rear of the unit remind me of a 40 litre engal unit the way they are wrapped and supported.
The bottom of the interior is plastic ,smooth and water proof to 1/3 of the way up and then it is cooling tube/plate surface like a engal to the top.
Some of the construction is steel and the housing appears to be solid.
The three position low battery cut out switch and thermostat control knob appear cheap and nasty.
The plastic door over the above controls will break with any sort of normal use.
The price is good and the bits that count appear to be well enough made.
The door over the controls breaking will not affect any thing and the only gamble is the quality of the thermostat control.
I hope to have my unit paid off by November.
I am not happy about buying from Kmart in Nowra via laybuy as they have no competition and service is poor .

There were none open when i was there so i cant comment on the interior, box says made by waeco and its on their website so it is a waeco product just not made where there higher price units are and doesnt use a danfoss compressor. As you said it seems reasonably well made and for nearl half the price of a similar sized waeco or engel and with a 12month warranty its worth a shot - i'm going to laybuy one as well :).

[waynep]

I noticed a compressor fridge in Repco for about the same price as that ( ~$600 from memory ). I can't remember the brand but it looked quite solidly made and 50-60 litres capacity.

By the way I think it's "layby" not "laybuy" ( before Ron gets ya ! ) ;):)

[loanrangie]

I noticed a compressor fridge in Repco for about the same price as that ( ~$600 from memory ). I can't remember the brand but it looked quite solidly made and 50-60 litres capacity.

By the way I think it's "layby" not "laybuy" ( before Ron gets ya ! ) ;):)

I looked at the repco ones but they look and feel crap, $499 for a 40ltr compressor fridge with a 12mnth warranty cant be too bad, oh i am buying it so its LAYBUY to me :D.

[waynep]

I looked at the repco ones but they look and feel crap, $499 for a 40ltr compressor fridge with a 12mnth warranty cant be too bad, oh i am buying it so its LAYBUY to me :D.

Yes does sound a good deal at that price.
I didn't look too closely at the Repco ones -just noticed them in the aisle as I went by.

[d@rk51d3]

Just worth noting the current draw. At 4 amps, its considerably higher than a genuine Waeco (2 - 2.5 amps for the same size cooler) ;)

[Tank]

I looked at the repco ones but they look and feel crap, $499 for a 40ltr compressor fridge with a 12mnth warranty cant be too bad, oh i am buying it so its LAYBUY to me :D.
The Repco fridge is a 50L, model #CFF55L, it has a Danfoss compressor and it sells for $649.00, go to Repco site, www.repco.com.au (http://www.repco.com.au) for specs, look in 4WD section under Touring and Towing, seems to be good value, Regards Frank.

[loanrangie]

The Repco fridge is a 50L, model #CFF55L, it has a Danfoss compressor and it sells for $649.00, go to Repco site, www.repco.com.au (http://www.repco.com.au) for specs, look in 4WD section under Touring and Towing, seems to be good value, Regards Frank.

Must be a different one to the ones i saw,they were cheap feeling lightweight things. Hmm me thinks, i have a 20% off repco voucher !

[Tank]

Must be a different one to the ones i saw,they were cheap feeling lightweight things. Hmm me thinks, i have a 20% off repco voucher !
I have only seen the pics of it on the Repco site and it looks quite good and it has a Danfoss compressor, I am hoping Father's day will will be a good'un, Regards Frank.

[101 Ron]

Bang for your dollar fridges................ one idea I have had is to buy a 240volt small up right fridge of say 90 litres which are picked up cheaply from larger retailers and running it through a inverter from 12 volt.
A small normal fridge would sit very well in the back of the Defender 130.
The only thing is what the 12 volt power draw would be after going through the inverter.
I already own a 3000w inverter and if any one has a large size inverter which can take the start load of a 240 volt fridge the 240 volt option should be looked at.
A small normal up right fridge also takes less floor space, but some arrangement would have to be made to keep the doors locked when travelling

[Blknight.aus]

not to rain on your parade, its a good idea but most normal fridges dont like repeated vibrations and bumping like what it will get in the back of a rover, especially while running...

[Bundalene]

Not wanting to get into a fridge debate, brand versus brand

My personal opinion, a good fridge to a 4wd driver is like a good tool kit to a mechanic. We bought our Engel in 1976 (14 litre) and it still works today - original motor - regassed once, fixed the controller a few times. We bought a Trailblaser in 1998 - 10 years ago (60l) and this hasn't missed a beat and it gets used heaps. There are a lot of well known and tested makes on the market. If you are investing $400-$600, maybe a bit more homework on quality, cooling, efficiency, insullation, etc etc not just the bottom line. Just a thought - Erich

[Tank]

Bang for your dollar fridges................ one idea I have had is to buy a 240volt small up right fridge of say 90 litres which are picked up cheaply from larger retailers and running it through a inverter from 12 volt.
A small normal fridge would sit very well in the back of the Defender 130.
The only thing is what the 12 volt power draw would be after going through the inverter.
I already own a 3000w inverter and if any one has a large size inverter which can take the start load of a 240 volt fridge the 240 volt option should be looked at.
A small normal up right fridge also takes less floor space, but some arrangement would have to be made to keep the doors locked when travelling
Most fridges designed for home use, have to be dead level for them to work properly, Waeco and Engle both sell upright fridges (12V/240V) that are designed to work off road or in a boat/yacht, they are a bit cheaper than their portable counterparts, I am going to get one to install in my camper trailer, when I build it, Regards Frank.

[waynep]

Must be a different one to the ones i saw,they were cheap feeling lightweight things. Hmm me thinks, i have a 20% off repco voucher !

Repco also had plastic 3 way non-compressor style fridges maybe they are the ones you saw ?.

The compressor one has a steel outer ( from memory ) and two compartments - one with a basket. It seems to have somewhat large external dimensions but maybe I was looking at the 70 litre model. The insulation on the side walls seemed quite thick. That MAY be a good thing as you may not need a bag.

[wells]

yep you cant go to wrong with danfoss compressors , i should know we have in the past used thousands of them in our westinghouse products .most compressors are from china now with the exception of a couple of plants in brazil . pays to know what refrigerant is used in them though as this is changing worldwide , all in all refrigeration systems are simple and its the electrics that can cause trouble .

[Tank]

I did it, I ordered a brand new Engei "Eclipse" 38l fridge today, was going to get the Repco 50L but I would have to modify my slide and draws to fit it in, I'll use the Engel for the Disco and get an Upright Engle/Waeco for the camper trailer, don't you just love Father's Day, Regards Frank.

[101 Ron]

I have in my boat and caravan 12/240 waeco up right fridges of about 100lts capacity and they work OK pulling about 4 amp when running.
I have had silly quality issues with them with regards to freezer doors and plastic fittings falling apart and poor back up in my neck of the woods.
In my family there is Three Engal 40lt camping fridges ,12 volt and over thirty years old and they are still going strong.
Engal is my choice by far, but the dollars are just not available.

[Tank]

I have in my boat and caravan 12/240 waeco up right fridges of about 100lts capacity and they work OK pulling about 4 amp when running.
I have had silly quality issues with them with regards to freezer doors and plastic fittings falling apart and poor back up in my neck of the woods.
In my family there is Three Engal 40lt camping fridges ,12 volt and over thirty years old and they are still going strong.
Engal is my choice by far, but the dollars are just not available.
101 Ron, the "new" Eclipse by Engel is their first plastic bodied fridge (portable) and RRP is $899, not bad for a 38lt. Engel, Regards Frank.

[101 Ron]

I now have my Kmart Mobicool 40 lt and have used it in anger a few times.
The first use was on a hot day at a local air show keeping my tinneys cold in the back of my old 6x6 studebaker truck whisle I watched the airshow in the back of the truck laying on the bananna chair.
It ran all day plugged into one of those cheap jump starter battery packs.
A full days running flat out in those condtions on a very small battery I though was good and it didnt even trip the highest low voltage cut out setting.
The fridge works good as most other compressor fridges.
Insulation is thick and construction is good bar some of plastic fittings like the cover over the switches and the hooks which the power lead wraps around.
Sitting on the lid can be done ,but not recommended.
The sides are steel and the base is plastic.
The interior is plastic one third the way up with the metal cooling plate after that.
A internal cage is supplied if wanted.
Hinges are very strong stainless steel and the lifting handles strong plastic.
If I treat this fridge with some sort of respect it should last for many years.
If I was going to leave the fridge permanetly in the open on the back of a table top, then the extra money of a Engal would be better spent.
For normal holiday camper use I can see no problem with the Kmart Mobicool and see it as being very good value for money with cooling performance for hottest parts of Aust.

[101 Ron]

First up my Mobicool is still going great and I am happy with it.
I was in the local caravan shop and seen a good quality fridge /freezer 60lts for I think the high part of 700 dollars.
The brand was Big Chilli.
A smaller unit was also on display.
The shop assitant told me they were sourced from Qld.
They appear to be well made with a Digial temp read out and push button adjustment.
Looking at the owners booklet inside the amps draw is 5 amp and printed in China.
It comes with a 240v to 12 v transformer and can run on 24 v too
There appeared to be no adjustable low voltage lock out.
The fridge has two compartments ie fridge/ and freezer which is the largest.
It is soundly made.
So good I am thinking about laybying one of these fridges too.
Has anyone had anything to do with these fridges.
Worth looking at
I found this site

BIG CHILLI COOLERS : Esky, Ice Boxes, Plastic & Stainless Steel Cooler, Fridges, Freezers Manufacturer & Distributor from Australia (http://www.bigchillicoolers.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=36)
The same size waeco s were aleast 300 dollars more expensive and appeared to be no better built.
I think the age of Chinese 12volt camping fridges/ freezers has come.
If any one thinks different they should check these things out by seeing one.
Ron

[jerryd]

Has anyone purchased one of those Ezy Cool fridge / freezers that are constantly on Ebay ??

Any info would be appreciated ;)

[Tank]

Has anyone purchased one of those Ezy Cool fridge / freezers that are constantly on Ebay ??

Any info would be appreciated ;)
I was interested in one of the many cheap fridges for sale on eBay so I emailed one of the sellers of the better looking fridges asking for some pics of the working parts, like the compressor and such. When the pics arrived I could see why they were so cheap, copper pipes soldered together that looked like a parrot had a **** on them, compressor, thermostat pipes and other tubing held in place with cheap looking plastic ties, of which 2 had already broken. This particular fridge would last about 2 klms. on a corrugated track, their warranty might seem OK, but are they going to be around in 12 months. Do yourself a favour and buy a Brand Name, at least they will be around for any warranty claims. I recently bought an Engel "Eclipse" Poly Plastic bodied Fridge, same guts as all the other Engel's and for $899 a damn good buy, Regards Frank.

[V8Landy]

I was interested in one of the many cheap fridges for sale on eBay so I emailed one of the sellers of the better looking fridges asking for some pics of the working parts, like the compressor and such. When the pics arrived I could see why they were so cheap, copper pipes soldered together that looked like a parrot had a **** on them, compressor, thermostat pipes and other tubing held in place with cheap looking plastic ties, of which 2 had already broken. This particular fridge would last about 2 klms. on a corrugated track, their warranty might seem OK, but are they going to be around in 12 months. Do yourself a favour and buy a Brand Name, at least they will be around for any warranty claims. I recently bought an Engel "Eclipse" Poly Plastic bodied Fridge, same guts as all the other Engel's and for $899 a damn good buy, Regards Frank.

Just bought one of these for $799 with bag and a cooler. Good buy i am very happy;)

[Tank]

Just bought one of these for $799 with bag and a cooler. Good buy i am very happy;)



EDIT NOTE: Just looked at your post again after I posted, I'm not sure if you are writing about the eBay Cheapie of which my post below is about, or you bought an Engel for a $100 less than I paid, if so Great Buy.

I'm pleased you are happy with yours, but the one I'm talking about was as shoddy inside the compressor area as it could get, looked great on the outside and was priced around $600/$650 (about a year ago now).
Repco had a nice unit of 50+litres with a Danfoss compressor for around $700 and I would have bought it, except it was too big to fit in the available space in the back of my 93 Disco, Regards Frank.

[jerryd]

I thought they might be too good to be true, thanks for the responses ;)

I'll just have to keep saving the dollars and buy an engel or waeco then

[cooter]

i have one of the kmart mobicool fridges and cant fault it
works well

[Outlaw]

Another 6 months on... still loving your Mobicool by Waeco fridge's?

I just grabbed one from Anaconda for $370 :angel: i love stocktake sales ;)

[101 Ron]

My Mobil cool 12 volt compressor fridge is going strong rattling around in the back of my 101 landy.

[bblaze]

I paid about $500 for a 50 litre ebay fridge freezer close on 3 years ago, its traveled to QLD, WA, SA, VIC, NSW from tassie and done about 20k km over alsorts of terrain. Still going strong. If it has a down fall, it would be thats its a little power hungry but if travelling every day the freezer can be used as such. I normally just run it all as a fridge on 4 degrees because that suits my needs.
cheers
blaze

[clean32]

we got the Repco one ( not the cheep 3 ways jobs) just before Blinman. its now on its 4th trip. having been bounced of the roof of the county ( have to rethink something there) and is still going ok. blinman 2.5 days on 1 100amphour battery. that was with taking out and only putting back in what came out