Thread: My Waeco CF50

When I bought my 40L Engel back in 1999 I looked at the Waeco and they just didn't stack up then. Power draw was considerably higher, lid seal was very ordinary, had to buy the transformer for 240V use separately... etc.

That said I'd probably have a different issue looking at them now, Waeco's have come a long way since then. I'm also coming to terms with an AutoFridge I got with the Kamper Trailer.

Mind you has your Waeco run upside down for over 2 hours? I can say that my Engel has and that was just over 6 years ago. Its still going well, just very, very dented after the roll over that killed my D1.

Originally Posted by dm_td5

When I bought my 40L Engel back in 1999 I looked at the Waeco and they just didn't stack up then. Power draw was considerably higher, lid seal was very ordinary, had to buy the transformer for 240V use separately... etc.

That said I'd probably have a different issue looking at them now, Waeco's have come a long way since then. I'm also coming to terms with an AutoFridge I got with the Kamper Trailer.

Mind you has your Waeco run upside down for over 2 hours? I can say that my Engel has and that was just over 6 years ago. Its still going well, just very, very dented after the roll over that killed my D1.

Hi Derek,

I hope I never get a chance to try out the inverted trick, Glad you're OK though. (You ARE aren't you???)

I heard that about the early ones, the specs on my model are actually lower power draw than Engel etc and I'd believe it. Also, at the time I couldn't quite afford the equivalent size Engel, so I guess My budgetry constraints helped me decide then and there. But I'm happy so far with it

JC

I think that's what it comes down to a lot though. Accessories aren't cheap at the best of times, and that applies especially to fridges.

I really can't justify the extra couple of hundred dollars to go with the Engel. They are a good fridge - but a couple of hundred dollars BETTER than the Waeco - I can't personally see it.

Cheers
Chris

Originally Posted by justinc

I hope I never get a chance to try out the inverted trick, Glad you're OK though. (You ARE aren't you???)

The voices in my head tell me I'm OK

Originally Posted by justinc

Quite a few years ago now I purchased one of these. I was told all about Engel superiority etc but wanted to give the Waeco a try. I have never been dissappointed by its performance and frugal battery consumption. Today I replaced the condenser fan that had fallen off and all its blades had been amputated by a bolt holding the condenser on.( Probably due to the fridge not being tied down in its slide, over tracks from the south of the Cape to the Cammooweal to Lawn hill stretch to everyday Tas 4x4'ing.)

I used a 12 volt computer power supply fan that is a direct fit, and cost nothing as I robbed it from an old case I had at work

It has run for 5 days straight off the single aux battery without stopping, it ALWAYS keepds the drinks etc cold and I love its plastic case and simplicity.

I'm about to buy a fridge for the camper trailer, and I'll be getting another one of these units

Just thought I'd post a bit of a plug for these fridges.

JC

That's great going JustinC , Most I get out of my 40L Engel is abt 3 days , althou I drink a lot of beer when I'm away , so the fridge opens and closes very frequently

hey justin.....not wanting to get into a waeco/engel debate but i was just cruising around the waeco site trying to find the max curent draw for the compreesor, they don't seem to advertise it

is it marked on the unit?

Kelvin ;

Waeco Specs

Bought our Engel in 1981 and when at home it is used as a freezer 24/7

There are dents in it, and even on its side (don't ask) it just keeps on keeping on. It has had a lot of rough use. Never gone wrong or been serviced.

I have spoken to fridge mechanics who work on portable (read car) fridges and they don't seem to have much of a good word for the Waeco.
Can't actually comment myself since only ever had the Engel.

There is a thread somewhere else here that discusses the merits, or otherwise, of different brands.