Thread: Buying a Waeco

Originally Posted by Shamo

I am currently looking into buying a Waeco CF60 or CF50 fridge, just wanted to know if anyone has had problems with them in the first few years of having them, or anytime with them.

The reason i want to know this is because i am weighing up buying a new one as opposed to a second hand one on ebay. If i were to buy a new one i would have a warranty on it and it wouldnt really matter if anything happened.

But also another theory could be that a second hand one on ebay might have passed its first few year teething/new product problems and should be alright to run.

But also on that theory then the fridge will have less years of life...

Sorry this thread sounds rather all over the place haha but any feedback or ideas would be awesome!

Shamo

Shamo,

I have a 5 yo CF50. 12V only model. Apart from the condenser fan dropping off and shearing all its blades off and the cig lighter type plug being useless, I am very happy with it. Very efficient, uses very little power and for the first 3 big trips we did it was just wedged in the back of the RR, no slide or tie downs

It now has a fan from an old PC attached to the condenser, the bolts are loctited. The plug etc is now removed and it is hardwired to the aux battery. About to have another trip to SA next year, and it basically lives in the vehicle 24/7.

In short, I'd buy another one in a blink

JC

I've got Waeco CF-80. Not what your looking at as such but seriously I'd keep looking.

Unless you like fiddling with it to try and keep it at its peak. If you just want to plug it in and forget about it then see above.

Originally Posted by justinc

Shamo,

I have a 5 yo CF50. 12V only model. Apart from the condenser fan dropping off and shearing all its blades off and the cig lighter type plug being useless, I am very happy with it. Very efficient, uses very little power and for the first 3 big trips we did it was just wedged in the back of the RR, no slide or tie downs

It now has a fan from an old PC attached to the condenser, the bolts are loctited. The plug etc is now removed and it is hardwired to the aux battery. About to have another trip to SA next year, and it basically lives in the vehicle 24/7.

In short, I'd buy another one in a blink

JC

So do you think if i got a second hand one it would last and i wouldnt need to worry about not having the warranty on it?

Originally Posted by Utemad

I've got Waeco CF-80. Not what your looking at as such but seriously I'd keep looking.

Unless you like fiddling with it to try and keep it at its peak. If you just want to plug it in and forget about it then see above.

Is it just the fiddling around problems that you have with yours? or does it actually break down or stop working at times? what other brand would you reccomend, other than engel, because i think they are a bit too exy for me.

Shamo

Well, apart from the fan falling off which was IMHO poor assembly practices , I haven't had a warranty issue yet. I have heard of a few problems with the temp control LED display, but mines still working fine As I said I haven't been terribly careful with it, and it is still working fine. I forgot to mention that I was having error messages and intermittent stoppages but traced it all down to poor connections at the plug and subsequent voltage drop. Thats why I have hard wired it in now, no more issues at all now. I have bought another plug for when I need to move the fridge from the car for any reason.

I guess it depends what the price difference is between that particular used one and new? If it is substantial, maybe take a chance. Better than no fridge

JC

I've only ever used Engel and Waeco so don't have experience with others.

The fiddly things have caused it to stop. Such as the standard cord causing massive voltage drop. The CF80 and CF110 have the BD50 compressor so draw more current than the others yet they use the same plug. It is a different lead but the only difference is the plug on the fridge end.
I changed the plug to one of those Clipsal T shaped low voltage plugs but broke that and have gone back to a good quality Merit plug and socket.

When you switch from 240v to 12v (mine is the older one with the external transformer) you have to switch the fridge off and let it settle otherwise it will show a compressor fault. The fridge will keep running constantly and flatten the battery but doesn't cool while doing so.

Had mine back three times for a compressor fault which eventually after much angst turned out to be over charged with gas so some of the repair guys are useless.

The fridge bags are expensive but poorly made IMHO.

It needs to be kept very well ventilated or it will give the above mentioned compressor fault.

It is very sensitive to voltage issues in general. I considered hard wiring a heavy gauge lead to it and connecting it with an Andersen connector but haven't done that yet.
I just recently removed the compressor/fan cover and have left it off for better airflow.

Compared to Dad's two Engels that he treats like crap that give him zero problems and are older than mine. I borrow them when mine craps itself.

I used to defend Waeco but there is only so much you can take.

Originally Posted by Utemad

I've only ever used Engel and Waeco so don't have experience with others.

The fiddly things have caused it to stop. Such as the standard cord causing massive voltage drop. The CF80 and CF110 have the BD50 compressor so draw more current than the others yet they use the same plug. It is a different lead but the only difference is the plug on the fridge end.
I changed the plug to one of those Clipsal T shaped low voltage plugs but broke that and have gone back to a good quality Merit plug and socket.

When you switch from 240v to 12v (mine is the older one with the external transformer) you have to switch the fridge off and let it settle otherwise it will show a compressor fault. The fridge will keep running constantly and flatten the battery but doesn't cool while doing so.

Had mine back three times for a compressor fault which eventually after much angst turned out to be over charged with gas so some of the repair guys are useless.

The fridge bags are expensive but poorly made IMHO.

It needs to be kept very well ventilated or it will give the above mentioned compressor fault.

It is very sensitive to voltage issues in general. I considered hard wiring a heavy gauge lead to it and connecting it with an Andersen connector but haven't done that yet.
I just recently removed the compressor/fan cover and have left it off for better airflow.

Compared to Dad's two Engels that he treats like crap that give him zero problems and are older than mine. I borrow them when mine craps itself.

I used to defend Waeco but there is only so much you can take.

Mmm, Those compressor problems sound a bit of a nightmare Justin, The smaller ones don't suffer from that so yes, maybe in a larger unit an Engel or other brand may be a better option. I'll keep that in mind too.

JC

I guess you get what you pay for, maybe it might be worth while looking into spending the extra for engel... perhaps if i found a second hand engel and save some $$ and i will be feel a bit more confident in it being a second hand fridge...

Shamo

I have a CF50, the first year of producction of this model.

I have used it for heaps of hours and the main problem with them is the circuit board which control the temperature.
After 2 failures the local agent installed a nob instead of the electronic control and she runs very well.
When I have to replace it it will be a Trailblazer or if I do not have enough money a Evakool which is great and without the electronic control.