Thread: Waeco vs Engel

Originally Posted by woody

and then of course there's evakool

I've had an evaKool 110L (fibreglass) unit for the last 2 years and done some pretty extensive travelling in all conditions and some fairly high temperatures to boot and it has never missed a beat. (performance)
The first year it was used a split fridge/freezer and in the last 12 months as a full freezer.
At the end of the first year I noticed a small bubble had appeared in the lid (due to possiby being in some pretty hot/humid conditions and maybe there was a small amount of fluid trapped within the construction which expanded causing the bubble) and after contacting evakool they prompty freighted a replacement lid from Brisbane to Melboiurne and replaced it under warranty..... certainly can't complain about the service/backup
During my last trip to WA from March to September I used it solely as a freezer and it performed brilliantly. Sat between -20 and -27
Power consumption seems pretty good at around 46W on normal and 25W set to econ (equates to about 3.8A and 2A @ 12V respectively)
Unit is well made and uses a Danfos compressor.
I looked at both Engel and Waeco prior to purchasing and could not justify the extra cost for the Engel, even though it is very well made.

Originally Posted by Sith

Depending on which location in Australia your at .... Engeland in Balcatta he will talk you OUT of getting rid of any old Engel and will refurb it for you .

My experience was the opposite. I called him when I thought mine was underperforming and may just need a regas. He told me it wasn't worth looking at as the older models draw 2-3x the amps of newer versions, so just bin it or sell it and buy a new one.

wow I am in shock

My dad had a really like 20 year old unit and he stood there and told my dad he wouldn't talk to him again if he brought a new one ... and he refurbished it for dad and even got in a new lid and thermal cover

cost dad $350 and dad swore it was the best move he made

DECISION MADE...

After all these comments and lots and lots of research i have bought my fridge.

It is a: 50L Ironman brand, with the Domfuss compressor, insulated bag, 5yr warranty and delivered to my door...over ebay from a Ironman outlet in Caloundra. It came in at a total of $865 when the best waeco equivalent was $1000+ by the time you add in delivery, bad and the rest. The Ironman also seems to have a much better lid and latch mechanism than the Waeco and opens on the end rather than the side, which is better for us getting stuff in and out of the raised Disco boot.

I will keep you informed as to how it goes.

Happy camping AULROians! Thanks for everyone advice and comments.

Is the Ironman really a Waeco?

I guess now is too late but I would reiterate what others have said, make sure the wiring to the Waeco is good. I ended up hardwiring mine to the second battery (Which is also in the back) and that fixed the intermittent performance completely.

I had a customer vent about the useless Waeco fridge he had until I showed him he only had 11.5V at the power socket of his D2, so after a rewire all has been well.

I have had my CF50 for almost 10 years, other than that electrical voltage drama mentioned, only fault it had was that after being unrestrained in the back of my RRC on some pretty rough roads the cooling condenser fan came loose and all the blades broke off. I fitted a 12V computer fan and loctited the screws and nuts and all has been well. Oh, and it is now properly restrained.

JC

Yeah ironman is like a rebadged Waeco but better lid and closing mechanism and also quite a lot cheaper. Uses the same compressor and other components as the Waeco though.

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