Thread: ARB fridges...any issues?

Mine has been fine for three years. It's a well designed fridge I think and has a lot of good features.

I think they have changed the thermostat design now but yes I've heard a few needing replacement because of this.

all danfos portable fridges need a good power supply...........hard wired to the battery is the best way, using the cigarete socket would be the last option

Early ARB fridges were made by Engal, the latest ones are made in the Waeco factory

Or put this way, Early ARB fridges had an Engal Thermostat and later ones have a Waeco thermostat

Baz.

Originally Posted by weeds

all danfos portable fridges need a good power supply...........hard wired to the battery is the best way, using the cigarete socket would be the last option

too true, Danfoss units (whether in Weaco, EvaCool, ARB or custom built cabinet) have a sensitive low voltage cutout, cig lighter connections have a large voltage loss - the two don't work well together, and many plp have had warm beer because of this.

We have always used the plugs below (rated 15amp/32V DC) - no issues with cutting out in 20yrs

Mmmmmm
My engel has been reliable and will still run (or try too) when voltage drops to battery killing zone
Some new fridges waeco, poss arb will drop out below blah,blah volt.... Not a bad idea
I don't like the element/coil inside the engel stuff gets trapped
IMHO this sucks balls! But it doesn't effect the running
I do like newer fridges having drains, very handy for cleaning
I can't comment about the reliability short of here say (or web say)
I do like the functionality for a plastic sided fridge
And yes use a proper plug ^^^^^ that one is old school but works well and is robust. It doesn't lock in but I don't recall a problem of the plug falling out
The engel wiring plug/system works well but isn't cheap and doesn't suit other appliances
Some peeps just cut them off and use xyz system
Dc

Baz is correct the new ARB units use Waeco componentry. Weaco had problems with its lid latch. So long as ARB have improved that design I understand the fridge to be reliable.

While not wanting to start a fridge brand war, 2 thumbs up for the bushman. My favourite feature is the versatility of being modular from 35 ltr, 42 ltr, 45 ltr or 52 ltr with baskets. Makes getting to items at the bottom easy without the Jenga collapse experienced with fridges without baskets. Mum's partner sold his Evakool for a bushman after a weekend of aforementioned frustration.

No matter what brand a fridge, they are the next century compared to an esky of ice and watery snags.

MLD

Just as an up-date guys.
A third ARB Fridge in our LR group has gone belly up. Again the issue is with the thermostat....no matter what temperature the fridge is set to...it will continue to cycle until everything is frozen solid.
The ARB dealer is investigating again and they have admitted that there was a faulty batch made. It appears that the revised design uses a serviceable thermostat controller....true or false?


The first two owners were both given replacement fridges with the same design of thermostat which in my book doesn't fix the problem and is just a temporary fob off. The third guy to complain has been told that the issue has to be dealt with by ARB head office.

Can anyone on here add weight to this statement or is it just a brush off?

My ARB is three years old and runs perfectly (and has been run almost continuously this whole time).

Never had an issue with it, never had it drain my batteries dead flat (like all my mate's Engels) and never had it freeze all my beer either in the Alps or in the Simpson (like my mate's Engels).

To date it's proven to be nothing but a quality product - could be there's been a bad batch, but I know others with the same unit with no dramas too?