Portable fridge /freezer

[Craig]

I went out to the dealers place today, it was worth the trip as he showed me cross sections of the fridge, the compressor (which is now the danfoss bd 35) the control board and by-pass switch and all the different configurations. So far I am leaning towards this fridge as the power consumption figures are coming in better than anything else on the market, Australian designed, made and owned and offer a 3 year warranty.

[Dot]

What size and price Craig?

[Craig]

Size is as per my original post the unit is 35 ltr, add the high lid and it is now a 42ltr, add the collar and put the low lid back on and it is a 45ltr or change back to the high lid with the collar and it is a 52 ltr fridge/freezer. Have a look at the link Dot. They are $1200 but come with all the attachments.

[Dot]

Went to BCF today (new store set up locally) they had every brand except the bushman, was hoping they would have one to look at. Have you decided for sure Craig?

[Craig]

Here is one review. The ARB unit came out in front (just). But with things like handle design The bushman uses less power and now that they have made changes to the additional capacity features, I think it is the goods.

http://www.waeco.com.au/documents/N308_ ... omparo.pdf

ARB were one of the brands I considered, but in my opinion with how I am going to use it, the ARB fell behind the Bushman. It all comes down to how you interpret the winner of that review due to the changes that Bushman have made since that review.

Power consumption - The Bushman winner by a lot,
Thermal consumption is the same,
Internal layout - ARB wins but that is before Bushman has added the additional capacity features since this review, so in my books Bushman is now in front.
Compact design is the same.
ARB wins with a better handle design (not important and ridiculous).
Lid design and function, again this is before Bushman has added the additional capacity features, so in my books Bushman is now in front.
Overall ruggedness - I believe the ARB is in front because it is plastic. I'm not saying this is a bad thing but am happy with the steel design. Lets look at the reason it was in front for this test. The tough build quality makes it ideal for punishing off-road use, not an issue in our MH.
Control panel design - Bushman in front
Value for money - Bushman in front

I don't know for sure but I'd say that Bushman reacted to this review and made some changes to get on top.

[Craig]

I got these off their site Dot


Mount Barker 4X4 Centre

Shop 10/4 Dutton Road
Mount Barker,
South Australia 5251.
PH (08) 8391 4391
Email: Mount Barker 4X4

Millicent 4WD Systems

204 Mt Gambia Road
Millicent,
South Australia 5280.
PH (08) 8733 2499

[John M]

In my opinion there is no substitute for an Engel, they use a "Sawafuji Swing Motor" where as all the others use a Danfos or Danfos clone, a Danfos is basically a sealed compressor as used in domestic type refrigerators that has been rewired to use DC power, it still consists of a "standard" electric motor driving a compressor within a sealed case, The swing compressor is one that was specifically designed for DC use and is much simpler in design.
They do not seem susceptible to high start up loads regardless of the ambient temperature.
They do not seem to "rattle" internally as much as the Danfos type compressors while driving on rougher roads.
The only one I have seen die was mine, after about 30 years use, it decided to stop working, appears the motor has died. It has been abused, been carted in trucks, Dozers, chucked in the back of the ute, and just kept on going. The only fault it ever had is that it was a little small, but for what it was originally purchased for, keeping drinks and tucker alive in the truck, it was ideal. Now I just have to save my pennies to replace it.
I purchased a Chinese "Waeco" clone a while back when the Engel died, it sort of works, will keep the drinks cold, as long as it is not too hot, I believe the insulation is not what it could be, even though it can be turned down to use as a freezer,it has trouble coping in all but ideal conditions and finally it's power consumption is high uses 8 to 10 Amps and has a duty cycle of about 75% set to 2 degrees, with the ambient being in the high thirties, if it gets much hotter than that it doesn't want to play and cuts out on the thermal overload. I admit that it is not in the ideal condition, living in the back of the toad with power coming from the Bus that is via a 8mm sq lead, and Anderson plugs, but certainly no worse, or as bad as back in the seventies, when the engel was carried on the floor of a B model Mack carting stock around the Top End, Two down Air Conditioning, had to wear thongs the floor would burn the soles of your feet, the only concession the engel got was a spud bag on the floor. I admit I have no idea what the power draw of the engel was in those days, as long as it kept everything cold, who cared, as long as the motor was running there was ample power, and even when the motor wasn't running there was ample battery and air start if there wasn't.
I know where my preference lies.

[Wilbor]

We have 2 engels, a 40lt that we bought in 1986 that is still giving trouble free service and a 60lt we bought about 10 years ago. I think Engel fridges are like Honda generators, I know you are paying for a name but if you want a high quality unit that will last way beyond the warranty period you can't go past them. If initial purchase $'s is an issue then you look at others

[pop's coaster54]

Hi Dot

did BCF have the gas mate fridge there they come out in 35lt,42lt,50lt.

Karen,Ron and the Girls.

Just coasting along.

[Dot]

Hi Dot

did BCF have the gas mate fridge there they come out in 35lt,42lt,50lt.

Karen,Ron and the Girls.

Just coasting along.

Yes they did Ron.