12v car fridge/esky, worth the money???

[BAZ_747]

wondering if these fridges are worth their cost, few hundred dollars or so, do they really cool well??

[Walkabout]

With car fridges you get what you pay for, cheap generally equals high power consumption, average build quality and cooling.
Engel, Waeco, Bushman, just to name a few will put a dent in your wallet but are well built, work a treat and have spare parts available. it's not uncommon for a 15-20 year old Engel to still fetch over $250 on ebay. Ask anyone who has a decent brand car fridge and they will tell you they are well worth the money.

[jazzajess]

Hey mate just brought 1 on weekend
Engel mt45 40 litre $1200 came with free small Engel fridge, protective cover, camping kit, hat,
stubby cooler, and gas burner.

[Jarh73]

Just a thought but I ended up buying two fridges an Engel for longer trips and a thermoelectric Waeco for day trips.

Thermoelectric seems to work fine for day trips up to 30 degrees below ambient. But won't freeze. I leave it on the night before throw everything in and head out for the day. Power consumption never an issue as the car is running most of the time anyway. I paid $240 for the Waeco.

Cheers

Justin

[BAZ_747]

sounds ok, but yeah they are costly, im prob better off with a tropical box esky, and a bag of ice...

but might be interested in a small one or thereabouts, supercheap have one on sale for 69 bucks(thermoelectric) 18L, but dont wanna buy something that doesn work

[Big Rig]

What Walkabout said. A good one will never let you down. Just remember to make sure you have the battery and charging capability to run said fridge.

Eskys are good and they do serve their purpose (weekend away camping with big drinkers with hands in it all the time) but on a long trip like the Cape with hot weather an esky won't do you too much good at all.

[frosty]

I've a 25 Lt Thermoelectric fridge in the shed. If ya can pick it up, you can have it.

Justin's Wacoe is not a bad unit. If you buy a Thermo, get a good brand name one. The cheapo ones will only pull 15 below ambiant.

That's why mines in the shed. (It was a freeby with the 50Lt Wacoe)

[BAZ_747]

thanks for the feedback, and yes you obviously pay for what you get these days....

[deptford]

yhe way i see it at the end of the day it all comes down to how long you plan on you trip away is going to be weekends stick with your esky and ice but if your planing any great lenght of time away get something like an engel bushman or waeco

[Vegetoast]

hey Anthony I have a 5 day 100ltr esky that I havent used since I bought my fridge. if thats what your after give me a call and you can check it out. give to ya cheap