Car Fridges , help with some stupid questions please

[Drewboyaus]

I thought the ARB fridges are a re-badged Waeco. They use the danfoss compressor unlike the Engle's Sawafuji....something I heard not long ago

Nope. Totally different. They may use a Danfoss compressor but it is a different spec and until recently was heaps more efficient than the equivalent size Waeco.
The design of the fridge is also completely different from Waeco, much more robust.
It is one of the myths of 4WDing that the ARB fridges and Waeco's are the same. A little bit like saying because Samsung make nearly all the worlds LCD/LED screens that a Hisense TV is the same as a Panasonic.

[Steve4wdin]

Waeco and ARB fridges are both built in the same factory in China.

[Drewboyaus]

Waeco and ARB fridges are both built in the same factory in China.

May I ask how you know that?

[Drewboyaus]

......And it still doesn't make them the same fridge if they were.

[Steve4wdin]

A friend of mine works for Waeco in QLD. The ARB one's are there own speck but under Waeco factory quality control.

[Maxhead]

Nope. Totally different. They may use a Danfoss compressor but it is a different spec and until recently was heaps more efficient than the equivalent size Waeco.
The design of the fridge is also completely different from Waeco, much more robust.
It is one of the myths of 4WDing that the ARB fridges and Waeco's are the same. A little bit like saying because Samsung make nearly all the worlds LCD/LED screens that a Hisense TV is the same as a Panasonic.

Yeah, fair enough. I just had a look at some pics and they look totally different to be a re-badged jobby..lol The specs on the new Waeco look pretty good but

[Drewboyaus]

Yeah, fair enough. I just had a look at some pics and they look totally different to be a re-badged jobby..lol The specs on the new Waeco look pretty good but

Yeah, the new Waeco's are much better than the previous models. This is where I suspect ARB has assisted Waeco if they are being made in the same place......
Many manufacturers will use the same OEM in China and if that is true, it makes sense for ARB and Waeco to share the QC resource. They will both have different QC specs though.

I will check with my contact at ARB. He will know.

[gaddy]

If I was buying a fridge now I would find out who has the best back up service get a list of each brand you are looking st and see where there recommended repair agent is , not s dealer but the bloke thst actually fixes it , no point been in darwin if the fridge has to be sent to brisbane to be fixed ,

[Steve4wdin]

If I was buying a fridge now I would find out who has the best back up service get a list of each brand you are looking st and see where there recommended repair agent is , not s dealer but the bloke thst actually fixes it , no point been in darwin if the fridge has to be sent to brisbane to be fixed ,

I agree. I personally would only buy Waeco, ARB or Engle.

[BigRAWesty]

Ok, a few unanswered questions.
Size. A fridge outside dimensions will be a bigger area than an esky due to sometimes a thicker wall in the fridge, but you have to allow the compressor setup..

Ventilation.
The old's use to have a 35ltr weaco which was wedged between the rear seat and doors in the Q. We use to put stuff all around it, but made sure what was near the vents wasn't like a pillow or something which could smother the vent. Fridge was fine.
As fir temp cut off?? Not sure, never looked. I'm sure they would have something..

Efficiency..
Again, variable. How bugs the battery??
Putting cold stuff in it will make it more efficient, and also minimize opening it.
But simply, yes. As a family the old Q only ever only had one battery and the fridge use to travel in the back.
Setup the voltage cut off to high (so it cuts out at a higher voltage) and we never had an issue.
Again, assuming Its fridge and fridge alone On the battery..

Covers. Not really needed but the do increase the efficiency. Have been told by 2-5%?? Can't prove those figures though..

But as the others have stated, either of the 2 you have picked Will serve you well..