12v EvaCool fridge/freezers

[geoffjy]

I am thinking of getting one of those 12 volt Evakool fridge/freezers.
Has anyone had any experiences with them? Either good or bad?

[MTpockets]

Hi Geoff,
I have owned our EvaKool 60 litre fridge/freezer for 4 years now and it has never let let me down. Works like a dream. I go off road a fair bit and it has had some rough roads to contend with and still no problem.
I would also like to say that Waeco also make a good fridge and there is plenty of guys in our club who own either, and all love their fridge.
You cant go wrong with EvaKool or Waeco mate.

[campdog]

Dont forget the good old trailblazer, marine grade aluminium , cant fault them. I have drowned mine on the Cape and got it going myself anf still runs like a dream. Made in QLD,
John
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k259/campdog_photos/phot005-1.jpg

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k259/campdog_photos/100_0948.jpg

[highlift80]

Ive got a 50 ltr Waeco works great had it about 3 years now it goes to most places with me the only thing I don't like about it is the crap plastic lid latch's that have a habit of breaking a fairly common complaint from what I have seen.

[geoffjy]

Thanks guys,


A friend has a sponsorship with Evakool and can get them really cheap. Sounds like i will get one. They would be handy as i can run it off the motors on my boat as well as on the back of the car. Saves having to worry about ice running out when your away for a week or more.

Cheers,

Geoff

[Damo]

What's the go with the latch on the Waeco's???

Ive had mine for about 6 years without a problem & haven't actually seen anyone elses break either

[Teabag]

What's the go with the latch on the Waeco's???

Ive had mine for about 6 years without a problem & haven't actually seen anyone elses break either

I don't own a Weaco but have heard this issue from several sources. A mate has replaced his twice and from what I can gather he is very happy with the fridge and it's performance but wishes they would sort out the plastic lid and catch......

PS: Not bagging Weaco as I think they are a good fridge at the right price......

[Nedly]

Ive got a 50 ltr Waeco works great had it about 3 years now it goes to most places with me the only thing I don't like about it is the crap plastic lid latch's that have a habit of breaking a fairly common complaint from what I have seen.

We've got a 110 ltr Waeco, can fit more soft drink ;) in the bigger fridge.
My second choice would have been the 80, don't like the look of the lid/latch arrangement on the smaller units.
Luv the Waeco though, same compressor etc as that other metal bodied brand but a lot cheaper.

[geoffjy]

Well, i finally bought a 95lt evakool freezer. I wont say how much as i got it cost but retail is just over $1200. It runs off 12v, 24volt and 240 power. Upon buying the evakool i was asked whether i wanted the unit all freezer instead of fridge/freezer. I thought all freezer would have been the better way to go and a it was modified free of charge. On the warmest day it will only draw 2.3amps/hr. Just need to buy a couple of good solar panels now.

[Nedly]

Well, i finally bought a 95lt evakool freezer. I wont say how much as i got it cost but retail is just over $1200. It runs off 12v, 24volt and 240 power. Upon buying the evakool i was asked whether i wanted the unit all freezer instead of fridge/freezer. I thought all freezer would have been the better way to go and a it was modified free of charge. On the warmest day it will only draw 2.3amps/hr. Just need to buy a couple of good solar panels now.

2.3amps/hr, that's excellent for a 3 way.
The one I've got (can't think of the name) draws about 15 - 18 amps/hr, flattens a battery in no time.
Looks like Evacool might be worth considering if buying a new fridge..

[geoffjy]

2.3amps/hr, that's excellent for a 3 way.
The one I've got (can't think of the name) draws about 15 - 18 amps/hr, flattens a battery in no time.
Looks like Evacool might be worth considering if buying a new fridge..

Hi Nedly,

The Evakool will draw 2.3amps/hr if the outside temp is around 43 degrees. If the temp is around 23 degrees, i thin it runs on about 2.1 amps or something. Definitely worth the money. I am also going to wire put in a battery bank and a regulator so i can run it in the boat. That way the beers will be nice and cold.

[campdog]

Hi Nedly,

The Evakool will draw 2.3amps/hr if the outside temp is around 43 degrees. If the temp is around 23 degrees, i thin it runs on about 2.1 amps or something. Definitely worth the money. I am also going to wire put in a battery bank and a regulator so i can run it in the boat. That way the beers will be nice and cold.
Is the evercool a fibreglass and foam constructed fridge.I hear they work good as an icebox as well.
John

[geoffjy]

Is the evercool a fibreglass and foam constructed fridge.I hear they work good as an icebox as well.
John

Hello again Camodog,

Evakool puts out 2 different types of fridge/freezers. There is the fibreglass one (85lt one is about $1800) and then there is the plastic one with foam filled walls (95lt one is about $1200). The plastic one doesnt keep things frozen as long as the fibreglass one but it is still exceptional. You can knock the plastic one about more though. They can be operated on angles up to 35 degrees as well.

[campdog]

Hello again Camodog,

Evakool puts out 2 different types of fridge/freezers. There is the fibreglass one (85lt one is about $1800) and then there is the plastic one with foam filled walls (95lt one is about $1200). The plastic one doesnt keep things frozen as long as the fibreglass one but it is still exceptional. You can knock the plastic one about more though. They can be operated on angles up to 35 degrees as well.

Sounds like a good unit.Low power usage is a plus.My 80 litre trailblazer draws about 5amp for an average 20 minutes in 1 hour. or about 8amp hours in 24.
I like the solig aluminium construction.
John

[geoffjy]

How long will the trailblazer keep products frozen for on average?

[campdog]

How long will the trailblazer keep products frozen for on average?
My Traiblazer is can be set at all fridge /all freezer or a combination.Its 80 litres and I use plywood dividers and have made up 3 levels.I put all the frozen stuff down the bottom and put a divider in and just the top half as a fridge.We have been away for 6 weeks and everything stays solid as long as needed.Trailblazers are tough as nails and see a lot of them on the back of utes everywhere.Funnily enough they are mainly on the back of Toyotas.Must be a good combination.I drowned my fridge in Nolans Brook and managed to get it going again and still running.

[getin]

i've just brought an evacool 47lt fridge/freezer and used it on cup weekend in the high country for the first time, running off a second battery in the truck it did'nt miss a beat driving some pretty knarley tracks around noojee.i only had it set on 2 to run as a fridge and it stayed on around 1-2 deg c, not that we did that much driving but the aux battery never had a problem either and after a 3 hour trip home it's fully charged again no probs cheers

[geoffjy]

Mine only just arrived up here 2 days ago and im really happy with it. It has been converted into full freezer and is 95lt. They are a great little unit.

[getin]

Mine only just arrived up here 2 days ago and im really happy with it. It has been converted into full freezer and is 95lt. They are a great little unit.

let us know how it performs geoff i'd be intrested to know because another well known brand struggles in the heat as we found out doin' the simmo last oct/nov

[plucker]

I have one of those minus the motor and the esky works really well. Whether it be in the sun or shade the ice takes forever to melt. I would imagine the motor wouldn't have to work to hard to maintain the esky.

[geoffjy]

let us know how it performs geoff i'd be intrested to know because another well known brand struggles in the heat as we found out doin' the simmo last oct/nov

Not a problem getin. Next Saturday i will be down the coast for 9 days and i will be running it off my motors (via a battery) and it will be in the sun for a fair bit. I will let you know how it goes. We are also taking down 2 Engels. Be good to compare the 2.

[getin]

Not a problem getin. Next Saturday i will be down the coast for 9 days and i will be running it off my motors (via a battery) and it will be in the sun for a fair bit. I will let you know how it goes. We are also taking down 2 Engels. Be good to compare the 2.

i think i know the answer as to which one will perform the best but we'll wait and see cheers

[Stacky]

I imagine you must be coming down the east coast Geoff. It would be a good time of year now that the winds have finally backed off a little.

9 days would comfortably get you to Lockhart........maybe i should jump in for the trip back.

Good Luck and make sure i'm penciled in for next year hey!!!

Have a good one!

[geoffjy]

I imagine you must be coming down the east coast Geoff. It would be a good time of year now that the winds have finally backed off a little.

9 days would comfortably get you to Lockhart........maybe i should jump in for the trip back.

Good Luck and make sure i'm penciled in for next year hey!!!

Have a good one!

The first trip next Saturday is 8 days down the West coast, half way between here and Weipa using 3 boats.

Unfortunately the guys i had for Temple Bay have dropped out so i will be only be heading down the east coast to about Orford Ness and Captain Billy. This trip will only be a week and we plan to leave about the 10th of December but dates are flexible at this point.

[yetti]

west coast charters geoffry,

be interested to know what your rego is these days? pricey had dramas when he was fishing the explorer down the west coast.

you got 2C on that rig now?

cheers

[geoffjy]

west coast charters geoffry,

be interested to know what your rego is these days? pricey had dramas when he was fishing the explorer down the west coast.

you got 2C on that rig now?

cheers

They are not paying passengers for either of the 2 trips. The first are some mates from Bamaga and the second were 3 friends of Danny's, Danny and myself. I know all about Pricey's antics down the coast.

If i wanted to fish paying passengers, it wouldnt take much to do to the boat. Ive allready had a surveyor over it. All i am doing at the moment is all the croc and turtle stuff. I do not want to go into competition with any of the other operators up here as some can be a little underhanded and i dont want to get caught up in all the shit.

[geoffjy]

Well, i wired up the Evakool in the boat and i must say it went exceptionally well. Just got back from fishing 2 days down the Escape River.We had cold beers all day long and it was in the sun all the time. Real value for money.

[getin]

how'd the engels go geoff

[geoffjy]

how'd the engels go geoff

Mate, i wont know as i am not heading out til this Saturday. My mate has the Engels. We are heading out on Saturday and will be away for more than a week so i will let you know once i get back.

My mate that has the Engel has it plugged into 240v and he has been trying to freeze water for the last 2 days and it has only been an icy slush. I'm not sure if this just a fault or something with his Engel or it is a common thing.

[geoffjy]

Only just got back from my trip Monday arvo. On the trip we had a Waeco, Engel and an Evakool. The Waeco and the Engel were run off a generator the whole time we were down there. All were on freezer settings.

The Waeco had trouble trying to chill drinks even during the night let alone the day. They had really cheap latches and we even snapped one off. Half way through the trip a fault light started showing up. There is a switch down the bottom than you can press and it overides the computer so we did this and it still didnt get any colder but it was running.

The Engel was great, it froze overnight and during the day kept things cold.

The Evakool i had running off my boat the whole time. On my boat i have deep cycle batteries, 2 x 90 amp and 2 x 140 amp. They are banked together in a paralell and my Evakool is wired into these. On the back of my boat i have twin Tohatsu TLDI 50hp outboards and they put out 280 watts each and charge the batteries with this.

There are 9 settings on my Evakool, 1- 9, 1 being the lowest and 9 the highest or coldest. During the day in the sun with no cover i had it on setting 5 and it was freezing the beers and water. During the night i had it on setting 1 and it was freezing and hardly a power drop in the mornings either.

Over all in my personal opinion, i would prefer the Evakool as it has outperformed the Waeco and the Engel and even uses less power as well.

[ant]

Only just got back from my trip Monday arvo. On the trip we had a Waeco, Engel and an Evakool. The Waeco and the Engel were run off a generator the whole time we were down there. All were on freezer settings.

The Waeco had trouble trying to chill drinks even during the night let alone the day. They had really cheap latches and we even snapped one off. Half way through the trip a fault light started showing up. There is a switch down the bottom than you can press and it overides the computer so we did this and it still didnt get any colder but it was running.

The Engel was great, it froze overnight and during the day kept things cold.

The Evakool i had running off my boat the whole time. On my boat i have deep cycle batteries, 2 x 90 amp and 2 x 140 amp. They are banked together in a paralell and my Evakool is wired into these. On the back of my boat i have twin Tohatsu TLDI 50hp outboards and they put out 280 watts each and charge the batteries with this.

There are 9 settings on my Evakool, 1- 9, 1 being the lowest and 9 the highest or coldest. During the day in the sun with no cover i had it on setting 5 and it was freezing the beers and water. During the night i had it on setting 1 and it was freezing and hardly a power drop in the mornings either.

Over all in my personal opinion, i would prefer the Evakool as it has outperformed the Waeco and the Engel and even uses less power as well.

Geoff- good report on the fridges. To give a fair judgement on all three, you would need identical factors such as fridge size, contents, and power (12, 24 or 240).
We used Engels on the last trip plus another new fridge to the market and all went well. The new model did have a few small issues (not keeping temp) but this was due to a voltage drop in the wiring from the battery in the vehicle to the fridge.

[geoffjy]

Geoff- good report on the fridges. To give a fair judgement on all three, you would need identical factors such as fridge size, contents, and power (12, 24 or 240).
We used Engels on the last trip plus another new fridge to the market and all went well. The new model did have a few small issues (not keeping temp) but this was due to a voltage drop in the wiring from the battery in the vehicle to the fridge.

Thats true Ant. The fridge sizes only varied by 10 litres. I would have thought though that the ones on generated power would have performed better. Both were still going through inverters. I would have had a slight voltge drop on my Evakool too i think.

[getin]

thanks geoff good report mate i ended up buying the evacool because an engel we used for a trip through the centre struggled in the extreme heat but in saying that it was an older fridge and the salesmen who did a presentation through the club did a top job in flogging the evacools and they have turned out to be everything he said very happy with them and no i dont have anything to do with evacool lol

[geoffjy]

thanks geoff good report mate i ended up buying the evacool because an engel we used for a trip through the centre struggled in the extreme heat but in saying that it was an older fridge and the salesmen who did a presentation through the club did a top job in flogging the evacools and they have turned out to be everything he said very happy with them and no i dont have anything to do with evacool lol

I dont have anything to do with Evakool either. The only reason i got mine really cheap was a that a friend of a friend is the troubleshooter for Evakool Australia. He also sent up a few computer modules, leads and a heavy duty inverter for the unit free of charge.

Cant complain about that.

[getin]

The only reason i got mine really cheap was a that a friend of a friend is the troubleshooter for Evakool Australia. thats it mate its not what you know

[geoffjy]

The only reason i got mine really cheap was a that a friend of a friend is the troubleshooter for Evakool Australia. thats it mate its not what you know

I'm the first to admit i dont know much about anything. That way you dont get into trouble so much. lol

Just kidding.

[Teabag]

Isn't Evakool the new name for the old SupaKool fridge company that went bust because of their poor compressor units and couldn't keep up with the warranty claims.......I also believe the only difference between them now is the compressor unit. They also started the new company name (EvaKool) because the other (SupaKool) was getting a very bad name though all they really changed was the compressor unit........The old man has a SupaKool fridge and said basically it's POO......I do believe they have come along way since SupaKool.......:?:

[plucker]

I dont know how true that is Teabag.
I do know that evacool has been around for at least 10 odd years and has bought bailey out and is producing thier iceboxes. The end results are fantastic.
I think they still use danfoss compressors in thier fridges but cant tell for sure.

[Teabag]

I dont know how true that is Teabag.
I do know that evacool has been around for at least 10 odd years and has bought bailey out and is producing thier iceboxes. The end results are fantastic.
I think they still use danfoss compressors in thier fridges but cant tell for sure.

Well, that's what the Old man was told several years ago when he tried to get his fridge fixed. He had to go through EvaKool to get a new Danfross compressor fitted but it was going to cost him a fair packet as per this post below.......I think it's pretty close to the good oil..............

http://www.exploroz.com/Forum/Topic/21773/SUPAKOOL_EVACOOL_GOOD_NEWS.aspx

[geoffjy]

I dont know how true that is Teabag.
I do know that evacool has been around for at least 10 odd years and has bought bailey out and is producing thier iceboxes. The end results are fantastic.
I think they still use danfoss compressors in thier fridges but cant tell for sure.

Thast correct plucker. The compressors they use in both their fridgemate and fibreglass model are Danfoss.

[plucker]

Just thinking back now, I am sure that evacool hasn't made motorised fridges that long. Maybe they bought out Supercool to do this.
Their eskies have been around forever without the motors though.

[jackslayer]

Just thinking back now, I am sure that evacool hasn't made motorised fridges that long. Maybe they bought out Supercool to do this.
Their eskies have been around forever without the motors though.

I think your not far off thier Plucker. Campjunkie knows a bit about them. He's looking at buyin the fridge/friezer combo, my 6o L waeco is still cranking after 6 years. Evacool's are up there on top of the ladder.