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Sun Dec 13, 2009 12:29 pm

I have just been researching coolbox/fridges for the EV MV and came across the Go Westy article about the Westy fridges and their suggestion to go with a portable fridge.

http://www.gowesty.com/library_article.php?id=1086

The price of their Engle fridges are the best I have seen but the smallest model they sell weighs 52.9 lbs empty and doesn't have wheels! I don't fancy doing max weight squats everytime I want to put it outside or move it.

What alternatives can you recommend that work? I am only seeing stuff for truckers which have no reviews or stuff from Canadian tire which have mixed reviews and don't look strong enough to sit on.

Sun Dec 13, 2009 2:01 pm

Check this thread:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=359831

It should cover some alternatives. Also keep in mind Gowesty has a financial motive to recommend the Engle fridge. I put in a Virtifrigo and am very happy with it.

Sun Dec 13, 2009 2:10 pm

Don't forget that Vitrifrigo and just about all other fridge companies sell chest-type fridges. The downside to the some is that they use the inferior (IMO) swing compressor. Noisy and vibrates. Look for fridges that use the German Danfoss compressors - these are virtually silent and don't vibrate. Engel, btw, uses the swing type.

Sun Dec 13, 2009 3:08 pm

Am I missing something here guys? These all look to be integrated or built in.

I am looking for a portable one as mentioned in the referred GoWesty article. One that will sit behind the passenger seat and can be lifted out for overnight or as a seat in the day when picnicing outside.

Sun Dec 13, 2009 3:15 pm

National luna, engle, arb and waeco all make portable fridges. Good luck.

Sun Dec 13, 2009 3:18 pm

Julian13 wrote: Am I missing something here guys? These all look to be integrated or built in.

I am looking for a portable one as mentioned in the referred GoWesty article. One that will sit behind the passenger seat and can be lifted out for overnight or as a seat in the day when picnicing outside.

Let me be more direct, as that is exactly why I made the post! The alternatives:
http://www.vfamerica.com/eng/catalog.asp?catid=428&n=runner
http://www.isotherm.com/en/index.html?fixframe=1&
(need to look under refrigeration, the 'top load')
http://www.dometic.com/enus/Americas/USA/Search/?pcid=97
http://www.waeco.com/en/4179.php
http://www.thetford.com/HOME/PRODUCTS/NorcoldIncRefrigerators/tabid/195/Default.aspx
http://www.americanrvcompany.com/Portable-Refrigerators-_c_298.html?gclid=CMTe0Z241J4CFU1M5QodYwz7sQ

HOPE this helps.

Sun Dec 13, 2009 3:19 pm

Most of us have westys and don't want to waste valuable interior space with a fridge that could be built in. Anyway, if you want an Engel or Waeco (the other portable guys), Craigslist always has some. Here's one in North Van:

http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/nvn/app/1478064942.html

Personally, I love my Truckfridge TF-65. See my install here at page 10:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3...;start=180

Sun Dec 13, 2009 3:21 pm

Oh, forgot this one too:

http://www.truckfridge.com/portable_models.html

Sun Dec 13, 2009 3:23 pm

Howesight- The OP drives a Eurovan MV not a westy.
I guess that I am not cool enough to own a westy- just a syncro doka and a hardtop syncro trail toy. 8)

Sun Dec 13, 2009 3:24 pm

Here's another one in Everett. Grab it while x-mas shopping!

http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/for/1507351149.html

To Karl: Appropo the fridge install, how is the underseat Group 27 battery install going? I'm going to copy whatever you come up with!

Sun Dec 13, 2009 3:31 pm

Howesight wrote:
To Karl: Appropo the fridge install, how is the underseat Group 27 battery install going? I'm going to copy whatever you come up with!

On temporary hold while other things have taken over my life. Probably not getting to that project for at least another month.

Sun Dec 13, 2009 4:20 pm

Guys, thank for the links and suggestions. That's awesome I am sure I can source something from that lot.

Sun Dec 13, 2009 7:21 pm

Hey Syncrodoka:

I never thought westys were/are cooler, although the Westy best fits my needs. I just always thought it was silly for GoWesty to suggest to Westy owners to use up the limited passenger space in a Westy with an Engel fridge, as good as they are. The Westy kitchen is just the right size for the built-in TF fridges and Vitrifrigo fridges which both cost half as much as the Engel and still leave you with all your original space. Works for me!

In the meantime, I have to say - - those Engels are well built and a used one will likely last a long time. The swing compressor is noisy, but very rugged.

Sun Dec 13, 2009 7:38 pm

dont forget this edge star
http://www.edgestar.com/products/fridgefreeze
http://www.compactappliance.com/Freezer/Appliances-Freezers,default,sc.html
few comments /reviews
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=23350
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=366142&

Sun Dec 13, 2009 7:38 pm

I agree that it isn't a good idea to take up the floor space of a westy unless it fits your needs. Replacing the built in unit with something better would be my obvious choice if I had a westy.
I have a ARB with a swing compressor and it is quiet to me. :? I know that they are supposed to be durable and can work at a 30 degree angle making them a good choice for my trail vans.
The danfoss compressors must be really quiet. Maybe that is why ARB is now using them.

Sun Dec 13, 2009 7:45 pm

I own a Westy, but not a full westy camper...
and have been debating getting a new fridge/cooler to go where the original dometic was (behind the passenger seat).

do you guys know if there is a chest-style (top loading) unit that uses the quieter compressor?

Sad that the top-loading ones are more expensive and are noisier.

Sun Dec 13, 2009 7:47 pm

Waeco, National Luna and ARB use the danfoss compressor. Dunno about the many others that have been listed

Sun Dec 13, 2009 8:05 pm

Thanks for the info!

I didn't realize that Waeco = Dometic

Their CF Series fridges look good as far as portables go.
http://www.dometic.com/enus/Americas/USA/Marine/Refrigerators/Refrigeration/?productdataid=85492

Just over $500 for a CF-50
Their spec sheet says it draws 45 watts, 3.75 amps.
That's a pretty high draw, right, in comparison to the Truckfridge that says it draws 24 watts/hour?

Sun Dec 13, 2009 8:14 pm

I have 87 syncro westy weekender. I bought the engel 45 from van-cafe about 8 months ago for about $100 less then go-westy. I did a lot of research. One of the dealer who sold engel and other models like waeco advised me to spend the extra and go with engel. The dealer told me when he sells 10 waecos 3-5 of them will be returned for warranty. The guy told me he also owned a engel for about 10 years and had absolutely no problems. After he told me these facts I ended up buying the Engel. It was really hard to find a dealer that was willing to give any kind of price break on the engel. Luckily Peter at Van-cafe was willing to give me a little discount.

As for the performance since the purchase, I couldn't be happier. Super quiet and at 1 1/2 setting the beverages are nice and cold. At 4 setting things will freeze. (goes up to 6) So cool to have a cold beverage at all times. When I give a cold drink, people think its the coolest thing. :D

I have a 80 watt Sharp solar panel and the fridge is left on 24/7. That's right, I have left it on for 8 months straight 24/7 and it works just awesome.

As for the space, I have the weekender westy so it really is not a issue for me and since its nice and heavy I don't need to have it bolt down, ( does not move around) so if i need to move it or put it in a different configuration, I can do that with ease.

As for the weight its mt45 model is not that bad to move around and it had really nice handles on each side if it needs to be moved.

The solar panel from go-westy, which is 50 watts may not be enough to re-charge the aux. battery. You need at least 80 watts if your going to run it all the time and you don't need to take it down and face the sun like the go-westy model.

By the way for my aux. battery. I use a 34AH deep cycle battery (nothing special)

I believe engel sells smaller models if you go to their web sight. If you can find the right size definitely go with the engel. :D

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