New ARB Fridges

[esh]

Just saw the blurb in Overland Journal about ARB's new fridge line coming out in Jan/Feb.

The interesting bit is they are now using the Danfoss compressors that Waeco has been using in their line for the past few years. Seems ARB is divesting itself from Engel? There are a couple discussions over on expeditionportal.com.

Anyways, I have been looking seriously at a Waeco fridge just for the fact that the speed of cooling was greater and it seemed to have a really nice control panel and battery protection. Now ARBs will be practically the same. Downside is ARB will probably command a premium of USD700-800 (for a 45ish model) while Waeco/Dometic of the similar size (40) can be had for USD600- americanrv on ebay, and about the same for a guy carrying the Dometic line on ebay.

Would love to see these two units together and see if the ARB is worth it's premium price!

There is even a new, smaller (32) Waeco that comes with it's own built-in battery to further protect vehicle discharge. Not useful for me, but cool innovation on their part.


Great time to maybe pickup an older generation Engel/ARB fridge as I'm guessing companies are going to be trying to get rid of their inventories.

 

[sdtash]

The Engal fridges have a good name, so I would not expect to much discounting going on. unfortunately I do not know much of the ARB fridge, so can't help you there. Have you looked at the new plastic body engal fridge, I for one am considering it for my salt water trips in my boat.

 

[RufusTheDufus]

I've been looking into the new ARB fridge today and haven't been able to find electric performance numbers. The Engels have earned the reputation as power misers. I've always thought of Waeco and Dometic as RV fridges with inefficient compressors.

Anyone have performance numbers for the new ARB fridge? Sure it cools faster but that just tells me it has a larger compressor possibly consuming more power.

 

[nevadaesh]

Just received the Waeco fridge CF 40 this weekend. I finally plugged it in this morning and within 1/2 hour it went from room temp to freezing. It has a TURBO feature that boosts the cooling until the selected temp range is reached, then the TURBO automatically turns itself off.

I was very hesitant about it when it came because of some preconceived notions about it. After I fired it up, its a keeper. Got it for $600.00 without shipping costs.

I will be taking it on the trail this next weekend. For those wanting an update, I'll post up after the run.'s

RufustheDufus: The ARB's are finally installing the compressor that Waeco and Dometic have had for years.
BTW, off topic - your name is curious in the fact that for many years we lived close to Rufus Oregon and lived in Dufur Oregon - any connections?

 

[esh]

I've been looking into the new ARB fridge today and haven't been able to find electric performance numbers. The Engels have earned the reputation as power misers. I've always thought of Waeco and Dometic as RV fridges with inefficient compressors.

Anyone have performance numbers for the new ARB fridge? Sure it cools faster but that just tells me it has a larger compressor possibly consuming more power.

Maybe it is more efficient than the old design. I have heard nothing but good about the performance, efficiency and designed-in battery protection of Waecos. Now that ARB is basically copying that design I think it says even more about the portables that cost about $200 less than the big name stuff.

 

[RufusTheDufus]

Anyone see one of the new ARB fridges yet?

 

[lx450landcruiser]

look like they were designed by fisherprice meh

 

[GulfShoresFJ60]

http://www.arbusa.com/uploads/PDF/newProductAdvice/ARBFridgeFreezer_PR_media.pdf

Here is a press release from today.

And here it is on ARBs site:

http://www.arbusa.com/Products/Fridges/20.aspx

 

[esh]

Only a 50qt. Well that made my decision to buy the same design (for 3-4 years now), at $200 equivalent cheaper, in the 40qt size I want, easier to make!

Waeco CoolFreeze Portable Fridge Freezer Cool Freeze AC DC Refrigerator CF-18 CF 18 CF-25 CF 25 CF 80 CF-80 CF-35 CF 35 CF-40 CF40 CF-50 CF 50 CF-110 CF 110 Trailer RV Camper - American RV Company

 

[prado t]

look like they were designed by fisherprice meh

It does look like a peice of cheap plastic. I might be getting a Waeco CF 110 tommorow

 

[Bogo]

What were they thinking? If you mount that thing at the back of a cruiser so the vents are at the back door, so is the hinge. You have to pull it fully out to open it and then the lid is still in the way.

 

[prado t]

Well I just picked up my Waeco CF 110 less than 6mos. old for 350bucks its like BRAND NEW but its HUGE! The back seat is coming out of the BJ 74 just to fit it in.

 

[esh]

Planning on spending a month in the bush with that thing?

You got a sweet deal on it!