MySwag.org The Off-road Camper Trailer Forum
General => General Discussion => Topic started by: Alan Loy on January 03, 2014, 11:58:56 AM
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I just found out that Autofridge Australia are not making their eutectic fridges anymore. :-[
Does anyone have any other suggestions apart from the obvious Waeco/ARB/Engel.
Quite like the Bushman but not sure of the price/value
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Alan,
we have ordered the attached package
http://www.techniice.com/car-fridges-1/fridge-45l-ic-adp-40l-6hdr.html (http://www.techniice.com/car-fridges-1/fridge-45l-ic-adp-40l-6hdr.html)
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That's a shame but not surprising. Still happy with our 39L after almost 10 years.
The new camper came with a 90L National Luna fridge freezer. Very nice unit. Quiet, efficient and solid. Very expensive to buy though.
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X2 for the National Luna
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have a bushman and an ARB,both very good,both very tuff....bushman lives in the tub of the hilux an it cops a flogging and still works a treat.
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Trailblaza.
I'll be very very very unhappy if they go under. 23 years of abuse, and still going very strong, 100 liter fridge - freezer, that uses same amount of power as a 35 liter waco. I've done a test.
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I just found out that Autofridge Australia are not making their eutectic fridges anymore. :-[
Does anyone have any other suggestions apart from the obvious Waeco/ARB/Engel.
Quite like the Bushman but not sure of the price/value
That explains why they are no longer on the KK list. I went to the factory about 12 months ago and dropped an old fridge off to Leon for spares. He indicated then that it was hard to get and keep reliable staff and that he simply couldn't keep up with demand. He mentioned that he was over it and ready to retire.
I wonder if this is what he decided to do or if other factors came into play.
Jas.
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Very sad to hear that. Love my old 39 litre!
If I hadn't found my Autofridge on e-bay my research was leaning towards a Bushman package, with the waisted lid, extension collar and insulation bag, to give greater flexibility.
Another plus down here is that they are distributed from Melbourne.
If money, and spac, was no issue I would probably go a Trailblazer, but probably a bit OTT unless doing long extended trips in the tropics.
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evakool
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EVAKOOL ! Aussie made danfoss compressor.
Don't know about the bushman, nearly bought one glad I didn't .
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X2 for Bushman.
I have one and my brother has an Fibreglass Evakol.
See both working before deciding as there are positives and negatives for both, it depends what you will use it for.
I would be happy with either for camping but my brother and I wanted different features when not camping and thus made different decisions.
We brought them within a week of each other and 2 years later are both happy.
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Which Evakool guys, there are a few different types ???
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Here is a link and a pic of mine Alan. It is pretty big (95lt) but it is very economical. It can be used as all fridge, all freezer or fridge and freezer. I normally use it only as a fridge and when we go up the cape foe two weeks we cryovac the meat.
The fridge is pretty tough poly plastic and the insulation is built in. The fridge is very very economical on 12 volts. :cheers:
(http://www.australiandirect.com.au/assets/alt_2/FM095.jpg)
http://www.portablefridgesonline.com.au/portable-fridges/evakool-95-litre-fridgemate-fridge-freezer.html (http://www.portablefridgesonline.com.au/portable-fridges/evakool-95-litre-fridgemate-fridge-freezer.html)
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Thanks :cup:
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And here I was thinking of dropping mine to get it checked out.
Does anyone knows who can service these - preferably in Sydney?
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Which Evakool guys, there are a few different types ???
I have the white fibreglass model. Same setup and electrics as the Mate muzza posted a photo of. Only difference between the Mate and mine is the Mate is poly and mine is fibreglass construction. Both don't need a cover as they are well insulated. And agree 100% with muzza, very economical on 12V.
KB
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And here I was thinking of dropping mine to get it checked out.
Does anyone knows who can service these - preferably in Sydney?
Moorebank Marine in Helles rd Moorebank was where I last took my Evakool fridge
They also converted an old 140l Evakool Esky into a Fridge/Freezer for me
Cheers Michael
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And here I was thinking of dropping mine to get it checked out.
Does anyone knows who can service these - preferably in Sydney?
Moorebank Marine in Helles rd Moorebank was where I last took my Evakool fridge
They also converted an old 140l Evakool Esky into a Fridge/Freezer for me
Cheers Michael
It a pretty straight forward set up. The components are standard danfoss. They only terminal issue with them can come if the copper piping in Eutectic fluid (saltwater) corrodes through as this feeds salt water straight into the compressor. This isn't that uncommon with the older 39l ones (15-20yo). Leon took steps to prevent this from happening in the later models.
This is what happened to my 39l that I returned to him for spares (lid, hinges etc). When I depressed the gas valve on the fridge unit, salt water came out instead of gas.
Anyone that can service a fridge with a Danfos compressor will be able to help.
Jas
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Guys having dealt with Autofridge for many years I emailed Leon to find out the facts behind the closure of the factory. Please find his response below. The business is still operating and you can get service and spare parts. Unfortunately manufacture of the fridges in the future may move off shore.
Hi Jason,
The factory complex where we built the fridges was sold for redevelopment and we had to vacate much earlier than anticipated.
The manufacturing unit closed up in August and we had not found a suitable alternative location at that time.
It is most likely that the product will not be built here and will eventually be built overseas, although no decision has been made as yet.
The Autofridge business is still operating and parts and service will be OK.
There a few stories floating around as to what happened, but these are the facts:
The whole area where the factory complex is located was rezoned for apartments.
The site we were on had not been purchased until six months ago and we were told that it would be a couple of years before anything would be done with the site.
The developer paid for the site in August and demanded vacant possession by the 4th October. (The factories on the site have already been demolished.)
That gave us very little time to set up somewhere else and it was decided to ‘moth ball’ all the manufacturing equipment until we found something suitable.
It now seems unlikely that the product will be built here in Australia and discussions are being held as to where we will build the fridges.
When I have more info, I will let you know.
Regards,
Leon Dewbery,
PH: 0418 977 040
Email : autofridge@bigpond.com
Regards
Jason
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Guys having dealt with Autofridge for many years I emailed Leon to find out the facts behind the closure of the factory. Please find his response below. The business is still operating and you can get service and spare parts. Unfortunately manufacture of the fridges in the future may move off shore.
Hi Jason,
The factory complex where we built the fridges was sold for redevelopment and we had to vacate much earlier than anticipated.
The manufacturing unit closed up in August and we had not found a suitable alternative location at that time.
It is most likely that the product will not be built here and will eventually be built overseas, although no decision has been made as yet.
The Autofridge business is still operating and parts and service will be OK.
There a few stories floating around as to what happened, but these are the facts:
The whole area where the factory complex is located was rezoned for apartments.
The site we were on had not been purchased until six months ago and we were told that it would be a couple of years before anything would be done with the site.
The developer paid for the site in August and demanded vacant possession by the 4th October. (The factories on the site have already been demolished.)
That gave us very little time to set up somewhere else and it was decided to ‘moth ball’ all the manufacturing equipment until we found something suitable.
It now seems unlikely that the product will be built here in Australia and discussions are being held as to where we will build the fridges.
When I have more info, I will let you know.
Regards,
Leon Dewbery,
PH: 0418 977 040
Email : autofridge@bigpond.com
Regards
Jason
Good to know.
Any idea of what the changes in the later models were, and if they can be made retrospectively to the old 39 litre models?
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Good to know.
Any idea of what the changes in the later models were, and if they can be made retrospectively to the old 39 litre models?
No mate I don't know the specifics. My understanding is that the salt water Eutectic fluid came into contact with the copper pipes in the early models. Eventually the fluid corroded through the pipes and into the compressor. I believe the latter models were protected from this somehow by the way the pipes were run. The fridge I took back to Leon for spares was about 17 years old or more.
His email is attached to my post above, shoot him a mail I am sure he will give you the details and wether a preventative fix is available.
Regards
Jas
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Good to know......
It is indeed. Mine's still under warranty. Hopefully it won't be needed...
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Don't know about the bushman, nearly bought one glad I didn't .
Why?
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X3 for the National Luna
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Guys having dealt with Autofridge for many years I emailed Leon to find out the facts behind the closure of the factory. Please find his response below. The business is still operating and you can get service and spare parts. Unfortunately manufacture of the fridges in the future may move off shore.
Hi Jason,
The factory complex where we built the fridges was sold for redevelopment and we had to vacate much earlier than anticipated.
The manufacturing unit closed up in August and we had not found a suitable alternative location at that time.
It is most likely that the product will not be built here and will eventually be built overseas, although no decision has been made as yet.
The Autofridge business is still operating and parts and service will be OK.
There a few stories floating around as to what happened, but these are the facts:
The whole area where the factory complex is located was rezoned for apartments.
The site we were on had not been purchased until six months ago and we were told that it would be a couple of years before anything would be done with the site.
The developer paid for the site in August and demanded vacant possession by the 4th October. (The factories on the site have already been demolished.)
That gave us very little time to set up somewhere else and it was decided to ‘moth ball’ all the manufacturing equipment until we found something suitable.
It now seems unlikely that the product will be built here in Australia and discussions are being held as to where we will build the fridges.
When I have more info, I will let you know.
Regards,
Leon Dewbery,
PH: 0418 977 040
Email : autofridge@bigpond.com
Regards
Jason
Mods,
Given this info, the title of this thread needs changing.
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Agree with the above. Accurate info should be available to all Autofridge users. Service and parts are still available whilst the business is transitioning.
Jas
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Mods,
Given this info, the title of this thread needs changing.
Does this work for you?
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Wholehog/I went to the factory at west Gosford and spoke to the owner he stunk of alcohol , anyway grabbed a brochure of him and had a good look at the fridge set up, ask a few people about them and was told to do some research first so I did found out they have a danfoss copy compressor and to small for what I wanted, so for a extra $200 I ended up with a 95 litre evakool frigdemate 4years gone and it hasn't missed a beat , can't believe how good it performs in the middle of summer.
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Wholehog, went to the factory at west Gosford and spoke to the owner he stunk of alcohol , anyway grabbed a brochure of him and had a good look at the fridge set up, ask a few people about them and was told to do some research first so I did found out they have a danfoss copy compressor and to small for what I wanted, so for a extra $200 I ended up with a 95 litre evakool frigdemate 4years gone and it hasn't missed a beat , can't believe how good it performs in the middle of summer.
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Wholehog went to what factory in West Gosford? Not Auto fridge I assume as their only factory was in Botany and Leon doesn't drink and has moth balled the business? Not a danfoss copy either the real deal and were one of the better fridges on the market. I have a fair dinkum Evakool (white one not the cheaper fridge mateWholehog went to what factory in West Gosford? Not Auto fridge I assume as their only factory was in Botany and Leon doesn't drink and has moth balled the business? No danfoss, copy either the real deal and were one of the better fridges on the market ) as well as an Autofridge, the Autofridge craps on it for performance.
Regards
Jas
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Sorry jason b I was talking about the bushman!
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I don't know about the fridgemate being cheaper it wouldn't be much anyway , I didn't want the hassle of the fibreglass cracking I found the the fridgemate far superior in strength.
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Sorry jason b I was talking about the bushman!
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Lol, never ever seen one in the wild! I have herd some people swear by them, but in all my years of camping with various clubs and groups all over the place I have never met someone who was using one.
Maybe I hang in the wrong circles and am missing out. Both my fridges are over 10 years old. The Evakool has been good, with just the silly boost switch packing it in, this was easily bypassed. The case has been affected by the sun after all the years in the back of the cruiser and has warped along the top edge. But otherwise it has been going strong.
The Autofridge works well but is BLOODY heavy, even when empty! Eva cool make the best eskyies I reckon. And they all charge like wounded bulls!
Regards
Jas
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I don't know about the fridgemate being cheaper it wouldn't be much anyway , I didn't want the hassle of the fibreglass cracking I found the the fridgemate far superior in strength.
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Fridge mate is considerably cheaper than the white Evakool ones (about 40% less). We did some trials and testing some years ago and settled for the white ones for our work vehicles as they seemed more efficient. Also they were to be tied down in the back of a cab so relatively safe.
Durability wise the poly one was able to take more knock's. The white ones quickly looked second hand if thrown in the back of a ute. They were quite strong but not as impact resistant as the poly ones.
Can't go wrong with either really.
Jas
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Sorry jason b I was talking about the bushman!
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The Bushman factory where I got mine is in Research in Melbourne ???
http://www.bushman.com.au/contact-bushman-or-one-our-local-authorised-distributors (http://www.bushman.com.au/contact-bushman-or-one-our-local-authorised-distributors)
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Just checked the website they also have a head office in NSW Kangy Angy on the central coast he must of moved from west Gosford..
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He also told me the story about how he's old man started the business.
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It is indeed. Mine's still under warranty. Hopefully it won't be needed...
Well the warranty has expired (built March 2012), and the thermostat's playing up.
The fridge still works well....a little too well. It doesn't cycle when set to lower temps.
Anyone know the part number of the thermostat in the 75L models, and where I might get one?
:cheers:
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Bought our 73L Autofridge in 1999 and 19 years later still going great. Often wish we'd got the smaller one as too big and heavy for weekend trips but is brilliant for longer trips of a week or more. Now have an Engel Eclipse for short weekend trips.
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Well the warranty has expired (built March 2012), and the thermostat's playing up.
The fridge still works well....a little too well. It doesn't cycle when set to lower temps.
Anyone know the part number of the thermostat in the 75L models, and where I might get one?
:cheers:
https://www.intelliquip.com.au/products/autofridge/ (https://www.intelliquip.com.au/products/autofridge/)
Don't know if they're worth getting in touch with (regardless of the fact they say they don't have spare parts) given the info on that page...?
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Well the warranty has expired (built March 2012), and the thermostat's playing up.
The fridge still works well....a little too well. It doesn't cycle when set to lower temps.
Anyone know the part number of the thermostat in the 75L models, and where I might get one?
:cheers:
GeoffA, can you use a alternative unit, i fitted something like this in my old fridge and it is working well.
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/DC12V-50-110-C-W1209WK-Digital-thermostat-Temperature-Control-Smart-Sensor-U-/302160585438?hash=item465a2ca2de (https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/DC12V-50-110-C-W1209WK-Digital-thermostat-Temperature-Control-Smart-Sensor-U-/302160585438?hash=item465a2ca2de)
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Evakool had a thermistor for my indel b fridge. I think it was like $25. Nothing from jaycar worked.
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Thanks all....
.....trinity, I called Intelliquip yesterday, but they bought the name and IP only. They did give me the name of a repairer in Melbourne that has done a few.
.....John, nice idea, but if needed I'd prefer to repair to original specs.
.....kizza, :cheers:
In any event, it seems to be working OK again. Hope it holds up for our return visit to the Kimberley next month.
Think I'll be fitting the timer switch into the Patrol, just in case....
:cheers:
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Well the warranty has expired (built March 2012), and the thermostat's playing up.
The fridge still works well....a little too well. It doesn't cycle when set to lower temps.
Anyone know the part number of the thermostat in the 75L models, and where I might get one?
:cheers:
Hi Geoff
If you remove the panel that holds the thermostat, there should be a number stamped on the thermostat housing. You have to use the same capillary tube style thermostat because the capillary tube goes down a thin copper tube into the eutectic tank.
I picked up a autofridge on verge pickup but it had all of the controls removed. I rang Leon (this was about 6 years ago )and he told me the thermostat part number and that I could get one from any reputable refrigeration supply company. Sorry but cant find where I wrote down number.
Another way to use fridge is Ive wired in a timer so it will only run during the day ( running from car battery or solar setup) that way the tanks freeze and the fridge doesnt need to run at night.
I will hunt around old files to see if I still have the number.
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Thanks sparksy.
I'm running mine through a timer switch as well, just in case.
I looked at removing the thermostat, but it's not mounted to a removable cover. I'm loath to pull it apart unless necessary.
It'd be great if you did happen to find the number.... :cup: :cup:
:cheers: :cheers: