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I used my Waeco 40l 3-way for the first time in December on a trip to Venda/Punda Maria. The fridge worked great in the car, and on gas. I had a fair amount of issues with running it on mains electricity, but I'm sure this was more to do with the dodgy supply at Punda Maria camp site than with the fridge, as I've run it at home for days without a problem.

As a result, we had to toss some meat when we got home, (I took too much anyway). The meat was kept frozen for a number of days nonetheless.

The experience was anyway much more pleasant than the usual coolbox-with-ice all the time.

I used dry ice this last Dec in Letaba, still had frozen meat on fourth day. Could have even gone for longer, but had some peeps (will not go further into that) using cooler box to keep their ice from shops frozen, so I think their opening and closing regulalry also affected it.

Our Waeco very good, have been using it for about 4 years, never a bit of trouble.

Even used it where there is no electricity, topped up from cigarette lighter of my ISUZU and everything was kept nice and cold/frozen = well insulated with its blanket.

These little fridge/freezers seem more effective
than the big brother! They come at a price and
understandably so. Fiesty little boxes they are,
both plastic and chromadeck. I believe the innards
all to be the same manufacturer yet casing design
taken to task by others.

Please do compare your 500litre deep freezer at
home, stodgified and totally dependant on 220 V.
with one of these not only dependant on 220 V but
also 24 and 12 volt, without you having to even think
about.

Fact is we are comparing mini with maxi but do not
take power supply in consideration! Maxi just sits there
at home turning hot air into cold air totally and only
dependant on 220 in constant supply! Spoilt brat!!

Little mini gives 3 choises 220, 24 and 12 volt with no
need to even switch! It gives a long range of temperature
to choose from, -20 to + 20 degrees. Fully affective in no
time!

But unfortunately everything comes at a price!! What you
put in, you will get out, that includes battery power supply!
Little mini has a very short range in which to prove a point,
that be 13.8 v used down to I believe 10.8 v before the built
in power supply overuse kicks in. A very good reason for that!

To simplify, ever think of sitting on a red hot sand dune, with
a box full of frosties, but can't get your vehicle started cause
your battery is flat! These boxes are very sensitive but should
also be seen like that. If your battery or alternator do not live
up to those expectations from mini then it just will not perform!

I believe a way around this is to wire ones car with a double up
battery supply meaning volts/amps/quality power!!! Cigarette
lighters work but preferably direct power from both batteries
seems better. Just think, the yachting industry use them big time!

While driving or where there is no 220 v my fridge runs off a second battery which is part of a dual battery system. The main battery cannot get discharged. At Kgalagadi it ran on 12 V at night when the generator was off at Mata Mata and Nossob. The battery was charged back to 100 % after a 2-3 hour drive. It would be a problem if I had to stand somewhere for a few days without 220 V and without driving around. But we generally don't go to places where the vehicle just stands. But one can get solar panels that can top up batteries in that case. By the way I have a high cycle battery which charges much faster than a deep cycle, although the high cycle cannot be discharged too much.

That's why I specifically went for a 3-way, so I could use gas when there's no power. It doesn't happen very often, but often enough, and I've already had to use it on gas. Some people have todl me that it even works better/is more efficient on gas. (I'm just concerned about running it off gas inside the tent).

Joshi , keep it outside the tent ... rather put it under a gazebo or at least a bivouac .

Hi Rooies, sorry for not answering your question earlier...I have major login problems! Yes it is army issue and strong as nails!



Ndloti, I also have a pair of black ones. Back in the days I was part of an air force unit and our standard boot colour was black!



Ndloti, well now you have that friend...arrange one of your special places in Kruger, bring your stuff and lets gooooo!! We are brave enough indeed!

I would do this but its not always possible, depending on what tent I'm using. My big tent has a covered verandah section which would probably be ok. Besides ventilation, I'm also concerned about the pilot light.



Hope I'm still on the list! My car has a tow hitch

Joshi, I had a 2-way, worked on power or gas. Worked well in coolish weather. In very hot weather, it strugges, it only goes 20-30 below ambient, at 40 ambient that doesn't cut it. And you had to get it 100% level. I sold the thing. Compressor fridges are able to freeze up to -18 in temperatures up to 50 degrees.

So does mine and trailer. Joshi, this looks like preferential treatment/form of segregation. Wonder why I am not on the invite list. Must be because I told everyone to make a noise and stop when they see a blue honda crv.

Just fitted an African Outback roof rack on my double cab. Now I can bring in my own pile of "hardekool"

Trouble is the place is too sacred to allow more than 4 or 5 people at once and I can't abuse the priviledge granted by asking access too often .

I should rather have kept my trap closed .

*Takes one step back*

That was not directed at anyone in particular joshi !
Perhaps I can make this a sort of fundraiser for the HR's ..

I will make an effort to take some of you there , now lets see who have I have not had differences with ...