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Author Topic: Calling all ARB Fridge owners  (Read 29186 times)

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Offline CampAround

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Calling all ARB Fridge owners
« on: February 26, 2013, 07:42:52 PM »
Looking at buying one of the new ARB Fridges. Wondering what your experiences are with yours.

How efficient and reliable has it been for you?
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Offline GeoffA

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Re: Calling all ARB Fridge owners
« Reply #1 on: February 26, 2013, 07:48:53 PM »
We have a little 35L unit for drinks. Very happy with it.
No problems at all, and it's pretty good on juice.
Should have got the 60L, though.
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nbd73

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Re: Calling all ARB Fridge owners
« Reply #2 on: February 26, 2013, 07:53:58 PM »
Bought June 2011. 47l model, 100% happy. Father in law bought the 40l Engel for not much more, but the ARB had the features that suited me:
1. Removable lid. 4b at the time had a very shallow cargo area and would not be able to open the Engel lid fully (side opening waeco would have, but for some reason was not interested)
2. Thermostatic temp control. Set the desired internal temp and the fridge cycles as necessary to maintain. Father in law's Engel requires adjusting as contents are removed or warm items placed.
3. Built in low voltage battery protection. Engel required external accessory for this.
4. 7l of the internal space is the shallow section above the compressor housing. Ideal for salads or items that you don't need super cold or don't want crisping up eg lettuce.
5. ARB after market service, reputation and build quality. Undeniable robustness and general appearance.
+ all the other propaganda/blurb is actually spot on for once with these fridges.
So, yes I am happy, and I don't work for them.
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Offline @fnq4now

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Calling all ARB Fridge owners
« Reply #3 on: February 26, 2013, 08:00:18 PM »
78L = awesome product + everything nbd73 said.
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Offline sablesoft

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Re: Calling all ARB Fridge owners
« Reply #4 on: February 26, 2013, 08:26:08 PM »
Hi  CampAround,

I purchased a ARB 47L fridge for my Cub Escape back in October 2009, It has preformed perfectly for 2 years and 9 months, then one Sunday when I switched it on the temp reading showed 43 deg C !!! when it was low twenties here in Brisbane, I left it running for approx 1 hour and the temp as 28 deg C, and the thermometer I placed inside the fridge showed -7 deg C, I checked again about a half hour later and 35 deg C was shown in the display and inside it was -15 deg C, It did not look good.

Tuesday morning I took it down to UV4X4 at Enoggera (Brisbane) as it was still under warranty.
on Saturday I picked up a brand new in the box 47L ARB fridge as a replacement.

It turns out the thermistor (which is the temperature sensor) had gone bad.

In the first batch of the 47L fridges ARB made it was not possible to replace the thermistor.

This problem was rectified in the later batches and the thermistor is now a replaceable part.

The first batch of ARB 47L fridges had a duller yellow LED temperature display, later batches have a bright white LED temperature display.

If you are looking at buying a second hand ARB 47L fridge I would check the serial no with ARB to make sure it has the replaceable thermistor. If it has the bright white display I think it would OK.

I must say I was VERY pleased with the service from UV4X4 and ARB to get this issue resolved easily and quickly.

I am considering the smaller ARB fridge for the TUG (when I find the pennies).

Ray
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Offline Black-Pig

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Re: Calling all ARB Fridge owners
« Reply #5 on: February 26, 2013, 08:34:24 PM »
I am running a 35 as a Freezer, and 60 as fridge. And I have never had a problem with them. Even tested the Low voltage cut out a day or so ago. They run of 2nd battery but good to know it works.
Great product.
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Offline Andrew_C

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Re: Calling all ARB Fridge owners
« Reply #6 on: February 26, 2013, 08:34:49 PM »
Have a 47, good fridge, the only thing I would criticise is the merit/cigarette plug, cut it off and put something on that wont vibrate out, the proprietary engel plugs are far better.
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Offline GUEY

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Re: Calling all ARB Fridge owners
« Reply #7 on: February 26, 2013, 08:40:18 PM »
Sablesoft good heads up as mine is one of the early ones and I've never heard of this.
For the op mine has been faultless to date.
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nbd73

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Re: Calling all ARB Fridge owners
« Reply #8 on: February 26, 2013, 08:44:09 PM »
Quote from: Andrew_C on February 26, 2013, 08:34:49 PM
Have a 47, good fridge, the only thing I would criticise is the merit/cigarette plug, cut it off and put something on that wont vibrate out, the proprietary engel plugs are far better.
Fair point, but I would look at the environment it is to be used in and whether it is secure. I only say this because I have never had a problem with this aspect, and it has had some bouncing and moving in the back of the car with loads of gear around it. Can see your reasoning, but if this path is followed remember you are limiting the number of places it can be connected, depending upon the type of connector attached.
« Last Edit: February 26, 2013, 08:45:52 PM by nbd73 »
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Offline GeoffA

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Re: Calling all ARB Fridge owners
« Reply #9 on: February 26, 2013, 08:46:19 PM »
« Last Edit: February 26, 2013, 08:50:08 PM by GeoffA »
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Offline CampAround

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Re: Calling all ARB Fridge owners
« Reply #10 on: February 26, 2013, 09:58:00 PM »
Thanks for the input. Sounds all positive.

I'm looking at purchasing a new 60lt. Was prepared to pay for the engel until I finally got to see the arbs in the flesh on the weekend. I like the lid, storage inside, lock, controller being temperature rather then peer level. They are lighter than the Engels and $300 cheaper compared to the best price I have seen on the equivalent engel.

I am picking one up tomorrow. Cheers
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Offline Swannie

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Re: Calling all ARB Fridge owners
« Reply #11 on: February 26, 2013, 10:14:49 PM »
Mate love my 47 ltr. Like the drain plug in it makes it very easy to wash out.
Swannie
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Offline CampAround

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Re: Calling all ARB Fridge owners
« Reply #12 on: February 26, 2013, 10:21:21 PM »
Oh yeah forgot about that. Another bonus.
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nbd73

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Re: Calling all ARB Fridge owners
« Reply #13 on: February 26, 2013, 10:24:19 PM »
Quote from: swannie on February 26, 2013, 10:14:49 PM
Mate love my 47 ltr. Like the drain plug in it makes it very easy to wash out.
Swannie
x2 should have included that in my original post.
Camparound, you won't be disappointed. Don't get me wrong, I like the engels still. It's just that for the features you get for the $ they are hard to justify. A member on here did a comprehensive test of a waeco v Engel a few months ago, purely looking at power consumption, and the Engel won hands down. From what I understand the ARB uses the same danfoss compressor as the waeco, though other factors such as insulation and elec controls come into play when determining ultimate power usage. Enjoy.
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Offline VKPrado

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Re: Calling all ARB Fridge owners
« Reply #14 on: February 27, 2013, 07:45:26 AM »
I have the 47 litre version and it has not missed a beat. The only issue I have is with the canvas cover and the velcro tape that B replaced the original tape and now three sides stick but the fourth just will not stick at all.

Not sure if the cover design has changed or not but thought I saw somewhere that there is now metal???? clips of something to hold the cover on.
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Offline GUEY

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Re: Calling all ARB Fridge owners
« Reply #15 on: February 27, 2013, 08:58:22 AM »
Quote from: VKPrado on February 27, 2013, 07:45:26 AM
I have the 47 litre version and it has not missed a beat. The only issue I have is with the canvas cover and the velcro tape that B replaced the original tape and now three sides stick but the fourth just will not stick at all.

Not sure if the cover design has changed or not but thought I saw somewhere that there is now metal???? clips of something to hold the cover on.

I have tried replacing the velcro twice. Have given up now.
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Offline HEM19X

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Re: Calling all ARB Fridge owners
« Reply #16 on: February 27, 2013, 12:58:45 PM »
We have an older 60L ARB fridge & never had any problems since we purchaesd it in 2006.
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Offline letsgoplaces

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Re: Calling all ARB Fridge owners
« Reply #17 on: February 27, 2013, 02:22:05 PM »
Well I know what fridge I will buy when it comes time. Thanks guys :D

Cheers
John
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Offline Bobsan

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Re: Calling all ARB Fridge owners
« Reply #18 on: February 27, 2013, 03:25:20 PM »
We own a 47ltr fridge and its great  we fitted insulation between the canvas cover and the fridge as a buffer from the heat when in the back of the 4wd, the only downside we found is the height which doesn't allow us to fit it in the camper trailer but otherwise its a great unit
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Offline gronk

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Re: Calling all ARB Fridge owners
« Reply #19 on: February 27, 2013, 06:15:07 PM »
Quote from: nbd73 on February 26, 2013, 10:24:19 PM
. From what I understand the ARB uses the same danfoss compressor as the waeco,

That's because it's made by Waeco....for ARB..

Not that there's anything wrong with that ..
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Offline gibbo301

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Re: Calling all ARB Fridge owners
« Reply #20 on: February 27, 2013, 06:25:52 PM »
Quote from: gronk on February 27, 2013, 06:15:07 PM
That's because it's made by Waeco....for ARB..

Not that there's anything wrong with that ..

Waeco make there own compressor now
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Offline CampAround

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Re: Calling all ARB Fridge owners
« Reply #21 on: February 27, 2013, 08:50:54 PM »
I also believe Waeco make their own compressors. Apparently evakool use the a Sanford version made in chine, while ARB use the genuine made danios. Don't really know what to believe.

Anyway bought the fridge. Very happy with its design. Had some trouble getting the metal clips in place that hold on the cover. Will have another go tomorrow then hopefully give it a clean and test it out.
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Offline ldsparrow

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Re: Calling all ARB Fridge owners
« Reply #22 on: February 27, 2013, 10:17:22 PM »
We took the 78l around Aus and it never missed a beat.
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Offline Jenko67

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Re: Calling all ARB Fridge owners
« Reply #23 on: February 28, 2013, 04:08:29 PM »
Experimented with a few Waecos in the early to mid 2000s and then bought an Engel about 18 months ago... should've bought one years ago.. the best fridge IMHO...
« Last Edit: February 28, 2013, 05:52:03 PM by Jenko67 »
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Offline wholehog

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Re: Calling all ARB Fridge owners
« Reply #24 on: February 28, 2013, 05:11:30 PM »
WE have a 60 litre ARB,the reason i bought it over any others was its low height to fit under hard cover on the ute.....
BUt after owning  it for a few years now i have to say i am impressed.....
I am in the market for a smaller on to use for a drinks fridge when the whole tribe is along or a freezer if need be.......Really torn betwen the bushman and the ARB 35ltr
Oh yer..... i rekon the way the lid bends back and snaps out his awesome...... for those times when u have had a few to many and u overbalance and grab the open fridge lid :cup:
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