I just got my Australian 4WD Monthly magazine, all 276 pages, and it had a review of the Waeco CCF-45 Coolmatic Cooler.

I decided to share it as it has a unique writing style that you don't normally get in American magazines.

Enjoy

Click Here 190kb (http://www.rkrenn.com/misc/waeco.jpg)

Funny stuff. I wish people would cut to the chase like that more often.

Once again it's time for me to plug this link:
The Bloke Page (http://bofh.ntk.net/Bloke.html)
All kinds of Aussie/Kiwi male slang and lifestyle, plenty of laughs. I suggest you start with the glossary, otherwise it will be a bit hard to understand. Even helps with the article above, "slab" and "handbrake" explained...

Brent

so where do we get one? :) it would be really nice to have. I've looked at the ARB ones, but wow are they expensive.

Have you checked out Engel Fridges?

they're made by the same company ARB contracts to build their fridges. Same parts, just don't have a metal outside. For around $400-500 instead of $800-1200

http://store5.yimg.com/I/cruiserconnection_1661_15766444

www.4x4connection.com

Coleman also makes a 12volt cooler. they also have 110v converters.

My grandfather has one he bought in the early eighties. It still works, not as good as it used to, but still works. His is a cooler or warmer.

Cliff

I have the big 40qt version and it works pretty good for under $100!

Uh...yeah. Well those won't "make" ice, and can't run for 3 days on a yellowtop battery.

But it keeps the beer cold..............for the 10 days we were in GOX and Moab!

Originally posted by wilburburns
Coleman also makes a 12volt cooler. they also have 110v converters.

My grandfather has one he bought in the early eighties. It still works, not as good as it used to, but still works. His is a cooler or warmer.

Cliff

That's what I have, the $100 Coleman cooler / warmer. My folks found it for $70 and gave it to me Xmas of '99. Works fine. Doesn't get beer as freezing cold as a cooler filled with ice, but pretty close.

Originally posted by rrdstarr
But it keeps the beer cold..............for the 10 days we were in GOX and Moab!

and if it were 110 degrees or more in your truck, which can be normal to low for summer in a desert, you will have semi-cold beer. where as with the arb, engel or the one Rich posted the article about they would be frosty cold. not to mention you could have popsicles in Moab in the summer with those fridges.

Well I called Waeco and they don't sell the CCF 45 here, but they do sell the CCF 40 and retails for $570

click here (http://www.waecoadlerbarbour.com/ccf-40.htm)

Originally posted by rrdstarr
But it keeps the beer cold..............for the 10 days we were in GOX and Moab!

You guys weren't there when it was hot. It rained on you one day didn't it? When we were in Moab in July it was 105+. We threw out so much food that had gone bad after that trip.

That cooler keeps food 40 degrees below the ambient temprature. I am not saying the Coleman or Igloo are the hot ticket but it beats going to town for ice everyday. That and they are affordable.

Originally posted by rrdstarr
That cooler keeps food 40 degrees below the ambient temprature. I am not saying the Coleman or Igloo are the hot ticket but it beats going to town for ice everyday. That and they are affordable.

I agree they're great for the NW. But 40 below ambient in Moab was 75 degrees. What pissed me off is the plastic clamp broke off my Coleman and it couldn't keep a tight seal. Soon after the overloaded motor blew all my aux. fuses. :mad:

BTW I have a Coleman sitting in my garage if anyone needs parts.

Schlud! My apologies! I didn't know you had a thermoelectric? If it's the same as mine, I will take it off your hands! 40qt.

Couldn't you just get a Coleman that loaded from the top and use ice in it anyway and prolong the life of the ice?

I know what you're saying about Moab, in the summer ice has a half life of 1.5 hours and is gone in 4 hours. Thats alot of trips into town, the trick is to plan on non-refrigerated foods for meals.

It's hard going without cold drinks for that long though.

i too passed on the coleman. on a good day in the arizona desert, 40 degrees below ambient is still way too warm for beer & food.

many stores around here sell dry ice. get a five pound block, wrap it with a few sheets of newspaper and toss in the bottom of the cooler.

it's low tech, won't break down, won't drain the battery, and is cheap.