Dometic Waeco CF-50

Dometic CF/50 Fridge/Freezer – Bought the Dometic CF50 a few year ago (back in 2021) and travelled around this great country of ours during COVID without any issues and then we drove up to Cape York at the end of 2023 in my Dmax with the same fridge/ freezer and i must say it worked perfectly both times and didn't let us down at all. It kept the food nice and cold and beers icy… Read more

cold without any problems over the rough corrugated road to the TIP of Australia. I highly recommend this fridge and freezer for any adventure you may embark on.

Dometic cf50 – Absolutely a bucket sh%t let me down time and time again has been back to repairer 3times .was still in warranty had enough and through in bin.Still got the old Weaco equivalent going strong,new dometic version rubbish. Show details

Great fridge – I have two Engels and now this one it uses less power than my Engels the new Engels now are crap I’ve taken mine back 3 times the CF50 just keeps going pee who bag the Dometic have never owned one Engel ate over priced there’s other brands half the price that do just as good as Engel if anyone wants to buy/ Engels there for sale on market place Show details

Perfect Car Fridge – Bought 16 years ago $890. Only replaced a fuse once. The coating a lot better than a metal casing, won't scratch and today looks as good as when I bought it. I cut an insulated cover to fit over the contents when only part filled. Only lift the lid slowly to keep as much cold as possible. Show details

Waeco. 50 Good – This fridge replaced a 3 way so difference is large. Cools quickly on 240, quiet running, the fridge section works well, the temp needs to be set a little higher to maintain freezing ie set on 9 or 10 Getting to know it and we love it Show details

Absolute 100%rubbish – Within in weeks the fridge failed on a trip had repaired under warranty n not used for a while. Try to use it and has sh#t itself again. My little kings works better Show details

Buy an Engel - What I should have done – Barely lasted and the compressor went. When it worked it would drain my 135Ah battery in 1 day. Not really acceptable when you're running off battery and solar power. Jump the fence, spend the coin and you won't be disappointed with an Engel. As they say, a poor man pays twice and I've learned my lesson with Waeco  Show details

Good old fridge – This was my first fridge that i bought back in 2004. Only had two issues with it in 19 years. After the first use, the lid cracked at the latch as i had it in direct sun. A bit crap i thought, but the repairer replaced it for me and gave me a cover for the fridge, and it has been fine ever since. The second issue i had with it was way later in… Read more

2015 where Waecos control board died (corrosion due to heavy beach use). As it was well out of warranty and i didnt want to spend $400 to fix an 11yr old fridge, I simply removed all the waeco controls and bought an STC-1000 off Ebay for $25 and fitted that to the fridge. To this day it still runs very well like the day i bought it. I have now bought a Bushman fridge to supplement this fridge and I have given the CF50 to my sis as she has just gotten into camping. I would have bought another CF50 if they made them still, but I bought a Bushman instead, and they are very nice too.

Great for travelling – Just the right size for long weekend trips without taking up the whole car. Low power draw, will run from a 100Ah battery for at least 4 days when set to 4 degrees.

Top fridge – The cf 50 works perfectly on 240 and 12 volts. I've had this fridge 7to8 years and still counting. Never has it failed in hot extreme weather and I'm talking 45 plus degrees c. The power consumption is very good and with Sola set up on the 4wd it never stopped. The con is the Lach can break so be careful you can get a replacement for this. I have… Read more

read some of the reviews on this fridge and put it down to some people don't know what they are doing. Others just bag it because it's a waeco. All and all it's a fantastic reliable fridge

Great Product - highly recommended – I bought my CF50 on sale for $699 at BCF. I have had it for over 18 mths and have been running it 24-7 - 50% on 12volt on 1 x solar panel & 1 x 120 amp battery in my caravan for weeks on end & 50% on 240v. Always maintains my preferred temperature -3 deg C and gets there fast, Best $699 I have ever spent. Show details

Waeko CR 50 – Purchased in 2010 and have run it non stop as beee fridge at home and hooked up to battery in car for holidays. Finally bit the dust!!! I have had an excellent run with this portable fridge. Changed the fuse but it sparked up and it does not look good  Show details

A Positive Experience – Purchased the CF-50 49Litre in 2009. Used as fridge. Used in the household and traveling on the road. 12V in back of vehicle and 240v at caravan parks. Very sturdy, totally reliable, holds temperature well especially in our Australian hot and humid conditions. Easy to transport. Great love the brand  Show details

When it works its fine – Does ok when it works, from day one ive had problems with this plastic fridge, was in the market for an Engel but was talked into one of these crappy units, waeco dont have after sales service or do they do their own repairs, they just send you to a agent where they rip you off by onselling and charging exhorbent ammounts of money for doing crap… Read more

all, just been ripped of again $75 inspection $200 thermistor then a further $187 for pcb, then i was told the lid was broken. What an absolute farce, this will be the last $ i spend on this crap box and will be going back to engel. Of which i have had for over 30 years whithout a hitch still going strong.

very poor fridge – the compressor failed and was repaired under warranty. the fridge goes into error mode when running through my invertor and must be hardwired to the battery. It has now failed again and the service agent has advised me that the gas is leaking and it is not possible to repair it as the leak is internal. $1000+ for 2 weeks use a year over 6 years= very poor value.  Show details

Unreliable and poor quality construction for the price – When new, it was very good at keeping things cold, but used a lot of power. (I had an insulated cover which came with the fridge) The lid broke just after 2 years, on the hinges (very weak, cheap plastic, should be metal) The temp control buttons started to "stick" around the same time, making it hard to set. 12V motherboard went after 3.5… Read more

years. $550 to replace and the 240V circuit went a short time later, it now only runs on 12V as I refuse to spend any more money. Thermostat stops working after extended use and freezes everything. I have to switch it off for a few hours to reset. (and defrost!)

I spent over a year travelling around Australia with it and lost count of the number of people that had various types of Waeco fridges, who had similar issues. (no bad Engel stories, it was always a Waeco that failed!)

My (and others) advice is "DONT BUY A WAECO" or if you already did "Should have bought an Engel"

Great fridge when it has a decent controller fitted – I simply inserted a pair of Anderson plugs into the Waeco supplied power lead. I then made up another lead also with an Anderson plug, used the positive to power an STC-1000 linking from the 12 volt control in to the cooling in lead. I added an earth to the 12 volt in side and inserted the sensor supplied with STC-1000 into fridge compartment and… Read more

taped it in place along with a distant reading thermometer. ALL PARTS bought for a total of $40 from internet. Plugged in to 12 volts and control is set pointv +/- 1C, Ideal for transporting some very expensive medicines my uses. (try $10,00 per annum and you will see why I am so pleased.) Previously it had been repaired by the Waeco local repairer for $120 and three returns, to no effect. This set up allowed me to compare the fridge as it was and how it is now. We use it outback, bush and beach for up to three months a trip.

Pete

Been perfectly reliable, no complaints – I bought my CF50 about 5 years ago and it has never missed a beat. I have never turned it off other than to transfer it from the house to the car or caravan in that time. Yes, I use it as a permanent beer fridge. It works perfectly okay with factory supplied cord and it works no problems with the car's factory wiring, even when the car is… Read more

turned off. I've had no issues running it on the caravan battery or my little 38 A/H jump kit. Heck, I've even used it with a 120w solar panel hooked into the caravan / jump pack.

I read someone had an issue with the plug not connecting properly into the cigarette socket over rough terrain. Here is what the Waeco rep told me himself about that -

1) Believe it or not, there are varying sizes of cigarette socket. So if you are plugging it into your car and having issues it is most likely the socket. (This is true, try putting a cigar lighter from a Volkswagen into a Toyota and you will see what I mean)

2) Waecos have 2 types of socket on them pull that red bit of plastic off and it becomes a Narva socket. If you have the RAPS 36 Battery, you will notice it has 2 sockets on it. The smaller socket is the Narva type. Plug it in there and it won't rattle loose. Waeco also sell a wiring kit that can be installed into a vehicle that has this socket with it along with the recommended thickness of wiring (which is pretty heavy btw)

Waeco Power cords – Will cool/freeze under 240 V conditions, however the power leads are unsatisfactory (Mickey Mouse stuff and under amped that heat up), particularly under rugged conditions when connected to the Waeco power pack 36 battery - bouncing around on rough tracks, breaks the contact frequently, causing no charge. The box itself is great, its just the… Read more

power leads that do not carry the capacity of power needed. I had my Waeco leads spliced over with ENGEL leads (more contact and do not vibrate in the socket) by an Engel/Waeco service manager. He said, next time mate buy an ENGEL and get if right - sure cost more but!!!!

So, Waeco good box, how about connecting with high quality leads with 6 - 8 mm contacts - like ENGEL

Waeco/Engel Reps tell Waeco customers like me - Buy ENGEL nest time - a sad indicement.

Also, Waeco continually change the compressor componentry - cheaper & cheaper versions - Waeco reps conclude that is has caused a deterioration of quality of the overall product that does not compere/compete with Engel.

In summary - WAECO is a great box. That little fellow on your team who has gone Mickey Mouse on under powered leads & contacts should be sacked. I know of 6 people lined up outside Mt Isa service manager's office, alongside myself with Waeco power lead problems....hey no Engel probs

Dave - So what the go Waeco?

Fantastic fridge – Bought my cf50 second hand off a mate for $500 7/8 years ago and was out of warranty. This fridge has been everywhere and Iv chucked it in 4wd then shed and so forth hundreds of times and has never failed me. I'm surprised people have had so much trouble with there's.

dissapointed – have a 50 litre waeco cf 50 5year old nothing but problems , and has got to the stage im not fixing it any more . very disappointing as was told it was the way to go . spent 200 on if 4 months ago now service agent says another 240 to spend on compressor controller 2nd hand part . engel here I come . I aknowledge it is out of warranty.

Unreliable – Get real and don't waste my time, bought CF50 for trip around Aussie, need to again have it fixed. Digital top selector is locked on 2, top lid has broken again, transformer has been replaced, Thompson power plug has failed and replaced all at my expense. Warranty- haha there isn't one. Guess what my neighbour has had same trouble.

Two CF50s and two bad experiences – My first Waeco failed just out of warranty. I took it to an authorised repairer at Cleveland who charged me $460 but they did not fix the problem. After many phone calls and arguments Waeco generously offered me a new fridge for $500. Total cost to me of $960 but they wanted the old one. My hands were tied!. The replacement one is five months out… Read more

of warranty and does not get cold. I have been told by a service agent that it will cost $600 to have fixed. Both fridges have had very little use and have been treated with Kidd gloves.

I would not recommend a Waeco. The product is doubtful and service is pathetic.

I made the mistake of buying TWO! – I purchased two very power hungry Waeco CF50's with intention of running one as fridge and the other in freezer mode supposedly to save on ice purchases, to run in the rear of my dual cab with canopy. I have dedicated and correct wiring connected by Anderson Plug direct to my Thumper Extreme 110Amp/H with additional Thumper 44 Amp/H connected to… Read more

the Extreme and all charged by vehicle when running..this has proved inadequate and both fridges quickly run down this battery set-up when not driving/independent camping. Don't believe the fiction about claimed miserly.86Amp/H poer usage. The Extreme has a digital power draw display which shows actual draw of my CF50..on basic cooling is MINIMUM draw of 4.6Amp/H which increases considerably if set to freezing....in independent camping it rapidly depletes both battery set ups, and I am forced after only few days to resort to my 120W solar or Generator connected to 3 stage charger 10,000mA. to keep them running.

Also when the Thermister goes Kaputt,which it will, due to apparent built in obsolence and income generator for recommended Waeco repairers ,and your CF50 will only freeze and not cool and you first find out when it blows all your bottles stored inside as it unexpectedly freezes..Being just out of Warranty of course...I took to recommended repairer on our trip after Waeco 'helpline' said it would invariably be the 'Thermister'...I dropped it off and told repairer it was the Thermister..one week later while I'm waiting in this Town... he rings and says its the ""THERMISTER"" Dur!..and while it costs $20 odd for the part/Thermister, its obviously a well worn ruse and revenue raiser, that it costs $200 to insert...Dur!...and you get asked to pay for the quote to add to the absurdity...took the thing to the local tip, and bought an Engel..now have one of each until the Thermister goes on the remaining one...Waeco after sales repair service is poor...and when I rang them about my experience they recommended ANOTHER repairer.....I should have bought Engel in first place..

Love our Waeco's – We bought our first CF50 at about 2004. Following our first use, the fridge sat in our garage for about 3 years until we prepared it for a 2 month trip to the Cape. We ran it as a freezer for 1 month and then as a fridge, in the car in the heat and the unit kept our food perfectly cold. We were so happy with it we bought another CF50 which has… Read more

the digital, I much prefer the old fridge though, a few basic lights and very simple.

They are only used occasionally, so are stored, run and stored again.

On a 31 degree day, I connected our old CF50 up to a 130ah battery, put the empty fridge in the sun, attached a 120watt solar panel I was testing to the battery and ran it hard for 2 hours.

I did not take note of the power draw, but it got to -13.6 in two hours in the heat and empty....not bad I thought.

They are also somewhat weatherproof, ours has operated in the rain on a camping trip.

I would recommend the Waeco.

WAECO, you owe me – Had an engel for 20 years, we, suffered the poor insulation, it was the model that was built as a 30 Lt and had a base extention to 40, so, the cooling element did not go to the bottom of fridge, big mistake, said, I wont do that again. Bought the waco for round Aus trip. It would not fire up first time I turned it on! took it to local repair man… Read more

who said, put it in the queue! Told me the problem is in the buttons where they use a foam pellet instead of a return spring! solution, throw away buttons and use a match stick, It worked OK until I stopped checking it, then it always let me down! Would not cool under 11 degrees while traveling! The repair people around Aus cant understand my anger as it can always be fixed under warranty. But, like Toyota, and Cooper tyers, it is always my fault. Working in remote WA (where WA people would not dream of buying a localy made waeco fridge) I travelled 2500 Ks and spent over $2000 getting waco fixed over 2 months. Do you get what you pay for? Would risk buying a National Lunar if this waco did not owe me so much. PS After all the repairs it still does not work on 240 volts, the "MAN" in Newman WA said "Oh" you wanted that too?!!

Great Design rleliability and Service Seems to be a Problem – Purchased the fridge 3 years ago. Every now and again contents were not as cold as hey should be. Finally caught the compressor trying but unable to start. Dropped it off at the local agents who told me problem is not unusual. The agents have had it for two weeks and still not fixed. I am glad I wasn't travelling as I would have had to buy a new… Read more

fridge It is light. The digital thermistat and temperature gauge are nice features . It is also very quiet which in this case was a disadvantage. If it was noisier I may have heard the compressor trying to start Length of time for the repair

Terrible – i think i picked the wrong service agent but considering its age(3-4years)and little use and service issues im having why would you buy another one. it was ok when it was working. the fact that it wont work,the fact had to pay $110 to service agent for aquote.the fact have had no service for three weeks,went in person to be told dont know whats… Read more

wrong (display says er 2)im working on quite a few waecos out the back.the fact that waeco in wa does not have its own genuine repairer.

Terrible – When we looked at up grading our 32Ltr Engel to around a 40Ltr we looked at a 50Ltr Waeco (as price is an issue for me). After using a CF50 and a friends experience we brought the Engel MT45F this is why. The fridge has many problem to show them self there is a Poly fuse issue where the unit draw more than the fuse is rated to and there are a lot… Read more

that blew no power no go. Also the lids are useless if the lid is exsposed to heat or direct sun light it will deform. What is most anoying is the way that Waeco handel warranties. also they are a very thirsty unit on power consumption, when looking in the catalogue it said power draw of .86 amps an hour. running as a fridge I have been unable to get our friends anywhere near that mark. For a more accurate rate we found out the unit uses 3.75 amps per hour normal and 8 amps with the Turbo on (the new modle has auto turbo pitty if your saving battery power.). If you don't believe that turn one over and look at the plate on the bottom. Normally things come in 3's so now the control pad problem has been sorted hopefully the bugs will be iron out for this unit but I woun't hold my breath. It's one of the cheaper portable fridges on the market and you get what you pay for. build quality and reliability and after sales service from waeco, and it's thirst for power.

Shuts down – It shuts down running on 12 volt where car is turned off run s well when car running or on 240 v very good  Show reply