EdgeStar Fridge/Freezer 43 qt

[corsair23]

I'd send Edgestar corporate a link to this thread...I got a fast response from them when I asked about developing a second basket that would fit into the big basket.

I think it is safe to say that at this point they are unlikely to sell another fridge/freezer to any RS member and "reviews" like this have a way of getting out to other forums (like MUD). Both Edgestar and Compactappliance.com have pretty much shot themselves in their own feet IMO with all of this...

You sell a portable fridge/freezer but NO WHERE is it mentioned that it won't work in 100F+ ambient temps? I'm almost 100% positive that is NOT on the websites anywhere nor in the weak manual that comes with the fridge/freezer. Compactappliance.com sells you an aftermarket extended warranty that based on Nakman's experiences so far is pretty much worthless?

Yeah, I'm not happy because even though my fridge seems to be ok for now, it appears I wasted money on a warranty that I bought specifically for the reasons of getting this POS fixed should something go wrong.

 

[corsair23]

Hugh? They list it under Travel Coolers on their site? How the hell are you going to travel with 12v other than by car? A horse with a battery strapped to the back?

and I quote from their site "this portable refrigerator freezer is great for boaters, campers, hunters, medical transportation/storage, recreational vehicles, cabins and all your outdoor applications. "

Let's hope no critical implant parts are being transported in one of these

Satchel....You need to call that IDIOT rep back and point him to this page: link

Tell him to scroll down to the reviews and then watch HIS OWN COMPANY'S REVIEW (which is OMG bad) that clearly shows the fridge being "tested" INSIDE OF A VEHICLE

Then point him to the Edgestar manual posted on the same page: link

Tell him to go to page 5 where he'll find this little ditty:

Proper Location

Position your portable freezer in a location where there is proper air circulation and electrical connections.

Keep the portable freezer away from heat and directsunlight if possible

This portable freezer is suitable for car use and camping however, the appliance should not be exposed to rain.

This portable freezer should not be placed in a built-in or recessed area. It is designed to be freestanding.

The normal operation of the freezer depends on heat radiation from the condenser. For the initial use, remove all packaging and allow at least 6” of room around the freezer.

Oh, and the ONLY mention in the manual regarding temperature that I can see is:

Note: Do not use the refrigerator-freezer as refrigerator when the ambient temperature is lower than 41°F

yeah...I'm

 

[wesintl]

yeah...I'm

Why, you took a gamble on a product that wasn't known or was known to be less superior than the competition

 

[satchel]

I don't feel like I took a gamble. I looked at all resources available and I had not seen any bad responses to this product. This thread alone did not have any negative feedback until my experience. It was cheaper, yes. But after looking at everyone's responses across the internet, I didn't feel that there was a lack of quality. Maybe I just haven't seen those threads that point out how much less superior the EdgeStar is to the others, but I feel like I did quite a bit of research.

 

[nakman]

...You sell a portable fridge/freezer but NO WHERE is it mentioned that it won't work in 100F+ ambient temps? I'm almost 100% positive that is NOT on the websites anywhere nor in the weak manual that comes with the fridge/freezer. Compactappliance.com sells you an aftermarket extended warranty that based on Nakman's experiences so far is pretty much worthless?

.

Had I seen that 100° thing I probably wouldn't have bought it.. but hey I'm in sales too, so I can understand the other side. I never thought this was going to be as good as an Engel or ARB.

The warranty isn't useless, I should be fully reimbursed once I line up a repair man... it's just not as easy as, say, Best Buy, where it's one phone call and they come to your house with a new one. The irony is I remember the Compact Appliance guy telling me to keep the box in case I needed to return it some day.. maybe he should have said keep it for 60 days.

 

[nakman]

I don't feel like I took a gamble. I looked at all resources available and I had not seen any bad responses to this product. This thread alone did not have any negative feedback until my experience. It was cheaper, yes. But after looking at everyone's responses across the internet, I didn't feel that there was a lack of quality. Maybe I just haven't seen those threads that point out how much less superior the EdgeStar is to the others, but I feel like I did quite a bit of research.

I did the same thing, I bought one based on the info available at the time.. but hey that's why we keep posting up, the whole community can live and learn a little, and I'm glad you posted up when you did. I'm also glad you were able to return yours, I'm sure you'll be psyched with the Engel or ARB, whichever you decide.

 

[sleeoffroad]

so now I'm on the hunt for a refrigerator repair man who can work on these, so I can submit his quote to Repair Master for approval... any recommendations?

I think his name is Nowoki Yu Kuler and he lives here

 

[corsair23]

Why, you took a gamble on a product that wasn't known or was known to be less superior than the competition

I don't think I took a gamble at all...I let Chris Davis and Marco do that

Seriously though...Until now the most negative thing that I have seen posted about these fridges is that they are more power hungry and not as "stable" with maintaing a specific temp as an Engel or others are. I could live with that based on my limited usage.

But had I read that Compactappliance.com doesn't suggest you use these in vehicles OR that they aren't designed to be used in temps above 100F OR that getting warranty service was going to be a pretty good challenge then I wouldn't have bought one. I would have stuck with the old ice in a cooler route like I had done for 20+ years. I didn't need something that would run for 8+ years non-stop or survive being in a roll over, getting rained on, whatever...I just needed something that would run for 1-2 months per year on camping trips and keep my $&^% cold

What do you think the chances are that an honest review that gives one of these fridges a 1 or 2 star rating would stay on the Compactappliance.com website? Nothing but glowing reviews there.

 

[satchel]

That's what's interesting. I posted a 2 star review on there last night and it still hasn't shown up. I gave it 2 stars because I honestly feel that the unit is probably a good unit and I just got a bad apple and I saw how well it was working the first week.

 

[corsair23]

I got a hold of Edge Star, no returns after 60 days... so now I'm on the hunt for a refrigerator repair man who can work on these, so I can submit his quote to Repair Master for approval... any recommendations?

Tim,

I don't know if they work on fridges per say but DTR fixed our flaky warranty replacement LG tv over a year ago and it is still going strong (although they did have to work on it twice). If it is an electronics issue then they might be able to help or maybe recommend a company that know that does good work.

 

[wesintl]

yeah but you have to be pretty cautious and know it's somewhat of a gamble when not many people in the community have one long enough to give a long term opinion. Not to mention it's $300-700+ less than the going rate for the Tried and true engels, arb's norcolds, National luna, waeco. I'm not trying to bust anyones balls but I guess i was kinda surprised. I'd would have just chalked it up to it was a gamble spending less would get me less of a product.

 

[nuclearlemon]

it is a gamble when buying a new product and it's disappointing when it doesn't work out. some gambles do...i bought two aussie lockers when they first came out, one for $99 and a few months later, one for $149. one of the best gambles out there. you live and learn....that's how life works, no biggie. the community is better off for your gamble.

couple more arguements for your next phone call with them.... so, it's a portable fridge, where else would you use it besides some sort of motor vehicle? it comes with a 12v plug, what uses 12v in the us besides some sort of motor vehicle. if by some freakish chance, you bought it for a back up in case you had a power failure at home, what would you do if the power failed on a 103 degree day?

fwiw, i love my waeco. it's not plugged in constantly, only when i need it, but it has worked great, and in turbo mode, cools quickly.

 

[Uncle Ben]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ARB-4x4-Accesories-Fridge-Freezer-47-liters-10800472-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem2a0956acbfQQitemZ180545301695#ht_717wt_1165

 

[rover67]

I got mine a while back thinking that if it did bite the dust early it was still worth it. Call it a gamble i dunno. At the time it was all I could justify spending on a fridge. So far still OK with it, but reading the issues worries me. I like the fridge alright still as it seems to work for what I need it to do. It does suck that others are having issues with theirs and makes me feel bad for promoting them at all..

 

[Caribou Sandstorm]

If you are heading over to Christo's, he probably has a pretty educated opinion on what he likes and why, as well.

Also if he has any left, the recent issue of the Overland Journal has an updated fridge review. Graham included a brand called "Whynter." It is the same unit as the Edgestar.

I also see the National Luna Ad in this issue of the Overland Journal and it states "The National Luna 40 liter Fridge/Freezer is guaranteed to maintain 0 degrees Fahrenheit interior, up to an outside temp of 115 degrees Fahrenheit."

So maybe there is something to my idea that the smaller units have an easier time maintaining desired temps....

Also the Edgestar and Whynter do have the preferred Danfoss compressor..

 

[corsair23]

So maybe there is something to my idea that the smaller units have an easier time maintaining desired temps....

I bet it does along with the construction of the fridge and its insulating properties...Just like putting a fridge bag around your fridge will help....

I'm thinking in the future I might look into a way to freeze some water in a flat rectangular shape to put at the bottom of the fridge to aid in the cooling needs during warm trips. I also really need to get my dual battery setup done

 

[Caribou Sandstorm]

yep me to, on the dual battery.

Hmm, maybe we should develop a bag or see if one Christo might have will work.

 

[nakman]

If you guys are going to freeze water and put them in a big container, why not just get a cooler? Would be a whole lot cheaper, lighter, far less power draw on your battery... heck I've got a freezer full of those little blue things, even have some gel ones with Winnie the Pooh and Lightning McQueen on it.

 

[Caribou Sandstorm]

I'll take the lightin McQueen one....

 

[corsair23]

Hard to argue with your logic Tim and I've been thinking the same thing

If my Edgestar dies, I'll probably do just that.