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Pros
Adjustable capacity of 32, 45 or 52 litres.
Durable, reliable and energy efficient in all temperatures and conditions.
Widely praised by customers
Cons
Pricier than similarly-sized alternatives
- Verified purchase
People up in Darwin put me onto this fridge
We have only just purchased the Bushman recently but have it in the house as a second fridge at the moment. We have it running continuously with drinks and vegetables in it mainly.
We are going travelling in a few weeks and also next year and this will become our fridge in our travels.
The way the fridge is configured to provide different volumes is a really good feature.
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Review collected in partnership with Bushman Fridges
tom.redcamaAlbany, Western Australia
- 6 reviews
- 4 likes
It took Years to find it.
I wish I had purchased this years ago. Have tried several well known brands over a couple of decades. All failed to completely fulfill my requirements for a freezer/fridge. This unit is well insulated, extremely quiet, easy on the power, and it works very well. Have only used as a freezer so far, but overnight it froze solid a butterfly leg of lamb and six chops from warm. The caravan internal temperature got up to 29 deg C and the unit didn’t falter. I am predicting when using in the tropics it will be just as good. The internal area is ...Read more
almost square making packing goods easier in that they fit better than in a rectangle. The basket is a bonus in the freezer for the quick grab of tonight’s meal. I am very happy with the purchase. Highly recommended.Similar opinion? Write a review on ieatwords.com.au!
SteveGold Coast
I’m a big fan
Like all my purchases I read a lot of reviews before parting with my hard earned cash. The reviews narrowed my choice down to three or so. What made me choose Bushman? Versatility, reliability, and efficiency. First trip was a week camping at Woody Head. The fridge was running off a battery that would no longer turn over my diesel and was being recharged by a 160W solar panel. The weather was cloudy nearly every day so not a lot of power being generated for a dodgy battery. Will the fridge shut down through lack of voltage? Didn’t have a proble...Read more
m. I put it down to the fact that it draws so little power. A couple of times I thought it had stopped because I couldn’t here it running. It is very quiet even when the compressor is running. The fridge has lived up to all the reviews I read. So good to see an Aussie brand matching it with the big names. Looking forward to a Fraser Island trip where I will be using the full 52ltr capacity.Similar opinion? Write a review on ieatwords.com.au!
Find out how Bushman Original SC35-52 compares to other Portable Fridges / Freezers
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- Verified purchase
Very confident with this purchase
I decided to purchase this 35-52 ltr Bushman fridge as previously owning two Waeco CF50 fridges which when new where ok but I needed a fridge with a lower power draw but also wanted versatility in fridge freezer temperatures control. Luckily I have a work colleague who recommended the Bushman's fridge and let me test it at home. All the current draw results I hoped for where excellent in ideal conditions on my balcony in a Brisbane winter, so off I went to Snowy's in Brendale and purchased one. I replaced the cigarette plug with an Anderson plu...Read more
g as my connection in the cab is 6mm cable to Anderson. I Ran it for one week at -5 with pre frozen gel packs in the base 1 bottle of sparkling wine and six 500ml tins of beer in the middle basket. The current draw was around 16 amps in an average 16 degrees which I thought was good but expected a bit lower. A week later took the fridge to Fraser Island in extraordinary warm temps and kept the fridge running off the dual battery inside the dual cab due to Dingo's everywhere! The average current draw still around 16 amps and very warm inside the cab. Unbelievable as used as freezer and fridge for 7 nights. 200 watt Korr Lighting solar panel good weather conditions the 105 amp battery was fully charged by 11am every morning. Could not be happier with my purchase, just buy the best you won't regret it! Moreton Island 12 nights here we comeSimilar opinion? Write a review on ieatwords.com.au!
Chris PatonCloncurry
- Verified purchase
Money well spent
We have used it as a fridge with all expansion lid and collars and it's excellent. We currently use it as a freezer and it is perfect. If you use the full size things in the very top most basket don't quite freeze. We have found this with other portable fridges also. It is quiet and doesn't use much of our battery, a fantastic and reliable product. The company is excellent to deal with, and where others couldn't they would bend over backwards to get it to us (outback Australia) and did it right away. We use our fridge in 40 to 45 degrees throughout the hot parts of the year with no problems or struggles. Totally recommend.
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Review collected in partnership with Bushman Fridges
- Verified purchase
review
works well, only negative is the 240v - 12v lead setup.works well, only negative is the 240v - 12v lead setup.works well, only negative is the 240v - 12v lead setup.works well, only negative is the 240v - 12v lead setup.works well, only negative is the 240v - 12v lead setup.
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Review collected in partnership with Bushman Fridges
Bounced over half the country
Our Bushman has lived in the back of our 4WD ever since we purchased it in 2013 after failed Waeco’s and an Engel.
In the time it has done two tips to the cape including the OTT.
4 trips to the Big Red Bash in Birdsville. Our most recent trip inluded over 3000km of seriously corrugated roads yet the bushman did not seem phased by it all.
Without a doubt the most reliable fridge I have ever owned.
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should have bought one years ago
we have had our bushman 52 litre fridge for under 12 months but love how versatile it is for free camping. we have almost finished our west Australia adventure and it didnt miss a beat over the 4 weeks we were away.
We use it in the back of the ute connected to a anderson plug and a dedicated battery. We made a special wooden frame to prevent movement in the back of the ute and to contain the battery.
Recently we have been unable to use the fridge for some months so will let you all know how it did being ignored for about 8 months in the shed next time we post.
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NormoJurien Bay
- 8 reviews
- 3 likes
Bushman simply amazing.
I purchased the Bushman fridge to replace my old Waeco fridge which is still going strong. The Bushman is a bit like a Transformer with different lids and collar. I love the baskets they make access so easy, no more rummaging around simply remove the basket/s to get at what is needed. Mine came with a slightly damaged main basket a a dodgy clip. One call to Bushman head office, problem solved, parts in the mail, no questions asked. Fantastic public relations excercise. I also purchased the heavier Bushman cable with an Anderson plug, I would re...Read more
commend this accessory to all Bushman owners. This fridge does not use much power (Set at minus 5) and it keeps food and drink nice and cold. I even used the bottom section as a freezer. It did need to be reset at one stage 40 degrees plus for seven days at Exmouth, the display was flashing, read the manual insert in my case a cut off fish hook into the reset hole and off it goes back to normal. Great fridge, great support, I think I will buy another for the camper trailer. Well done Bushman.Similar opinion? Write a review on ieatwords.com.au!
Find out how Bushman Original SC35-52 compares to other Portable Fridges / Freezers
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Great unit and the best service.
have had the unit in our boat for years with no trouble at all. when used at home this week the 240v converter thing e blew, the manufacture offered a replace at reduced price (without me asking).
not only an excellent unit but unbeatable service.
the great feature is being able to change the size so when we go for the day its small capacity and large for longer periods on the water.
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Gary JESSUPGippsland, VIC
- 4 reviews
Long lasting awesome fridge
I purchased my original Bushman fridge in 2003 at the 4wd show in Melbourne, it ran constantly in my Troopcarrier and shed until 2014 when the evaporator plate separated from the cooling lines.
This happened a week before a trip so I bought a new Bushman.
When I returned from the trip I had the old fridge repaired at a cost of $250.
I now use the old fridge in my shed as a beer fridge, it runs 24/7 and is still doing as good a job as the day I got it.
Bushman is the only fridge I would recommend, price service and reliability is all #1.
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Golden BearSouth East Queensland, QLD
- 4 reviews
- 1 like
Would be lost without it
We have owned this unit for more than 5 years and it was recommended to us by our camper trailer manufacturer upon purchase of the camper trailer
We love the fridge as it operates well and it’s easy enough to run via a variety of different means and maintains temperature even during 44degrees days
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Fantastic. wish i had bought one 30 years ago
Works a treat and love the different basket levels. I think my missus loves it more than me. We use it on our bush block connected to a 135A deep cycle with 120w solar without any problem. My son says its heaps quieter than his well known other brand of the same size without the added bits.
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DenisSouth East Queensland, QLD
- 2 reviews
Top quality fridge.
I bought it around 2007. It has never let me down and the after sales service is second to none. It's done over 200,000 road kilometres without a hitch. A small problem 7 years ago with the transformer was fixed. I was given the latest model tranny as well as the latest digital control panel, plus a heavy duty lead. How much? Nothing! Unbelievably good service.
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Perfect fridge for camping and touring
We bought this bushman because it is far better and more versatile and usable than other convential fridges
we went to the factory to buy it and paul was so helpful and demonstrated how best to use it they were really great
we took the fridge away for a long holiday plugged in to the back of our van and it worked perfectly cant reccommend it enough
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Find out how Bushman Original SC35-52 compares to other Portable Fridges / Freezers
Know better, choose better.
DomSouth East Queensland, QLD
- 26 reviews
Great design. Brilliant customer service from Bushman.
Terrific fridge, we can highly recommend the Bushman. Equally as impressive as the fridge itself is the customer service from Bushman (DP Refrigeration based in Melbourne). I researched fridges for months, and called Bushman a few times with questions and spoke directly with Paul or Gary Kottmann who own the company and designed the fridge 20 plus years ago. Their customer service is exceptional.
There are other good brands of fridge, I'm not a Ford vs Holden kind of guy. In this review I point out a few features that I think Bushman do b...Read more
1 comment
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Rickshepparton
what a great product!
First review I have ever written but while looking at there website I couldn't resist. I have had mine for as long as I can remember. Had a few panels replaced and because of the service this wasn't a issue. Mine has lived in my 4x4 all its life and has a few battle scars but works a treat. I am currently looking at another one for a second vehicle and I wouldn't even look elsewhere. Thanks to the team and up the customer service.
Cheers Rick
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The Night before Christmas
Well not exactly but just filled up the Bushman to the brim with freshly portioned Raw & Fresh mince from East Coast Dogs for my "Fur Baby" because we are heading up North on the night of the 24th December and won't be back for about 3 weeks! Turn it on and it don't sound right! A quick search and call to Bushman in Melbourne and they talked me through removing the 5 S/S screws and sure enough totally corroded from the old batteries! They have promised to pop a new circuit board into the express post and we are hoping we get it by Friday. Just wanted to say thanks for answering the phone after 5pm and helping over the phone!
1 comment
Update on "The Night before Christmas"
So these guys close at 5:00pm yet still answer the phone after 5pm and then managed to get the new circuit board into an express post bag and rushed it to an Aus... Read more
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20 years old
Just had a new panel sent to me and I put it in first bit off work done on it in 20 years, the service the best, part Sent over night, works great and service on the phone all so to the point and very helpful, again thanks Brett
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Fred Nerk
- 4 reviews
Great investment
I absolutely love this fridge. Mine is about 5 years old now. The versality of the various size combinations using the included collars and lids is great, no collar and flat lid if you need space in the back of the car or colllars and high lid if you need more space in the fridge. Tough and easy to get at, the basket options inside are also very flexible. Recently I had a problem with the on/off switch getting a bit dodgy. I called the company to ask if I could just buy a new control unit with switches as I knew it was out of warranty. No...Read more
questions the guy just said that shouldn’t have failed what’s your address I will send you a new one no charge. It arrived a couple of days later with clear instructions and I swapped it out in 5 minutes with zero technical skills. All working perfectly again. Great customer service and they deserve their reputation for standing behind their products.Similar opinion? Write a review on ieatwords.com.au!
Questions & Answers
Peter Steffanoniasked
how good is it as a freezer
1 answer
Bushman FridgesBushman Fridges
Hi Peter,
Works excellent as a freezer in 35L or 45L configuration.
Hopefully you will get an answer from some customers too.
Let me know if you have any other queries.
Cheers,
Tom.
Justinasked
Gday, had this fridge for years and hasn't missed a beat, till now the power light is on and displays the current temp but the compressor won't kick in at all, suggestions?
3 answers
Hi Justin, I also have owned mine for years and the exact same thing happened yesterday. Compressor won’t kick in but it is displaying the temp. I’m a sparky by trade, checked the connections to the controller/module next to the compressor and they were all good.
Dc supply was reading 13.3v from the car and also tried 240v supply and had 13.6v at the fridge from the transformer.
Not sure what is going on...
Must be thermostat
Bushman FridgesBushman Fridges
Hi Guys,
Check the incoming current on the back of the control panel. This needs to be done at the exact second the compressor tries to start. If it drops below 11V for an instance the compressor will try to start then stop.
If the current is good, try the toggle switch on the back of the control panel. If you switch it to ON, does the compressor run continuously? If so, you will need to replace the thermostat. Either way once you have done this, give us a call 03 9437 0737 and we can work out what to do next.
Thanks, Tom. BUSHMAN.
Janeasked
What is the max Watts for the Bushman Fridge SC35. I'm looking to run it on a generator and currently doing homework before I purchase either. Also what is the best way to link the fridge to a generator. Looking to buy a Yamaha Inverter generator.
1 answer
Bushman FridgesBushman Fridges
Hi Jane, The Original Bushman Fridge will draw maximum 60watts when it first starts. The wattage will drop over time as the compressor speed reduces. Most often customers would run the fridge from a 12V battery and use a smart charger to maintain the battery from the generator. This way you will not need to run the generator all the time.
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Dom
Update January 2020.
Bushman's Service is incredible. We've had our fridge since 2016. For about 6 months the control panel was playing up, the temperature control buttons would not adjust the set ... Read more
temperature up and down without some fiddling around. The fridge still ran perfectly though. I got in touch with Bushman via email in the first week of January 2020 to sort the problem, not expecting anyone to get in touch because they might be on holidays.