Time to buy new fridge

[GeorgeZ]

Hi all,

I have a 32 l engel that my Dad bought around 30 years ago. I have 5 in my family and need a bit more room so 40l seem to be the go for me. I thought I would invest in the latest 40 Engel but before I do I would like to ask who thinks what regarding fridges. I would prefer low current consumption and strength when it comes to corrigated roads. Waeco, chescold, Engel??? what is best? I have a dual battery setup and 2 more spare deep cycles I take with me. Who has the best deal in Melbourne at the moment?

TIA

[roverfj1200]

I am inpressed with my evakool its well built and easy to clean I hose it out...

http://www.evakool.com/

I think They are the best and made right here in OZ..<<<<

[Tote]

I picked up a waeco 50 Litre with a cover and a 32 amp battery for 1195.00. Apparently a special promotion for the smaller resellers.
Regards,
Tote

[aloa9061]

Mate,
We had on our fraser, cape york and simpson trips:

40 Engel
50 Waeco
60 Evacool

The evacool ran rings around the rest. (IOhave the waeco)

Pro's:

Good esky to start with
Movable freezer compartment
Goodtie down points
wide shallow works well. My 50 is good but I find you have a lot of not well used space on the top that you need to lie items on their side tofill the space.

Cons:
takes up more room
Motor extendsoput a bit (solved by buying 50 ltr)

my 2 c from practicle experience.
They all kep the beer cold. Evacool just better built than waeco and more practicle than both

[rangieman]

This is like asking which is the best 4WD and we all know the answer to that one :cool:

And thats why i own a 39 ltr engle fridge say no more if your dads has lasted 30 years :TakeABow:

Id like to see how many waecos are going in 30+ years and they are plastic:Rolling::Rolling:

[aloa9061]

I agree, I own one and although its been great it won't outlast an engel

I like the evacool forthe practical reasons above but as you pointed out this is opening the floodgates

[Camo]

Ive got the 60l Engel fridge/freezer. Had it for a few years now and runs like new. Was expensive at the time $1800 but like anything..you get what you pay for

Camo

[cookiesa]

This often comes up on lesser forums and the reality is they are all good. Choose which one is going to suit you the best. We have 3 kids and a 40L Waeco which we have had for just over 4 years. It lives in our vehicle (Last was a Jackaroo with Leaf back end) as we have a slide and so don't bother taking it out. We live in a hot area and it gets used regularly (most weeks we use it for the shopping if nothing else)

In hindsight I wish we had of gone a little larger (about 50L I think would be a good compromise)

The engel V waeco classic statement is they (waeco) haven't been around long... Well they ahve been making fridges since 1974 almost exclusively for mobile installations. Also worth checking out who the top automotive manaufacturers rely on.... yes waeco. The main killer of Engels is rust... Not likely to hapen to plastic.

I think whichever unit you buy it will serve you well. As others have said the evacool makes a great esky too! The catch is if you have a Discovery then space is already at a premium so they might not suit.

[weeds]

i think you have answered your own Q

the new engels draw less current than the older ones

i have an older type 32L around 10+ years old and a 2yo 40L, i run the 32L as a freezer or bulk vacuum seal meat and other long life stuff etc and the 40L for day to day use

for a moment there i thought your post was going to be that your engel had failed:(.........silly me its an engel:D;):p

[Handbrake hates Camping]

If you are going to get yourself another Engel, have a good look around. I managed to pick myself up a 40ltr with a Winter Pack last week (this pack was meant to finish up at the end of August) and it was $100 cheaper than anyware else with 100km of Bundy.

[LRHybrid100]

how about adding a twozone to the the Engel?

LRH

[Jezzaol]

Its worth taking alook at a National Luna Fridge, Made In South Africa, will out perform all the others hands down, But you pay for it !

[Mudnut]

Be careful when buying an Engel. I have my 2nd, as the first was stolen. The 40l is very NOISY!! I will never buy an other, as their customer service is appaling.:mad: Make sure you turn it on, and have a listen before you leave the store. Once you leave, it is your problem. I can hear mine in the Defender, whlile driving, and they say it is normal.... My last one I had to check to see if it was on.

Bee sure to check!

Ken

[Redback]

As good as Engels were, the newer ones aren't as good as the older Engels and the 40l Engel isn't 40l it's closer to 38l.

What i didn't like about the Engel was how much bigger they were and the gap between the cooling element and the fridge wall, the basket is very flimsey and they are bloody heavy, they also will suck your battery dead flat if you leave them on.

I got the 40l Waeco because of no gap between the cooling element and wall, it has a 3 stage battery protector and won't flatten your battery, it's lighter and is a true 40 litres, it also has a seperate dairy section and the basket is alot stronger.

Oh and NO i didn't buy the Waeco because it was cheaper:p

How long will it last, don't know, only time will tell, but after 18mths of running 24/7 in and out of the Disco, it's still going well.

Baz.

[Greylandy]

Mates in South-Africa reckon the National Luna outsells the Engel. They are well made with SS finish. The only problem is they are bulky. I believe Opposite Lock are now the AU resellers.

I've got a Waeco .. for the same price as an Engel 40l you can get a Waeco 60L. Might not last 30 years but for the next 10 years I will have an extra 12 cold beers :D

[waynep]

Waecos might be "plastic" but its pretty tough plastic.

[110county]

I got a waeco from these guys, they are all factory seconds but I couldnt work out where the blemishes were on mine anyway it has a lot more now. Their stock changes daily and deliver anywhere. Mine has been faultless for 2 years and used a lot, also very quiet as I sleep next to it in the car.

http://www.fridgeshop.com.au/products.asp?catId=6

I got a 50L and a bag for under $800, you cant beat that price.

Luke

[weeds]

(waeco) haven't been around long... Well they ahve been making fridges since 1974 almost exclusively for mobile installations. .

out of interest has anybody seen a waeco that is say 20yo


how about adding a twozone to the the Engel?
LRH

i looked at these for my 32, still undecided as i have 72L at the moment


The 40l is very NOISY!! I. I can hear mine in the Defender, whlile driving, and they say it is normal.... My last one I had to check to see if it was on.
Ken

yep i cannot hear my 40L, at least you know when it is cycling on and off, i cannot believe they will not replace it for you


As good as Engels were, the newer ones aren't as good as the older Engels and the 40l Engel isn't 40l it's closer to 38l.

What i didn't like about the Engel was how much bigger they were and the gap between the cooling element and the fridge wall, the basket is very flimsey and they are bloody heavy, they also will suck your battery dead flat if you leave them on.

I got the 40l Waeco because of no gap between the cooling element and wall, it has a 3 stage battery protector and won't flatten your battery, it's lighter and is a true 40 litres, it also has a seperate dairy section and the basket is alot stronger.

Oh and NO i didn't buy the Waeco because it was cheaper:p

How long will it last, don't know, only time will tell, but after 18mths of running 24/7 in and out of the Disco, it's still going well.

Baz.

some good points there Baz for the first time buyer...you forgot to mention changing the temp gauge battery in the engel which is a pain where mine is set up, the hinge lock is not standard.....


I got a waeco from these guys, they are all factory seconds but I couldnt work out where the blemishes were on mine anyway it has a lot more now. Their stock changes daily and deliver anywhere. Mine has been faultless for 2 years and used a lot, also very quiet as I sleep next to it in the car.

http://www.fridgeshop.com.au/products.asp?catId=6

I got a 50L and a bag for under $800, you cant beat that price.

Luke

my mate has brought a factory second and has had no problems

geez i have nearly talked myself into a waeco

nah will stick with my engel's

if i had the $$$ i would buy a trailblazer, bulky but i have plently of room in the defender

[waynep]

Wouldn't the compressor be the most likely component to fail in a fridge ?
Am I correct in assuming that the Evakool and most other locally made fridges use the same Danfoss compressor as in the Waecos ?
I think Engel use their own compressor.

[Redback]

Wouldn't the compressor be the most likely component to fail in a fridge ?
Am I correct in assuming that the Evakool and most other locally made fridges use the same Danfoss compressor as in the Waecos ?
I think Engel use their own compressor.

The Engel uses a Sawafuji compressor doesn't it:confused:

Baz.

[weeds]

i think both compressors are pretty bullet proof, when i was shopping with my dad for his engel we stopped in at the springers 12V shop and they had two waeco's in under warranty (they are a authorised repairer) for problems with the circuit board for the touch buttons/keypad thingy, they indicated this was the main problem with the waeco unit...good bunch of guys cause as soon as i asked if they could do a keener price on the engel they suggest we go to BCF:twisted: (god i hate this mob)as they could not match there buying power

the guys that i go camping with have had no problems with the fridges they have purchased, 2 x engels, 1 x waeco, 1 x ???? custom built jobbie and 1 x 3 way chestcold

no matter which of the leading brands you look at its a big investment which ever way you go so you need to be happy with you decision

no matter what brand you buy..if it fails you can always purchase an engel;):p

[numpty]

The Engel uses a Sawafuji compressor doesn't it:confused:

Baz.

Yes.

For what it's worth, I am happy with our 40L Engel. Love the Trailblazer, and they are as strong as. The new model Explorers seem to be alright as well.

[JamesH]

I love my Engel, 40ltr, it does make a noise when it cycles on. I believe the sawafuji swing engine is very efficient and draws little power. The compressor design is such that it maintains efficiency when not flat.

A fridge guru said stay away from the two zone conversion - a good idea in theory bad in practice.

Engels, more expensive, noisier, last for ever, a perfect partner for a Landrover.

A mate has a WAECO and a Nissan. When he fetches us a beer, the Defender owners make a point of commenting on something being wrong with the taste. Boys with their toys. He is happy with his WAECO and I'm sure it does the job well. But I was born to Engel.

[cookiesa]

Off the top here but I believe they originally started out building fridges/freezers for marine applications. (In particular the liesure sailing market)

somewhere around the early eighties I believe they got involved in automotive gear (I heard of them first through seeing many installations in cruising yachts, probably a harsher environment than what we subject them too (constantly damp salt air to start with, lousy wiring on most cruisers as a lot are done by the owner/builder, not very good enclosures etc etc but the fridges worked well. That's why I was happy to buy a Waeco when I got in to 4x4 touring

But as said above by others, which ever you get will serve you well, we have a disco and kids so space is always an issue and we just couldn't fit something like the evakool in.

[HSVRangie]

TRAIL BLAZER

Michael.

[EchiDna]

the trailblaza's look great... but a tad expensive no?

http://www.norcoast.com.au/

anyway from the above and previous reading, it seems most faults from NEWer engels and waecos are electronic related... by buying a trail blaza (yes it really is 'Blaza' and not 'Blazer') you dodge all the electronics and have the modern refridgeration equivalent of a 4BD1 :) - or an old mechanically controlled Engel...

[Chenz]

Have a Waeco 50 litre which has performed faultlessly. The good thing about them is the Danfos compressor which you can get at more locations than the Engel.

They all good while they are working

[p38arover]

I need an old Engel repaired. It runs but doesn't cool anymore.

Ron

[Redback]

I need an old Engel repaired. It runs but doesn't cool anymore.

Ron

Dunno if these compressors can be re-gased Ron, there's a mod at Arndell Park (spelling?) that re gas and reco 3 ways, but remember there name.

Edit found them

Alternate Gas Refrigeration

Unit 20/ 14 Holbeche Rd Arndell Park 2148....(02) 9672 1664

Baz.

[Datt]

Just picked up a 40L Engel that my fiance put on layby in August for my birthday. Came with all the winter deal equipment. Finally, I don't have to hit up the old man to borrow his when I go camping. Will be interesting to see how long the dual battery lasts now with the 40L as apposed to dad's 29L,

[GeorgeZ]

Hi Guys,

Does any one have one of these?

http://www.sidewinder.com.au/page159.html

Any good?

George

[Disco Steve]

I have a Downunder 35L. And its great. I dont need the same room cause its normally just me.

[303gunner]

Has anyone got/seen the new Engel Series II fridges with internal LED lights? THAT'S an idea that's long overdue. I wanna know if they can be retrofitted into an earlier Engel.

[Outback 1]

i used to drive interstate {melb-perth} if you ask most truckies engel is the way to go,lets see if the waecos are still going strong in another 20 years:o i have an engel

[Bigbjorn]

My bitch with both Engel & Waeco is the extraordinary price! I had an Engel in my trucking days like everybody else as they lived through the shaking on the roads and trucks of the day (1970's). I refuse to pay $1000 or more nowadays for a tiny refrigerator when I can buy a domestic refrigerator/freezer for not much more. Locally I can buy a name brand bar fridge/freezer for under $300, and a Chinese knock-off for $115 as of this week. I bought a name brand bar fridge/freezer at the Govt. auctions for $85, only two years old. Fit it with an inverter and a sprung mounting frame and you are hundreds in front.

[Slunnie]

Engel/Waeco. They're both fine and I'd bet they both last a long time just like a house fridge does, or indeed any other fridge. I was under the impression that the Danfross compressor is more efficient than the Sawafuji in the Engel though.

But, if you want something that has low power drain, the biggest difference is probably going to be in the fridge shell itself. I bought an EvaKool esky a few years ago (6 actually) and managed to travel for 3 weeks through the desert and come back with ice. Likewise over a week in the middle of summer on Fraser Island. These eskys are the ducks nuts so to speak. Based on this I found it hard to justify buying a fridge, but in the eternal pursuit to do things better I did, and bought the EvaKool fridge, which is basically the same shell as my Esky, but they stuffed a Danfross compressor into it. They wont come any more efficient than this baby.

But to be fair, they are not perfect. The shell is fibreglass and is something rubs on it, it will mark. And also the rubber lid locks on my particular one can at times be suceptable to damage from abuse.

[bazza]

We had a 50ltre Waeco for several years and it was fantastic. Sold it with the Pajero...

We have had a Bushman for several months now and couldn't be happier, it can change fron 35 to 42 ltrs with a lid change, this comes with it and you can buy an extender to bring it up to 50ltrs ( I think. )

Very quiet, digital control to minus 22, low draw etc...

Time will tell how good it is though.
Was $960-00 with 2 lids and cover.
Worth a thought.

Baz

[Dave110]

we've got a 56 lt explorer fridge (36 lt) and freezer (20 lt) had it for 5 years now brilliant!
expensive yes
big and bulky yes
the cats pajamas! yes
(put thay saying in the Aussie slang post)

[snwbrd]

I went the engel simply because we have always had them and they have always been great.

[weeds]

Has anyone got/seen the new Engel Series II fridges with internal LED lights? THAT'S an idea that's long overdue. I wanna know if they can be retrofitted into an earlier Engel.

no i haven't but i'm gunner go have a look, i have two that are in need of a light

[weeds]

good on them....they could have posted a pic on there website

the hinge lock should be a standard fittment i reckon

[Koukandowie Brangus]

good on them....they could have posted a pic on there website

the hinge lock should be a standard fittment i reckon

Has anyone got a picture of one of these as i never could get mine to work properly so turfed it. also i reckon the latches on the engle are average out here with the corrigations but a big strap around the top and bobs your uncle, been going ten years strong now.