OMG! Here we go.... Which fridge to buy :-)

DIXELL: refrigeration and air conditioning controllers - monitoring system

google is your friend :)



The controller makes or breaks the fridge... I've got 4 commerical fridges in the lab where I work (a bit like coke fridges you see in take away joints) and every one of em has gone way out of range at different times over the last year or so - replaced the controller with decent ones and no issues at all with rock solid temp regulation (cheap and nasty replaced item cost $30 each, quality and reliable replacements cost $200+). I know this because each fridge has a fully calibrated online monitoring system attached and the temp varies as much as 1 degree even with opening and closing all day by the lab staff... excellent way to upgrade a cheap fridge.

Had my Engel for 10 years, been all over the High Country, through the outback, 1000's of K's of corrugations, sub-zero to high 40's temps -

never missed a beat, never have to adjust the temperature setting, kind to my batteries, SWMBO loves it :D

I'd never consider anything else...

Also, it's a good drinks fridge at home!

Nathan

I bought a 39 ltr engel 10 years ago , A simpson trip and many a vic high country trips latter and still going as strong as my Defender ;)
I would,nt have anything else ,but thats my opinion only:cool:

ok slightly off topic, but close enough for government work IMHO.
Here is a curly question for you engel devotees...

if the same sized engel and norcoast trailblaza were the same price, would you still choose the poorly insulated engel over the well insulated, simple, no electronics trailblaza? (current models only need apply here!!)

I love engels, but I'm also a luddite (yes I admit it!) and avoiding electronics is the game in the heat and dust if you ask me, thus the trailblaza works for me, it's like the 4BD1 of the (currently sold) fridge world, alot like the old mustard coloured engels...

IMHO, if a fridge needs a bag to insulate it properly, the manufacturer is admitting the thing is under insulated. More insulation = more efficient.


hmmm.... maybe there is a market out there for re-boxing the new plastic engels into replacement boxes made from coolroom panels....

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Originally Posted by EchiDna

ok slightly off topic, but close enough for government work IMHO.
Here is a curly question for you engel devotees...

if the same sized engel and norcoast trailblaza were the same price, would you still choose the poorly insulated engel over the well insulated, simple, no electronics trailblaza? (current models only need apply here!!)

I love engels, but I'm also a luddite (yes I admit it!) and avoiding electronics is the game in the heat and dust if you ask me, thus the trailblaza works for me, it's like the 4BD1 of the (currently sold) fridge world, alot like the old mustard coloured engels...

IMHO, if a fridge needs a bag to insulate it properly, the manufacturer is admitting the thing is under insulated. More insulation = more efficient.


hmmm.... maybe there is a market out there for re-boxing the new plastic engels into replacement boxes made from coolroom panels....

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X2 my evakool/superkool never needed a bag........the Explorer is simular to a trailblazer as in marine grade alloy though ours is made in QLD....picked it up from the manufacturer not far from home...........realy nice people and customer service:D


Mrs ho har:angel:

I inherited an Engel from a mates estate so I sold my Autofridge as I did not need two fridges. Unfortunately the Engel in not in the same class as the Autofridge. I believe that the Autofridge now costs close to double an Engel price however when I bought mine there was only around $100 difference. I vote Autofridge.

I have a Supakool, now about 8 yrs old , works perfect, used it in a tray in 45+, freezes down , lots of corrugations etc. I had an engel which was ok but seemed to work hard. A mate had a supakool, and it ran a lot less than my engel. I changed and havent regretted it. It has twin compressor, and internal distribution fan , and plenty of insulation . I think they are Evakool now. I go with the comment about insulation bag, seems like a bodge to me as well . JMHO

Danfoss compressors are used by many manufacturers the rest comes down to differences in the insulation on the box and the material of the skins.

Oscillating speaker style compressors (swing motor) are only used by engle I believe, maybe that is what makes them reliable??

I went for the best value for money solution and got a factory second off the waeco site. 80 ltrs, fridge/freezer/dairy compartment all in the one unit.

If you have a good aux battery setup you should be fine with whatever you select. I think that this is the most important thing. I went on a trip Kimberley Gibb river road, tanami, simpson. about half way around the other vehicle on the trip lost all their meat (vacuum packed) as a result of only powering their fridge during the day while the vehicle was driven. A very popular and long standing brand defeated by poor power supply management.

If I bought another fridge I would a get a smaller unit as the 80 ltr is great but the size of it means that I don't get it out for day trips. The 80 is the thing for the longer trip, we had ice cream in the simpson as space was not an issue.

Had our Engel for about 10 years now, on some of the roughest roads in Aust, and in extreme head for extended periods. Looks a little worse for wear, but never missed a beat and still going strong.

Engel has my vote.....

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Originally Posted by weeds

a question re: noise, how noisey are the fans on weaco's in the still of the night

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They aren't too noisy Weeds. Just a gentle hum every now and then. About the same noise as a couple of fans in a computer.