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We first bought a 40 (actually think it was a 37lt back then) in the 70's. Trips to Fraser, Central Aust (incl 9 Simpson Crossings), Almost as many K's on it as the S3 it was fitted to (and that was over a million, was only removed for cleaning). Only failure was a broken basket and one elec part. It now sits in the back of the old mans D1 still going. Other friends we traveled with exclusively in all that time also still have theirs. There's nothing else I'd consider.
My 55l $500 delivered ebay special is still running great - currently in freezer mode at -19 degrees out in the camper. Power consumption is about the same as the published figures for a Waeco and I supposedly have a less efficient compressor - maybe it is because I have thicker insulation.
Dunno what all the fuss is about with the overpriced engels and waecos - most main parts or service on an engel costs more than my whole fridge
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Originally Posted by clubagreenie
Similar story to above......was actually a 39 litre we bought and paid high $400's for it back in 70's. It bounced around all over Oz on the tray and in the back of various rough riding four wheel drives that we travelled in over the next twenty five years. It never missed a beat, and worked extremely well. We decided while it was still working well we would sell it and update to a later 40 litre version. we advertised it in the local paper one saturday morning....it was sold before 9 am, for more than we ever purchased it for......and the guy who bought it still has it, and it's still going strong as it ever did.
As is our replacement.
Engels...they are expensive..but they do the job well.
Cheers, Mick.
I've heard good things about the newbarb fridges
Our 40 litre Engel just keeps going on and on.
A friend loves his Evakool 40 litre dual zone.
4 x 4 Australia has a good comparison of 8 fridges in its current issue.
I've had both Waeco and Engel.
The Waeco is a good fridge. I had it first, but it just wasn't built as strong as the Engel. The hinges were plastic, the slider for the temp adjustment wasn't sealed, the plastic in the plugs wasn't that good quality so things started to brake.
First off the electricity plug started to get dodgy because something knocked it. Not the fault of the Waeco, but something that could have been solved easily with a minor design change.
Then the hinge broke when someone closed it when it wasn't flush. As above, not the fault of the Waeco, but something that could have been solved easily with a minor design change and use of better materials.
The slider temp adjustment was always getting full of crap.. and guess what? could change it easily at the design stage.
.......so now I have an Engel. I got the Waeco because it was cheaper and 'did the same job'. It does... but if I'd just got the Engel, I could have saved myself a lot of money now.
Good luck to all the Engel and Waeco owners with your expensive fridges, I know they are great fridges but so is my Evakool Travelmate and at nearly half the price of the others same size fridge it takes a lot of beating and it comes with a cover. Also has a reversible lid that is flat with indents for drinks in it unlike a Waeco's.
Below is the link to the Evakool site:
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Personally I'd rather have two quality Evakool dual zone fridge/ freezers for the price of one of the other two. ;)
cheers,
Terry
The 40l Waeco I have, has a flat lid with drink indent holders.:o
It also has touch controls. freezes and heats. Has three safety setting so not to flatten your battery. Handles are very strong.
The thing I find with Waecos is when the power is off, it losses the cold inside very quickly. Unlike the Engels.
I think the plug issues have been fixed. But the small size female sockets fit together better. Noise from the fans seem to very from Waeco to Waeco.
Nothing wrong with the Waeco, but if I had to pick one for free, I'd go the metal Engel.
I think the ARB is a Waeco ?
Before deciding on what to buy make sure you check the physical size and compare it to where you intend using it.
I have two engels a Stainless 40 litre plus a 60 litre.
The 40 will not fit into my camper trailer as it is too high, 60 fits with about 1 cm to spare. The 60 in the back of my disco takes up too much room, the 40 being narrower and taller fits much better. (Fits sideways and leaves half the back free).
I havn't owned a waceo so can't comment on them, but both engels have been perfectly reliable.
from Marty.
My dad bought an Engel and a 3 way Chescold when I was little, the Engel went for just over 22yrs, rust finally claimed both of them, even after several paint jobs. The Engel was never repaired during it’s life, can’t say the same for the 3way.
We now all have Evacools (2 are over 10yrs), which have also not played up, only thing is to keep the condenser free of dust (Engel doesn’t have that problem). The thing I like about the Evacool is they are proper fibreglass icebox with a motor; Waeco will also sell you an insulation cover telling me they aren’t well insulated.