Thread: Waeco vs Engel

I'll be different then ....

47L ARB. Perfect fit end on in the back of a D2. Low current draw. Good insulation (and have it covered with a transit bag/cover). It's lived in the back of the D2 for around 2yrs now, and I have not 1 complaint. I think it's a pretty decent product.

Uses the Danfoss BF-35 (?) variable speed compressor ... average amps over 2 days, with an ambient of 26-32deg C is 0.87A/Hr .... I've measured it and that is about what it does ... under extreme conditions when the compressor is running flat out, it can draw up to 5.7A ... under normal running it's around 3.8-4.5A .... but only cycles "on" on average for 10-15min every hour.

Originally Posted by Barney2803

Thanks everyone.

A couple more questions.

EvaKool have also advertised "Travel mate" which is like a Waeco/Engel plastic copy and their steel one which is very boxy.

Prices:
$449 for 55L boxy, $499 for 80L boxy one
$599 for 45L weaco/engel plastic
$699 for 60L waeco/engel plastic style.

anyone care to comment further? Are these boxy steel called "travel mate" ones really EvaKool or a cheap copy?

I had an el-cheapo fridge before and it was useless. I want to spend more and get quality. Are all the evakool quality units?

As I pointed out earlier in this thread you can just about buy two Evakool Travelmates for the same price as either same size Engel or Waeco.

You ask for a comment about are they any good?

Yes they are, we have a 60 litre one with the included cover and it works extremely well, it is now over two years old and has not missed a beat and we use it 24/7 at home as well as away camping.

I had in it the van the other day running at -12 degrees and it was only using about 2.2 amps on the cooling cycle as measured through the solar regulator.

Sorry I know nothing of the steel box ones.

cheers,
Terry

It's the Nikon cannon question, in my situations in very high temps and high humidity I am still eating my fish 3 months later, I would go with the big "E" every time.( sorry about the small c for Cannon, the wife is a Nikon nut).

Allan

I have a 40l engel bought new in 2001 plus a 29l engel, much older model, bought second-hand in about 2005. Neither has ever missed a beat and they seem indestructable, the 40l has done some of the roughest and hottest terrain in Oz, mounted in a leaf-sprung trailer.
Don't know whether it has been updated on the newer fridges, but the lack of thermostat control in the Engel is a drawback. A colleague bought a Waeco about 8 years ago and I was impressed that you could digitally enter a temperature setting, whereas on the Engel we have to turn the control up or down depending on ambient temp. If you have it high enough to keep cool on a hot day, it will freeze and spoil food (lettuce, tomatoes, fruit) when the temp drops at night. My wife has become very good at estimating the necessary setting.
Also the option of hinging the lid from the side or the end on the Waeco is handy- one of these days I'm going to get around to putting hinges on the side of our 40l engel, as it would suit my mounting position better.
Sure don't know how we ever camped without the fridge though, guess it was different when you could shoot fresh meat every few days.

Originally Posted by Barra1

Many of the previous comments would suggest the Engel is the "Defender" of Fridge/Freezers.

I had to get my 2010 Defender's air conditioning re-gassed. Waiting for summer to see if the leak is fixed.....

I have been borrowing my parents Waeco. I enjoyed frozen coke and tomatoes on the weekend. User error.

There is a fridge comparison in a recent 4wd Action.

Thanks everyone.

I've been researching nonstop and am down to two possibles and for various reasons all the others are not realistic for us:
-60L plastic (like Waeco) but travelmate/evakool brand for $740... Or....
-45L plastic Waeco for $700

Both these prices include delivery, insulating bag and 12/24/240V leads/converters.

We will use it to cart perishable groceries from the shops to home (20minute minimum) so we need something a little larger than just what we'd use for a weekend camping trip.

Added onto it I will be doing a dual battery system too, so some fun days are ahead!

Mmmm decisions decisions decisions and SWMBO is in full support as she is the grocery queen!

Sent from my iPhone using Forum Runner

I have a Waeco FC50 for the last 8 years. The first 3 years run 24/7 in our motorhome.
After that it runs on 240 transformer for 1 year 24/7
The problem that it have is the little circuit board that controls the temperature.
This board can be damaged easy by a small spyke on the line and then the unit runs as a deep freezer all the time.
The service people in Bundy told me that this problem was common. He removed the board and installed a knob with a sensor inside the box.
For the last 4 years the unit never let us down bu we use it twice a month for the shopping only.
What I like about the Waeco is that it is not noise.
My next unit will be a Trailblazer.

I would have said Engel, but then mine packed up a few days ago, and makes a buzzing noise instead of starting the compressor.

Is anyone on here good at repairing them? The local Engel seller (and supposedly repairer) says to replace it as the newer models draw fewer amps...