Time to buy new fridge

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

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Originally Posted by Redback

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

Baz.

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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.

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.

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.

TRAIL BLAZER

Michael.

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...

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

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

Ron

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Originally Posted by p38arover

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

Ron

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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.

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,