Which Fridge

ChrisSwart · Post by **ChrisSwart** » Wed Feb 16, 2011 1:40 pm

Hi all

I am in the process of designing a alu canopy for my IFS double cab. Part of the setup will be a camping fridge/freezer I am looking at something in the 50L range as space is a bit tight with all the equipment that needs to fit. Which fridge would u guys suggest?

I am looking for user oppinions with regards to Reliability, performance in hot weather, size ect.

If u have one of these fridges please give your oppinion/experience

thank you

OOOOMS · Post by **OOOOMS** » Wed Feb 16, 2011 1:42 pm

Hi Chris, I have a 52l WAECO and 100% happy with it for the last 5 years, not one day's trouble

Niel · Post by **Niel** » Wed Feb 16, 2011 2:29 pm

Agree with Mark Waeco 50 - will do the job and is smaller, 2 compartment fridge than the NL's

jan30 · Post by **jan30** » Wed Feb 16, 2011 2:32 pm

Nog iets om na te kyk

http://capetown.gumtree.co.za/c-Cars-Ve ... Z260622088" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Gunta · Post by **Gunta** » Wed Feb 16, 2011 2:49 pm

I am an Engel man. I have 2 x 40l for 8 years now and it works upside down too.

ChrisSwart · Post by **ChrisSwart** » Wed Feb 16, 2011 3:16 pm

jan30 wrote:Nog iets om na te kyk
http://capetown.gumtree.co.za/c-Cars-Ve ... Z260622088" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Not sure about the snowmaster. Has anyone had one for a while to coment on reliability?

OOOOMS · Post by **OOOOMS** » Wed Feb 16, 2011 3:20 pm

Chris, I also have a 95l Campmaster / pretty much the same as the Snowmaster, must say I am pretty impressed with it also, but use it for cooldrinks mainly

Post by **george** » Wed Feb 16, 2011 3:24 pm

I also have the Engel and it is tops.

I was at Andre in Mosselbay.His Engel was in the back of his van when it rolled.it was a bit damaged , but is still working.
The Engel only draws 2.8 amp.Which is quite good

OOOOMS · Post by **OOOOMS** » Wed Feb 16, 2011 3:25 pm

Gunta wrote:I am an Engel man. I have 2 x 40l for 8 years now and it works upside down too.

Have heard good reports about Engel also

OOOOMS · Post by **OOOOMS** » Wed Feb 16, 2011 3:26 pm

Only thing I dislike about the 40l Engel is does not have a 'fridge' compartment.

Post by **george** » Wed Feb 16, 2011 3:29 pm

OOOOMS wrote:Only thing I dislike about the 40l Engel is does not have a 'fridge' compartment.

You right Mark.Otherwise it would have been perfect.

Uys · Post by **Uys** » Wed Feb 16, 2011 3:31 pm

W-A-E-C-O

OOOOMS · Post by **OOOOMS** » Wed Feb 16, 2011 3:32 pm

george wrote:
OOOOMS wrote:Only thing I dislike about the 40l Engel is does not have a 'fridge' compartment.
You right Mark.Otherwise it would have been perfect.

Not all fridges have a 'fridge' compartment.......

Even on a 50l or so, the fridge compartment is very small, just out of interest...

Post by **george** » Wed Feb 16, 2011 3:47 pm

Mark how much amps does the Waeco draw?

Gunta · Post by **Gunta** » Wed Feb 16, 2011 4:10 pm

OOOOMS wrote:Only thing I dislike about the 40l Engel is does not have a 'fridge' compartment.

Thats Why I have 2 of them one for fridge and one for freezer.

OOOOMS · Post by **OOOOMS** » Wed Feb 16, 2011 4:23 pm

george wrote:Mark how much amps does the Waeco draw?

I have no idea and I am really unable to answer this....let me try and explain....

- The Amp draw on a compressor depends on the seize of the compressor / obviously
- The outside temp. will determine how many times the compressor will have to switch 'on' and 'off' per hour.
- What's in the fridge will also depend on how many times the fridge compressor switches on and off.
- The fridge bag will also effect the amount of times the fridge compressor is switched on.
- How many times you open the fridge door, will also affect the switching of the compressor
- The setting on the fridge ie 0deg or say -20deg will also have an impact
- In hotter conditions and colder conditions it will differ

Does it make sense?

Mr_B · Post by **Mr_B** » Wed Feb 16, 2011 4:27 pm

Gunta wrote:I am an Engel man. I have 2 x 40l for 8 years now and it works upside down too.

Yes we know you're an Engelsman!

Can you work upside down too?

Post by **george** » Wed Feb 16, 2011 4:28 pm

I was just wondering how much amps the compressor draw when it is running.
The duty cycle will depends on the factors you mention
Here is a little fridge shootout by ASPW.And before anyone shoots the guy

he is merely testing the amps when the compressor is running.

Mr_B · Post by **Mr_B** » Wed Feb 16, 2011 4:40 pm

Right... so... easy option really... Engel... cause it are made in Japan... like our favourite Toyota Hilux!

Gunta · Post by **Gunta** » Wed Feb 16, 2011 4:53 pm

Well that just proves the Engelsman upside down wins the race. Mr B, I dont have to much practice working upside down. Landy owners are very good at it and have that oil slick at the back of their shirt too from being under the vehicle for long periods of time.

Post by **cheetah** » Wed Feb 16, 2011 4:59 pm

Engel is one of the best, proven not to give problems, i got two power points in my load- bin. Two 40l engels is perfect for the job!

Post by **george** » Wed Feb 16, 2011 5:05 pm

Lets look at the pricing.
Witmamba is selling the Engel for R6500 (40 lt)
How much for the Waeco and NL?

Gertc · Post by **Gertc** » Wed Feb 16, 2011 5:16 pm

Any fridge with a Danfoss compressor. And the thicker the walls of the fridge the less power it will use and the longer it will stay cold.

Post by **cheetah** » Wed Feb 16, 2011 5:28 pm

Between Waeco 50l and Engel 40l which draws the lowest amps?

OOOOMS · Post by **OOOOMS** » Wed Feb 16, 2011 5:32 pm

Ek's nie seker of my meter Amps kan toets nie maar dis beslis iets wat ek kan probeer?

Post by **cheetah** » Wed Feb 16, 2011 5:52 pm

OOOOMS wrote:Ek's nie seker of my meter Amps kan toets nie maar dis beslis iets wat ek kan probeer?

Mark, dit sal gaaf wees as jy dit vir ons kan toets, ons wag in spanning, ek dink die uitslag sal baie interessant wees.

ChrisF · Post by **ChrisF** » Wed Feb 16, 2011 6:23 pm

Chris I am so dissapointed in this "bunch" .....

There is only ONE fridge for you !!

National Luna 50 liter Weekender TWIN.

It has a 40 liter fridge compartment and a 10 liter freezer compartment. Frozen meat and ice in the only and acrispy "cold one" in the other compartment. :)

Post by **george** » Wed Feb 16, 2011 6:33 pm

ChrisF wrote:Chris I am so dissapointed in this "bunch" .....

There is only ONE fridge for you !!

National Luna 50 liter Weekender TWIN.

It has a 40 liter fridge compartment and a 10 liter freezer compartment. Frozen meat and ice in the only and acrispy "cold one" in the other compartment. :)

How much do you pay for that convenience :wink2:

I was searching a bit on the Aussie forums and basically what I picked up is that the Engel,Waeco and NL are all great units.
The Engel can take more physical abuse and the others have more electrical goodies to protect your battery.

Gunta · Post by **Gunta** » Wed Feb 16, 2011 6:38 pm

I also have the covers with aluminium foil to keep the extra heat off my Engel.
IMHO the engel is robust, easy to use and priced right and has not given me an ounce of trouble.

Post by **Royco** » Wed Feb 16, 2011 6:57 pm

ChrisF wrote:Chris I am so dissapointed in this "bunch" .....

There is only ONE fridge for you !!

National Luna 50 liter Weekender TWIN.

It has a 40 liter fridge compartment and a 10 liter freezer compartment. Frozen meat and ice in the only and acrispy "cold one" in the other compartment. :)

ChrisF · Post by **ChrisF** » Wed Feb 16, 2011 7:59 pm

george wrote:
ChrisF wrote:Chris I am so dissapointed in this "bunch" .....

There is only ONE fridge for you !!

National Luna 50 liter Weekender TWIN.

It has a 40 liter fridge compartment and a 10 liter freezer compartment. Frozen meat and ice in the only and acrispy "cold one" in the other compartment. :)
How much do you pay for that convenience :wink2:

I was searching a bit on the Aussie forums and basically what I picked up is that the Engel,Waeco and NL are all great units.
The Engel can take more physical abuse and the others have more electrical goodies to protect your battery.

Brand - they are all pretty good

Features - Low volt cut out is a MUST. The dual compartment is the new standard, and I DO believe in a few years it will be the majority of sales.

Price - that weekender Twin has gone up 30% in the last year (from the special price we got it for). OUCH ! But then the other models are not that much cheaper either ...

as for an aus website saying an aus product is better than a SA product ....

ChrisSwart · Post by **ChrisSwart** » Thu Feb 17, 2011 7:52 am

Thanks all

Problem is I am not realy anny better off with all the advice (was always realy a race between Engel N L and Waeco) it seems the consensuss is that they are that they are all pretty good. It seems then that size versus internal volume will be the determining factor. Can annyone please be so kind to measure their 50L Waeco and Engel fridges external dimentions.

Niel · Post by **Niel** » Thu Feb 17, 2011 8:41 am

Will do so this evening if no one post

ChrisF · Post by **ChrisF** » Thu Feb 17, 2011 1:15 pm

Chris just do yourself ONE vafour !

BEFORE you buy confirm that the particular unit has low voltage cut out !!

ChrisSwart · Post by **ChrisSwart** » Thu Feb 17, 2011 2:15 pm

ChrisF wrote:Chris just do yourself ONE vafour !

BEFORE you buy confirm that the particular unit has low voltage cut out !!

Will look out for that thanks. I am also quite keen on the models that automatically ajust to a drop in AC current.

ChrisF · Post by **ChrisF** » Thu Feb 17, 2011 5:37 pm

Chris another thing you can look out for:

My fridge allows me to plug into 12V and 220V at THE SAME TIME. When the 220V falls away it automatically switch to 12V. And when the 220V is re-instated the 12V is automatically switched back off.

On some of the older models two power sources resulted in damage !!

Niel · Post by **Niel** » Fri Feb 18, 2011 12:00 am

ChrisSwart wrote:Can annyone please be so kind to measure their 50L Waeco

78 cm - w (handle to handle)
48 cm - h
37 cm - d

this is without the outer cover

warrenaken · Post by **warrenaken** » Fri Feb 18, 2011 8:16 am

Just my 2 cents worth, i have used all 3, the WAECO, NL and Engel. All more than once in botswana for a week at a time. so i guess you could say under realistic conditions.

The NL is great and has good insulation, but does come at a price and is heavier.
The Waeco is also good, lighter and cheaper (good bang for your buck i reckon).
Engel, i personally would not use again.

Problem is once you have used a fridge, the luxury becomes a necessity!

Post by **george** » Fri Feb 18, 2011 8:18 am

Hi Warren

Engel, i personally would not use again.

Can you share some more info on why you would not use the Engel again.
Cheers

OOOOMS · Post by **OOOOMS** » Fri Feb 18, 2011 8:20 am

george wrote:Hi Warren
Engel, i personally would not use again.
Can you share some more info on why you would not use the Engel again.
Cheers

It's a LR 'thing'

warrenaken · Post by **warrenaken** » Fri Feb 18, 2011 8:34 am

They cant be that bad Mark !!

It is just my opinion, i feel they rely on the compressor too much (swing type i believe??), and the insulation is not that good because of this. Total frozen it seems to heat back up to ambient much faster. Because of this i experienced greater variation in temperature through the day and trip. For example the NL will stay within lets say 7 degrees the whole trip while the Engel was about 20. This is not based on tests and science, just warm beer and defrosted meat. Maybe i had a dud, but that’s what i found.

Im sure they are good fridges as they are very popular and are still around, but maybe just need to be nursed and watched over more??

Gunta · Post by **Gunta** » Fri Feb 18, 2011 11:49 am

Warren, I have 2 engel 40l. I use one as a fridge and the other as a freezer. I camp at least 6 times a year and My mate has a 80l combo NL. He has had problems trying to keep to a certain temp. Having seen how his operates and mine I am still happy having two. I dont like the combos they may be practical but you also lose freezer space and if you are a family of 5 and going for three weeks you will not fit all your meat in a combo. If I was buying a fridge now I would by a 40l Engel for a freezer and a 60l Engel for a fridge.

Toyfan · Post by **Toyfan** » Fri Feb 18, 2011 2:08 pm

Hi guys, I am also at this point. I read about this topic on many forums and it appears this is one of those landy vs toy debates. I have now set my mind on the NL 50L weekender (not the twin). I figured that If I do weekend camping, I can freeze the meat at home and use the NL as a fridge at very cold but not freezing temp. The meat should then still be froozen or very cold by the end of the weekend. Should the occation arise to camp for very long periods then I will use the NL as a freezer and assisted it with a coolebox (extreme cooler). Just freeze some water bottles and pop into coolerbox. The coolerbox will then stock the regular items you need during the day. what you guys think?

ThysdJ · Post by **ThysdJ** » Fri Feb 18, 2011 2:33 pm

William, this works brilliantly for us too. it is also power saving as you dont open the fridge all the time to get drinks out etc etc...

SuidWes · Post by **SuidWes** » Fri Feb 18, 2011 2:56 pm

I would not buy a fridge for weekend camping :?

Post by **george** » Fri Feb 18, 2011 3:06 pm

SuidWes wrote:I would not buy a fridge for weekend camping :?

Agree with Jaco.I big Coleman with big ice blocs will keep your meat frozen for 3 days +

andrevt · Post by **andrevt** » Fri Feb 18, 2011 3:12 pm

ouens
ek gebruik nou al die afgelope paar n kellerman 60 ltre sonder probleme

Toyfan · Post by **Toyfan** » Fri Feb 18, 2011 3:54 pm

Also agree with Jaco.... but if you have it you must use it, even for home to keep the beers cold when busy with a braai.

We normally camp at the national parks and some have freezer facilities. We then just freeze the water bottles in their freezers and alternate to the extreme cooler from coleman. Problem comes when there is not freezer facilities. One year I had a very friendly campsite neighbour

that offered to freeze my bottles when they figured I had a cooler box. The freezer will solve my problem and it is super convenient

OOOOMS · Post by **OOOOMS** » Fri Feb 18, 2011 5:14 pm

Toyfan wrote:Also agree with Jaco.... but if you have it you must use it, even for home to keep the beers cold when busy with a braai.
We normally camp at the national parks and some have freezer facilities. We then just freeze the water bottles in their freezers and alternate to the extreme cooler from coleman. Problem comes when there is not freezer facilities. One year I had a very friendly campsite neighbour that offered to freeze my bottles when they figured I had a cooler box. The freezer will solve my problem and it is super convenient

Gents,

If you vacuum pack you meat there is no reason whatsoever to freeze your meat. Did 26 days in Namibia now Dec. Meat must just stay cool 0 deg. This also saves your battery lasting soooooo much longer

Frozen / unfrozen meat tastes yik anyway

ChrisF · Post by **ChrisF** » Fri Feb 18, 2011 6:33 pm

Toyfan wrote:Hi guys, I am also at this point. I read about this topic on many forums and it appears this is one of those landy vs toy debates. I have now set my mind on the NL 50L weekender (not the twin). I figured that If I do weekend camping, I can freeze the meat at home and use the NL as a fridge at very cold but not freezing temp. The meat should then still be froozen or very cold by the end of the weekend. Should the occation arise to camp for very long periods then I will use the NL as a freezer and assisted it with a coolebox (extreme cooler). Just freeze some water bottles and pop into coolerbox. The coolerbox will then stock the regular items you need during the day. what you guys think?

WRONG desision ! At least in my opnion .... It is just a matter of time before you want to do a "longer trip" .... then you are stuck with either a fridge or a freezer. When we did our home work, EVERYBODY with a single unit commented on how it is a shlep to keep frozen stuff frozen and the cold stuff cold .....

NOW IF you are only 2 or 3 people you really cant justify a fridge and a freezer ....

GUNTA makes a very validpoint - when FIVE people lives from a fridge a "dual unit" will be too small. BUT for the same token, two units is a total overkill for TWO people ! thus the final decision is largely dependant on your individual needs.

FUDGES · Post by **FUDGES** » Sat Feb 19, 2011 11:54 am

We had (still have) a 40l Engel for 4 years now and we are happy with it. We bought the 90l twin NL last month and only used it twice so far,me and wife just cant think how we did it for 4 years just with one fridge where you have either frozen beer or defrosted meat(we dont vacuum pack). So this new compartment fridge is heaven to us.

But again this is your own peronal decision and just keep in mind what you will be doing in the future.

yotaman · Post by **yotaman** » Sat Feb 19, 2011 2:34 pm

Oh what a question! - Engel of course! Engel = Hilux. Robust, simple, lowest amp draw of all - lasts a life time

Traveler · Post by **Traveler** » Sat Feb 19, 2011 4:13 pm

Had two snomasters, one in my trailer and one in the hilux. Both work very well with no hassle.

Thabogrobler · Post by **Thabogrobler** » Sat Feb 19, 2011 8:57 pm

Also happy with my Snomaster!

OOOOMS · Post by **OOOOMS** » Sat Feb 19, 2011 9:29 pm

Any idea why OW do not stock Engel any longer?

They now only stock NL, Waeco and some other fridge I have never heard of apparently.

Toyfan · Post by **Toyfan** » Sat Feb 19, 2011 9:53 pm

I would like to see some proper product technical testing by an independant body. A good example is DPreview for those of you guys that own camera's or would like to buy a new one. This way, prospective buyers will be more informed and I think we have that right. We will never know which of these products are better or best buys. Referring back to dpreview, these guys get products given to them to test and to compare with the competition. Now thats what we need.

Traveler · Post by **Traveler** » Sat Feb 19, 2011 10:55 pm

Interesting thing about Snomaster, they use the same size Danfoss Compressor on all fridges 60l and upwards, and that is the one they use on the 90l unit (as specced by other manufacturers as well). So you get plenty chilling capacity.

I know the unit they use in the 40l is same unit others spec for their 60l.

............. down side is that it is easy to freeze your tomatoes.

ChrisF · Post by **ChrisF** » Sun Feb 20, 2011 9:43 am

Toyfan wrote:I would like to see some proper product technical testing by an independant body. A good example is DPreview for those of you guys that own camera's or would like to buy a new one. This way, prospective buyers will be more informed and I think we have that right. We will never know which of these products are better or best buys. Referring back to dpreview, these guys get products given to them to test and to compare with the competition. Now thats what we need.

sales volumes ....

The SAME cameras are sold world wide, thus the volume of sales makes DPreview possible and practicle.

Fridges is a whole different ball game.

For starters, some of the fridges are imported, and many more are locally produced - with the SAME Danfos compressor !

The two big differences in "design" is the insulation and controls.

Now to make it even more interesting - a "bad" fridge will work better at the cool climate at the coast, then a "good" fridge in the middle of the summer in the desert.

So to get anything close to DPreview, you would have to "class" fridges to size. Then go test them all at different climates, WHILE controlling the heat load inside the fridge AND ensuring exactly the same batteries for each fridge. Make no mistake this is a seriously complex research project !!

SuidWes · Post by **SuidWes** » Sun Feb 20, 2011 11:47 am

I see Makro now sells Engel......

3 Blind Monkeys · Post by **3 Blind Monkeys** » Sun Feb 20, 2011 2:50 pm

Hi Guys, I have a 60l engel and love every moment I use it. The main reason I like it because of the height advantage you have on all the other fridges that's the similar size. I made my drawer system myself and fitted the fridge and the rest of the drawers to be exactly the same height as my tailgate so when I load my bakkie for that long trip you can still acess your fridge without having to unpack your whole bakkie. I also like the fact of the dual power at the same time, if we stop at a site where there is power we simply plug the fridge in and it runs on 220 without having to worry about unplugging the 12v.
My unit is a bit older thus it is one compartment, I pack the stuff that needs to be colder to the front of the fridge and the coldrinks to the back, I also took a piece of cardboard and slip it in between the two baskets when needed to split the temp, mainly freeze bottles overnight for the cooler box the next day on longer holidays and leave the fridge with the frozen stuff.
Next step is to buy a 40l and use that as a freezer.