Engel 40 v 57 v 60 litre
Submitted: Thursday, Sep 20, 2007 at 09:02
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Member - Pixie
Good morning EO's
I was hoping for some advice from some people here.
I am considering the various Engel options and trying to decide on which will suit me best. In the past I have simply used eskys with ice (dry and block) so this is new to me.
I am looking for a fridge to suit 2 adults and 2
young children for a 3 month trip between
Brisbane and
Derby during winter next year. I will have a dual battery system and expect to be doing at least 3 hours driving each day. The fridge will also serve for other holidays over the years.
1. Big is better but it comes at a cost of weight, space, money and running power. Is a 57l (combo) or 60l fridge/freezer
Engel site an absolute must for 4 people (as opposed to a 40l?) Would a 40l suffice if used wisely? Is it a case of if the space (in the fridge) is there then it will get filled up?
2. the 40l fridges claim (maximum) 2.5amp power consumption vs 60l (and 57l combo) claim (maximum) 4.2amp consumption. I am assuming this is amp/hr but is it realistic? and does anybody have real life experience with the 2 different fridges and how they compare with energy consumption? Are these claims of power consumption realistic in real life application?
3. does anybody have any experience with the Engel combo (fridge/freezer) ? or is this just a gimick
I would be interested in people's thoughts. Particularly families that have been or are in this situation. Other than milk, butter, cheese, a couple of drinks and perhaps some meat I am really not sure what would be "essential" items for a fridge. I am sure I could fill up whatever space is available.
Thanks
Stu
Reply By: Kev M (QLD Bound) - Thursday, Sep 20, 2007 at 09:10
Thursday, Sep 20, 2007 at 09:10
Stu,
I recently upgraded from a 40l to a 60l Engel and I only did it for more room for non essential items (more beer).
I have a family of 4 (2 kids under 4 yr old) and I am certain that you could survive with a 40l and have found that with the bigger fridge you do tend to fill it up more.
Check E bay out to get one second hand as they are very hard to kill (I'll probably cop it for that LOL)
Cheers Kev
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AnswerID:
263100
Reply By: Member - Norm C (QLD) - Thursday, Sep 20, 2007 at 09:44
Thursday, Sep 20, 2007 at 09:44
Stu,
Whatever size fridge you have, you will find a way to fill it.
We are just 2 (wife and me) when we travel. We used to operate with a 70 litre Reefer (about 60 litre fridge and 10 litre freezer) and also carried an esky which we used after a stock up, particularly for fruit and veg or for drinks (fed with ice made in the Reefer freezer).
We recently changed to the Reefer and a 40 litre Engle. Now I know that's overkill in some respects, but we get off the beaten track and not able to
shop for 4 to 6 weeks at a time.
If you like a beer occasionally, or you like some cold water to drink when it's hot (as we do), I reckon you will struggle with 4 people and a 40 litre. But if you are prepared to operate on a minimalist basis you should get by.
I have not measured the power used by my 40 litre Engel, but it is bugger all. I suspect the specs are right. The 4.2 Amps quoted for the 60 litre is the power it _Affordable_Storage_Drawers.aspx when the compressor is running. If it runs for an hour it uses 4.2AH of power.
So, you'll survive fine with a 40 litre, but I think be more comfortable with a 60 litre. But the 60 litre takes more power and space. Guess I've just taken you back to the start point and haven't helped much at all.
Norm C
AnswerID:
263107
Reply By: Member - Duncs - Thursday, Sep 20, 2007 at 09:46
Thursday, Sep 20, 2007 at 09:46
We have travelled extensively with a family of 5. Most of our travelling was done using a 36l (approx) Chescold and an esky.
We upgraded to a 40l Engel when the Chescold died in
Alice Springs a few years ago. We can carry enough food including fresh meat to last the 5 of us 2 weeks easily. I usually carry 2 beers in the fridge and operate the 1 in 1 out. I am not a big drinker so this works
well for me.
I think if we had a bigger fridge we would fill it with more stuff that we don't really need in the fridge. The biggest problem I think would be that the fridge takes up the same amount of room full or empty. Even if you buy a slab you can break it up into 6packs and put them in those little spaces you inevitably find when packing for a trip.
Anyway thats what I think. I have a friend who uses a 90l fridge and carrys an esky as
well, just for 2 of them.
Duncs.
AnswerID:
263108
Reply By: drewab - Thursday, Sep 20, 2007 at 09:47
Thursday, Sep 20, 2007 at 09:47
Stu,
I have a 40l Engel and a family of 2 adults and 2 kids (4 & 2 yrs). I have found the Engel is enough for us. I always have 6 beers, 2 softies, fruit poppers, meat vac sealed ,3lt milk and other stuff. The fuller the better. It's a pain getting to stuff in the bottom but all fridges are the same. As I take a drink out I replace it with a new one. Works for us. Anything bigger takes up a lot of room and is heavy when full.
Cheers Drew
AnswerID:
263109
Reply By: Member - Olcoolone (S.A) - Thursday, Sep 20, 2007 at 10:45
Thursday, Sep 20, 2007 at 10:45
Hello Pixie, I can't comment much about the Engle fridges (we sell Waeco) except they are very good.
When we sell a fridge for a vehicle the most important thing is where in the vehicle is it going to fit, If you are going to use a slide then disregard this part.
If you are not using a slide make sure you can open the fridge lid fully, we sell the 50 Lt Waeco's to people who want a 60 Lt ones but when it is in there vehicle they can't open the lid because the 60 Lt is 100mm taller then the 50 Lt.
We also get alot of people wanting the 80 or 110 Lt ones and when asked how long do they go away for they say........3 to 4 days at the most, so again we sell them a smaller fridge that can be used more often...no good having a 70Lt fridge if it is only getting used once a year whereby with a 45 lt you might use it every month or more. (this is not applicable to all fridge owners)
Make sure you use the Engle cover on it as it will save your battery by insullating the fridge.
We use a 60 Lt in the Hilux and a 35 Lt in the Trak Shak camper trailer. ( a 40 Lt was too tall for the trailer by about 20mm)
Also
check the fridge for usable room, you may find you can use the room in a 40 more efficently then a 57 Lt or vise versa.
Chose your cold or frozen food more carefully and only take what is needed.
Regards Richard
AnswerID:
263122
Reply By: The Landy - Thursday, Sep 20, 2007 at 11:06
Thursday, Sep 20, 2007 at 11:06
Hi
Previously had a 40 Litre and now use the 60 litre. The extra 20 litres is useful. I wouldn't necessarily go the combo given you can use the fridge as a freezer in any case.
Good luck
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Member - Peter R (QLD) - Thursday, Sep 20, 2007 at 12:30
Thursday, Sep 20, 2007 at 12:30
Not trying to start a Waeco v Engle but the following is my Waeco 50 which I use as a fridge and a waeco 18 used as a freezer.
Both run off the one auxilliary Fullriver AGM 120 and both fit in snugly in back of Prado
Check out Waeco seconds
shop at
Gold Coast
Just something for you to consider.
Pedro
FollowupID:
524712
Reply By: Member - Mark H (VIC) - Thursday, Sep 20, 2007 at 12:39
Thursday, Sep 20, 2007 at 12:39
We're going through this at the moment as we're off for 6 months next year with 2 kids (6 & 9). Originally I was going for a big combo, 60-80 litres, but now looking at 2 smaller ones, one for the Prado and the other for the Track Shak. We plan on geeting away from the crowds as much as possible and want to be pretty self sufficient.
I've used a huge Icekool cooler box previously (150L) for 4-6 day stints at the one spot. Event though lots of space was lost due to ice, it was a shock to borrow the old mans 40 litre Engel for a 2 week trip mid-year. Yes we could probably get used to a smaller one but would rather the option of having the extra space and turning one off if needed.
There's no perfect answer i think, just trial and error till you find what works best for you.
Cheers,
Mark.
AnswerID:
263138
Reply By: Turbo Lux - Thursday, Sep 20, 2007 at 12:45
Thursday, Sep 20, 2007 at 12:45
I hav not read every respone above - however i would be buying two 40l engels, use one as normal fride for everday open and shut items and run the other as a freezer if you have to.
The advantage of the two smaller units are that you can use them seperatly when you are tight for space on small or quick trips. If one breaks you still have another fridge to use.
for 6 of us on
moreton island we used two 40l and a 32l, and stayed for 10 days. Heaps of food and drinks. Always COLD.
AnswerID:
263141
Follow Up By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Thursday, Sep 20, 2007 at 17:40
Thursday, Sep 20, 2007 at 17:40
I agree 100%. We own 2 engels.
It is more versatile, even if you only use one as a cooler for fruit and veg.
We're not a fan of frozen food - cryovac suits us.
And in years gone by, we used a 40litre engel for 4 kids and 2 adults.
FollowupID:
524764
Reply By: mark1970 - Thursday, Sep 20, 2007 at 12:49
Thursday, Sep 20, 2007 at 12:49
Stu,
We are a family of 4 with a 7 yr old and 9 yr old who do a annual 4 week trip (for the last 5 yrs).
We carry all our food for the 4 weeks including - vacuum packed meat, 8 cold beers, 8 cokes, long life milk in Litre plastic bottles, cold water and kids yoghurt in the fridge at any one time.
I find that initially the fridge is full, however after a week more room opens up.
Its all a compromise however if your planned extended period without
services is under 2 weeks I would stay with the 40lt version.
The 60Lt Trailblazer comes in at 36kg empty - therefore lifting it full is not an option,
Cheers,
Mark
AnswerID:
263143
Reply By: Prado Dave - Thursday, Sep 20, 2007 at 13:23
Thursday, Sep 20, 2007 at 13:23
G'day Stu,
On a slide in the LHS of the Prado, we have a 40 l Engel with a 21 l Two Zone on top. This combo can be used as bottom as freezer and top as frig, or bottom as frig and top as crisper. Can't open either section in car, hence the slide, which sits on top a drawer.
Drawer height was built so that the lid just clears the top of the open tailgate. 60 l Engel by itself has too big a footprint.
We are 2 adults and 3 kids, so sometimes the RHS 3rd row
seat is left in - to separate the warring parties!
Power comes from live Engel socket installed above jack housing on LHS.
Cheers,
Dave.
AnswerID:
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Reply By: Axel [ the real one ] - Thursday, Sep 20, 2007 at 18:55
Thursday, Sep 20, 2007 at 18:55
All depends on how much you want frozen and how much mothers milk [beer] you want cold at the end of a days travel , we use an 80lt Waeco fridge freezer for food and icecreams / ice for the G+T and a 15lt Engle for drinks , the more you have the more you will fill it and use it.
AnswerID:
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Reply By: Member - Pixie - Thursday, Sep 20, 2007 at 20:15
Thursday, Sep 20, 2007 at 20:15
Thank you very much for all the detailed and thoughtful responses. They have helped me alot and it would seem a good solution for me would be to go for the smaller fridge and be a bit more frugal with what I take.
If it turns out that I need more space then a second fridge or two-zone may be an option
All the contributions are very much appreciated.
Stu
AnswerID:
263222
Reply By: Derek from Affordable Batteries & Radiators - Thursday, Sep 20, 2007 at 21:12
Thursday, Sep 20, 2007 at 21:12
Hi Pixie
The Engel 40L and Combi 57 are both great fridges.
When designing our 52L Fridge / Freezer we combined the two to get a universal size to suit most families.
Have a look at all 3 units. Decide your budget and required space.
Regards
Derek.
AnswerID:
263237
Reply By: simon - Thursday, Sep 20, 2007 at 23:25
Thursday, Sep 20, 2007 at 23:25
I have a 40l and 60l engel i use the 40 most of the time as the 60 has a large foot print and is a pain to take in and out all the time.
I have found that the 40 uses about 50% less power than the 60.
I am thinking about selling the 60l because im just not using it anymore and its being used as a beer fridge (nothing wrong with that except i already have 2 beer fridges)
cheers
simon
AnswerID:
263250
Reply By: Sand Man (SA) - Friday, Sep 21, 2007 at 01:36
Friday, Sep 21, 2007 at 01:36
Stu,
As Axel mentioned above, it depends on your requirements.
How much "frozen" food do you wish to carry, as apposed to just keeping cool.
One other option not mentioned, is an "accessory" for the Engel fridge, called a "two Zone". This is a 21 litre extension for the 40 litre Engel fridge, made by a 3rd party Company. Simply remove the lid, add the extension and replace the lid on top to give you a 61 litre fridge, or fridge/freezer combination.
The fridge can be cranked up a little to provide a freezer space at the bottom and a fridge space at the top.
It will draw a little more power, but not as much as upgrading to a larger fridge.
Just another option to consider.
One advantage is that if you don't always require the extra capacity, you just do without the "Two Zone".
AnswerID:
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Reply By: Brew34.5(SA) - Friday, Sep 21, 2007 at 06:14
Friday, Sep 21, 2007 at 06:14
The bigger the better. We couldn't go any smaller than a 70 and there are only 2 of us. If i had my time again i would have gone a 110lt.
AnswerID:
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Reply By: Drew - Karratha - Friday, Sep 21, 2007 at 16:00
Friday, Sep 21, 2007 at 16:00
I have the 57l Engel Combi - It is great - but I dont like the cooling method for the fridge (it uses a fan to blow cool air into the fridge from the freezer instead of having the 'cooling things' (technical term) around the side of the fridge section). I think it would be better with seperate cooling systems and thermostats.
Otherwise it is fantastic!!!
Drew
AnswerID:
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Reply By: keepingitreal - Saturday, Sep 22, 2007 at 13:35
Saturday, Sep 22, 2007 at 13:35
We run a rural contracting business and use a 40L Engel as freezer, Usually at a base (not always) and a 80Lengel as fridge. Generally 2 of us. Has all fridge needed space and room for a few beers!! When both in vehicle ( dual Batteries) they do use a fair bit of power, not too bad though. If weather is very hot then look out for power consumption . Very Happy with both units. Also have a 40L Bushman which is also a fantastic little fridge/freezer. My 2 bobs worth
Regards
Keepingitreal
AnswerID:
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Reply By: Jimbo Vic - Saturday, Sep 22, 2007 at 15:32
Saturday, Sep 22, 2007 at 15:32
Stu,
IMHO 40 is nowhere near enough.
I would suggest you choose a bigger fridge and buy it based on the floorplan of the fridge rather than the brand.
The Engel combi has a fixed fridge and freezer compartment, that put me off. I chose the Waeco 80 because of its design that suits us. It has removeable dividers so that it can be run as a two compartment fridge/freezer or all fridge. Also the "dairy" compartment is great so that the lettuce and tomatoes don't get frozen.
There are many brands of fridge on the market and let's face it, they all keep stuff cold.
Check out which best suits your needs and budget.
There are a few brands out there with much better insulation than either Waeco or Engel, which is another consideration.
If you're going to be driving three hours a day (assumimg you have dual batteries) the power drain of a bigger fridge will not bother you.
ATB,
Jim.
AnswerID:
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Reply By: Ozboc - Saturday, Sep 22, 2007 at 22:24
Saturday, Sep 22, 2007 at 22:24
Sorry to hijack this thread - but an interesting topic could come from this -- some people mentioned that if you have the larger fridge you will find more stuff to fill it
NOW - my question is - would it be better to operate the fridge as full as possible presuming once the food is all the same temperature ( is in cold and usually happens during the travel when alternator is running) it will hold that temperature longer than a fridge that is half full of food and thus require less energy input to maintain temperature ....
Boc
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