ARB's current range of fridges
Submitted: Wednesday, Dec 11, 2013 at 14:38
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Sevro
I know this topic has been covered in previous threads but that was in relation to ARB's earlier model fridges.
So has anyone got an opinion on ARB's current models. I'm tossing up between a ARB 47L with transit bag for $1199 as opposed to the 40L Engel 50Yr model with transit bag for $1299. Both fridges seem to have some advantage over the other whether it be size, price or reputation, but if anybody has either of these later model fridges and could share some of their thoughts it would be appreciated.
I was also looking at the Engel 39L combo??
Cheers
Sev
Reply By: Dennis Ellery - Wednesday, Dec 11, 2013 at 16:43
Wednesday, Dec 11, 2013 at 16:43
On a previous thread someone posted that the ARB was a rebadged Waeco.
I have both the CF40 Waeco and a 40L Engel running side by side in my 4WD.
The Engel is better value – about 30 precent of the space in the Waeco is useless and outside its evaporator zone whilst the Engel’s is 100 precent usable.
The Waeco is the first to stop when its air flow is restricted, the weather’s too hot or the battery’s getting a bit low.
If I had my time over again I would have 2 Engels.
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Reply By: Matthew G3 - Wednesday, Dec 11, 2013 at 17:34
Wednesday, Dec 11, 2013 at 17:34
Hi Sev
I have 50yr Engel it is the best fridge by them so far. I also have another engel 40 Platinum that I use as a freezer. The 50yr cools down quicker, but contrary to what they say it does use slightly more power on start up [up to 3.2amps start up, then run on 2.7 for a short time, couple of minutes then settles on 2.5 or less. The platinum spikes at 3 then down to 2.5 or less] running through a Baintech amp gauge.
I have cut the fly wire mesh out and got a couple of straps sown on for support, it lets air flow better. Plus on lid handle I got a groove cut into the lid cover so you can actually touch the lid handle for opening $25.
Nothing you buy is exactly what you want.
I got rid of my series 1 Waeco as it spiked at 3.9 amps then it would not start on a low battery. Don't know about the new ones as they are supposed to have a soft start on them.
Matt
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Reply By: HarryH - Wednesday, Dec 11, 2013 at 21:30
Wednesday, Dec 11, 2013 at 21:30
I've got a 47L ARB and love it, its obviously bigger than the 40L Engel and is definitely not a rebadged Waeco as your question isn't about the Waeco I won't give you my opinion of that brand. Regarding the ARB I like the internal space with the shelf for butter/fruit etc. its got an internal light, I love how you can rip the lid off if you want or just open as normal, I like how the refrigerator plate is integrated into the walls of the fridge so its very easy to hose out and and you don't get blood, mould, old food etc behind the refrigerator plate, it has a bung as
well for easy hose out. I also like the danfoss compressor which can be serviced by any refrigeration mechanic in the country- not that you should need it, I have not heard any horror stories with the newer ARB fridge.
The Engel is obviously a great fridge so its just a matter of which fridge has the features that suit you.
My good mate has a 40L Engel and rolled his ute in sand dunes, the Engel was a bit dented after rolling around in the back inside the cage but it still worked! so they're a tough fridge. Either fridge will not disappoint.
Good luck
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Follow Up By: Dennis Ellery - Wednesday, Dec 11, 2013 at 21:52
Wednesday, Dec 11, 2013 at 21:52
My experience with Waeco V Engel, with their 40 litre sizes, is that the Waeco has only 60% of the evaporator area of the Engel.
For example, within the effective cold area, you can fit 60 cans of beer in the 40 litre Engel and 38 cans in the Waeco CF 40
For cooling area capacity, or dollar’s value, one should be comparing a Waeco CF50 with a 40 litre Engel.
As they are made by the same company, it is probably the same for the ARB fridges.
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Follow Up By: Sevro - Wednesday, Dec 11, 2013 at 21:52
Wednesday, Dec 11, 2013 at 21:52
Thanks for the advice guys, with those few extra features as HarryH has pointed out I think I'll give the ARB fridge a go.
Cheers
Sev
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Follow Up By: HarryH - Wednesday, Dec 11, 2013 at 22:03
Wednesday, Dec 11, 2013 at 22:03
Not sure why we are talking about Waeco?? the only thing they have in common with ARB is where they're built not the build quality/specs/electrics/compressor or capacity. I give up.
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Follow Up By: Dennis Ellery - Thursday, Dec 12, 2013 at 12:26
Thursday, Dec 12, 2013 at 12:26
Hi Harry
An ARB publication that states that Engel used to manufacture the ARB and now they get Dometic ( the manufacturer of Waeco) to do it. When they used Engel it was the same internals – it will be the same with Dometic/Waeco.
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Follow Up By: HarryH - Thursday, Dec 12, 2013 at 19:18
Thursday, Dec 12, 2013 at 19:18
The old ARB fridge was exactly the same fridge as the engel except it had an ARB badge on it. The new ARB fridge is a completely different design to the Waeco in almost every way not just rebadged. The only similarity I can see is they are both manufactured by Dometic, i.e.build quality/specs/electrics/compressor and capacity are different, so no reason to say it will be the same at all in my view.
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Follow Up By: Dennis Ellery - Thursday, Dec 12, 2013 at 21:14
Thursday, Dec 12, 2013 at 21:14
Mate you don’t get a Rolls Royce out of a Holden factory.
The ARB is a Waeco with a new lid.
Another thing - Waeco and ARB fudge their figures and give misleading capacity ratings.
The Engel’s capacity is all cold space - 30 to 40% of the ARB and Waeco's internal space is outside the evaporator zone, which runs at about 10 degrees above the cold space. Not good use in my view.
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Follow Up By: HarryH - Thursday, Dec 12, 2013 at 22:22
Thursday, Dec 12, 2013 at 22:22
Absolute rubbish, but don't let the facts get in the way of a good story. It's almost as if you've never even seen a Waeco and ARB fridge- yep they're the same fridge except for the lid! SERIOUSLY? all I can say is WOW.
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Follow Up By: Brett H - Friday, Dec 13, 2013 at 08:39
Friday, Dec 13, 2013 at 08:39
Based on Dennis's comparisons of "Mate you don’t get a Rolls Royce out of a Holden factory" I guess he would buy a VW golf and claim it was a Bentley.
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Follow Up By: Dennis Ellery - Friday, Dec 13, 2013 at 12:21
Friday, Dec 13, 2013 at 12:21
Hi Brett,
Here is another one to confuse you – “You can’t make a silk purse out of a pig’s ear”.
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Follow Up By: TTTSA - Friday, Dec 13, 2013 at 13:42
Friday, Dec 13, 2013 at 13:42
The Chinese can!
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Follow Up By: HarryH - Friday, Dec 13, 2013 at 18:13
Friday, Dec 13, 2013 at 18:13
The Chinese can! lol
or you cant teach an old dog new tricks.
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