plastic engel vs traditional Engel? your experience please
Submitted: Thursday, Apr 10, 2014 at 08:43
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Member - bungarra (WA)
Hi all
Had accident with one of our Engels......got smashed in an vehicle accident..........will only purchase Engel but keen to hear the efficiency etc. of the plastic versions as against the traditional metal cases
price is less of an issue.....in other words if I save money at the expense of efficiency then I am not interested.......weight a minor consideration but worth a thought
so those than do know......is there a compromise in the plastic version any where or is simply cost of materials and durability....with same Engel reliability and efficiency as usual?
thanks in advance
Reply By: Tony H15 - Thursday, Apr 10, 2014 at 09:24
Thursday, Apr 10, 2014 at 09:24
It's an Engel. In the 40 litre series, the plastic Engel has a different motor which has a slightly higher current draw, Other than that, they are both very efficient.
AnswerID:
530219
Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Thursday, Apr 10, 2014 at 18:41
Thursday, Apr 10, 2014 at 18:41
Hi Tony
The MR40F has the exact same running gear as the normal metal cased Engel MT45FP
The only reason why there is only a very slight increase in power consumption is because it has 2 fans instead of 1 in the metal ones.
Cheers
Stephen
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813174
Follow Up By: Tony H15 - Friday, Apr 11, 2014 at 10:46
Friday, Apr 11, 2014 at 10:46
Your absolutely correct, the extra current draw is only .15 of an amp anyway - certainly not enough to worry about.
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Reply By: Rod W - Thursday, Apr 10, 2014 at 14:16
Thursday, Apr 10, 2014 at 14:16
I have had the Engel Eclipse (polypropylene) 38ltr capacity for a few years now. I used it once on a bush trip as I needed a bit more capacity. But other than that it sits in the shed (which in the summer gets b hot) keeping the beer cold 24/7 and it hasn't missed a beat.
AnswerID:
530236
Follow Up By: Rod W - Thursday, Apr 10, 2014 at 14:19
Thursday, Apr 10, 2014 at 14:19
But I also have a 39lt Autofridge and a 60lt ARB fridge both plastic and they haven't missed a beat.
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813145
Reply By: Iza B - Thursday, Apr 10, 2014 at 14:18
Thursday, Apr 10, 2014 at 14:18
Engel website says same swing motor as the MT45 series and gives same power consumption figures. I figure the only real difference is in the materials used and the different position of the hinges. I have not put one side by side with the metal case design to
test insulation performance. Mate has one of each and has not noticed any difference in performance; he just wanted the different hinge position to fit the back door arrangement in an XTrail.
I'm with you though, would be really hard to give any other brand a try given my experience with Engels.
Iza
AnswerID:
530237
Reply By: Tony H15 - Thursday, Apr 10, 2014 at 15:02
Thursday, Apr 10, 2014 at 15:02
When I was looking around for a fridge I narrowed it down to either an Engel or a Waeco. When asked, the dealer down the road wouldn't say which he thought best as he sold both; however, on leaving he said 'I see far fewer Engels than Waecos back for warranty repairs' - No brainer, I bought the Engel. Having said that I have since sold the Engel as it took up too much space, and bought a small Waeco. I have had no problems with either.
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Reply By: sweetwill - Thursday, Apr 10, 2014 at 17:17
Thursday, Apr 10, 2014 at 17:17
My engle is the old green metal one 29lt it is second hand "used by a trucker" for 34 years now I have had it for 2 years and it never mises a beat, end of story, cheers Bill.
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Reply By: Phil P - Thursday, Apr 10, 2014 at 20:08
Thursday, Apr 10, 2014 at 20:08
I had the metal Engel back in 2003 for 5 years. Then sold it when I sold my Patrol. Never had an issue with it. Recently purchased the plastic Engel. I actually prefer the plastic version because of the way the lid opens (suits my current fit out). Works the same as the original metal Engel.
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530263
Reply By: Ozrover - Friday, Apr 11, 2014 at 08:51
Friday, Apr 11, 2014 at 08:51
Bungarra,
I've got both the 40lt metal Engel approx. 9yo as
well as the 38lt plastic Engel approx. 5yo.
The metal one lives in the tray of my 78 series & the plastic one lives in back of the Mrs. 105 series shopping trolley.
The only issue that I had with either Engel was with the metal one a few years ago when a fitting came lose & it had to be re-gassed. Understandable when you consider the
places that I've taken it!
Both do the job
well but when I buy a new one it will be a new metal cased Engel.
Hope this helps.
AnswerID:
530282