Engel question

Gday
My Engel is 18 this year and if the battery power is there , it works the same today as it did when it was purchased 18 years ago
I just went and checked, my Engel has turned into a Waeco .You wouldnt read about things like that ,

Seeing they all use the same technology, all the ones with same oscillating compressor will use it at the same rate.
The larger units have a larger compressor and use power a bit more, but all at the same rate.
When each of them are on, they are on and the rate remains the same.

How long they run for is a different concept though. Many variables there.
Perhaps the question should ask those who own both old and newer.
Older Engels are still in use and therefore most people didn't buy a new one and won't know any difference exists.

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The 'old' Engels had a little higher running current than the equivalent newer models. I could dig out the numbers but can't be bothered.

The newer models also seem to use a bit less watt-hours , probably due to improved insulation.

So yes, there is a noticeable improvement.

old 4.5 amps the new about 2.5 amps, old will last forever the new not so long

I had an Engel 40l 1977 model , it chewed 6amps while working, a fair bit I thought. I bought a 32l model a few months back, it draws 2.8 - 3 amps while working, so there is a fair bit of difference. Why the difference in power consumption, for the similar type compressor motor I don't know. The 40l has recently deceased so I will happily replace it with the new 40l Engel.

There is no science or testing involved but my 70s Engel seems to cycle more than the newish one. But it also is noisier so maybe I just hear it more often.

As long as I remember the old one doesn’t have a low voltage cut out (it flattened an aux battery once) happy to use either.

I’ve got 3 Engle’s an old 1978 one (hang on its younger than Me & I don't think I’m old ) one from 1990 & one from 2014 & they all work well (just like me LOL) The oldest one is a lot nosier & does use a more power over 48hrs but they did have a larger amp usage then & then again I use to eat & drink a lot more then too, but the oldest one has had a few seals changed & is a lot rougher than the new models, hang on that's me too. Me & that old one have a lot in common no wonder I can't bear to get rid of it, it out lasted a few girlfriends, the ex-Mrs, shared a lot of trips, but I must say I have retired it from most trips. It stills gets a run now & again but mostly she sits in the shed hopping it’s not going to see another dirt dusty rd & just thrown on the back of the ute awaiting an air hosing so it can breathe again
But to answer your question not a lot of difference & if you looked back it was heavy on battery power then, but batteries have come a long way since I brought my first Engle & now if I run them all side by side with the same type of battery yes the oldest will use more power but it also has seen a hard life

Thanks for all the replies so over all better on power which has improved over time and it seems that better insulation would contribute to them being more efficient as well.

Hi, has anyone replaced mounts on the really old ones to stop the rattles? also how do you tell the age of the old ones?

I tested all mine this morning for some piece of mind.

Tested after 30 seconds of run time for start up heavy amp draw to relax.

Results are-

1960's 17 Litre = 4.0 - 4.1 amps
1980's 15 Litre = 3.4 - 3.5 amps
1980's 15 Litre = 3.4 - 3.5 amps
1980's 39 Litre = 4.1 - 4.2 amps
2004 40 Litre = 2.1 - 2.2 amps

All within specs.