Two Zone for the Engel,
Submitted: Tuesday, Jun 07, 2005 at 14:39
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Tony Shaw
Hi guys,
Just wanting some
feedback on the "Two Zone" adaptor for the engel fridges. I'm looking at a 40L and just wondering how
well they actually work.
Cheers, ToNy!
Reply By: Sand Man (SA) - Tuesday, Jun 07, 2005 at 16:03
Tuesday, Jun 07, 2005 at 16:03
Tony,
Firstly, I haven't used one so my information is second hand.
If you already own a 40 litre Engel fridge and you are looking at an occasional increase in capacity, they are very good. Obviously there would be an increase in running time and therefore power usage to cool the larger area.
The bottom of the fridge will be the coldest, therefore veggies, cheese and other food that doesn't require extra cold conditions can be placed in the upper zone basket while beverages, etc., live in the bottom. It would just require experimentation with an appropriate setting that keeps the bottom area cold (below say 5 degrees) without freezing the contents.
All up a good solution for the "current owner" of a 40 litre Engel who requires the additional storage capacity.
But, if you have a larger family where an 80 litre fridge is your primary requirement and you haven't yet bought one, I would suggest an 80 litre Waeco or Engel with dual freezer/fridge compartments would be the better proposition.
AnswerID:
114770
Reply By: Member - Chrispy (NSW) - Tuesday, Jun 07, 2005 at 16:28
Tuesday, Jun 07, 2005 at 16:28
I recently bought an EvaKool DT47RF because the new roller drawers in the Jeep meant that my nearly-new Engel 40 (anniversary) wouldn't fit in height-wise on the fridge slide. After a few months now with the EvaKool - I've decided to turf it in favour of a 32L Engel - which will fit under the tail
gate on the slide. Given that it's not a 40, on occasion I want some extra room in it for when we are in the caravan down at Omaroo. TwoZone looks like it is the answer.
I've also heard that because there is 8 litres less volume in the Engel 32 (over the 40), that the TwoZone actually works a little faster in drawing-down to the pre-set temperature.... hopefully meaning that it will cycle a little less too.
Does this sound reasonable or am I just fooling myself?
AnswerID:
114775
Follow Up By: geocacher (djcache) - Tuesday, Jun 07, 2005 at 19:36
Tuesday, Jun 07, 2005 at 19:36
Could it be that possibly the wrong decision was made? Should have kept the 40l and ditched the Jeep....
:o)
Dave
FollowupID:
370623
Follow Up By: Woobla (WA) - Tuesday, Jun 07, 2005 at 20:48
Tuesday, Jun 07, 2005 at 20:48
Hey Chrispy,
As a matter of interest, Why do you want to ditch the Evakool for the Engel?
I ask because I am leaning very strongly towards buying a dual temp Evakool soon.
Thanks in advance,
Jeff
FollowupID:
370629
Follow Up By: Member - Chrispy (NSW) - Tuesday, Jun 07, 2005 at 21:03
Tuesday, Jun 07, 2005 at 21:03
Funny boy geo }:|
Woobla - Just personal preference. I don't like the EvaKool as much. To keep the fridge section at around 4 degrees, the thing sits there cycling every few minutes all day long.... even in the house. The dial is set all the way ap at "9" to maintain that temp in the fridge. The freezer works its butt off trying to cool the fridge section through the divider wall which is way too thick. I also think that the damn thing is WAY to noisy, as the compressor is hanging off the side of the unit and is relatively exposed (bottom uncovered) compared to the in-built models. Couple that with a relay that sounds like a branch breaking - every time it comes on - it's not something I want near me when I'm trying to sleep.
I think that I'll stay with Engel from now on.
Want to buy a 3-month old 47 litre EvaKool?
FollowupID:
370630
Reply By: ROTORD - Tuesday, Jun 07, 2005 at 18:29
Tuesday, Jun 07, 2005 at 18:29
Hello Tony
I have used a TWO ZONE on a 40ltr Engel and highly recommend it . I ran the bottom as a freezer and the top as a fridge . Used this way means that you have a good supply of your favourite steaks , roasts , and precooked meals such as curries and pea soup . The bulk of prefrozen food acts as a mass bank of 'cold' and actually simplifies alternator/battery/generator running and also permits rapid 'pull down' of warm beer . We mounted the Engel by removing the fifth
seat in the Disco , and faced the fridge foreward . This allowed good access to the fridge while driving or while stopped . The large freezer area is also handy for bringing
home country killed beef , barra's and muddies . Having used it I would find the smaller freezers on the other options inadequate . At
home I remove the TWO ZONE and run the Engel as a bar fridge .
AnswerID:
114800
Reply By: John - Qld - Tuesday, Jun 07, 2005 at 18:54
Tuesday, Jun 07, 2005 at 18:54
They only work when you run the bottom as a freezer.
Hopeless as a fridge only - in a 40lt anyway.
Running as a freezer drew too much pwr from the batt.
Sold the lot and now have 60l evakool dual temp. Happy now especially with the height etc.
AnswerID:
114805
Follow Up By: Member - Jimbo (VIC) - Tuesday, Jun 07, 2005 at 19:07
Tuesday, Jun 07, 2005 at 19:07
Makes sense to me
John.
Cold falls, it does not rise. If you're running at 4C in the bottom, it's got to be a lot hotter up top. Could only wok as you said if the bottom is set to freeze.
Cheers,
Jim.
FollowupID:
370622
Reply By: Member - Jimbo (VIC) - Tuesday, Jun 07, 2005 at 19:11
Tuesday, Jun 07, 2005 at 19:11
I had a 39L Engel which wasn't big enough for our needs. Briefly (and I mean briefly) considered the two zone.
Sold the Engel for $650, added the $350 a two zone would have cost and bought an 80L Waeco from the Fridge
Shop for $980. Now I've got a genuine 82 litre Fridge/Freezer. Couldn't be happier.
Cheers,
Jim.
AnswerID:
114806