Engel and Trailblaza fridges

Bar fridges are most inefficient, and to try to keep power up to them would require you run a generator nearly 24 hours a day.
Rather difficult to buy dry ice outside of capital cities, and when you are camping in the bush for extended periods. 50 litres holds a fair bit, and if you get your meat cryovac packed it will keep and improve for 30 days. My fridge on solar panels is a dream and would not go back to the days of esky's.

Hey Truckster.
Get with the program. This is the 21st Century not the 18th. I guess it really is a hard thing to teach an old dog new tricks. LOL.

Regards

janset :P

I dont like the new century, its too expensive....

Ive looked at 4wd show at fridges and talked to mates, and they are not good value simple as that. As I said all the ones I seem to look at Engel, Waco etc are all crap and no storage....

Maybe I expect too much, but lookin at the ones Ive seen, i would want a 150 ltr to go bush with.....

YMMV :P

Ozi- Was the NATA fridge testing you refer to the testing done by the 4wd monthly magazine?

Please note the 4wd Monthly test was NOT a NATA certified test. Granted it was done in a NATA facility- but thats where the similarity ends. (I make my sandwiches in a NATA laboratory).
There is more to a fridge than the compressor type/ brand- including the gauge/length/positioning of the capilliary and the pressure/volume of the refrigerant- and of course the insulation. Any of these parameters can be tweaked to give vastly different results.
It is also important that if any unit is only being used for that 3-4 week trip per year- it must be run for 3 or 4 days every month or so when back home.
I have no commercial interest or commitment to any manufacturer or reseller- but it does annoy me when people get sucked in by hype- and trip over statistics.

Rockhoppong is probaly right about the test not being NATA certified test. There wasn't enough real data to make any reasonable conclusions. The tests took a running amp draw at the top and bottom of a run cycle and divided it by two, this doesn't relate to any refrigeration performace. Some of the units where actually off and cycling because they had reached the temperature required. you really need to know how many amps were consumed over a given period to maintain a given load. The best way is to use am amp accumulator and run it over 24hrs and see the actual power used to maintain a given temperature. See how long it takes to move from 30C to 0C and the energy used. The draw down power is important, however you need to know what the refrigeration out-put of the compressor is, an example is the Engels 40lt fridge at 2.7 amps approx has refrigeration out-put of
42 watts. In an ambient temperature of 40C it will take the Engel
3 hours to reach -8C and will consume approx 7 amps running continuously, there are other fridges that will achieve this quicker and use the same amount of power or in some cases less. I'm only using the Engel as an example as I know that these figures are available. The point I'm making is that most 4x4 mag tests are done in house and don't set these tests up properly to help give any meaningful data to make an informed decsion. A good example of this is our inability to guess correctly temperatures once they get below 12C, so in most cases you may think your fridge is chilling product, but do you know what the temperature is, the best test is to put a thermometer in your fridge at room temperature and see how long it takes to get down to 0C, then put it in the back of your vehicle and do the same thing,and see how long the compressor stays off at zero. There's not enough room but insulation is another great subject. The upshot is we'll never all agree on fridges which makes forums such as this so good.

Tony, the 4WD drive monthly test actually measured total current draw over 48 hours with ambient temperature cycling between 15 and 55 degrees over that period. The current draw figures were the average over the 48 hours. The test was not NATA certified, but it was done in a NATA certified lab, not in-house by the magazine. Best to read the article before making claims about it.

Bob,

We have looked at the new stainless steel Engels. The stainless interior is appealing for ease of cleaning and strength along with the digital thermostat but as they are new I have nothing to go on for performance.
How has your 80L been so far?

Steve

Steve ,

Ive only had my SS80 litre engel for only 3 weeks, bought in preparation for a big trip up to the Pilbara at christmas. I can only guess on its performance when compared to the other engels. Maybe I can tell you after christmas.
The interior of the fridge is purely all stainless too, with no coils so cleaning is a breeze.
I decided on the 80L vs the 60 L engel because I got it for only $200 more, and I beleived it to be a better fridge. (more capacity, stainless steel - same current draw) I know I could have got a 80L fridge in another brand for a lot less, but I am wrapped with the fridge.
The stainless steel series are a bit heavier than the normal engels, but they are a good solid fridge. Good luck on your decision.

Bob
The Engel SS80 is a very nice fridge. However the stainless steel outer casing is a great heat sink, it may look like it has refelctive properties but the thermal dynamics of the stainless steel enables it to absorb large levels of heat energy. Leave a piece of steel in the sun on a low ambient day and see how hot it can get. Heat loads can be similar in the back of your 4X4 even if its not in direct sun.

Tony
You are correct in stating that the stainless steel will absorb heat from the sun, but my transit bag will help minimise this. Id rather have a fridge made from metal than some of the tupperware varieties available.
The stainless steel engel should be a easy to maintain fridge. I know people with 10 + year old engels and the like, that despite still working well are starting to show signs of corrosion. Hopefuly this wont happen to mine.
The biggest down side of this fridge apart from the initial price is the sheer weight. At 42 kgs, you'll probably grow a third nut trying to lift it yourself.
Regards

I think Tyres and Fridges are the two most popular topics around.
I have a "Cole" made in Beverly W.A. and they were sold by The 12 Volt Shop. Don't know who sells them now but I will back my 50 litre "Cole" against any other fridge.
So everyone has a favorite and most of us are happy with what we have,what a happy little bunch of campers we are. __(:
(By the way ,that's my tongue in my cheek)

Gotta agree - why buy a fridge and only use it a few times a year - Mine stays in the GQ and is running most of the time.

BTW I can open the lid on my 68 litre evakool to 90 degrees in the back off my GQ. When open the lid just fits between the cargo barrier and the back of the vehicle (the lid is hinged on the long side).