Two Zone for Engel - how to make it work!
Submitted: Saturday, Jan 05, 2008 at 23:34
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Member - Captain (WA)
I recently bought a Two Zone fridge top for my 40L Engels and was originally disappointed with its performance - and thats with the Two Zone insulated cover fitted.
I had the Engels running on "2" and while it was keeping my drinks perfectly cold (actually had ice in some cans), the top section was at 17C and not really keeping my fruit and vegies cold. OK - the ambient temp was 40C and both sections were fully loaded, but at ~$380 for Two Zone and cover I expected better performance. And given the Engels was nice and cold, it was the Two Zone that was not performing.
Now I figured that as hot air rises there was no way the Two Zone was going to keep cool in hot conditions as nothing was bringing up the cold air. So I bought a 12V computer fan and wired it up. Boy what a difference!!!
Running the whole setup today and I was achieving between 3.5 - 6.5C in the Two Zone as the Engels cycled on and off - and all this in a 40C parked vehicle.
Now this was really keeping everything cold and the fan only draws 0.22amps so the extra power is minimal IMHO. And I am sure a keen sparky could figure out how to only run the fan when the Engels motor is going if you wanted to further reduce the power draw.
Anyway, just thought I would share how to get the best out of a Two Zone - why they don't do this as a factory option has got me beat.
Cheers
Captain
PS. I have a
pic in my members Rig and profile below, but the link to add the
pic into this thread is coming up with an error - you will have to click below if you want to see the
pic.
Reply By: Jim from Best Off Road - Sunday, Jan 06, 2008 at 21:01
Sunday, Jan 06, 2008 at 21:01
I might get howled down for this, but here goes.
I had a 39L Engel and considered the "Two Zone".
Even a simple man like myself understood cold air falls, it simply wont go up.
So. I sold the Engel second hand for $650 and put the $350 that a "Two Zone" would have cost me together. With the gorilla I had, I picked up an 80L Waeco from The Fridgeshop and got a fair dinkhum fridge/freezer.
Over three years on it iis still working a treat, despite the belting it has had.
Make no mistake, the "Two Zone" is little more than an expensive esky, without a bottom.
$350, you've got to be joking.
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Follow Up By: Member - Captain (WA) - Monday, Jan 07, 2008 at 01:08
Monday, Jan 07, 2008 at 01:08
Hi Jim,
I know where you are coming from but it all depends on circumstances, I thought long and hard on what would suit me best. I already have the Engels and also have access to a 40L Engels whenever I require it.
Typically I use one as a fridge and one as a freezer and so have 79L of refrigerated space. But I still find I need more room for stuff like bulky fruit and veg on the longer trips and this is where the Two Zone is perfect.
You are right, it is an expensive esky but even an esky would not work for how I need it as I now have 39L fridge, 40L freezer and 29L crisper - suits my circumstances perfectly and is cost effective but more importantly is space effective too.
But the best part is I still have a 39L fridge for day trips and I don't need the gorilla to help me move it :)
Cheers
Captain
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Follow Up By: Member - Mike DID - Monday, Jan 07, 2008 at 07:28
Monday, Jan 07, 2008 at 07:28
"the "Two Zone" is little more than an expensive esky, without a bottom. $350, you've got to be joking. "
+ Hiclones
+ Electronic Rust Protection
+ Really expensive battery isolators
Yes, it's amazing what people will pay heaps of money for, if it sounds like it will do something very useful.
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