Is the Engel 2 Zone any good?

Submitted: Sunday, Mar 02, 2008 at 15:40
ThreadID: 55115 Views:6754 Replies:9 FollowUps:10
This Thread has been Archived
Hi all, Thinking of buying at 2 Zone for my Engel. Is there sufficient room in the top part for drinks, butter, milk etc. I'm questioning the freezer/fridge ratio?

Cheers
Jason
Back Expand Un-Read 0 Moderator

Reply By: Member - Alastair D (NSW) - Sunday, Mar 02, 2008 at 17:05

Sunday, Mar 02, 2008 at 17:05
Jason,
I bought one for my old Engel. It does provide extra space but if you have the fridge fairly full (usual) then there is very little air circulation. Cold air falls, hot air rises so I found that there was not a lot of cooling in the top part.

I bought the smallest 5v computer fan I could find, mounted it in a piece of plastic tube and sit it vertical in the bottom corner nearest to the thermostat. It is wired so it turns on/off with the fridge compressor. I have a small 2 pin connector so it is easy to take out. This makes a huge difference to the temp in the top section. Without it I don't consider the 2-zone usable.

I doubt I would have bought the 2-zone if I had known the above.

cheers
alastair
AnswerID: 290420

Follow Up By: Member - jjt98 (QLD) - Sunday, Mar 02, 2008 at 17:17

Sunday, Mar 02, 2008 at 17:17
Thanks Alastair - God info
Cheers
Jason
0
FollowupID: 555769

Reply By: Dave from P7OFFROAD Accredited Driver Training - Sunday, Mar 02, 2008 at 17:05

Sunday, Mar 02, 2008 at 17:05
I have no idea if there is enough room?? What size fridge do you have??

They are good! Remember that they are not made by Engel and you will have to modify your transit bag. Don't just fold it over the back of the fridge as this will reduce air circulation to the compressor.

I have considered one, but it will make the fridge too tall in our application.

cheers
AnswerID: 290421

Follow Up By: Member - jjt98 (QLD) - Sunday, Mar 02, 2008 at 17:20

Sunday, Mar 02, 2008 at 17:20
Hi Dave,
I have a 40lt Engel. Do you know someone with one? You said they are good but you don't have one yourself?
Thanks for the info about the cover.
Cheers
Jason
0
FollowupID: 555771

Follow Up By: Dave from P7OFFROAD Accredited Driver Training - Sunday, Mar 02, 2008 at 17:58

Sunday, Mar 02, 2008 at 17:58
Yes mate I know a few people with them. I also still do a bit of retail with a large camping store and have more than a few satisfied customers.

However, as in the post below, many people still opt for a two fridge solution (like we did).

It's up to you, but many others whom I know personally, have been very happy with their two zone, it fitted their needs and met their expectations.
0
FollowupID: 555780

Reply By: blue one - Sunday, Mar 02, 2008 at 17:54

Sunday, Mar 02, 2008 at 17:54
Mate,
Reviewed the two zone over 8 months and the responses were mixed, checked the price of a second fridge and I ended up by a second hand Engel (32 ltr) for $150 more than the two zone. I'm happy with a freezer for the G&Ts.

Cheers
AnswerID: 290432

Follow Up By: Member - jjt98 (QLD) - Sunday, Mar 02, 2008 at 17:58

Sunday, Mar 02, 2008 at 17:58
Thanks for the info
Cheers
Jason
0
FollowupID: 555779

Follow Up By: blue one - Sunday, Mar 02, 2008 at 20:07

Sunday, Mar 02, 2008 at 20:07
Must admit I needed a bigger battery for the 40 & 32 ltr engels, though on the move each day it doesn't represent a problem.

Ice in the deserts is a for the drinks.

LOL

Cheers
0
FollowupID: 555810

Follow Up By: blue one - Sunday, Mar 02, 2008 at 21:05

Sunday, Mar 02, 2008 at 21:05
In retrospect I was running the same configuration when working in the Territory back in 88.

The ability to shift the frozen goods from the freezer to the fridge did need some thinking and it wasn't unique to find nothing unfrozen for dinner.

Then the 308 came out and we invited skippy for dinner.

LOL


Cheers
0
FollowupID: 555828

Follow Up By: Skippy In The GU - Monday, Mar 03, 2008 at 07:58

Monday, Mar 03, 2008 at 07:58
It wasn't me... lol
0
FollowupID: 555894

Reply By: Willem - Sunday, Mar 02, 2008 at 19:35

Sunday, Mar 02, 2008 at 19:35
We have one

Run the 32lt Engel on freeze all of the time and it works well. However, it did struggle in Darwin a bit and drinks in the top section were'nt that cold..

The transit bag attaches to the top via two velchro strips and ventilation is'nt a problem.

Cheers

AnswerID: 290442

Follow Up By: Steve Ellis - Sunday, Mar 02, 2008 at 20:55

Sunday, Mar 02, 2008 at 20:55
GDay Willem. I was aware from your profile that you had one of the 2 zones and have been meaning to ask you if you have a fan in the compartment? It would seem from discussion here that they make a considerable difference. I dont know if the 32 litre is different from the 40 litre except in capacity? The other issue for me is the price. Seems a lot of money for not much extra volume.
0
FollowupID: 555823

Follow Up By: Willem - Sunday, Mar 02, 2008 at 21:19

Sunday, Mar 02, 2008 at 21:19
G'day Steve

I would'nt get that excited to put a fan in the fridge. I seldom get to the HOT tropics these days. Yes the 55litres all up is expensive refrigeration but if it works well then it is worth the money.

We also have a Waeco fridge. Ran well for 18 months and now its playing up. Kicking myself we didn't spend the extra $200 on another Engel. Thought I would give the Waeco a go. Have come away disappointed.

Cheers
0
FollowupID: 555834

Reply By: Member - BIGMARK (QLD) - Sunday, Mar 02, 2008 at 20:51

Sunday, Mar 02, 2008 at 20:51
Yes I have the two zone on my 60 lt but it did struggle in the NT as Willem said.You definately need a fan in it.
Cheers
AnswerID: 290459

Reply By: Leroy - Sunday, Mar 02, 2008 at 21:34

Sunday, Mar 02, 2008 at 21:34
Captain did a post the other day about how he was disappointed with the performance of a 2zone he bought until he installed a fan to circulate the cold air. Worth doing a quic search.

Leroy
AnswerID: 290474

Reply By: Richard W (NSW) - Monday, Mar 03, 2008 at 07:14

Monday, Mar 03, 2008 at 07:14
Jason,

I've also got one but generally use the bottom as a fridge and the top as a crisper for the vegies etc. It works well for this setup.
I cut the board out of the lid of the bag and rolled it up against the handle. Bought the separate bag for the top.

The only time I use the bottom as a freezer is transporting frozen seafood but I'm not sure what temp the top runs at. The top is only about 20L so I don't think big enough to hold enough drinks and perishables for a decent trip with a few troops.
AnswerID: 290521

Reply By: Rob - Monday, Mar 03, 2008 at 11:26

Monday, Mar 03, 2008 at 11:26
Hi,
I have an Engel 40, with a two zone. I run the Engel as a freezer for long trips, and the two zone on top for drinks. My experience with this configuration is the two zone will freeze drinks eventually, so I placed a 3/4 piece of cardboard on the tray of the two zone to provide some barrier to the freezer. I find this works well and helps reduce over freezing for items in the two zone.

Cheersm,
Rob
AnswerID: 290556

Reply By: Member - Captain (WA) - Tuesday, Mar 04, 2008 at 15:42

Tuesday, Mar 04, 2008 at 15:42
Hi Jason,

Here is a link to my earlier post on the Two ZoneTwo Zone thread[/url]. Why it doesn't have a fan from the factory is a mystery to me.

Anyway, my wife is happy as she now has heaps of room for the fruit and veg, I am happy as we have heaps of room for the food and drinks . And on the longer trips I borrow my brothers 40L engel so we have a fridge/crisper/freezer.

Cheers

Captain
AnswerID: 290759

Follow Up By: Member - jjt98 (QLD) - Wednesday, Mar 05, 2008 at 21:37

Wednesday, Mar 05, 2008 at 21:37
Thanks for that Captain - good info. Not sure I want to go to the trouble of fitting a fan etc. I might look at a different option.
Cheers
Jason
0
FollowupID: 556428

Sponsored Links