Which Engel fridge to buy - Combi or fridge/freezer ?
Submitted: Sunday, Sep 14, 2008 at 16:48
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koala567
Hi all, I'm new to this site. I have just purchased a camper trailer from Complete
Campsite and am unsure if I should get the Engel 60l fridge/freezer or get the 57l combi fridge/freezer? I'm thinking of getting the 60l fridge which can also be a full freezer but would like your thoughts on what is best. Have 2 adults and 3 kids.
Thanks in advance. Dave
Reply By: Member - Mick O (VIC) - Sunday, Sep 14, 2008 at 17:15
Sunday, Sep 14, 2008 at 17:15
Dave,
I think the combi chews a lot more power than the 60. This is an important consideration when you're on 12 volt DC.
Aother option with most of the Engels is the 2zone attachment that allows you to use the entire unit as a freezer and the top attachment as the fridge. I have used this to great effect on some of my extended outback sojourns.
Check the current draw on both before making a decision.
Cheers
Mick.
AnswerID:
325266
Reply By: blue one - Sunday, Sep 14, 2008 at 17:47
Sunday, Sep 14, 2008 at 17:47
Koala,
I know what it is like as I have two teenagers that eat more than I do. Currently I am running a 40 ltr as a fridge and a 32 ltr as a freezer, both Engels. It's a good combination as you only open the freezer once or twice a day which has minimal affect on power usage. Of course when we load it up then she runs flat out for a day or two to get everything down to -17deg.
I was thinking about upgrading the 32 ltr to a 40 ltr for more freezer capacity though still thinking about it.
We find defrosting the frozen goods in the fridge cuts back on the fridge run time as an added benefit.
Having a separate freezer is great as it extends the selection of food whilst away and for luxuries such as ice for drinks, ice cream etc.
It also provides a back up if one decides to go on the blink out the back of nowhere.
Cheers
AnswerID:
325270
Follow Up By: blue one - Sunday, Sep 14, 2008 at 17:55
Sunday, Sep 14, 2008 at 17:55
Of course the freezer still cycles when down to -17deg though doesn't work as hard.
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Follow Up By: Brian B - Monday, Sep 15, 2008 at 22:08
Monday, Sep 15, 2008 at 22:08
I am on this wavelegnth too, its a bit more practical. I have a 32 & 19 litre, use one as a freezer one as a fridge (19 litre on back
seat for drinks). For some trips we only need one frisge. I think it is better than having one big fridge/freezer which is so hard to put in and out of the car and can consume a fair amount of power if not filled fully
FollowupID:
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Reply By: koala567 - Sunday, Sep 14, 2008 at 21:25
Sunday, Sep 14, 2008 at 21:25
Thanks for the replies Mick and Blue One. The power consumption is certainly a big point for me to cosider. I cannot get a twozone due to the height where the fridge will live.
I guess I want peoples opinions as to whether I really need a 1/2 fridge and 1/2 freezer in one unit (ie smaller for each bit) or just go for the 60L one that is either all fridge or all freezer.
I don't want to get the 1/2 fridge and 1/2 freezer and then figure out I am not really using the freezer and wished I had more fridge space.
What do the seasoned travellers think? I am planning a 3-4 week trip to
Birdsville / Alice etc next year.
Thanks Dave
AnswerID:
325315
Follow Up By: oz doc - Sunday, Sep 14, 2008 at 23:13
Sunday, Sep 14, 2008 at 23:13
Hi Koala, We are a family of 2 adults/2 children, with camper trailer and have an Engel fridge/freezer combo. We find having the combination suits us best. We like to make all our meals (hate takeaway).The freezer is great for frozen meat, frozen meals, icecreams and when neccesary- chilling drinks down quickly. If we go out without the children, and need to take less food, we run the fridge on about '3' and it is more of a fridge/chiller combination. We put the food in the fridge, drinks in the 'chiller' and leave the esky at home.On extended
camping stays I have used the freezer to create block of ice to put into 'coolie bags' for when we are out and about hiking. I guess it depends on what style of
camping you like to do. I'm not sure how the power draw goes but to give you an idea - camped in about 35 degrees, running on '5' we got 36 hours out of the 130ah Trojan wet cell battery. I probably could have extended this if I'd remembered to turn it down a bit at night when the ambient temp got down to 5 degrees. Hope this helps. doc.
FollowupID:
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Reply By: puttputt - Sunday, Sep 14, 2008 at 23:56
Sunday, Sep 14, 2008 at 23:56
For the same reason I bought a fridgemate 95 litre,as it can be fridge, or freezer or combination adjustable to whatever you like 50/50 or 70/30. Also I can lift it up by myself, I could not lift up the larger engel ( 80l I think). Also I believe engel swing motor is now from China and can be pretty noisy. Fridgemate uses German danfoss motor and has 5 yr warranty.
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325338
Reply By: Member - Ed. C. (QLD) - Monday, Sep 15, 2008 at 00:19
Monday, Sep 15, 2008 at 00:19
According to Engel, the power consumption of the 60L all 'fridge/all freezer and the 57L combi is the same (0.5 - 4.2 amps Max.)... If anything, I'd suggest that the combi may be a tad more efficient, given that the cooling element is in the 25L compartment only.. (then again, the circulating fan would probably negate any efficiency gain?)...
Actual consumption (with either) will of course vary according to a number of factors, incl. ambient temp, thermostat setting, how often it is opened, etc. etc.....
SWMBO & I have the 57L combi, and we are more than happy with our choice, given the versatility (it can of course be used as all 'fridge if so desired;-).. Indeed, the only regret that we have, is that the 75L combi had not been released when we bought ours:( .. We'd almost certainly have chosen the 75L had it been available, given that they have the same footprint as the 57/60L, and only 120mm higher...
That's my 2c worth (FWIW;-))
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Reply By: Boobook2 - Monday, Sep 15, 2008 at 06:14
Monday, Sep 15, 2008 at 06:14
Any fridge used as a freezer will draw about 2.5 - 3 times the current. The engle will use about 1.5A as a frudge and 4A as a Fridge and Freezer.
If you kryovac the food you won't need to freeze unless you like ice cream or go away for more than 2 months without restocking.
Also Consider the National Luna 74l. It has 2 doors with seperate temperature controls. Fridge and colder fridge, fridge and off, fridge and freezer and Freezer and Freezer. It is expensive but cheaper and les space than 2 fridges and low current.
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Reply By: Maîneÿ (wa) - Monday, Sep 15, 2008 at 10:46
Monday, Sep 15, 2008 at 10:46
Why not go for a weekend away with everyone and 'hire' the fridge of your choice to see how it performs with your family and battery system.
Take all the 'normal' food that ALL the family will want too
that way you will see for yourself the requirements you need.
You can't have icecream and vegies in the same compartment, (ask any woman) so make the choice realistically.
To have one compressor running two compartments with only one temperature gauge means one compartment is accurate the other is relying on the air passing from one compartment to the other *or* a 'method' of cooling two compartments with only one compressor and still maintaining the correct temperature in BOTH compartments individually.
Mainey . . .
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Reply By: Member - Porl - Monday, Sep 15, 2008 at 23:12
Monday, Sep 15, 2008 at 23:12
try explorer fridge freezers, had one but circumstances changed. Made locally in Qld, received some bad wraps about soldering so assumed they've fixed it, that was long time ago. I've sold
mine but will probably regret it with 2 under 4 but you know I hoped things would get better as my priorities changed.
I see they now have an economy button ...
http://www.explorerfridgefreezer.com/
I even at the end of a trip used to use the freezer as the freezer on 1 and the the fridge on zero (they told me the freezer setting over rode the fridge) to keep meats in the feezer on about 0 - 1 degree and the veges and fruit in the fridge section on about 8C so perfect and bugger all current draw.
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Reply By: The Landy - Tuesday, Sep 16, 2008 at 14:32
Tuesday, Sep 16, 2008 at 14:32
We pondered the same question when we bought our 60 litre Engel. In the end we didn't worry about the Combo and we've never missed not having a freezer.....
AnswerID:
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Reply By: Member - Damien L (QLD) - Wednesday, Sep 17, 2008 at 21:42
Wednesday, Sep 17, 2008 at 21:42
I have the 57l combo and am very happy with it. I run it off the second of duel batt system. The max I have had it run for was 5 days with about an hour with stops and start runs per day. That is running 24 hrs. The second batt is a deep cycle, not sure of ah.
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Reply By: koala567 - Thursday, Sep 18, 2008 at 07:41
Thursday, Sep 18, 2008 at 07:41
Thanks everyone for all your input. There seems to be pros and cons with both system. After reading everyones comments, I think in the end the important considerations were power consumption and space (as we have the 3 kids). I decided to go with the Engel 60L fridge / freezer and not the combo. The kryovac idea is great and I think we will invest in one.
I guess the kids will just have to miss out on iceblocks!
I was speaking to someone on the weekend who said that you can somehow use the 60L as a freezer at the bottom few inches and have the higher bit as a fridge. Doesn't seem likely but????
Thanks again
Dave
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