PROTECTIVE COVERS FOR FRIDGES - INSULATION

It keeps the sun off which must lower the power consumption.
Any extra layer must work as insulation.

I can only tell you about our Waeco.

With the cover not on in 40deg heat the top of the fridge is ambient temp and when the cover is fitted, you can put your hand underneath it and it feels cold meaning that heat is escaping from the fridge insulation into the ambient temp and the cover helps stop some of it making the fridge more efficient.

I would expect this to be greater with an older Engel as the insulation is not as good as the Waeco's.

If the fridge can keep the temp inside it will work more efficiency, use less power and maybe last a bit longer.

Plus it stops the fridge getting damaged.

Unless space is at a premium I would keep the cover.

I have spoken to two different fridge mechanics about this.

They both said the same thing. The fridge will work best when it is shaded from direct sunlight but it must have room for air to move around it.

Both recommended a clearance of about 50mm on all sides of the fridge is best. In most vehicle installations that is not possible but at the very least their should be 50mm clearance around the vents in the fridge cabinet.

Duncs

Hi, Certainly makes a difference having the cover on, I have a Engle 29ltr 1995 model with a non genuine padded cover and on one trip I was short of room so I took the cover off to save some space , but found the Fridge was running longer without it, also it still looks like new ,
definitely a vote for the cover,
Cheers Des.

Thanks everyone, I'll keep the cover on.