Engel Quality...?? Nope !!

Submitted: Wednesday, Nov 03, 2010 at 14:30
ThreadID: 82277 Views:8323 Replies:3 FollowUps:17
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Hi all,
Following my recent thread, # 82006
The Engel upright 90 freestanding arrived and well, I was kind of dissapointed.
The 'Engel quality' I had been led to believe, was not there.
Plastic door catch, thats just flimsy. The hinge itself is loose on the door connection and moves. The door itself did not close properly and I had to adjust the catches/hinges so the door closed square and correct. One of these 4 screws had a washer, 3 did not. One screw already had a ‘dodgy’ thread and screw head before I attempted to move it.
The freezer door does not latch and fell off first time I opened it, had to prise apart the fridge sides to make it fit again. Flimsy plastic sides, no wonder the freezer door fell out of the 2 latches for holding it on.
There are 3 long open screw threads coming down about 1cm inside the freezer compartment. Looks like where there are mounts to hold the freezer compartment up. 2 on the top, one on the bottom. Sharp and easy top catch the hand or foods.
The shelves are flimsy and dont fit properly, for a transportable fridge, surely looks like they will rattle and move about when under way.
There is a soft 'blue-tack' type of substance just covering up where the cooling tube and obviously the thermostat cables go into the back of the fridge. It was not even sticking to the casing, I moulded it back around where it looks like it should be.
The 2x 12v bare cables are only 5cm long out of the casing and will be impossible to connect these to anything decent.
The changeable door trim panel was coming away from the bottom of the fridge, and when I tried to 'clip' the bottom piece back in place as its obvious, I noticed it wasnt going to clip into place since the moulding was simply falling out of where it had to clip into.
The casing flexes and has a weak feel to it when lifting from the sides.

I noticed the fridge is made in Malaysia, and well, it just has a cheap and nasty feel about it.

This is brand new fridge, packed and freighted brand new, with a good packing, yet upon opening....was severly dissapointed. For a $1000 fridge....

After my Dad having an old school engel (chest type) for many years and a recent one bought about 10 years ago still going strong after 2 of my folks caravan trips round oz and many side trips, I have my doubts that this one will last.

My faith in Engel and loyalty to Engel, .....well its just been bleep tered.

Thinking I should have bought the Weaco CR upright model.....

Engel no more !

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Reply By: Member - Tour Boy ( Bundy QLD) - Wednesday, Nov 03, 2010 at 15:03

Wednesday, Nov 03, 2010 at 15:03
Take it back to where you bought it from and demand an explanation.
Cheers,
Dave
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AnswerID: 434983

Follow Up By: CruisinDub - Wednesday, Nov 03, 2010 at 15:21

Wednesday, Nov 03, 2010 at 15:21
Was freighted to me.
I am not in a position to to 'collect/pick up'.

Now under discussion with supplier to get a replacement.
I am concerened the replacement might be the same 'quality'.
I had to pay the freight to get this one sent to me and although not yet confirmed, was sounds of paying the freight again to have another sent to me also. (guess freight not covered by poor workmanship)
Pay 2 x freight, to get the same crap.
hmmm, undecided on this one, whether to forget about Engle all together.

Now looking at the Waeco upright, and still have a few $ left over to fill it with a case or two !!

We are also looking for a chest type fridge/freezer and the Engel/Waeco debate continues..........
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FollowupID: 706070

Follow Up By: Member - Andrew (QLD) - Wednesday, Nov 03, 2010 at 15:56

Wednesday, Nov 03, 2010 at 15:56
Since we are copying from another forum, i should say "Then ask for a refund." :)

I assume this fridge has been bought online and is in your camper in Italy hence the postage issue? Mentioning that it seemed a bargain when buying it may explain some of the issues. Whilst it is dissapointing to see any manufacturer sell bad products, i'd be interested to see if it was a reputable seller of Engels or some no-name vendor....might explain why the quality matches the price.

Good luck getting it fixed. ;)

Andrew
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FollowupID: 706072

Follow Up By: Bazooka - Wednesday, Nov 03, 2010 at 19:27

Wednesday, Nov 03, 2010 at 19:27
Cruisin
I read on a consumer website some months back that provided you purchased in Australia from anywhere (including 'e-shops') other than auction (eg Ebay etc) then you are not liable for freight either way on a replacement item. If you check the ACCC site http://www.accc.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/815311 you will also see that you are probably entitled to a refund rather than an exchange. That will depend on how hard you want to push the issue of course. Good luck.
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FollowupID: 706098

Follow Up By: CruisinDub - Wednesday, Nov 03, 2010 at 23:10

Wednesday, Nov 03, 2010 at 23:10
Hi Andrew,
Yes, My frustratin runs deeper than just here.....

You assume everything correctly mentioned.

The fridge was bought from what I 'presumed' was a reputable dealer, they deal in a number of Engel products. This being the 'E' model, the older model than the latest 'F' model hence the supposedly cheaper deal.
I dont think its the seller thats the issue, as a seller is not manufacturing the product direct. The respnses from the seller, so far, have been positive. They havent rudely told me where to put it yet......
Though we are yet to reach an agreement. I am hesitant to recieve the same 'quality'.

Could be a case of pushing the issue as Bazooka mentions, I am waiting for the latest proposal. The first was to send me another one.....by freight.....yes, to Italy again.

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FollowupID: 706136

Follow Up By: Member - Mark E (VIC) - Wednesday, Nov 03, 2010 at 23:28

Wednesday, Nov 03, 2010 at 23:28
Cruiseindub,

For fear of starting a lengthy debate over fridges, I have personally avoided the 'overseas' brands and have had a very good run out of Autofridge.

I bought my first one about 18 years ago and it was still running perfectly when I sold it about 7 months ago. I have since followed-up with the new owner and he is as happy as a PIS.

I replaced it with a bigger unit after debating the 2 fridge, versus single bigger fridge issue....decided to go with the bigger one.

I now have a 73l brand-spanking new Autofridge, which are hand made, right here in Australia. The Customer service I received was second to none, and a couple of phone calls with queries lasted some time just 'chatting' to the owner of the company.

The Autofridge is a clean, simple and robust unit and can be used as a eutectic fridge if required. They do take longer to pull the internal temperature down when first turned on, but maintain it better than any other fridge on the market IMO.

Yes they are somewhat dearer, but when amortised over their expected lifespan, a few hundred extra is nothing. I also feel like I am supporting a great little Australian business.

They're worth a look.

Hope this helps,

Cheers,

Mark
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FollowupID: 706138

Follow Up By: Member - Mark E (VIC) - Wednesday, Nov 03, 2010 at 23:29

Wednesday, Nov 03, 2010 at 23:29
Ps....no affiliations, blah, blah....just a very happy customer and long time user.

Mark
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FollowupID: 706139

Follow Up By: CruisinDub - Thursday, Nov 04, 2010 at 20:46

Thursday, Nov 04, 2010 at 20:46
Hi Mark,

I shall have a look at the 'autofridge' brand that you mention.

Thanks
Regards Paul
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FollowupID: 706207

Reply By: Member - Lionel A (WA) - Wednesday, Nov 03, 2010 at 17:35

Wednesday, Nov 03, 2010 at 17:35
Recall sometime ago Asian built fridges were being marketed as Engels.

I think Repco stocked them for a while.

Engel took issue with Repco over these 'imposters' and they were dropped from Repco's stock list.

Could be one of these units.


Cheers.....Lionel.
AnswerID: 434992

Follow Up By: Road Warrior - Wednesday, Nov 03, 2010 at 17:42

Wednesday, Nov 03, 2010 at 17:42
Yeah that was in one of the Repco catalogues but I think they were chest fridge/freezers
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FollowupID: 706085

Follow Up By: CruisinDub - Wednesday, Nov 03, 2010 at 23:15

Wednesday, Nov 03, 2010 at 23:15
Hi Lionel,
This one was made in Malaysia, or so the sticker on the back says.

It 'looks' like an Engel and has Engel stickers and name tag, but I am not sure......Not the quality I was expecting.

Cheap and flimsy, was not what I was expecting from this brand.
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FollowupID: 706137

Follow Up By: mike39 - Thursday, Nov 04, 2010 at 08:14

Thursday, Nov 04, 2010 at 08:14
This year I replaced a 3way with the Engel SR90F-G4-Gl unit.

It is not flimsy, the hinges, doors, seals all function as they should, it "fridges"very well and the operating noise is not a problem.

The tag says it is made in Japan.

I rather suspect you have inadvertantly purchased a cheap copy.
mike
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FollowupID: 706145

Follow Up By: CruisinDub - Thursday, Nov 04, 2010 at 20:36

Thursday, Nov 04, 2010 at 20:36
Hi Mike39,

This is a SR90'E'-G3, sticker on back clearly states, made in Malaysia.

I have a question for you.

I know the 'F' states a lower Db nopise level and just slightly lower power consumption, but we have tested the fridge in 240v only so far. I was after a comparision to yours......

On setting 5, the freezer got down to minus 17 deg C, within 4 hrs, which i thought was very Good. (we didnt have second thermostat at the time to check fridge)

I adjusted the setting to '3' and overnight check in the morning the fridge was only at 7deg C with freezer only minus 1 temp.

I thought this was 'not so good.'

With a setting of '2', the freezer did not get below zero and the fridge was above 10deg C.

We unpacked it inside the salon and with ambiant temperature of steady 23-24 deg c, (climate controlled room) it seemed to struggle a bit with the compressor running to what I considered a majority of the time.

How do you have yours set?

I thought a mid range setting of '3' would have been perfect, but it looks like a higher setting to keep a good cold temp.

Look forward to heearing from you,

Thanks
Regards Paul
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FollowupID: 706204

Follow Up By: CruisinDub - Thursday, Nov 04, 2010 at 20:38

Thursday, Nov 04, 2010 at 20:38
Hi Mike39,

Can you please post a picture of the inside of your freezer?

As mentioned, the screw threads that come down inside are quite concerning, I was wanting to compare to yours.

Thanks
Regards Paul
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FollowupID: 706205

Follow Up By: mike39 - Friday, Nov 05, 2010 at 08:44

Friday, Nov 05, 2010 at 08:44
Sorry Paul, I cant do the pic. thing.

However, to answer your comments:

There are 2 metal thread screws with nuts inside the top/front of freezer. They do not protrude past the plastic surround which the freezer door closes against so you cannot catch or be scratched by them.

Both shelves are fixed in position with plastic clips/self tapping screws into the back panel even though there are other positions the shelves could go.

We have found the shelves are not so well placed as such, and will move to a better position and re attach the clips.

The instruction sheet said to turn the control to max. and when the desired temp. is obtained turn the control back to maintain.
I have found that a setting just under 4 (say 3 3/4) gives -15 in the freezer and ~2-3 in the cabinet. The ambients were around 7-8 o/n, 28-32 day.

At the inside l/h bottom front of the cabinet is a small panel. Does yours say that the unit is climate rating T?
It also gives energy consumption figures.
Hope this is of some assistance mike
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FollowupID: 706248

Follow Up By: CruisinDub - Friday, Nov 05, 2010 at 12:16

Friday, Nov 05, 2010 at 12:16
Hello Mike,

Thankyou for your detailed reply, much appreciated.

Will look and revert back to the 'climate rating.', Thanks.

If possible, could you email to me direct some pictures?
email address,
albanyson@aol.com

On a further note, my shelves are not 'fixed' and the 3 metal screw threads definitely sit low into the freezer from on the top front and also one at the rear bottom also.

Your figures of setting on '4', seem to be consistant with mine also.

I have done a test at each settings leaving teh fridge for some length of time on all 5 settings to gather some info, albeit at ambiant temp of 23-24 degC, climate controlled room, not in hot camper on 12v, with fridge full and being opened everycan and everytime the wife pokes in there for food also.

Look forward to hearing further from you,

Thanks
Regards Paul
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FollowupID: 706269

Follow Up By: mike39 - Friday, Nov 05, 2010 at 15:15

Friday, Nov 05, 2010 at 15:15
Paul.
Once again sorry but our digital camera was accidently damaged so no go at the moment. Is at the camera doctor for diagnosis now, but I suspect it will be a new one to replace it.
Any other questions, please ask and will answer if possible.
mike

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FollowupID: 706274

Follow Up By: CruisinDub - Sunday, Nov 07, 2010 at 12:54

Sunday, Nov 07, 2010 at 12:54
Hi Mike,

Just some further details for you to compare:

Ambient temp of 27.5 deg C


Setting Fridge Freezer (temp Deg C)
0= off
1 10 -1
2 8 -3
3 4 -7
4 1 -14
5 -2 -18


I think a setting of 3.5 would give the best overall temp setting with good fridge temp and adequate freezer temp.

I have noted that the serial number plate does mention 'T', but does not actually say 'Climate rating'. The 'T' is part of the model number.


The screw threads I mentioned before actually hang down about 8-10mm below the plastic surround of the freezer.
Look forward to hearing further from you,

Thanks
cheers Paul

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FollowupID: 706415

Follow Up By: CruisinDub - Sunday, Nov 07, 2010 at 12:57

Sunday, Nov 07, 2010 at 12:57
Hi Mike,

Have just seen that my post doesnt come out as well as I had laid it out when writing the figures.

You can make out the fridge temp setting, 0-5
You can see after this the fridge settings,
You can see after that the freezer settings,

The -? figure is minus deg C.

Hope its clear

Welcome your comments,

Many Thanks
cheers Paul.


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FollowupID: 706416

Reply By: Member - DAZA (QLD) - Thursday, Nov 04, 2010 at 07:55

Thursday, Nov 04, 2010 at 07:55
We purchased our first Engel in 1982 it's a 29 litre type, we had it repaired once and it still runs 24/7, it doesn't look pretty because it's been to hell and back, I use it as a Bait fridge on our trips away, we have a 40litre Engel as well, that stays in the back of the Patrol and also runs 24/7, I was told by an Engel rep to never turn them off, and they will run for ever.

Cheers
AnswerID: 435035

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