ENGEL FRIDGE/FREEZER COMBO
Submitted: Monday, May 02, 2011 at 13:42
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Noddy76
We are looking at buying a 75L Engel Fridge/Freezer Combo for our upcoming trip to NT (6 weeks). Just wanting to know if anyone out there has one of these and what you think about them? Our alternative to the fridge/freezer combo is a 60L fridge/freezer - we already have a 40L fridge but didn't really want to have to carry two fridge/freezers.
Reply By: rumpig - Monday, May 02, 2011 at 14:07
Monday, May 02, 2011 at 14:07
if you want to keep stuff frozen in the freezer section, they are pretty power hungry. i have one and have had it since 2006 and am more then happy with it, but the biggest downside to them is first up they are massive in size, then after that you need to run it on 3 1/12 - 4 on the dial to keep food frozen in the freezer. i have a 40 ltr Engel aswell and run that on 1 - 1 1/2 to keep stuff really cold, you can workout for yourself how much power is required when you crank it up 3 times more on the dial for the bigger fridge. you also really notice how much more often the big fridge cycles on and off compared to the smaller fridge.
if you keep on the move every day it's not a problem, but if you plan to stay somewhere for a period of time, make sure you keep an eye on the power in your battery or have something like a solar panel onthe roofrack to keep power up to it.
AnswerID:
453033
Reply By: Mick O - Monday, May 02, 2011 at 14:31
Monday, May 02, 2011 at 14:31
Noddy,
I have had one for 12 months now and recently wrote a review on it. You'll find extra from members in the comments section below the blog.
Engel 75 litre review
Cheers Mick
AnswerID:
453037
Reply By: member - mazcan - Monday, May 02, 2011 at 14:42
Monday, May 02, 2011 at 14:42
hi noddy 76
are you sure its a 75ltr fr/frz i think you will find its an 80ltr engel
they are an excellent frg/frzr and you wont be dissapointed
just make sure you put in a dedicated heavy duty twin wire from your battery via a h/d fuse holder and connect it to the frz/frzr only at least 6mm wiring is needed and even heavier if over long distant to position of your fridge if on your camper then use anderson plugs for connectors at rear of vehicle
not 7 or 12 pin
imho anderson is the only connector i would trust to carry the power supply they are simple and trouble free if properly fitted
dont connect any other items i have proved this over many years of 4wding and using fridge/freezers
run a seperate h/dty cable for using other items and other stuff
trying to run several items like compressors etc off the frg power supply will cause problems
there is nothing worst than finding a hot fridge full of food /drinks halfway along your journey
and also everyone else that has tried to run their fridges/frzrs on small wiring have found the fridge is eratic or will cause running problems as
well
and they start blaming the frg/frzr no matter what the brand name is
there are business members on this site who can give you all the good imfo if needed
beware of auto electricians all due respects
as some of them do not understand about wiring size and heavy connectors
when it comes to wiring for fridge/freezers
and have been known to install lite duty wiring when it should have been much heavier
cheers
barry
AnswerID:
453040
Follow Up By: Mick O - Monday, May 02, 2011 at 15:39
Monday, May 02, 2011 at 15:39
Barry, the combo is 75 litres as you lose internal space with the insulator wall. 35 litre freezer and 40 litre fridge chilled by spillover from the freezer. Identicle external size to the 80 litre fridge but with two internal baskets only and no dividing wall, there is no reduction in internal volume as with the combo.
Cheers Mick
FollowupID:
725807
Follow Up By: Member - michael (BOXHD) r (VI - Monday, May 02, 2011 at 17:57
Monday, May 02, 2011 at 17:57
hi i have a 80 lt engel fridge and also a 30 lt that i use as a freezer so u all ready have a a smaller 1 so y not use that as a frezzer and bye a 80 ltr like i did and have plenty of fridge room then
cheers mick
FollowupID:
725824
Reply By: vk1dx - Monday, May 02, 2011 at 15:00
Monday, May 02, 2011 at 15:00
Our sons have 60 lt combos and we have a two fridge setup, with a 40Lt as a fridge and a 21lt as a freezer. All engels as
well. The boys prefer ours. Take a little more room. I like the idea that if one gives up we at least have some capability with the remaining one no matter which one dies.
Food for thought.
Phil
AnswerID:
453043
Follow Up By: AlbyNSW - Wednesday, May 04, 2011 at 21:20
Wednesday, May 04, 2011 at 21:20
I prefer the idea also of two separate units than one large one. If you have a failure outback ( which can happen with any brand) you still have an option with the remaining unit plus as your supplies reduce you can turn one off to conserve
battery power
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: vk1dx - Tuesday, May 10, 2011 at 10:34
Tuesday, May 10, 2011 at 10:34
Too true!
FollowupID:
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Reply By: Mick1234 - Monday, May 02, 2011 at 16:13
Monday, May 02, 2011 at 16:13
Hi Noddy Yeah I would recomend the purchase of the Engel Fridge Freezer though I think it is an 80L but don't quote me. The 60L is small we have one and I wish I had purchased the 80L. Have a great and safe trip. Thanks Mick
AnswerID:
453058
Follow Up By: Member - Bill B1 (NSW) - Tuesday, May 03, 2011 at 19:48
Tuesday, May 03, 2011 at 19:48
Buy a 3 way fridge/freezer. You get a partition to make part of it freezer and the other fridge.
Support accessories are a gas bottle not a solar panel.
You can stay in the bush with gas and not worry about the state of your batteries. You can get away with just the one back up battery on your vehicle too.
Bill
FollowupID:
725960
Reply By: Member - cuffs (SA) - Tuesday, May 10, 2011 at 10:55
Tuesday, May 10, 2011 at 10:55
Just use a fridge, cryovac all your meats will last 5 weeks in a fridge unless you want to carry Ice cream.
AnswerID:
453832