Engel v Weaco.
Submitted: Tuesday, Dec 30, 2003 at 12:09
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Nav 80
Watched a demo the other day with a new 40Ltr Engel and a Weaco both running on freeze through amp meters. The Engel was pulling 3 amps and the Weaco 6 amps. Interesting, as current draw is very important especialy when running two fridges. Still waiting to hear from the insurance company for a replacement for the one I had stolen.and the excuses for why it wasent covered.
Reply By: Mark from Getaway Portable Refrigerator Hire - Tuesday, Dec 30, 2003 at 12:25
Tuesday, Dec 30, 2003 at 12:25
Hi Nav 80, A word of caution in regard to current draw.... The overall usuage on a 24 hr period is what to go by. Fridges such as the Trailblaza have compressors running at the max speed as they believe that it is more efficent to do this and have the calculations to back it up. Waeco use the Danfoss Compressor and if the demo shows that it is pulling 6 amps then it sounds like they have it tweeked right up as
well. Fridges such as the autofridge use the Danfoss but have it slowed down (the compressor (or newer models have a variable speed) I am not a fridge technician but would guess that the fridges with "boost" change the resistance so that the compressor runs faster.
Regards
MarkGetaway Portable Refrigerator Hire
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Follow Up By: Member - Eskimo - Tuesday, Dec 30, 2003 at 19:02
Tuesday, Dec 30, 2003 at 19:02
sorry mark
lower amps means better efficiency....
how ever the test being described above is also not indicitive of efficiency unless all the variables are the same. But it can be measured as follows:
One must measure kWr (being kiloWatts refrigeration) per hour and the measured current draw is the only way to test these things. This test must be done using the same product ie
water all starting and ending at the same temperatures...fridge and or freezer temps.
Manufacturers data such amps/compressor output in kWr is for the compressor only.
one then has to design the system to utilize as much as possible the manufacturers efficiency. Then we have high ambients and even higher ambients which also effects performance as does insulating qualities....
too hard to work so i use two batteries...simpleWow! am I cute
If yer ain't fishing, Yer ain't livin
Richard
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Reply By: Dave from Fraser Coast 4WD Club - Tuesday, Dec 30, 2003 at 12:27
Tuesday, Dec 30, 2003 at 12:27
Nav, there are so many variables involved in the running of a fridge. The most important one is the empty space in the fridge, followed by duty cycles.
Now if you were to fill them with exactly the same goods, allow it to reach operating temp, and then monitor the power consumption over say 24 hours, then that would be a real indication.
I'm not doubting that the Waeco was using more juice, but i think that that test was a little over simplistic.
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Nav 80 - Tuesday, Dec 30, 2003 at 12:47
Tuesday, Dec 30, 2003 at 12:47
Thanks for those comments,I understand what you mean. The test was run by an Engel dealer so could have been set up to sell Engel. I have been running Engel for over 20 yrs with only one problem with a reset button, but have no dout the Weaco is also a good product.
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Follow Up By: Eric from Cape York Connections - Tuesday, Dec 30, 2003 at 16:33
Tuesday, Dec 30, 2003 at 16:33
Nav you answerd your own question on which to get had an engel for 20 years so I know what one I would get.
All the best
Eric
tag alongs to the cape and beyondCape
York Connections
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Reply By: joc45 - Tuesday, Dec 30, 2003 at 13:29
Tuesday, Dec 30, 2003 at 13:29
The dealer is playing with figures to fool the unwary. Current draw alone is not the measure.
I run a 39L Autofridge (about 4.5A draw, Danfoss compressor), mate runs an Engel (latest 40L, 3A draw). On a recent trip together, while his drew less current than
mine, it ran for a much longer duty cycle, making the total amp-hours higher. Both fridges were mostly full.
Mine was sitting on a colder setting as
well (about 1deg for
mine, 4deg for his). Weather was around 35deg shade temp, both vehicles in the sun.
Gerry.
AnswerID:
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Reply By: brett - Tuesday, Dec 30, 2003 at 17:48
Tuesday, Dec 30, 2003 at 17:48
If the Waeco was pulling 6 amps I'd say they had the turbo boost on which runs the compressor harder for quicker cooling, The Danfoss should only pull about 4.5 amps normally, highest i've measured my Waceo is 4.8 amps but over 6 amps with the turbo boost on. As said by others you need to look at a 24 hour period. I think there's probably not much in it.
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Reply By: Member - Eskimo - Tuesday, Dec 30, 2003 at 19:05
Tuesday, Dec 30, 2003 at 19:05
lets not forget that there are two types of Danfoss compressors that Trailbalza use or have used.
The earlier ones were single speed and the newer ones are now variable (within limits)Wow! am I cute
If yer ain't fishing, Yer ain't livin
Richard
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41370
Reply By: MPK - Tuesday, Dec 30, 2003 at 19:08
Tuesday, Dec 30, 2003 at 19:08
If you look at the Choice magazine review, it shows that over a duty cycle period, to maintain the same temperature at ext 32C ambient, the Waeco CF40 uses 1 amp per hour whereas the Engel uses 1.1 amps per hour. As the tested current draw whilst running of the engel is 2.7 amps against the Waeco's 4 amps, you can conclude that whilst the engel has a lower nominal current draw, it puts out much less cooling power and therfore must cycle longer. This is confirmed by the pull down test - in the same conditions the engel took 2.11 hours to reach the same pull down point (40C to 0C, ambient 43C) as the waeco reached in one hour. Do the math - the engel uses 2.11 hours by 2.7 amps = 5.697 amp hours, the waeco 1 hour by 4 amps = 4 amp hours. Ergo, in the real world, the Waeco uses no mopre current than the engel, perhaps less.
I don't own either.
Matt
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Follow Up By: Member - Eskimo - Tuesday, Dec 30, 2003 at 19:52
Tuesday, Dec 30, 2003 at 19:52
Yes but the test must be ongoing after the interior has reached temp.
A pull down to 0C in 43 C doesnt tell you much.
Product keeps best if frozen to around -12 or colder Assuming compressor is selected for duty of fridge correctly the only other variable to really worry about is the insulation,
This assumes that the fridge is designed to get to your temperature requirements.
Mine is -15C but would be happy with -12C (ice cream is a bit to soft above -10)
Believe some engels wont get there at 40 ambients...not sure of some others but
mine does.Wow! am I cute
If yer ain't fishing, Yer ain't livin
Richard
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Reply By: Chris (W.A.) - Tuesday, Dec 30, 2003 at 20:23
Tuesday, Dec 30, 2003 at 20:23
Hope your fridge wasn't in your vehicle if your with RAC.
I phoned them to add accessories on to my policy - yes to everything except
portable fridges.
Funny, it's just as easy to dismount an electric winch off the front of the car compared to smashing windows and getting inside to remove a large bulky thing.
RegardsNice southerly coastal fishing trip someday.
Chris
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Follow Up By: Nav 80 - Tuesday, Dec 30, 2003 at 21:57
Tuesday, Dec 30, 2003 at 21:57
Gday all,,,Thanks again for all the input, lots of interesting comments.
Both my Engels and Robin 1 Kva genset is insured on a seperate policy with Western QBE. as these items are not covered once they leave your property. Will keep you all informed as to how the claim goes.
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