Fridge question.

Ben... · September 17, 2011, 05:27:11 PM

Hi everyone, looking at a 40ltr fridge, have always been a esky/icebox user. I had access to a 90lte fridge but that option is no longer available, so I'm research our own purchase. I quite like to look of the engel fridge freezer jobbies, but these arb fridge look pretty good. Any feed back either way? Bang for buck/ amps/ etc? We don't go away that long but do have all the power and solar to backup fridge use. Suggestions?

swanny · September 17, 2011, 06:01:02 PM

Many and varied opinions on here mate, i have an Engel 40 Litre, and have had it for about 12 odd years and no probs, me thinks i will leave for my kids and they will still be using it in 40 years.

Swanny

Top.ender · September 17, 2011, 06:05:05 PM

cant go wrong if you buy quality.....Engel all the way

BigJules · September 17, 2011, 06:15:15 PM

Ben, Ben, Ben, Ben. You've kicked off another round of the eternal battle: Waeco or Engel. Or Bushman, ARB etc.

I have a couple of Engels, couldn't be happier. In a recent 4wd magazine comparison, they rated the ARB 47L as the best in class, but there wasn't much in it.

discoteddy · September 17, 2011, 06:16:24 PM

Quote from: Top.ender on September 17, 2011, 06:05:05 PM
cant go wrong if you buy quality.....Engel all the way

x 2!

D4D · September 17, 2011, 06:20:17 PM

If you're going to leave it in the ute Engel, if you need to move it around Waeco. The ARB are also worth a look.

Ben... · September 17, 2011, 06:33:53 PM

47l is about this size I'm looking at, arb is stacking up pretty nice.

gadgetman · September 17, 2011, 06:41:54 PM

I agree with D4D. Engel's have less moving parts so better in a ute than the others. I've used a 45, 50 and 80 litre Waeco's and haven't had any problems over many years. A mate who is ex ARB told me the other day that the Waeco's and the ARB come out of the same factory. Surprised me but there you go.
Rob

Macca357 · September 17, 2011, 07:27:55 PM

Hi Ben, we've had a 40l engel for 10 years. Only had to replace the 'turbo' fan, cost less than $30 and did it myself. I doubt you'll find a better built unit than the Engel.

Macca.

kylarama · September 17, 2011, 11:05:47 PM

You could go with one of the above mentioned brands or you could help protect our economy and buy an Australian made and owned Evakool

.

I couldn't tell you what the after sales service is like, as I've never had to use it!

Heiny · September 18, 2011, 07:18:36 AM

Quote from: kylarama on September 17, 2011, 11:05:47 PM
You could go with one of the above mentioned brands or you could help protect our economy and buy an Australian made and owned Evakool .

I couldn't tell you what the after sales service is like, as I've never had to use it!

Nothing wrong with an Evakool, the word is that there after sales support is excellent

Buying an Engel is likened to buying a Toyota, they both have very good reputations but you will pay a premium price for something that is not necessarily better.

@fnq4now · September 18, 2011, 07:38:23 AM

Have an ARB and love it!!!

GeoffA · September 18, 2011, 08:13:05 AM

Quote from: @fnq4now on September 18, 2011, 07:38:23 AM
Have an ARB and love it!!!

What he ^ said.............

Shager · September 18, 2011, 08:26:40 AM

I run a 60Lt Engle for camping ( which ran as a fridge for me for 12mths when i was single) and i run a Arb 47lt in the back of the Ute, which i use as a lunch box everyday so it does not get turned off. When camping the engle is the fridge, the arb is the freezer for the first couple of days then becomes the beer fridge. I cannot fault either unit

Prado BB · September 18, 2011, 08:31:50 AM

whichever way you go, consider Anaconda has 25% display fridges at the moment.

GGV8Cruza · September 18, 2011, 08:35:21 AM

Any fridge beats sloshing ice and water in the Margerine. I would get one of the top players and have enough battery to keep the tinnies cold.

GG

kiwipete · September 18, 2011, 02:04:45 PM

I have both a ARB 47litre Fridge and a 40 Litre Waeco... On Apperance the ARB has it all the way including volume finish and build, however the Weaco is so quite in comparision so in Tent the weaco is a winner, I was very surprised here as the ARB's noise never worried me until we got the Weaco and I struggle to hear it running and the waeco works really well far better than what I expected ....

I also don't like how the weaco model we have has the controls at the back and when in the 80 it is a PITA where the ARB's controls are easily accessed at the front... I have to get up over the fridge to look at it's controls...

ARB's Canvas cover is great but the velcro is a bastard to get to stick, I have replaced mine with Velcro from Bunnings...
Weaco's cover is has to be unzipped everytime you open the fridge - PITA

Really on appearances only the ARB wins everytime but it is a toss up other than that, I think they are both good fridges and each has it's place .....

I considered a Engel briefly but it lost - I even consider a Fridgemate then I saw one... The Evacools look intersting...

gruesome · September 18, 2011, 03:09:23 PM

We have a 39L Engel that was purchased in 1986 has been all over the place and still works like new, about to give it another test over the next 5 weeks,
cheers Andy

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Macca357