Engel Fridges - WA

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grumplestiltskin
grumplestiltskin
WA
2331 posts
WA, 2331 posts
2 Aug 2012 12:30pm
Looking to purchase an Engel fridge - in Perth.

does anyone have any advice on the best shops to buy them from? i.e. where you got the best deal / service etc.
jamdfingr
jamdfingr
QLD
663 posts
QLD, 663 posts
2 Aug 2012 2:50pm
Sorry mate, I don't know how to answer your question but wanted to put in my 2 cents...

I looked at buying an engel a while ago and ended up buying a Bushman fridge instead.

It has digital control, uses an average of 16ah per day and comes with varying configurations of lids & collars for around the $1200 mark.

I don't sell them or have any affilitation, nor could I tell you where to get one in WA but in my experience, I found them to be a great product.

I believe it uses a similar danforth compressor to what the Engels used and are Australian Owned.

They also have better insulation properties but this means they are a little bulkier than the Engel.

I havent had anything break on it yet after a year of 4x4 use so can't tell you about their warranty or service.

I would check them out if I were buying again, and you may still end up buying Engel as it is a good brand and a good fridge, but it is good to know what else is out there....

bushman.com.au/
westozwind
westozwind
WA
1418 posts
WA, 1418 posts
2 Aug 2012 1:07pm
Found Engeland to be good for hire and sales.
www.engeland.com.au/
The also sell second hand which will save you a buck or two.
myusernam
myusernam
QLD
6158 posts
QLD, 6158 posts
2 Aug 2012 3:11pm
danforth is an anchor. You mean danfoss compressor, which the bushman has. But the engel has it's own compressor, the sufaji swing motor. Your 2c aint worth 1c!

Danfoss compressor systems are repairable. If the engel dies, it's $600 for the whole internals as a replacement.
Danfoss compressors chew 4.5 amps when on but quite powerfull so when used as a frij their duty cycle is less so have beaten the engel in SOME tests.

engel uses 2.7 amps when on. If using more as a freezer (compressor on al lthe time) engel draws 2.7 (40 litre + below only) danfoss 4.5.
Almost all other friges *(worth buying) have danfoss, but there are now chinese cpopies. dont touch them.

Waeco good.

Trailblazer very heavy bulky/ thick insulation (not that much help if opening and closing like a frij) but very heavy duty.

I have engel because I got it cheap.
If I was buying new Id go waeco
jamdfingr
jamdfingr
QLD
663 posts
QLD, 663 posts
2 Aug 2012 3:18pm
Yes, it is a Danfoss compressor... I couldnt remember what the name was but it sounded like danforth....

I have still had a good run with mine though and I like to be able to support the smaller Australian brands...

and the engel compressor is a Sawafuji compressor not Sufaji... if we are going to be correcting each other...

And Im not trying to start an arguement but from what I have heard, the Waecos are not a popular brand. prone to break down, not well built, service when dealing with warranty claims is appauling... these are some of the comments I heard about them....

Has there been any updates in the last year or so that have improved this?
TurtleHunter
TurtleHunter
WA
1675 posts
WA, 1675 posts
2 Aug 2012 2:29pm
I prefer fridges with a danfoss. If you are going to sleep anywhere near it definably go the danfoss as the swing motor can make the whole car rumble like a roadtrain is going past. As for waeco being no good you get what you pay for and sometimes you don't have enough space for all the insulation like on the bushmans
fingerbone
fingerbone
NSW
921 posts
NSW, 921 posts
2 Aug 2012 4:54pm
We went through the goods and bads of a fair few fridge/freezer units and settled on the Engel.They have been around for a very long time and have a great back up service in case things go wrong.
The way I got explained is there is a lot less to go wrong with an Engel than most other units.
pweedas
pweedas
WA
4642 posts
WA, 4642 posts
2 Aug 2012 3:07pm
I've been using a Waeco for about five years now and had no problems with it, although it only gets used for about 6 weeks each year. It bangs around in a 4wd camper van and it has taken a bit of a pounding and nothing broken or fallen off,...yet.
It's one of the smaller ones and quiet enough to sleep with my head less than 2 metres from it.
I suppose you could sleep with your head right on it depending how sensitive you are to background noise. If it's a windy night you can hardly hear it but on a still night it's easy to hear, but not offensive.

I looked at a few different brands before I bought it and settled on Waeco because it looked like the best specs for the least price.
Others might be a bit better but about twice the price.
About twice a year places like BCF put them out on special and are then quite cheap.
tightlines
tightlines
WA
3509 posts
WA, 3509 posts
2 Aug 2012 3:39pm
I can't help you with the engel but want to give another vote to the waeco.
My dad is a grey nomad and spends a lot of time fishing in the NW he switched from engel to waeco years ago and raved about them.
Also when about to purchase a fridge myself 7 or so years back I saw a 4x4 magazine had a test on heaps of fridges, the one that won was the waeco cf40 (fairly small but suited my requirements) so that's what I got. (I don't think the Bushman was around then or if it was it didn't win for some reason).
I remember some of the main points they liked on the waeco was the efficiency, digital readout and settings and the low battery cutout, I suppose most fridges have those things now.

I had some issues with it in the first year and it was replaced no questions asked, from memory the even gave me 12 months warranty on the replacement but it hasn't missed a beat.
I ran it constantly through a couple of summers as a beer fridge, loved the way you could set the temp digitally so you beer was just off freezing :).

Like others have said, they are much quiter than the engel.
I have a Nissan GQ patrol LWB wagon which has all the back seats removed and a bed installed, the fridge sits under the bed inside one of the side doors so my head is almost on top of it whilst sleeping and yep it is way quieter than an Engel.

If I was to have to replace my waeco I would certainly be happy to get another on but would be checking out the Bushman first as I have heard good things about them, they use the same compressor and I believe do have better insulation.


Lots of people still love their Engels though and they are a pretty tough unit.
russh
russh
SA
3027 posts
SA, 3027 posts
2 Aug 2012 5:34pm
I have heard that the "autofridge" eutectic (aussie designed) is a choice for those with limited power options but cost lots of cash - anyone got any experience - my 1985 chescold 3 way needs updating and I am having the same decision problems
grumplestiltskin
grumplestiltskin
WA
2331 posts
WA, 2331 posts
2 Aug 2012 4:19pm
russh said...

I have heard that the "autofridge" eutectic (aussie designed) is a choice for those with limited power options but cost lots of cash - anyone got any experience - my 1985 chescold 3 way needs updating and I am having the same decision problems


I havent made a decision yet :), but the bushman site that jamonhisfinger listed shows a three way option
poor relative
poor relative
WA
9106 posts
WA, 9106 posts
2 Aug 2012 4:44pm
grumplestiltskin said...

but the bushman site shows a three way option


Mmmmmmm i love three way
grumplestiltskin
grumplestiltskin
WA
2331 posts
WA, 2331 posts
2 Aug 2012 5:30pm
poor relative said...

grumplestiltskin said...

but the bushman site shows a three way option


Mmmmmmm i love three way


remember that one time, at bandcamp
DASZIP
DASZIP
SA
135 posts
SA, 135 posts
2 Aug 2012 7:08pm
I have a waeco as well and am very happy. When not camping it sits running at home for the beer fridge. Has run constantly for about five years without a problem. Never owned another brand so cant compare.
Chris6791
Chris6791
WA
3271 posts
WA, 3271 posts
2 Aug 2012 5:44pm
I've only had Waecos, the warranty is as good as you can get, they will just keep replacing the same parts again and again and again and again...
firiebob
firiebob
WA
3182 posts
WA, 3182 posts
2 Aug 2012 6:52pm
I'm fairly sure Engel control their pricing so no real discounts except for all sorts of crap thrown in. I'd buy from someone who also services them.

If you're also thinking of the 3way, remember on 12v they'll suck your battery flat in the blink of an eye.

Not your question but I've had Engel's for over 30 years, caravanning and camping with lots of use and have had my fair share of repairs but no sweat as nothing lasts forever. The problem now as myusernam said you have no choice but replace the whole kit for over $600 if you need a repair, wtf. I've gone to the dark side and got an ARB 47L, just a fancy Waeco but I'm very impressed, it's lasting longer on the batt, quieter, has a temp display and a low volt auto cut off and no crap hinges like my Engels.
mineral1
mineral1
WA
4564 posts
WA, 4564 posts
2 Aug 2012 7:52pm
Grumps, Company I work for sell them now with the new on-highway trucks
Price wise, Waco kills them hands down, even with my paltry discount if I want one, Waco still wins hands down on price.
Most thongies will tell you there isn't much difference on performance or longevity that they run in the sleeper cabs between both brands.
There are the long held brand users like Mack and Kenworth owner operators, where neither would own the other brand. Same with Engel and Waco.
rod_bunny
rod_bunny
WA
1089 posts
WA, 1089 posts
2 Aug 2012 9:05pm
Always had engels for exploration work... until it was time that I had to pay for one out of my own pocket... I have a Waeco now.

Pretty hard to go past the 50l waeco against the 40l engel. The baskets from each are interchangeable, you get the extra space in the "dairy section" of the waeco.

My heart was set on the engel but it was really hard to go passed the Waeco on price. I dealt locally using internet prices and got quite a good discount as I didnt want all the torches, stubbie holders, hats, umbrellas etc. If memory serves I got the CF50 fridge, canvas cover, 55l Cool-Ice esky and then they threw in the universal tie down kit all for $1199.

There's a factory seconds site for waeco as well... store-au.dometic.com/s/factory-seconds
tightlines
tightlines
WA
3509 posts
WA, 3509 posts
2 Aug 2012 9:10pm
firiebob said...


If you're also thinking of the 3way, remember on 12v they'll suck your battery flat in the blink of an eye.



Firiebob makes a good point, the 3 ways use an element instead of a compressor and chew through the power on 12V.
They are great if you are setting up camp for a while and running gas but if you are on the move or wanting to use solar panels, batteries etc forget it.
Legion
Legion
WA
2222 posts
WA, 2222 posts
3 Aug 2012 9:52am
If you have time to wait, you can get Engels at a significant discount. Once or twice a year Ray's Outdoors (or whatever they're called now) has a 20% off sale. If you sign up as a Ray's member you get another 6.5% off. If you're a RAC member you get another 10% off. So you can get up to 36.5% off if you combine all the discounts. I've fallen for the temptation twice, and have a 60L and a 20L.

If I was in a rush I'd go to Engeland.
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