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4x4abc
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: La Paz, Baja California, Mexico
Vehicle(s): 02 G500
| fridge/freezer for G500
I have to get the economy going and plan on buying a fridge/freezer for my G500
but which one?
why is one better than the other?
I dimly remember a side by side test in Overland Journal, but my collection of magazines is in La Paz while I am on the Rubicon. Can someone please scan the article and PM me?
thanks guys! |
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DUTCH
Administrator Doppelgänger
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: US, GA, Atlanta
Vehicle(s): 2015 Audi Q7 3.0 TDI,2018 Sprinter
Posts: 9963
| RE: fridge/freezer for G500
4x4abc - 7/30/2011 12:45 PM
I have to get the economy going and plan on buying a fridge/freezer for my G500
but which one?
why is one better than the other?
I dimly remember a side by side test in Overland Journal, but my collection of magazines is in La Paz while I am on the Rubicon. Can someone please scan the article and PM me?
thanks guys!
One word: "ENGEL".  |
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4x4abc
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: La Paz, Baja California, Mexico
Vehicle(s): 02 G500
| RE: fridge/freezer for G500
but why?
what makes Engle better than the others? |
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koly
Elite Veteran
Date registered: Jul 2006
Location: Scottsdale, AZ USA
Vehicle(s): 2000 G500
Posts: 823
| RE: fridge/freezer for G500
Related info:
http://www.expeditionportal.com/equipment/equipment_reviews/fridge/... |
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DUTCH
Administrator Doppelgänger
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: US, GA, Atlanta
Vehicle(s): 2015 Audi Q7 3.0 TDI,2018 Sprinter
Posts: 9963
| RE: fridge/freezer for G500
4x4abc - 7/30/2011 1:42 PM
but why?
what makes Engle better than the others?
Actually it's "Engel". Check with Dave (Hipine) and Karl (Fernweh) for other folks with Engel experience.
FWIW, the ARB fridges are Engel rebadged. |
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Fernando BR
Date registered: Jan 2007
Location: Brasil
Vehicle(s): G500/05 300GE/91 300GD/80
| Re: fridge/freezer for G500
For me igloo is the best , i have many ( boats..etc..etc..) for more than 15 years witout troubles....
http://www.roadtrucker.com/12-volt-coolers-accessories/12-volt-cool...
pc. Land Cruiser system at center console using AC cold air is nice for beers.......I would be a G upgrade
Edited by Fernando BR 7/30/2011 3:06 PM
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syncro
Extreme Veteran
Date registered: May 2007
Location: Orinda, CA
Vehicle(s): '84 280GE LWB > 300GD, '75 240D
Posts: 477
| RE: fridge/freezer for G500
Engel, National Luna and ARB all make good fridges
Each offers different features and capacities.
Built in thermometer and control
Fridge and freezer combo
exterior size vs usable space
Energy draw
Lid opening direction- could easily matter depending on setup.
If your goal is to kick start the US economy, consider most of the fridges are Australian.
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DUTCH
Administrator Doppelgänger
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: US, GA, Atlanta
Vehicle(s): 2015 Audi Q7 3.0 TDI,2018 Sprinter
Posts: 9963
| RE: fridge/freezer for G500
syncro - 7/30/2011 3:05 PM
If your goal is to kick start the US economy, consider most of the fridges are Australian.
The Engel is made in Japan by Sawafuji Electric Co, Ltd. |
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grazza
Veteran
Date registered: Apr 2010
Location: Australia
Vehicle(s): W460 230GE 1988 - OM606 turbo diesel, 722.608 auto
Posts: 277
| RE: fridge/freezer for G500
The old ARB fridges were a re-badged Engel.
The newer ARB's are made by Mobicool, based in Hong Kong (parent company being Dometic)
It is not a re-badge but built to ARB's specification.
Waeco is also a Mobicool company, It uses a Danfoss compressor (German or Chinese) like the ARB and many others.
Engel were made in Japan but are now made in Thailand. They still use the Japanese Sawafuji swing compressor.
National Luna are a South African company but I dont know where the fridges are made.
I think they are all good fridges. I have a Weaco 40L.
I would be surprised if there was not a USA 12v fridge - your RV market is huge.
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norsecarnut
Extreme Veteran
Date registered: Apr 2009
Location: Seattle, WA
Vehicle(s): 07 Rover LR3, 08 Audi S4Avant,04 Disco2,96 Disco1
Posts: 305
| RE: fridge/freezer for G500
4x4abc - 7/30/2011 10:42 AM
but why?
what makes Engle better than the others?
I have used 2 ARB. My first, a 40L bought in 2007 has been great but it's lcd screen with the current temp just went blank recently. The 2nd one bought last year for size and access purposes while using the wagons on trips, is a big improvement design wise.
The lid for example can be slid off laterally which makes use in limited height very easy. Without that feature one would not be able to remove the basket and would have a hard time managing the contents or putting anything in like a gallon of juice.
We really like the new ARB design. The latch is also simpler to deal with. I have the "insulated cover" on both of them. The newest one is the smallest ARB size and has a nice bi-level interior which allows items you don't want as cold to be placed higher. Really it was just a way to have more space overall in a smaller total package.
It comes with a 110v plug too for the house or where you have land power. As you must know already, there are cool "slides mounts" for these to both hold it down safe and also pull it out to you rather than climbing in over it.
I just have mine ratchet strapped down to the cargo tie points to keep it safe.
I have gotten most of my gear like this including the ARB Tent from "Expedition Exchange". They have been great to deal with. |
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burqueDOKA
Elite Veteran
Date registered: Jul 2006
Location: Albuquerque, NM
Vehicle(s): 1550L37Doka, 404 ROCKMOG, '00 G500
Posts: 622
| Re: fridge/freezer for G500
I have the Engle and love it. My friend bought the newer styled ARB, and honestly I like the design and price tagOf the ARB much more than the Engle. Specifically the controls on the front rather than the top, where stuff inevitably bumps the control knob. Also the latch is nicer, the interior has more room, it has a drain and it is thermostatically controlled (ie set it and forget it) as apOsed to a dial from 1-7 where you have to find it's sweet spot and hope it stays ther.
I'd go ARB all the way! |
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fernweh
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: Calabasas, CA - Centenario, BCS - Luebeck, Germany
Vehicle(s): Few Mercedes-Benz, a Toyota Amphibious and a Vespa
| RE: fridge/freezer for G500
get the one with ice and water in the door.....
I think the new ARB's are nice ....talk to Thor and keep the economy in the family 
Karl |
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Redbull Addict
Veteran
Date registered: May 2006
Location: Morgan Hill, California USA
Vehicle(s): '12 G550
Posts: 171
| Re: fridge/freezer for G500
I've owned an Engel 45 for the past 4 years and it was bulletproof. The minor things I didn't like was the way the lid opened up, which required more headroom - not a problem in a G or convertible but an issue it tighter quarters. The dial knob is on a scale of 1-5 versus a set temperature. Obviously not a big deal once you figure out your sweet spot. If you're changing settings and need to be somewhat specific, well...trial and error. No battery protection or warning. They newer generation of fridges have a cutoff or warning indicator, the Engel doesn't. If you can live with those little shortcomings, the Engel is great. The patented motor is very efficient and bulletproof in my opinion. My fridge was on for 4 years straight. I literally never turned it off and it performed flawlessly.
I currently own a national Luna 52. I switched for a few peace of mind reasons, greater capacity and some nice but minor touches. The 52 size gives me enough room to carry food and drinks for my friends. I wanted the battery protection and warning system since i didn't have a second battery and sometimes go out alone. The minor touches are the lid opening to the side and it doesn't come off like the Engel. I also appreciate the light inside the fridge, which is great at night when you're trying to find something buried on the bottom. Having a specific temp gauge to set the fridge is also a nice to have. The National Luna is also supposed to be the most efficient. That being said it is also the most expensive by about ~40%.
I think the ARB has many of the same features of the National Luna and costs less.
Edited by Redbull Addict 7/30/2011 9:40 PM
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AlanMcR
Expert
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: US, CA, Los Altos
Vehicle(s): G300DT E300DT 230SL
Posts: 3500
| RE: fridge/freezer for G500
I bought a Dometic (formerly Waeco) and am pretty satisfied with it. Like most of the travel fridges it has a Danfoss BD35 compressor and the associated Danfoss control electronics (12-24DC, 100-240AC). Power draw is very low. No real problems so far. When I first got it the lid was ever so slightly warped. I left a sledge hammer laying on it and that fixed it. It has two cooling areas, digital control of temperature and three levels of low-battery cutout. The outside is plastic which I prefer. The lid top is the same eight as 463 seat back when fully folded.
Bought it here (link) - no connection aside from being a customer.
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hipine
Date registered: Jul 2006
Location: US, CO, Bailey
Vehicle(s): 460 1980 280GE w. 617A
| RE: fridge/freezer for G500
Sadly, I don't think my experience is worth much to your decision Harald.
The Engle 45 I've had about as long as my G has been bullet proof doing everything, using very little powwer, keeping food and drinks perfectly, for I don't know how long. It's somehow managed to do that without selectable battery cutoffs, digital displays, or much of anything else except rock solid design of the basic necessities. I don't know where it was made or the nationality of the designer. It plain works and I bought it because of the combined millions of jostling miles and tens of years of known experience with the design and manufacture of the unit.
But so many things change in the world every day and its possible that the Engel has changed too. If it has, I'd be bummed because I literally could not think of a way to make this fridge really better than it is.
I got mine from John at Expedition Exchange because he's a friend and keeping my old D-90 very well all these years. Honestly he's the one who told me one day, "You gotta have one of these!" I thought it was a nonsensically indulgent expenditure. Until I had one. Now we could never go back to ice chests. And honestly, would like to have a second one.
Today, I couldn't be sure what to buy either. Most of them seem to want to bench race thier lists of gadgetry. But I look more at economy of space and power, and basic functionality. I figure "what aint there, can't break" and what is there had better be backed up by solid design and a lot of experience. Now that I think about it, My Engel is a lot like my G. Basic no-frills, iron and brick reliability, which suits me exactly but obviously isn't for everyone.
Have fun!
-Dave G. |
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kerry460
Elite Veteran
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: tasmania australia
Vehicle(s): 1984 300GD LWB WAGEN
Posts: 611
| RE: fridge/freezer for G500
having owned and used engels , i wouldnt buy another, this is because my bushman fridge is far superior in my opinion.
but i dont know if you can get this aussy designed fridge in th usa.
kerry
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Inkblotz
Expert
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: Georgia
Vehicle(s): 90 300GD "Thundering Turtle II", w/ 603A turbo
Posts: 3186
| RE: fridge/freezer for G500
Don't "real" Germans drink their beer warm?
M |
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DUTCH
Administrator Doppelgänger
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: US, GA, Atlanta
Vehicle(s): 2015 Audi Q7 3.0 TDI,2018 Sprinter
Posts: 9963
| RE: fridge/freezer for G500
Inkblotz - 7/31/2011 10:28 AM
Don't "real" Germans drink their beer warm?
M
You're thinking of the Brits. |
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4x4abc
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: La Paz, Baja California, Mexico
Vehicle(s): 02 G500
| RE: fridge/freezer for G500
thank you all!
I decided for the 63 qt Edgestar
$200 down from the already low $799
I needed 4 of them and price really mattered
http://www.livingdirect.com/FP630-Spacious-EdgeStar-Portable-Refrig...
I'll let you know how they will hold up |
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norsecarnut
Extreme Veteran
Date registered: Apr 2009
Location: Seattle, WA
Vehicle(s): 07 Rover LR3, 08 Audi S4Avant,04 Disco2,96 Disco1
Posts: 305
| Re: fridge/freezer for G500
interesting, why "4" ?
It's funny when a friend on a mountain bike trip says "hey, that's so cool, our food and beer will stay cold all week even when it's hot. Say, how much did it cost?" I should have little band-aids in my hand when I tell them because they invariably scuff their chin on the pavement when I tell them the total fridge, bag and shipping/tax cost. 
Can we have a solar charging solutions thread? It's along the lines of how to power these things over extended outings without running the engine or draining the 2nd battery fully. |
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