MySwag.org The Off-road Camper Trailer Forum
General => General Discussion => Topic started by: jeb1900 on July 27, 2012, 10:26:11 AM
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Hey Guys,
I think that I have basically answered my own question though I am keen to hear what your opinion is.
I'm considering going with two 40L fridges. Likely to be two Waeco CF-40s, rather than one Waeco CF-80.
http://tentworld.com.au/products/fridge/item/Waeco-CF-40-Fridge-Freezer-incBag.aspx (http://tentworld.com.au/products/fridge/item/Waeco-CF-40-Fridge-Freezer-incBag.aspx)
http://tentworld.com.au/products/fridge/item/Waeco-CF-80-Fridge-Freezer-incBag.aspx (http://tentworld.com.au/products/fridge/item/Waeco-CF-80-Fridge-Freezer-incBag.aspx)
The theory is, that this will give me more flexibility and less demand on my batteries.
This is the reasoning behind my madness.
From what I understand your typical CF-40 will consume 1amp of power per hour on average. I've also been told that a CF-80 will generally consume 2 amps per hour. Therefore the power consumption is the same, if you're running both fridges at the same time.
However, when you depart on a trip you'll of course have fridges full of food & drink. Though after you've been away, you've likely consumed a fair majority of your food and drink.
With the knowledge that a fridge works most efficiently when it's full of solid objects, I would transfer the food over to the one fridge and turn off the other as soon as I could.
I'm generally a hopeless fisherman ;D, so it's unlikely that I'll ever need freezer space to store fish. However, if I manage to strike it lucky. I could always turn one fridge into a freezer. This is probably the only scenario that I would run a freezer though, as generally the additional power consumption is not worth it IMO and I vacuum seal all my meat so freezer is unnecessary otherwise!
Ontop of this, I figure you're probably going to end up being a bit more power efficient than a CF-80 because you're likely only opening one of those fridges regularly rather than opening the whole fridge like you would do in a CF-80.
Has anyone else gone this way? Are you happy with your decision or would you do anything differently?
Cheers,
Jon
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I think that I have basically answered my own question though I am keen to hear what your opinion is.
I reckon you're spot on Jon.
We use a 40l Engel and a 18l (maybe 21, can't remember) Waeco exactly like this.
LJ
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Jon,
Have the same set up with a 40 & 32 ltr Engels.
Cheers
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Go the two
Wyno
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Go the two
Wyno
x 2
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Also have a look at the space taken up...
Remembering you have to have clear space round each one, but the larger 80's etc are huge...
After having the engel Shit itself on day 2 of a 3232 week trip, I have now gone with 2x. Lucky Dan had space in his fridge in his shantytown Trackmaster
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Great feedback guys, thank you for aiding in the decision making process!
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If one packs up all is not lost,plus you can use one as a freezer as well.
Cheers.
Titch
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another double thumbs up for the two fridge idea, we run two 40 ltr Engels for the same resons that you have mentioned :cheers:
Disco Teddy.
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From experience have 2 x 40L. Much better for reasons mentioned.
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I use a 50L and a 30L, it gives more flexibility and is a safety margin if one fails. But there is extra cost to be considered.
Trevor
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I also run 2 x 40L Engels and it works for us. We try and use one for drinks which gets opened regularly and keep the second fridge for food which gets opened rarely.
Good thing about his option is if I go camping/fishing by myself I can take 1 fridge instead of having a large 80L half empty in the back of the car.
Also towards the end of a trip a might turn off the 2nd fridge and just run one to save battery power.
I'm sure buying a 80l is cheaper, but seeing we had already owned our first 40L engel for 10 years it was just easier to buy a second one
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This is what i like about this site.....
I was planning on a 60 to 80 litre fridge/freezer, but will now end up with two 40's or a 40/30 for all the same reasons everyone else has said.
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Got a 40 and 32 engel in the Patrol for nearly 4 years and works a treat. Gives you great flexiblity to alter the type of cooling you need, such as a Freezer for one , and A fridge for the other or even a crisper. You can move everything into one and shut one down if required and ensure the remaining fridge is absolutely full increasing efficiency. Backup if one goes down, Massive beer capacity for those extended trips, particularly if you have another fridge in the camper.
(http://www.myswag.org/gallery/d/40521-2/15072012_002_.jpg).
(http://www.myswag.org/gallery/d/40527-2/15072012_005_.jpg).
Cheers Mike :cheers:
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definatly go for 2 individual fridges, I started with the 60l combi, and ended up buying a smaller engel for a freezer for a long trip,
wished I had just bought 2x 40l to start with, more flexability....
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Thanks alot. Just when I had thought I had my mind made up on a new fridge ???
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Do yourself a favor and look at the Evakool RFI 60 litre fridge...Has a adjustable fridge/freezer slide piece so you can freeze in no time and still use fridge...Its also Australian made,5 year warranty and very low on amp draw..
I have one and its been great...They do an 80litre too..
here's some info...http://www.evakool.com/CMS/Uploads/file/Product-Catalogue-proof.pdf#Page=6 (http://www.evakool.com/CMS/Uploads/file/Product-Catalogue-proof.pdf#Page=6)
2 page is here:
BROCHURE DOWNLOAD : 2 page:http://www.evakool.com/products?sprod=112# (http://www.evakool.com/products?sprod=112#)
Goodluck on your choice...
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We run a 60 litre EvaKool in the camper and now a 32 litre Engel in the Prado as a freezer or a drink fridge for short trips. We have used the EvaKool as a fridge freezer and it works well. Just lift the divider of the bottom a couple of mm. :cheers:
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We run two waecos.... got the first (50L) in 2005 and then the 40Ltr about two years ago... this way we can have one as a freezer (ice cream in the desert!) and one just as a fridge. Works for us.
Cheers,
Sue
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New to all this and brought a 80lt waceo ! Now I wish I had 2 seperate 1x fridge 1x freezer or 2 x freezer if required when fishing. We will keep the 80lt and purchase a 30 lt for freezer
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I think the 2 fridge solution is the way to go. Don't want to start a brand fight but the Engel uses less power than Waeco. If you are going to run Waeco, consider having one of them as a CDF35, the 12 volt only one. These are cheap as and are the most reliable Waeco fridge due to lack of clever electronics. I have just replaced my CDF35 (4 amps) with an Engel 40 litre (2.6 amps).
As a fridge, the CDF35 draws about 20 amps per day, as a freezer, it uses about 42 amps based on a test I did recently. I have yet to run the Engel through the same test. Eventually I will get a 21 litre Engel to use as a freezer.
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Just buy one 75ltr AutoFridge, uses heaps less power, simple operation without any electronic BS.....You won't reget using only 20amp/hrs a day for a fridge of that size....Either way, good luck.....:-)
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Just buy one 75ltr AutoFridge, uses heaps less power, simple operation without any electronic BS.....You won't reget using only 20amp/hrs a day for a fridge of that size....Either way, good luck.....:-)
Just wondering which brand 75 litre auto fridge you recommend .
Cheers
Belchie
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Just wondering which brand 75 litre auto fridge you recommend .
Cheers
Belchie
Autofridge is the brand. It is a Eutectic fridge, hence very efficient...
http://www.autofridge.com.au/page/products.html#2 (http://www.autofridge.com.au/page/products.html#2)
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Autofridge is the brand. It is a Eutectic fridge, hence very efficient...
http://www.autofridge.com.au/page/products.html#2 (http://www.autofridge.com.au/page/products.html#2)
Eutectic means it has a container of liquid that is frozen and then keeps the fridge cold for a much longer time. Fridge only cycles maybe twice a day and uses a lot less power, maybe half that of a normal fridge subject to insulation thickness.
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Go the 2 x 40L (Engels), much better IMHO. I have 2 x 40L plus an 82L EvaKool (in my camper) and I find the 2 x 40L a better way to go, much more flexability.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-SZ05oEAjEgY/SliNPsHeQtI/AAAAAAAAAkM/pY98PC6OfDg/s640/P7100023.JPG)
Cheers
Captain
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We run a 60 litre EvaKool in the camper and now a 32 litre Engel in the Prado as a freezer or a drink fridge for short trips. We have used the EvaKool as a fridge freezer and it works well. Just lift the divider of the bottom a couple of mm. :cheers:
Hey Chris,
Would you mind measuring the height of the 32 litre Engel with the lid open, or anyone else that has one.
Cheers
Simon
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2
We have a 40l waeco and and 46l ARB when we are camping the weaco stays with the CT and the 46 travels with us in the 80... That way we have cold drinks and lunch is always handy...
BTW I have not heard anything good about those 80l weaco's suck too much power take up too much room and really they are only any good if you have them full all the time.... A mate went fishing with his 80 over night I had a pack of snags and a 6 pack in it - :) took ages to cool...
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Hey Chris,
Would you mind measuring the height of the 32 litre Engel with the lid open, or anyone else that has one.
Cheers
Simon
I
Measured mine, came in close to 90cm
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I
Measured mine, came in close to 90cm
Thanks mate.
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We also use two. A Waeco 60 and a Waeco 50 for all the same reasons above... ;D
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If you are going to run Waeco, consider having one of them as a CDF35, the 12 volt only one. These are cheap as and are the most reliable Waeco fridge due to lack of clever electronics. I have just replaced my CDF35 (4 amps) with an Engel 40 litre (2.6 amps).
As a fridge, the CDF35 draws about 20 amps per day, as a freezer, it uses about 42 amps based on a test I did recently. I have yet to run the Engel through the same test. Eventually I will get a 21 litre Engel to use as a freezer.
Hey RodW,
Congrats on your new Engel. They are a good fridge for sure, but I prefer the Waeco for its fancy electronics, battery protection and light weight strong construction.
In regards to the power consumption of Engel and Waeco; I believe that you're not quite right about the whole power consumption issue. Although, I suspect you will confirm what I'm about to say when you do your tests.
This is how I understand it. As you mentioned, your CDF-35 uses 20 amps on average per day (0.83amps per hour). However, the maximum draw for the fridge as you mentioned is 4.2 amps. Which means, theoretically it has the capacity of having a maximum draw in a day of 100amps. This would be if you have left your fridge open, with nothing inside of it and it was a warm day. IE- Never stops cycling. Similarly the Engel would use
The difference between the Waeco and Engel in the maximum amps per hour consumption is the capacity of the compressor. Danfoss compressors can rev harder than Engels, and can cool quicker. Engels, cannot rev as hard as an Waeco so will take longer to cool.
Engel claim their compressor is the only compressor designed for off-road use, and is more efficient in that situation. However, this in my opinion is unimportant as when the alternator is running, most 4WDs alternators supply more amps than your fridge can handle. My 4WD supplies 150amps (not all of that is unused though)
The issues come when the car is stopped, and the fridges are running off battery. I believe at that point they are both very similar when looking at consumption on average.
Both Engel and Waeco are good for their own reasons, but average power consumption per day is not it. They are virtually the same, as I'm sure you'll find when you do your tests.
The best thing about Waeco & Engel is that there are a huge amount of repair agents around Australia and they're designed for use in a 4WD where space comes at a premium.
I'm unsure if the other models available that are essentially iceboxes with compressors tacked onto the side are best suited to 4WD situations. But more in long term camps running off solar power.
Cheers,
Jon
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Hey RodW,
Congrats on your new Engel. They are a good fridge for sure, but I prefer the Waeco for its fancy electronics, battery protection and light weight strong construction.
Battery protection was important to me. Engel has caught up and the fancy electronics you refer to is built in to the Engel I purchased. Digital temperature display, digital thermostat set point and low battery protection with Low and high voltage cutout settings.
I know the Engel is more expensive than Waeco, and I thought about getting an ARB But the Engel with the bonus pack was much better value. Everything about it says quality.
I was very surprised by the power draw when I first plugged it in. After running the Engel in the car for a while, I felt that it was using less power than my Waeco as the fridge was running indefinitely as my daily commute was enough to keep it going and easilly get though the weekend even if I did not drive the car which the Waeco barely managed. Watching the volt meter in the car, the voltage was not falling as much per day.
I think you need to be careful comparing the fridge power consumption. Engel don't make claims about average power draw, Waeco does. When running as you say Waeco uses 4.2 amps abut Engel only uses 2.6 amps. The Engel has to cycle 40% more than Waeco in a 24 hour period to get rolled on power consumption and I don't think it does that.
I just went out and plugged the charger in. Hopefully, it will only take a few hours to charge fully and I will start my test on the Engel tonight and see what my NASA BM-1 reports over 24 hours.
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I just went out and plugged the charger in. Hopefully, it will only take a few hours to charge fully and I will start my test on the Engel tonight and see what my NASA BM-1 reports over 24 hours.
Ohhh very nice you got the new 50th Anniversary Engel!
http://tentworld.com.au/products/fridge/item/Engel-50th-Anniversary-Gold-40L-Fridge-Freezer.aspx (http://tentworld.com.au/products/fridge/item/Engel-50th-Anniversary-Gold-40L-Fridge-Freezer.aspx)
I'm really keen to hear what the outcome is with your tests RodW! Yeah, it does seem unlikely that the Engel needs to cycle 40% more - I agree. From what I have read though, power consumption for both fridges average 1amp per hour. Keen to see what your tests show, especially for the 50th with the digital temperature control!!
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Ohhh very nice you got the new 50th Anniversary Engel!
http://tentworld.com.au/products/fridge/item/Engel-50th-Anniversary-Gold-40L-Fridge-Freezer.aspx (http://tentworld.com.au/products/fridge/item/Engel-50th-Anniversary-Gold-40L-Fridge-Freezer.aspx)
I'm really keen to hear what the outcome is with your tests RodW! Yeah, it does seem unlikely that the Engel needs to cycle 40% more - I agree. From what I have read though, power consumption for both fridges average 1amp per hour. Keen to see what your tests show, especially for the 50th with the digital temperature control!!
Yup, that's the one. Only I got it from Great Escape as they give my 4WD club a discount.
You made me do it! Watch this thread.
http://myswag.org/forum/index.php?topic=24039.0 (http://myswag.org/forum/index.php?topic=24039.0)
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You made me do it! Watch this thread.
http://myswag.org/forum/index.php?topic=24039.0 (http://myswag.org/forum/index.php?topic=24039.0)
Haha, did I twist your arm ? Thanks! Keen to hear the results
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Hi Simon,
Glad you got a reply. Our Engel is on its way back from Cape York with our daughter so would have been a while before I could measure it. :cheers:
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Chris - a well travelled fridge.
I am now tossing up between 2 x 32 Engels or a 60 litre Evakool? My wife likes the cost of one fridge. Plus there is the weight factor with two. On the other hand the arguments are strong for 2 ???
Anyway it is a nice problem to have - do I buy 1 fridge or 2? :D Very decadent.
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Chris - a well travelled fridge.
I am now tossing up between 2 x 32 Engels or a 60 litre Evakool? My wife likes the cost of one fridge. Plus there is the weight factor with two. On the other hand the arguments are strong for 2 ???
Anyway it is a nice problem to have - do I buy 1 fridge or 2? :D Very decadent.
I'd take a bet each way and grab an Engel 40 litre and either a 21 or 32 Engel which I would run as a freezer. The Evacool has better insulation but not a very car friendly shape plus the Danfoss compressor might not be much difference in power consumption than the two Engels.
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I'd take a bet each way and grab an Engel 40 litre and either a 21 or 32 Engel which I would run as a freezer. The Evacool has better insulation but not a very car friendly shape plus the Danfoss compressor might not be much difference in power consumption than the two Engels.
Rod - I have a defender 130 dual cab so any shape is car friendly in my case :D
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Anyway it is a nice problem to have - do I buy 1 fridge or 2? :D Very decadent.
Too right, at least you've got the wife now accepting that you need a fridge! Anything afterwards is a win!
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We have always run a 60L in the 4by & a 32L in the CT [both Engels] - the small one as a freezer for extended trips but fridge for other ones.
We have recently bought 2 Waeco CF35's which sit side by side in the CT - one for a freezer & the other as a fridge - but there is always the option to load up one & turn the other off. This leaves the 60L Engel for very cold drinks, the temp that ruins lettuce & tomato's [apparently] but makes :cheers: juuuussst right!!
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Two 40ltrs are going to be more expensive than 1 80ltr, we only have the one 40ltr engel though if i had the extra cash i would buy a second 40 ltr for extended trips we also use ours a lot even on day trips and i think a 80 ltr would be far to bulky for this even overnight trips.