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Offline dirtpilot

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Engel fridge failure
« on: October 04, 2012, 10:20:49 PM »
On a recent half lap of oz one of my 40 liter fridges failed. I use 2 40 liters, one for freezing and one for fridge.

The freezer gave up on day 2. Took it to a Engel agent in Townsville. Verdict was the cooling unit was blocked. $800 to fix. No thanks.

Pressed on with holiday. After 6000km of rough roads we get back. Before giving up on it i plugged it back in. It seemed to cool better but not freeze. Left it for a week and plugged it back in again. Now workes perfectly, freezing a bottle of water as it used to.

Ouestion is should i off load it now while its going and buy a new one or hang on to it. Not running they seem to worth a couple hundred, running 5 to 6 hundred.

I am assuming the bouncing around cleared the blockage.

Its 10 years old. worth the risk?
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Offline barneys

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Re: Engel fridge failure
« Reply #1 on: October 04, 2012, 10:24:40 PM »
keep it it dose not owe  anything
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Offline jk

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Re: Engel fridge failure
« Reply #2 on: October 04, 2012, 10:41:08 PM »
Check the plug on the fridge end, we had one Engel running as a freezer and the contacts in the plug get hot and melt any from each other, I now carry a spare plug just in case it ever happens again.
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Offline grafy82

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Re: Engel fridge failure
« Reply #3 on: October 04, 2012, 11:05:20 PM »
Its 10 years old. worth the risk?


Its already lasted at least twice as long as a Waeco, so yeah, I'd say keep it. ;D

Cheers

Wes
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Offline Owie

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Engel fridge failure
« Reply #4 on: October 05, 2012, 06:58:52 AM »
 I had an Engel which on a recent cape trip stopped.  Intermittently it would just stop running.
Purchased a new one whilst on the trip.
Once I got home I cannot fault the old fridge.
I am not keeping it, as I have lost confidence in it.  Similar to above, if no confidence in it, I would not want to be out and about and have a couple of weeks meat in the freezer to find it goes faulty again.
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Offline dazzler

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Re: Engel fridge failure
« Reply #5 on: October 05, 2012, 07:26:03 AM »
Quote from: dirtpilot on October 04, 2012, 10:20:49 PM


Ouestion is should i off load it now while its going and buy a new one or hang on to it. Not running they seem to worth a couple hundred, running 5 to 6 hundred.



The karma gods would have a say down the track
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Offline jeb1900

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Re: Engel fridge failure
« Reply #6 on: October 05, 2012, 09:24:19 AM »
I've always had difficulty unloading gear that I own that I suspect is dodgy.  I would run it in the house for several months to make sure it's working well, if it is then you're ok to sell it guilt free. 

Blockages can often be removed by dropping them on a phone book. 

I've also been told that it's best to always run your fridge at home, and away.  This helps to avoid any blockages.  I use my fridge for beer at home.
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Offline dooguss

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Re: Engel fridge failure
« Reply #7 on: October 05, 2012, 09:47:20 AM »
We leave ours on all the time with no problems I bought 1 for the old man the same time as ours and he turns his off when not travelling and he's just lost his second motor in 7 years so IMO it's better to leave them on
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Offline graylyn

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Re: Engel fridge failure
« Reply #8 on: October 05, 2012, 01:41:07 PM »
Yes, I use my 60 litre Engel at home as my beer fridge.  It is now nearly 4 years old and hasn't missed a beat.  I have heard that the best way to keep these fridges (whether they be Waeco, Engel, whatever) going efficiently is to keep them on.
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Offline ozbogwam

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Engel fridge failure
« Reply #9 on: October 05, 2012, 03:30:15 PM »
Quote from: grafy82 on October 04, 2012, 11:05:20 PM
Its 10 years old. worth the risk?


Its already lasted at least twice as long as a Waeco, so yeah, I'd say keep it. ;D

Cheers

Wes

My Waeco is ten years old and hasnt missed a beat, unlike my Engel which lasted 6 months, two returns and repairs and eventual refund.

I'd say keep it and keep using it. Could have been as simple as bad wiring, a blockage from dust etc or just one of those things
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Offline dirtpilot

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Re: Engel fridge failure
« Reply #10 on: October 05, 2012, 04:03:44 PM »
Quote from: jk on October 04, 2012, 10:41:08 PM
Check the plug on the fridge end, we had one Engel running as a freezer and the contacts in the plug get hot and melt any from each other, I now carry a spare plug just in case it ever happens again.

I always carry spares. The fridge was running but not cooling.
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Offline dirtpilot

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Re: Engel fridge failure
« Reply #11 on: October 05, 2012, 05:21:09 PM »
My Waeco owning freinds have been giving me plenty of stick. Still love the Engel.
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Offline QLDer

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Re: Engel fridge failure
« Reply #12 on: October 05, 2012, 10:31:18 PM »
Hi Dirt Pilot
Re your engel  I would be keeping it,i have had mine a 39 litre since 1994 and only once has it stopped and that was due to a faulty plug as someone has suggested,my fridge has been in trucks all of its life the last 4 years sitting in the shed unused until Xmas time when used as a beer fridge,they are a bit like cars some good some bad!!!
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Offline dirtpilot

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Re: Engel fridge failure
« Reply #13 on: October 06, 2012, 09:56:27 PM »
At this stage i will keep it. Will take it on a few smaller trips to see how it goes.
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