BajaNomad

Here's two Baja-related toys you just gotta have....

CasaManzana - 8-28-2008 at 07:44 AM

Here’s two new (to me anyway) toys that have made a major improvement to either our Baja travels or our enjoyment living here….see whatcha think-
The first is a refrigerator/freezer that is both 12 volt and 110 volt and made by Engel. Yeah, I know what you are saying “old news”…right? Wrong! This is not your father’s Oldsmobile. Not the old NorCold or Coolatron-type thing that gobbled amps and never got really cold in 100+ degree weather. This is new stuff from Japan with a revolutionary “swing” compressor. With this Engel (brand) unit, I have left my small Toyota truck with the 3+ year old battery in a red hot unshaded parking lot for 5 hours and the thermometer read minus 5 degrees. On the freeze setting, again small 3 year old battery, I can leave it running for 8 hours before the engine starting seems slowed. And in the fridge setting (44 degrees), the battery will easily handle 24 hours. They make bigger one and smaller ones- this is 44 quart size. The best price I found was at roadtrucker.com
In my case, this is a perfect fit behind the seat in my Toyota Tacoma. On our two trips up to CA each year, we load up on things not found here…raviolis for one-



The other only means something if you have WiFi access. It’s a WiFi radio that uses your internet signal to get 10,000+ radio stations from around the world. Almost half of them are in English. And it gets my San Francisco PBS radio station I can’t live without. If you are on HughesNet and worried about the Fair Access Policy (FAP), you’ll be glad to know it uses just 13MB. So you can use your radio for 9 hours and use up only half your allotment of goodies. And it comes with connections for your home stereo system allowing you your big home sound. After reading 50 or so owner reviews on Amazon and elsewhere, I can say the Grace (brand) is a good way to go. This has enough volume to be heard anywhere in an 1100/sq foot house, and volume seems to be an issue with some brands. Funny how we come here to get away from it all and then end up dragging it all down here with us-

David K - 8-28-2008 at 07:56 AM

Thanks for the news on a new fridge... Is there a solar powered option yet for those who don't drive everyday to keep the car battery charged or to directly power the fridge? Is there a web site with tech info on the amp draw, etc.?

I had a Coolatron back in the 70's and drained my battery on Shell Island!

I was impressed with 4baja's Fridge Freeze that runs on propane, 12v, and 110v... he showed me back in '02 at Camp Gecko.

Thanks for the post Casa!

Diver - 8-28-2008 at 07:59 AM

Thanks for the info; always good to hear folk's opinions on new "stuff".

I've thought about the extra freezer for taking home more shrimp than the 6 kilos our camper freezer will hold. It could also make a nice beer fridge when you need extra space at home for parties; or a place to put that huge turkey for a few days before the holidays.

Radio and PBS listeners (like my wife) are something I better not get into..... :lol:

rob - 8-28-2008 at 09:23 AM

I take (friendly) exception to CasaManzana's description of the old Norcold performing poorly - my old (2000) Norcold (with 2 big solar panels on the camper roof) kept food/beer cold in 115F on the beach in San Basilio.

We still use it when the power goes out here on the Pacific Coast (generally one-phase disappears and we play "hunt-the-phase", but that's another story) as a back up.

Still, the new Engel sounds spiffy! Must take a look at that.

Johannes - 8-28-2008 at 09:30 AM

Thanks for this one. It's a find. Looking at the spec it can be easily run on a medium size solarpanel during day and charge a battery with the same panel for night. I googled "Engel 12-Volt Refrigerator Freezers" and fund a lot of companies selling it a discount. Very interesting
Thanks Johannes

tripledigitken - 8-28-2008 at 09:44 AM

We have the identical Engel, bought it about 1 year ago. It works just as described. Kept yellowtail at 0 degrees last July coming back from BOLA.

Highly recommend the Engle thermometer (with the long wire on the remote sensor) you can monitor the temp while driving. That's real important to keep the beer from freezing when heading south. :cool:

Ken

805gregg - 8-28-2008 at 12:01 PM

I used my Engle 45 for 2 weeks in baja last year, 105 in La Paz and our food stayed cold for 2 weeks. We still had yogurt from the states in the second week. I just added a simple voltage meter so I could check on the state of charge of my battery. Just got back from a week in Catalina on our boat we used it there also.

[Edited on 8-31-2008 by 805gregg]

Hook - 8-28-2008 at 01:00 PM

I'm happy with my circa 2004 Norcold. Even in 95 degree heat, there are times when a setting a hair above 2 (out of 5) will start to freeze non-alcoholic beverages. I'm currently using it to keep beers cold as living in a trailer means limited fridge space.

But I am interested if the electrical draw of this Engel is really that much less. My Norcold is supposedly drawing 2.5amp at 12v. What does the Engel list? Mine is the MRFT-40.

I do know that my Norcold did draw my two starting batteries in the F350 (cheapo Kirkland batts) down in about 2.5 days with no starting the engine. This was in 95-70 degree temps using it as a freezer for fish. The compressor was running continuously.

[Edited on 8-28-2008 by Hook]

Had several U2U's so thought this might help-

CasaManzana - 8-28-2008 at 03:00 PM

The Engel MT45 is a medium/large sized powerful freezer capable of freezing almost anything. It is ideal for long term freezing.

As a refrigerator it can hold a steady interior temperature.

They are great for people on the move - as this unit can be taken anywhere! - all you need is either a 12 Volt power supply or household 110 Volt supply. Features super low power consumption.

Power consumption 0.7 - 2.5 Amps
Volume 43 qt.
Equivalent 60 cans (12 Fl.oz)
Weight 52.9 lbs.
Inside Dims 15.4" x 10.8" x 16.4"
Outside Dims 25.5" x 14.3" x 20"
Freezing Ability From 40°F to below 0°F
Temp. control Variable
Available colors Gray
Carry handles Yes
Refrigerant Gas 134A
Input rating DC12V - 2.7A
Power Leads 9' detachable
Fuse 10A external fuse
Max Noise 38 dB
Shipping Dims 29" x 17" x 23"
Shipping Weight 66 lbs.
Warranty 2 years

Hook - 8-30-2008 at 11:19 AM

Sounds almost identical in draw to my Norcold which I believe was actually made by Engel. The compressor does cycle on and off depending on need, which would approximate the 0.7-2.5 consumption.

Sounds like you have about 5 qts of capacity on me, though.

I found mine as a blemmed-in-shipping unit at El Toro RV off Sand Canyon. A minor dent in the lid and a couple scratches. 500.00 out the door.

BTW, this Norcold will also run on 24 volts for the boating world. Does the Engel?

joel - 8-30-2008 at 11:50 PM

What does one of these Engels cost, roughly?

See for yourself

Hook - 8-31-2008 at 04:40 AM

Roadtrucker.com pricing

Concur with Manzana...........as cheap as I've seen it anywhere.

msteve1014 - 8-31-2008 at 07:11 AM

I have the 34 quart unit, labeled as an ARB. It has been fantastic for hauling frozen food back and forth. It takes 2-85 watt panels to keep up with it and a few lights, and a fan in my small camper when it is hot outside. Mike

Bruce R Leech - 8-31-2008 at 12:07 PM

that is a nice unit and a good price

Udo - 9-1-2008 at 08:11 AM

I was considering buying one and followed the links...

$400.00 U.S. for 12 quarts (3 gallons) and up from there. I'll keep the posts for reference, but a little rich for me at this time.

Hook - 9-3-2008 at 04:18 PM

A little more on my circa 2004 Norcold............

Over here in Sonora, in consistent 90-95 degree heat right now, it is freezing liter bottles of water even at the 1 3/4 setting. I've dropped it down to 1 1/4. Only opening it about once a day. Amazing unit. It's in the shade of a laundry room/bodega but NOT in air conditioning.

Also, if anyone has one they know is the swing compressor, my compressor is labeled a Sawafuji SK-511N. Is it the same as yours?

[Edited on 9-3-2008 by Hook]

BajaDave - 9-8-2008 at 02:59 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by CasaManzana
Here’s two new (to me anyway) toys that have made a major improvement to either our Baja travels or our enjoyment living here….see whatcha think-
The first is a refrigerator/freezer that is both 12 volt and 110 volt and made by Engel. Yeah, I know what you are saying “old news”…right? Wrong! This is not your father’s Oldsmobile. Not the old NorCold or Coolatron-type thing that gobbled amps and never got really cold in 100+ degree weather. This is new stuff from Japan with a revolutionary “swing” compressor. With this Engel (brand) unit, I have left my small Toyota truck with the 3+ year old battery in a red hot unshaded parking lot for 5 hours and the thermometer read minus 5 degrees. On the freeze setting, again small 3 year old battery, I can leave it running for 8 hours before the engine starting seems slowed. And in the fridge setting (44 degrees), the battery will easily handle 24 hours. They make bigger one and smaller ones- this is 44 quart size. The best price I found was at roadtrucker.com
In my case, this is a perfect fit behind the seat in my Toyota Tacoma. On our two trips up to CA each year, we load up on things not found here…raviolis for one-



The other only means something if you have WiFi access. It’s a WiFi radio that uses your internet signal to get 10,000+ radio stations from around the world. Almost half of them are in English. And it gets my San Francisco PBS radio station I can’t live without. If you are on HughesNet and worried about the Fair Access Policy (FAP), you’ll be glad to know it uses just 13MB. So you can use your radio for 9 hours and use up only half your allotment of goodies. And it comes with connections for your home stereo system allowing you your big home sound. After reading 50 or so owner reviews on Amazon and elsewhere, I can say the Grace (brand) is a good way to go. This has enough volume to be heard anywhere in an 1100/sq foot house, and volume seems to be an issue with some brands. Funny how we come here to get away from it all and then end up dragging it all down here with us-

BajaDave - 9-8-2008 at 03:06 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by CasaManzana
If you are on HughesNet and worried about the Fair Access Policy (FAP), you’ll be glad to know it uses just 13MB. So you can use your radio for 9 hours and use up only half your allotment of goodies.


Warning and correction for HughesNet and internet radio listeners! Although CasaManzana says his station uses only 13 MB (I assume he means per hour), I can tell you that they do not all broadcast at the same bitrate, and there are plenty of stations that will eat up 60 MB per hour. That could put you over your limit rather quickly. It's best to tune in to your favorite station for three hours, then go online and check your usage stats to confirm how much bandwidth your favorite station requires. You don't want to be FAPed for going over. I've done so several times, accidentally, and it sucks!

The radio he mentions may have a bitrate display in it's menu or something that would be even easier, but my internet radio is built into my AV receiver, and has no such display, unfortunately.