CasaManzana
Nomad
Posts: 398
Registered: 7-4-2004
Location: Was Mulege:Posada Beach/now Zihuatanejo
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Mood: Naykid
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Here's two Baja-related toys you just gotta have....
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-
Things are expensive, but at least we get a free trip around the sun once a year
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65300
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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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!
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Diver
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4729
Registered: 11-15-2004
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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..... 
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rob
Senior Nomad
Posts: 509
Registered: 10-19-2004
Location: Pacific Coast, BCS
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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.
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Johannes
Nomad
Posts: 110
Registered: 9-29-2006
Location: / Loreto/Kenmore,WA
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Mood: I love it in Loreto
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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
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tripledigitken
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4848
Registered: 9-27-2006
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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. 
Ken
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805gregg
Super Nomad
Posts: 1344
Registered: 5-21-2006
Location: Ojai, Ca
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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]
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Hook
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9011
Registered: 3-13-2004
Location: Sonora
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Mood: Inquisitive
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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]
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CasaManzana
Nomad
Posts: 398
Registered: 7-4-2004
Location: Was Mulege:Posada Beach/now Zihuatanejo
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Mood: Naykid
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Had several U2U's so thought this might help-
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
Things are expensive, but at least we get a free trip around the sun once a year
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Hook
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9011
Registered: 3-13-2004
Location: Sonora
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Mood: Inquisitive
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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?
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joel
Nomad
Posts: 361
Registered: 2-2-2007
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What does one of these Engels cost, roughly?
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Hook
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9011
Registered: 3-13-2004
Location: Sonora
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Mood: Inquisitive
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See for yourself
Roadtrucker.com pricing
Concur with Manzana...........as cheap as I've seen it anywhere.
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msteve1014
Senior Nomad
Posts: 947
Registered: 12-2-2006
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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
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Bruce R Leech
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6796
Registered: 9-20-2004
Location: Ensenada formerly Mulege
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Mood: A lot cooler than Mulege
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that is a nice unit and a good price
Bruce R Leech
Ensenada
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Udo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6364
Registered: 4-26-2008
Location: Black Hills, SD/Ensenada/San Felipe
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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.
Udo
Youth is wasted on the young!
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Hook
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9011
Registered: 3-13-2004
Location: Sonora
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Mood: Inquisitive
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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]
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BajaDave
Junior Nomad
Posts: 76
Registered: 9-2-2003
Member Is Offline
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| 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-
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BajaDave
Junior Nomad
Posts: 76
Registered: 9-2-2003
Member Is Offline
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| 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.
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