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Santiago
Ultra Nomad
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Registered: 8-27-2003
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Engle, Edgestar or Whynter (or Other): Update
Looking to get a portable fridge/freezer, 12 volt. 60 to 80 quart capacity. Here is how I will use it:
Freezer goes into the back of the truck in NorCal, two - three day trip to BOLA (depending on how much time we spend wine tasting, heh). A week at the
cabin, both 12v and 120v are available, all solar power. Depending on the time of year, it could be in freezer or fridge mode. 2 day trip back, frozen
fish in it. Could also go into the boat on over-nighters
My truck has a factory installed electric brake system and a 7 prong plug; can I use this plug to power the unit or should I install a separate 12
volt battery (truck has an area to add one) and run a separate line?
The Edgestar seems to be $200 cheaper than the Engle of same size.
Any reviews/suggestions?
UPDATE: Wow, I bought the Wytner 85 quart, installed a 105AH AGM in the bed of the truck and 150amp 'smart' separator and the whole operation ran
perfectly on a 4 day drive down. The separator works off of voltage, not current. I will have my numbers wrong here but basically on starting the
vehicle, it will keep the extra battery offline until the voltage reaches 13.3 or so, thus charging the starting battery to full and then connect the
other battery. When voltage drops to around 12.7 (motor off by then), it will separate the extra battery. The fridge/freezer is connected to the
extra battery the whole time.
What I really liked about the operation is that every morning, I would rotate my 2 frozen gallon water jugs from the fresh food cooler to the freezer,
constantly replenishing the cooler. I use an Xtreme Coleman for the cooler which we are very happy with as well.
Down side is the 85 quart is big, prolly bigger than I really needed. Fully loaded, it's really a two-man operation to get it in the truck.
Costs: $200 for the battery, $450+/- labor and parts for the separator and wiring (I had a RV repair shop do this), $650 for the Fridge/freeze.
Obviously, if you do the wiring yourself, you can save $300 or so. The value of an extremely happy spouse is unknowable, but more than this, fur
sure.
When at the cabin, it fit in perfectly with my four 6-volt golf cart battery solar system, although I did unplug it around midnight for 6 or 7 hours.
Not sure if I really needed to.
Used to go to Baja, sleep on a folding cot on the beech, drink warm beer, eat what we killed, fished all day. If I had that body again, I'd go right
back.
[Edited on 10-15-2015 by Santiago]
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BajaNomad
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Thread Moved
7-12-2015 at 08:00 AM |
BooJumMan
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Registered: 8-11-2007
Location: San Diego
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ARB is the best I've seen. High quality and highly recommended by those who have them. Like the Engel's, they draw practically the same amount of amps
as a light bulb. Very efficient. If I were going to drop the $$, I'd buy the ARB. Pricey though...
http://www.amazon.com/ARB-10800472-Fridge-Freezer-Quart/dp/B...
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chuckie
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I have an Edgestar...amazing...I ran it while in transit, sitting exposed in the back of my pickup, from an inverter in my Dodge. 4 1/2 days on the
road, temps in the 90's everything frozen rock hard when I got home. It also has a quick freeze feature, which helps get stuff frozen. Sat on my patio
in Mulege for months keeping stuff frozen, no problems. I have to say, I have NOT run it on 12v....
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monoloco
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I have the Engle, it's been running almost continuously for about 6 years and still works flawlessly.
"The future ain't what it used to be"
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carlosg
Senior Nomad
Posts: 504
Registered: 5-28-2012
Location: chula vista, ca
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Mood: Just like in Baja: No Bad Days...
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Whynter...
We have one that we bought about five years ago and it has served good, really good. I travels in the back of the truck powered from the cigarette
lighter, then runs constantly for about two weeks (only during the day) in freezer mode (we also freeze pints of water to use in our ice chest) from
our Honda generator while camping at the beach, plugs it into an outlet if we stop at a hotel overnight... it's just been wonderful!!! Great buy!!!
You can puchase one from Homedepot or several online sellers... Whynter is the EXACTLY same thing that Edgestar... see for ya self:
http://www.imarketcity.com/whfm65qu107c.html
http://www.whynter.com/default
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDi...
http://www.sierraexpeditions.com/index.php?l=product_detail&...
http://www.supercircuits.com/resources/tools/Volts-Watts-Amp...
http://www.whynter.com/productdetail/refrigeration/portable_...
http://www.edgestar.com/FP630-Spacious-EdgeStar-Portable-Ref...
I bought mine from Sierra Expeditions, at the time it was the best deal out there, just remember to keep the carton (box) to store it beteween
uses...
[Edited on 7-12-2015 by carlosg]
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SteveWil
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Registered: 7-9-2010
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If running on 12V, I do not think the other come close to the low power draw of the Engel.
I have 2 and I could run one on 70 watts of solar power 24 7. All the people i know that use them on boats, swear by them. If you set them to coldest
setting they will blow up coke cans. They work great in baja in the summer.
I have had one 15 years and the other for 9 years with no problems. It would be a no brainier if I needed a new 12 V ice box one.
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AKgringo
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In a perfect world....
Ice first to bring headless, gutted fish down to a low temperature as quick as possible. Melting ice draws heat from the fish faster than sub-zero
air. or dry ice.
Process and wrap or vacuum pack the fish and place in a freezer with room for air to circulate around each piece.
When frozen, move to the storage freezer. I try to never add wet fish to the same freezer that I use for storage, because it raises the temperature
of the frozen product just enough to start freezer burn.
All this advice from a guy that travels Baja with just an ice chest, but that is what I would do if I had access to two freezers and lots of ice, like
I do at home!
If you are not living on the edge, you are taking up too much space!
"Could do better if he tried!" Report card comments from most of my grade school teachers. Sadly, still true!
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Hook
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Hernia maker! 125 lbs, EMPTY!!!!!
I believe the OP was talking about moving this thing in a out of vehicles a bit. I assume that would be with things in it. Muy pesado!!!!!
I love a company that has a FAQ on their website and DOESNT EVEN ADDRESS THE ONE THING EVERYONE IS WONDERING.........HOW MUCH IS THIS BEAST??!!
I guess this is part of creating a marketing mystique............
I suspect for the price of one Fridge Freeze unit, you could buy two 40 to 60 quart Engel/Norcolds for the price of one.....and have a fridge and a
freezer unit. It would also split the weight into two.
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AKgringo
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The question no one has asked is, why would you drive to B.O.L.A. to buy fish? Don't you have a Costco near you? Am I missing something?
OK, that was three questions, non of them serious.
If you are not living on the edge, you are taking up too much space!
"Could do better if he tried!" Report card comments from most of my grade school teachers. Sadly, still true!
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Hook
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Ah!
Well then, make that FOUR Engels you could buy for one of those.
What is the draw @ 12v DC when the compressor(s) is running?
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tripledigitken
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Another happy Engel owner. Works as advertised. Loaded up with filets in BCS, on 12v, maintained -4f-0f all the way home. Can also maintain 40f for
drinks too. An excellent product.
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Alm
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Engel (it's Engel, not Engle) is a real thing, originally Australian though I've heard that mighty Dometic have bought them. ARB is another Oz baby,
don't know who owns (or makes) them now, but both Engel and ARB cost more than others. Dometic used to have their own model(s), as I recall.
Whynter and Edgestar look like fresh knock-offs, there are many coming from you know where. You'll find a few more names on Amazon or in Walmart,
Target and other discounted stores, somewhere in the main isle next to plastic coolers, paper cups and other camping disposables.
7-prong female receptacle at the back of the truck, for a fridge? Portable fridge/freezer draws around 4 or 5A at 12V, 7-pin receptacle is rated to
8A, so there will be enough juice but you will probably need some adapter for that 7-pin female.
Getting a designated "fridge battery" - don't know why, either. You can run portable fridge from the truck alternator while on the road, but on the
camp you will have no means of charging that extra battery unless you bring your own solar and controller. Just my 2 cents.
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David K
Honored Nomad
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POTRTABLE. 112V to precool before the trip or plug into motel outlet.
12V TO RUN WHILE DRIVING
Super insulated to allow no charge interruption & stuff not loose its cool. Can run on solar panels flopped on the roof of the truck while
camping. Keeps cool over night if left sealed , without power.
IS THIS AVAILABLE AND AFFORDABLE???
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chuckie
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Must have been in the joy juice when you wrote that gibberish? Read what people wrote. Portable? of course, why would you want one if it
wasn't...Affordable? depends on how much ya wanna spend, Edgestars on Ebay 350-700....Do you ever think, DK, before you write? Never mind, we aready
know the answer to that....
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David K
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I read a lots of conflicting and complementing stuff.... As always, I try an make the complex simple... so I asked question That I would want to be
featured if I was going to give up my 5 day or 7 day cool ice chests.
Maybe a comparison graph would help?m 4BAJA loved his Fridge Freeze... It also ran on PROPANE! Awesome to keep the box cold on the warn Baja summer
nights!
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chuckie
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I also had a Norcold which is now? 12V/110 which ran for YEARS but was expensive....I think people need to keep in mind the purpose of these devices
and not try to make them into something they aren't designed to be, I use mine to move food from one location to another, safely and then as a
stationary freezer while in one location. My Edgestar does that well. It is currently in use here at home as an overflow freezer for a spring lamb. I
am modifying my Lance camper a bit to use it as the dining room table base to optimize interior space. It will then travel on this years hunting
trips, on the road for a month or so using both 12V/110....As to weight, when full, heavy, empty, one person can wrestle it around. I don't guess I
would use it for one or two day trips when an ice chest would be more appropriate.....
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Alm
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Norcold is still Norcold. Organization structure has changed, apparently, since they are now listed as Norcold Thetford. In the past Thetford used to
be the name for RV toilets.
Here is Norcold.
Here is Engel.
And ARB.
And Dometic. Manufacturer's site is difficult to navigate, don't remember the address.
That's about sums up the brands. But, like I said, there can be knock-offs.
Yes, cooler will do on short trips. Without power supply any of those expensive heavy boxes will be used as a cooler, anyway.
[Edited on 7-14-2015 by Alm]
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Udo
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I will endorse also!
I have owned one for 6 years now, and still going strong. It also make an excellent freezer.
Udo
Youth is wasted on the young!
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Alm
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It all boils down to compressor model and box/lid quality. Good brands have it good. ChiBay "brands" - I don't know. Stolen/copied designs can be
made well too, I've seen this to happen - sometimes.
Small Engel or Arb would draw less than 10 AH overnight, on a cool night. Wouldn't make a dent in a car starter battery. With ambient temp increase
the draw increases 2-3 times, also depends how often you open it. In any event, 80W panel would keep the battery topped up almost indefinitely, with
these loads. Something like this. People with 200W panels on top of their camper vans are running quite substantial 4-5 cu.ft upright fridges - in summer.
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monoloco
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The Engel will work for a long time on a car's battery if turned down low, when I used it to freeze fish fillets while camping it ran the two
batteries in my diesel truck down in a couple of days to where I needed a jump. If you are going to use it as a freezer, plan on going for a short
drive everyday to charge your battery or hook up a solar panel to it. I was able to keep it running constantly, for a winter, as a freezer with two 75
watt panels and a marine battery.
[Edited on 7-14-2015 by monoloco]
"The future ain't what it used to be"
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