Yep Dave that's the one. Although the actual magazine article/test contained significantly more detail, etc. I was quite impressed with their thorough approach to this test. Best I've seen to date from any publication.
What freezer / fridge to get?
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Yep Dave that's the one. Although the actual magazine article/test contained significantly more detail, etc. I was quite impressed with their thorough approach to this test. Best I've seen to date from any publication.
Yep...4-years of hard use. I'd buy it again. And like you I need the side hinge. That's what would kill the deal for me on the new ARB.
I like the look of the "new" Engel MR040, it's has a heavy duty plastic body with rubber bumpers on the corners, and a reversible side opening lid, I think it uses the same compressor as the other engels, and it has a 40qt capacity. I hadn't seen it before this thread prompted me to see what was out there currently. RoadTrucker has it for $641.
the ARB etc, Waeco and all are one highish price point. (National Luna etc are way higher).
the Edgestar is a much lower cost unit. Chinese clone. Less history so more uncertainty on reliability. Good reviews. Good customer service. Probably a good way to go for those who are not willing to drop the biggish bucks on an Engel etc. But a bit riskier and construction quality probably a bit lower. I went with one of these.
But about the amps rating, these should really be taken with a grain of salt, as in are those averages, max draw, what exactly? Lots of room for misunderstandings.
the Edgestar is a much lower cost unit. Chinese clone. Less history so more uncertainty on reliability. Good reviews. Good customer service. Probably a good way to go for those who are not willing to drop the biggish bucks on an Engel etc. But a bit riskier and construction quality probably a bit lower. I went with one of these.
But about the amps rating, these should really be taken with a grain of salt, as in are those averages, max draw, what exactly? Lots of room for misunderstandings.
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So you have the Edgestar? How do you like it? Can you leave it running over a weekend without running down the battery?
I got the big one (63 qts).
From an earlyish test I got 36hrs+ of cooling with engine shut down and the battery was still at 11.8V or so. I did get 4 starts in succession after that with no problem. So, I could go lower on the battery.
This was with a dual start/ deep discharge smallish (27?) lead acid battery a couple of years old. Fridge set to 34F, ambience in the 70s.
Seems to work very well for the $$.
Yes ,I have had mine for about 3 years. Its done 15000 klms in the back of my 75 series much of it on dirt roads and trails. The factory bag has kept it looking like new and assists with insulation.
The cig lighter connections that come with it never fitted right,but its a $5 dollar fix.
The door is also reversable and it can run on 12/24 and AC power
They have done another test in issue 136(august09),I think the 1st one was done in 05.
ARB 47 was the best fridge and the Waeco CF50 a close 2nd (its also $100-$200 cheaper}
The Bushman was best value for money .
National Luna did ok but it uses the same compressor as 5 out 7 of test fridges used and is $500 more than the others.
They used the older style Engel and it seems to be showing its age a bit as far as efficiency goes.
I would have liked to see them test the new plastic Engel.
Instead of using an army test facilty, the fridges were dragged out into the desert and left in the sun next to each other and tested at ambient temps of 63f and 100f.
Most of the fridges were in the 50 litre size ,or close.
In the previous test they were all closer to 40 litre.
Fridges tested
ARB 47
Waeco CF50
Bushman 35-42 litre
Engel MT45F II
Explorer DC50
Evakool REF47
National Luna 50L Twin
I hope they did some truly meaningful tests. You need somebody with a good understanding of heat transfer, especially transient conduction.
I'm going through a battery of tests myself with my new fridge, and it takes some doing to extract good numbers. Some surprising results too.
I'm going through a battery of tests myself with my new fridge, and it takes some doing to extract good numbers. Some surprising results too.
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Its a 4wd magazine,not Boffin Monthly.
They had temperature graphs and power usage figures for 48 hrs and average consumption.
They also recorded compressor on/off times.
I was wrong about not using a test facilty.The test also included 48 hrs at an accredited test facility (VIPAC)
The last part of the test was done outside under real conditions.
The final points score card for best value fridge included the handle positioning,controls,price ,useable space and other features and options.
All the fridges had 1 or 2 outstanding features (like Evakools screw in power plug that cant come loose on ad roads).
If someone took note and built a fridge from the best of the best,it would be a very good fridge
They had temperature graphs and power usage figures for 48 hrs and average consumption.
They also recorded compressor on/off times.
I was wrong about not using a test facilty.The test also included 48 hrs at an accredited test facility (VIPAC)
The last part of the test was done outside under real conditions.
The final points score card for best value fridge included the handle positioning,controls,price ,useable space and other features and options.
All the fridges had 1 or 2 outstanding features (like Evakools screw in power plug that cant come loose on ad roads).
If someone took note and built a fridge from the best of the best,it would be a very good fridge
I recently purchased the same one and will be testing it out over a 5 day trip to Southern Utah during Labor Day weekend. I love the capacity, though I am going to have to modify my entire rear drawer system (probably build a new one) to compensate for its big size.
I left it on over night from 7pm till 7am and was able to start the rig right back up--and this was using the cigarette outlet in the dash with the ignition set to ACC/IGN.
The engle posi-fit plug is a great accessory to make sure that the fridge still has power after wheeling all day. Engel Posi-Fit - Sierra Expeditions
does anyone have info on those blood freezers for the army people have benn selling?
There was a post here Expedition Portal Forum - Powered by vBulletin in the camping section.
Acutemp is the brand http://acutemp.com/products/AX56L_medium.wmv
The model was the AX56L
The new price is nearly $8000 and he was selling them new for $700.
Im not sure whether he was nuts or it was a typo.
Im thinking the latter and it should have been $7000.
The used units on ebay were $3-4000.
Certainly the best thought out fridge Ive ever seen.
Well, just got back from 5 days in the southern Utah deserts and I must say that the Norcold 63L fridge did an incredibly job. I ran it all the time for the entire 5 days and not once did I have any issues with the batteries/starting etc.
I didn't have a thermal cover for it, but setting the compressor to the low setting kept everything at about 37 degrees the entire time.
I love this thing--I am very happy I made the purchase and was able to stuff so much beer in there!
I didn't have a thermal cover for it, but setting the compressor to the low setting kept everything at about 37 degrees the entire time.
I love this thing--I am very happy I made the purchase and was able to stuff so much beer in there!
Well, just got back from 5 days in the southern Utah deserts and I must say that the Norcold 63L fridge did an incredibly job. I ran it all the time for the entire 5 days and not once did I have any issues with the batteries/starting etc.
I didn't have a thermal cover for it, but setting the compressor to the low setting kept everything at about 37 degrees the entire time.
I love this thing--I am very happy I made the purchase and was able to stuff so much beer in there!
Great to here, I picked up a used one, and am looking forward to loosing the hassle of using a cooler and ice.
There was a post here Expedition Portal Forum - Powered by vBulletin in the camping section.
Acutemp is the brand http://acutemp.com/products/AX56L_medium.wmv
The model was the AX56L
The new price is nearly $8000 and he was selling them new for $700.
Im not sure whether he was nuts or it was a typo.
Im thinking the latter and it should have been $7000.
The used units on ebay were $3-4000.
Certainly the best thought out fridge Ive ever seen.
4110 - Refrigeration Equipment at Government Liquidation