I'm buying a fridge around the first of the month and this is what I'm close to settling on. The Engel MR040, the one that looks like a cooler with a bright red stripe. Who has experience with one? Are there any quality differences compared to the standard metal ones? Any advice is welcome before I lay down the nearly $900 it takes to get this bad boy.
Who has the Engel 40qt fridge with the plastic sides like a cooler?
- Thread starter JCruse
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
I have one, bought off craigslist, it was a floor model for a boat company. I have had no issues with it as all......not sure what you are looking for but PM me any questions.
Take a look at the Indel B line- Equipt1 sells them, love my 40 and it was about half the other options but sues the same compressor....
E
- Thread starter
- #4
Nope, that's a fine fridge I'm sure but it's a rebranded Waeco/Dometic with a Danfoss conventional compressor. The Engel uses their own "swing" compressor design that pulls about half the juice. That last part was important to me since I only have one battery, albeit with a 100W solar panel helping it along.
Believe me it was HARD to not pull the trigger on the Dometic instead of the Engel since I would have saved about $400.
I wanted to make sure that this one Engel didn't suffer some kind of design flaw that wasn't present in all the older metal versions. Some overlooked error or quirk in the translation to the newer plastic design. Because I didn't mind getting the metal one, but I do spend most of my time on the beach in the salt air.
Believe me it was HARD to not pull the trigger on the Dometic instead of the Engel since I would have saved about $400.
I wanted to make sure that this one Engel didn't suffer some kind of design flaw that wasn't present in all the older metal versions. Some overlooked error or quirk in the translation to the newer plastic design. Because I didn't mind getting the metal one, but I do spend most of my time on the beach in the salt air.
I have the Engel MR040. I like it. The plastic case is quite durable I think, and won't dent like the metal ones. I have a single battery system (Sears Platinum 31), and also am running a CPAP overnight, and have had no trouble whatsoever starting in the morning. I also carry one of those little LiFePO4 jump starters as backup but haven't ever used it.
Engel told me the fridge will average about 1 amp per hour...obviously that will vary with ambient temp, but it's a ballpark figure. Your battery (and mine) should have about 100 ah, of which 50 is usable (to avoid draining below 50% which can shorten battery life).
How do u guys know all this stuff?
Do u run ur fridge off a 12v cig lighter plug, or hard wire it with a solenoid and switch???
Always wanted one, but lacked the brain power and funds to figure it all out and install
Do u run ur fridge off a 12v cig lighter plug, or hard wire it with a solenoid and switch???
Always wanted one, but lacked the brain power and funds to figure it all out and install
Check out the ARB install instructions. Beyond that there are wiring kits that are direct connects to the battery terminals. Therer are numerous connection options available. depends what you have and what you prefer.
Mine is hard wired using an Engel Posi-Fit outlet. It locks the 12V plug into the outlet so no accidental unplugging of the fridge.
http://www.engel-usa.com/fridge-fre...s/miscellaneous-accessories/engel-dc-posi-fit
http://www.engel-usa.com/fridge-fre...s/miscellaneous-accessories/engel-dc-posi-fit
- Thread starter
- #11
For mine I'll be running some twisted 12 gauge direct from the battery to probably the center console and I'll either cig plug it or anderson plug it, I have both ready to install, along with a fuse holder for the battery end.
FZJohnny; I probably don't know much more than you do. I just read the Engel directions and read a few threads here.
You can get into a nice small one or two six pack fridge for around $325. Waeco/Dometic/Norcold is the way to go here.
FZJohnny; I probably don't know much more than you do. I just read the Engel directions and read a few threads here.
You can get into a nice small one or two six pack fridge for around $325. Waeco/Dometic/Norcold is the way to go here.
- Joined
- Oct 22, 2002
- Threads
- 172
- Messages
- 5,443
- Location
- Durango, Colorado
- Website
- www.durangomagazine.com
The Engel is a solid no frills workhorse. You'll be happy with it. My 45 has been running nearly non-stop since 2007 off a single battery system. We have an Indel-B in my wife's car. It has some nice features and was half the price but I like my Engel better.