Edgestar vs. Engel Freezers

[Russ]

There is quite a bit of price difference in these two freezer/fridges.
Engel vs. Edgestar
They seem to be very similar in functionality. However, the Engel claims 2.5 amps whereas the Edgestar advertises 4.5 amps which is quite a bit of a difference.

Can these be that much different? I would like to think they use the same compressor. Maybe not.

I don't have access to shore power to recharge, so for weekend use it would be the motor recharging the house batteries. Perhaps a solar panel to recharge during the week when we are away.

Any thoughts, comments?


--Russ

[Chinook]

I'm not familiar with the Edgestar, but I've used an Engel 35 for the past 2 seasons. I power it with two 6 volt golf cart batteries as house battery, supported by a 65 watt solar panel. I have a digital voltmeter on board, and I monitor power status each morning when we're out. I try to maintain 40 degree temp inside the food box. The frig cycles on and off to maintain that temp, with frequency depending on water and air temps. This set up worked very well in the spring, on the Sea of Cortez, with water temp in the high 60's to low 70's, and daytime air temps in the mid 80's to low 90's, with fairly high sun angle and virtually no clouds. Interestingly, on a 10 day cruise in the San Juans it also performed well. Water temp there was in the mid 50's, air temps mostly 60's to 70's, lower sun angle, but long days and few cloudy days. Voltmeter in both situations would be in the 12.35 range first thing in the morning, even when the motor hadn't run for several days, but would rise to 13 volts when in full sun. I suspect that, if we had several consecutive cloudy days while up north, we'd begin to lose ground with voltmeter reading, and need to either run the outboard or plug into shore power to recover.

[Boblee]

Be careful that you are comparing apples to apples, some quote average amp/hour use but 4.5 sounds like a Danfoss compressor for the edgestar which Waeco also uses and rates at 2.5 amps av.
Remember you can only get out what you put in less efficiency and everything depends on what you are trying to accomplish, if you only want a fridge even in the tropics they will usually cycle but if using as a freezer it will be running flat out at least during the day and the more you can put in 1e the bigger the motor the better.
Even as a fridge if the door is opened regularly (kids) it will be running full on, they are really only a toy fridge.
Have used an Engel and a Waeco together and the Waeco did work much better and the new ones are much improved but most now have economy and boost settings.
Not much different in principle to comparing a v8 and a 4cylinder for towing.

[keith]

I replaced the 55litre upright engel in my yesterday with a new 80litre upright.
There cheaper than the chest engels cos they dont freeze the whole unit just the little compartment at the top.(enough ice for bourbon).
They do use more power cos you lose alot of cold air when open compared to a chest but it fits next to the galley nicely.
I have 2 85watt solar panels fitted so power isn't a problem.
You cant beat the engels for toughness and reliability as i have a 19 year old 15litre thats travelled 3500000km in trucks and 4wd's and i'm still useing it everyday and has never failed.

[Sumner]

You might want to read this guy's take on the whole thing...................

http://home.iprimus.com.au/rfh/portablefridges.html

............it is long, but I recomment you read it to the end.

Most of the adds I see for the Dometic/Waeco rate it at 4.5 amps and the Engle at 2.5. If you just look at that it would be a no brainer, but as has been mentioned if you are using it as a frig it will cycle on and off. If it does that the amps it uses is not the important consideration. You want to know how many amp/hours will be used over a time period. It looks at least from that guys conclusions that the Waeco is on less, so consumes less overall electricity. He also felt it cooled faster. If anyone has any other reviews or comparisons I'd like to read them.

The Waeco uses a compressor and the Engle uses something else. He felt that the Engle vibrated more. I was worried about that as it seems any vibration in a boat with the hull is not good. We don't like to be down in the Cabin when we run...............



http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner ... de-13.html

.........our generator for that reason. Mike has that been a problem at all?

We are about ready to order a 50 liter Waeco from these guys.................

http://www.americanrvcompany.com/Dometi ... _p_84.html

............ I talked with them on the phone and they have the best price I can find under $600 for the frig.

We are looking forward to a frig and not having to return to marinas and civilization every 5-7 days for ice. We also won't miss having the food floating around in the water. I finally made...............



http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner ... de-20.html

........... this rack and it really helped the last trip.

c ya,

Sum

Our Trips to ..............

Our Mac Pages

Mac Links

[Russ]

Sumner, you are my fabrication hero. That generator mount is fantastic as well are your other mods.

Thanks for the link. I'll read it over.

--Russ

[Boblee]

I had an engel for about 12 years but on it's third compressor I decided to change and got an Evercool which is a Danfoss compressor, I don't really hold the Engel responsible for blowing compressors as it was subject to some fairly rough treatment while hunting on and off road.
The Evercool has burnt one compressor but it also did some rough miles early on in a camper trailer over the roughest roads in the country, IMHO the danfoss kills the engel for pulling down and keeping down temperatures in adverse conditions and I believe the Evercool has better insulation but theoretically the engel should be superior on rough roads etc.
If I was going to buy another fridge freezer it would be a Waeco with a bt50 (80 Litre) compressor as it would pull the temperature down even faster and then could be cut back at night so that it doesn't disturb sleeping in the boat.
If Engel's make more noise than a Danfoss (and they do) I just wouldn't have it on the boat especially if it has to run all night.
For a smaller type fridge would still go for one of the new Waeco's as they are now super efficient with both electronics and insulation but getting dearer.
On shore for camping in one spot would have a three way and run it on gas, they are just so far in front especially as you don't have to worry about power but if you run out of gas you are in deep poo as they draw 10 amps plus on dc.

[March]

Yep, I'd also vote for waeco 50. That's what we've had for the past 7 years. It fits snugly under the starboard seat; I cut some holes to allow the air to circulate into the bilge and I had to raise the plywood under the seat by two or three inches, which was done easily--a rigid foam lip glue in place. You can still sit comfortably at the table. I don't know about the other coolers, but the waeco never bothered me at night. Of course you will hear the compressor kicking in, but it's not such a big deal. I'd say it is indeed quiet

Twice in the past I was under the impression that the cooler kicked the bucket; the "faulty" LED started flashing and the cooler quit. Every time it turned out that the problem was the battery (first time the separator, the second time the battery itself) Once the problem was remedied, it started off merrily again. It used to be hooked to a 64W solar panel that kept it going ang going. On sunny weather, the house battery was charged by the afternoon. On cloudy weather, it was just right to last until the morning. Last year I added a second 64 W panel and now the battery is charged by noon and we always have cold beer on board.Of course, starting the engine would charge the battery even faster.

If this puppy dies on me, I will cough up another $500 for a new Waeco. It comes to $100 a year (or less) Worth every penny.

[Boblee]

Our 70L sits opposite the head and is strapped in with only a very short lead (critical) to the main cables (bus) don't know about the new Engels but the old ones would just keep dragging the battery down where the Danfoss will cut off when the battery reaches 11.2v on economy (2.? amps)and 11.7 on boost ( 4.8 amps).
You can buy a low voltage cutout.

[DaveB]

I have done a lot of research in C02, and other tecnoligy in developing a small boat refig. system that can operate in the tropics drawing 2 amps or less.
There hasn't been any minor or major system for Low draw DC or AC refigeration in past 20 -25 yrs for Boats.
The Same Adler Barber is still put in Sailboats when I first put the new system in 1980.
Cold Plate engine system is just the same it was 30 yrs ago.
Only thing thats got better in 25 yrs is solar system, wind generators have actually gone way down in power from my 5 ft. Redwood blade that produce 8-12 amps in 12-15 knots trade winds.
Powered my 6CU.FT. feg. Adler barber Air cooled for 3 Yrs down the Carribean, thats from Cape Cod, Ma. thru Intercoastal and Jump off from Beafort, NC to ST. Thomas. Had to replace modual in Ref. due to 40 ft. slammer seas for 3 days and total washout of cockpit at least every other wave.
I might add I did seal the cockpit lockers with foam rubber and every opening for the 1200 mile trip , that helped but if your under water most of the time , it's got to leak sooner or later.
There was a outfit in Ca. back in 2006 that advertised in Cruiseing World and other publications claiming their co2 system was able to work with no ventalation, or water cooled and only draw 18 amps per 24hrs. I new it was a scam and just short time later they were saying 32 amps per day. They were givin awards accross the country on their C02 system.
Today they are a defunk Company! There are others like this that try to extract bucks from consumers and Banks .
I will say this, all info I have read points to only one compressor out there that can keep up with 12 volt refig. demands for portables and 12volt built in, and thats the Danfoss Compressor.
I am still working on my own system and hope I get it right next year as I hate many coolers of Ice on a week long trip in S. FL.
Dave

I'm not familiar with the Edgestar, but I've used an Engel 35 for the past 2 seasons. I power it with two 6 volt golf cart batteries as house battery, supported by a 65 watt solar panel. I have a digital voltmeter on board, and I monitor power status each morning when we're out. I try to maintain 40 degree temp inside the food box. The frig cycles on and off to maintain that temp, with frequency depending on water and air temps. This set up worked very well in the spring, on the Sea of Cortez, with water temp in the high 60's to low 70's, and daytime air temps in the mid 80's to low 90's, with fairly high sun angle and virtually no clouds. Interestingly, on a 10 day cruise in the San Juans it also performed well. Water temp there was in the mid 50's, air temps mostly 60's to 70's, lower sun angle, but long days and few cloudy days. Voltmeter in both situations would be in the 12.35 range first thing in the morning, even when the motor hadn't run for several days, but would rise to 13 volts when in full sun. I suspect that, if we had several consecutive cloudy days while up north, we'd begin to lose ground with voltmeter reading, and need to either run the outboard or plug into shore power to recover.

[Erik Hardtle]

I have had my Engel 35 for about 4-5 years and have had no problems with it.... but I am just doing long weekend trips and the air temps are usually around 80-95 (and humid... coastal) with water temp from 75-80. I have a gel house battery with no recharger on board unless I am hooked to AC power. Never had it drain the battery, and the noise it makes is a very low rumble when it cycles on. I have slept on it without it waking me up, and I am a light sleeper.

Billy (Double Cross - XX) has one too, he usually runs it on Freeze (he likes ice cream on board) where I just run mine on 2 or 3 (refrige) setting. You might ask him about his experiences.

Here is the info from my website: http://www.enctrader.com/knotshore.htm


DC Refrigerator
~ Found out about this Engle 35 refrigerator from http://www.ahoycaptain.com... works off of DC and AC... I cutout some of the cooler insert to allow it to ventilate and added more fiberglass roving to help support the extra weight. It automatically detects if AC current is on uses it instead of DC. This will keep everything refrigerated.... and will make ice. Draws about .7 to 2.7 amps depending on where you set the knob.

[Bobby T.-26X #4767]

I have had my Engel 35 for about 4-5 years and have had no problems with it.... but I am just doing long weekend trips and the air temps are usually around 80-95 (and humid... coastal) with water temp from 75-80. I have a gel house battery with no recharger on board unless I am hooked to AC power. Never had it drain the battery, and the noise it makes is a very low rumble when it cycles on. I have slept on it without it waking me up, and I am a light sleeper.

DC Refrigerator
~ Found out about this Engle 35 refrigerator from http://www.ahoycaptain.com... works off of DC and AC... I cutout some of the cooler insert to allow it to ventilate and added more fiberglass roving to help support the extra weight. It automatically detects if AC current is on uses it instead of DC. This will keep everything refrigerated.... and will make ice. Draws about .7 to 2.7 amps depending on where you set the knob.

i copied Erik's cut-out and location for my Engel 35 (thanks Erik!)
this is a great unit, very efficient! i've owned for 3.5 years. Paid $588 (no tax or shipping)
when my MacX is on the trailer (out of water), the Engel sits in the rear of my SUV.
my wife loves to be able to shop all day without having her groceries spoil in the Southern California heat.
at time of purchase she was negative about it's functionality, however today she's completely sold on the product & can't imagine not owning one.
i've even used for business sales calls (i sell frozen food products) in the back of my Toyota Prius.

i also purchased the optional Thermometer for accurate inside & outside temps

Bob T.
"DāBob"
'02X w/ '04 90-TLDI (14" x 11 pitch)
Dinghy Motor: '06 2.5-Suzuki

[Russ]

My wife loves to be able to shop all day without having her groceries spoil in the Southern California heat.
at time of purchase she was negative about it's functionality, however today she's completely sold on the product & can't imagine not owning one.

That's brilliant!!

What a great way to sell it to the Admiral. We need this to hold groceries.

--Russ

[The Mutt]

We have been using an Engel 45 litre for a few years now, never had a problem with it's operation, we use it mostly in our Range Rover when we go away, when on our Mac X we put the Engel on the rear berth behind the battery locker, I lowered it into the icebox compartment with the icebox removed but found it a bit tall for that location, we are about to get an Engel 35 in the New Year and use the Engel 45 in the Rangie and on any really big trips on the rear berth of the Mac if needed, then one can be dedicated to fridge the other to freezer.

We have heard concerns from a lot of people about the vibration disturbing their sleep, we switch off when we go to bed, on a hot night the internal temp inside the Engel only alters 1-2 degrees at most, nothing has gone off on us yet.

Glenn

[Russ]

After reading this link posted by Sumner, the decision is not easy. Great stuff in there. The Engel uses less power but might need to run more often, whereas the Danfoss compressor based units have more power, can bring temps down faster and might not run as often. On average both use about the same amount of juice (ampere hours) over a period of a day.

So that brings up the next problem to be solved. For those using these electric coolers, how do you recharge the batteries.
We don't spend more than a couple of nights on the boat at a time and I was thinking a medium solar charger might be enough.
I don't expect a 60 watt solar charger to power the thing, but it it could keep the damage to a minimum until we left and went back home, during the week it would bring them back up. Of course motoring will also charge them.

--Russ