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bpman



Member Since: 21 May 2008
Location: Oslo
Posts: 8069

2008 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 SVX Station Wagon Santorini Black
Engel or ARB
I'm thinking of buying a fridge/freezer and would like to know people opinions on Engel, ARB or other makes?
Post #132131 17th Mar 2012 7:23pm
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GREENI



Member Since: 22 Aug 2010
Location: staffs
Posts: 10354

United Kingdom 
I think it's fair to say they are all made by dometic in china...so they will all be reliable, the ARB has actual more 'tinny' storage and is more unique, less space taken up in truck because of handles recessed etc.
ARB has more features, looks best, coolest name(pardon the pun).
National Luna came top in the Expedition Portal test though....
I have a Waeco, but i'd buy ARB next !
Post #132134 17th Mar 2012 7:33pm
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leeds



Member Since: 28 Dec 2009
Location: West Yorkshire
Posts: 8578

United Kingdom 
Bpman since you are coming to YOG you will be able to compare an Engel side by side with an ARB.

That should be better then any paper exercise comparison.

Fridges and freezers are normally the preserve of the feminine gender, you could always get Mrs Bp to talk to Barbara


Brendan.
Post #132146 17th Mar 2012 8:01pm
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bpman



Member Since: 21 May 2008
Location: Oslo
Posts: 8069

2008 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 SVX Station Wagon Santorini Black
leeds wrote:
you could always get Mrs Bp to talk to Barbara - Brendan.


good idea Brendan Thumbs Up
Post #132148 17th Mar 2012 8:08pm
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mudrut



Member Since: 29 Feb 2012
Location: Stourport-on-Severn
Posts: 80

United Kingdom 2008 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Stornoway Grey
ARB are Waeco are very similar - both use the Danfoss compressor and I think they are made in the same factory although they are very different casing designs. The Engel uses the Sawafuji Swing Motor compressor and is manufactured elsewhere.

To be honest, I've used fridges made by all three and there is little to separate the brands. My main fridge is an Engel which has been abused for the last six years and is still going strong. It would be my recommendation if pushed.

It's worth noting that because of the compressor, the Engel has smaller requirement for startup current. I've found that the 15 amp startup current of the Waeco/ARB can expose limitations in the wiring of some vehicles. All the fridges settle down to draw an average of less than an amp once underway.

The Engel still has an 'old school' control panel where one sets the temperature on a dial. This can mean a bit of guesswork initially. The other two have a more sophisticated digital target temperature setting. They also have a battery protection threshold which the Engle does not share. On a dual-batteried vehicle, I find this less important.

regards



Ian
Post #132186 17th Mar 2012 10:51pm
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landy andy



Member Since: 15 Feb 2009
Location: Ware, Herts
Posts: 5408

2006 Defender 110 Td5 USW Zermatt Silver
I changed from a Waeco to a Engle due to the battery protection thing.

It cuts in at something like 11.4 volts, and the fridge no longer works, and you only find out when you've got warm beer Big Cry

Andy
Post #132219 18th Mar 2012 1:58am
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BigRuss



Member Since: 15 May 2010
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 2785

United Kingdom 2010 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Santorini Black
bpman wrote:
leeds wrote:
you could always get Mrs Bp to talk to Barbara - Brendan.


good idea Brendan Thumbs Up


But the question is does Mrs BP know Whistle Russell
2011MY 110 XS USW Black
Post #132237 18th Mar 2012 8:18am
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bpman



Member Since: 21 May 2008
Location: Oslo
Posts: 8069

2008 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 SVX Station Wagon Santorini Black
BigRuss wrote:
bpman wrote:
leeds wrote:
you could always get Mrs Bp to talk to Barbara - Brendan.


good idea Brendan Thumbs Up


But the question is does Mrs BP know Whistle


You are up early Russ ... Of course Mrs BP knows, or at least she will when she looks under the bed Rolling with laughter
Post #132247 18th Mar 2012 8:48am
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BigRuss



Member Since: 15 May 2010
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 2785

United Kingdom 2010 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Santorini Black
bpman wrote:
BigRuss wrote:
bpman wrote:
leeds wrote:
you could always get Mrs Bp to talk to Barbara - Brendan.


good idea Brendan Thumbs Up


But the question is does Mrs BP know Whistle


You are up early Russ ... Of course Mrs BP knows, or at least she will when she looks under the bed Rolling with laughter


Rolling with laughter Rolling with laughter

So are you saying your beer will not be cold enough on your way up to nordcap? Russell
2011MY 110 XS USW Black
Post #132256 18th Mar 2012 9:03am
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Zagato
Site Supporter


Member Since: 08 Jan 2011
Location: Billingshurst West Sussex
Posts: 4989

United Kingdom 
Engel came out well last time the question was asked. JSG swapped to one also I believe after having another type Thumbs Up
Post #132259 18th Mar 2012 9:10am
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bpman



Member Since: 21 May 2008
Location: Oslo
Posts: 8069

2008 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 SVX Station Wagon Santorini Black
BigRuss wrote:
bpman wrote:
BigRuss wrote:
bpman wrote:
leeds wrote:
you could always get Mrs Bp to talk to Barbara - Brendan.


good idea Brendan Thumbs Up


But the question is does Mrs BP know Whistle


You are up early Russ ... Of course Mrs BP knows, or at least she will when she looks under the bed Rolling with laughter


Rolling with laughter Rolling with laughter

So are you saying your beer will not be cold enough on your way up to nordcap?


I don't want my beer to freeze Shocked
Post #132264 18th Mar 2012 9:56am
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ben_j85jty



Member Since: 02 Sep 2008
Location: Bicester, Oxfordshire
Posts: 491

United Kingdom 2002 Defender 110 Td5 XS DCPU Bonatti Grey
For my 2p worth,

When we were looking at getting a fridge a few years ago our 2 choices were the Engel of National Luna. The majority of out travelling companions use the National Luna so we looked at those first and I found that the features and finishing made theem out first choice. The ability to set a temprature and the light for example were 2 of the simple things that really stood out.

The Engel as a more basic construction and operation, but is as robust as the National Luna.

We ended up with a Engel purely on price. The Engel was £300 cheaper than the National Luna.

If I needed to by a new one now? I would get the Dual fridge freezer National Luna and bite the bullet cost wise. 2002 Defender 110 DC
Post #132284 18th Mar 2012 12:23pm
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LandRoverAnorak



Member Since: 17 Jul 2011
Location: Surrey
Posts: 11240

United Kingdom 2013 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 USW Orkney Grey
I loved the National Luna I used to have and would have no hesitation choosing another. They are expensive, but they're one of those things where you get what you pay for. Darren

110 USW BUILD THREAD - EXPEDITION TRAILER - 200tdi 90 BUILD THREAD - SANKEY TRAILER - IG@landroveranorak

"You came in that thing? You're braver than I thought!" - Princess Leia
Post #132301 18th Mar 2012 1:51pm
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v40mav



Member Since: 25 Aug 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 206

Scotland 
I've been using the Engel for the last year, it's been fantastic but I'd agree it takes time to get used to the settings using the manual dial, I like my drinks cold but found at times it was nearing freezing. Thumbs Up Defender 110 County SW

Disco 3 HSE

Freelander 2 HSE - SOLD going back to a car


www.lothian4x4response.org
Post #132329 18th Mar 2012 3:35pm
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ben_j85jty



Member Since: 02 Sep 2008
Location: Bicester, Oxfordshire
Posts: 491

United Kingdom 2002 Defender 110 Td5 XS DCPU Bonatti Grey
v40mav wrote:
I've been using the Engel for the last year, it's been fantastic but I'd agree it takes time to get used to the settings using the manual dial, I like my drinks cold but found at times it was nearing freezing. Thumbs Up


I have found you have to change the dial depending on the contents of the fridge. 50 cans take more cooling that 1 I guess. 2002 Defender 110 DC
Post #132333 18th Mar 2012 3:47pm
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