Engel vs. Waeco fridge - test information

[Psychlone]

Sky previously said:

Who did you order the Waeco from? The Adventure Trailers site didn't list the CF-35.

hi, lots of companies carry it - for instance check Google Shopping. At the moment I'm in Switzerland, though, so just got it from a local European "internet shop outlet".

[1leglance]

Interesting research you did...
I know for me one of the things I like about my Engel is the steel sides....I am rough on stuff and would break a plastic sided fridge like the Waeco
Also I have the Engel cover and it helps...
but before that I ran it here in Phoenix which has 45C days regularly and I run my fridge 24/7....It will go below 0C no trouble.

Still great research and let us know over time how it does.

[Sky]

Psychlone previously said:

hi, lots of companies carry it - for instance check Google Shopping. At the moment I'm in Switzerland, though, so just got it from a local European "internet shop outlet".

Thanks, I went to their site and all the dealers were in Europe, etc. I didn't notice that's where you are too.

[Psychlone]

Sky previously said:

Thanks, I went to their site and all the dealers were in Europe, etc. I didn't notice that's where you are too.

Try the Waeco USA site or some of their US dealers like this or this. Not qualified, just the first that came up in Google...

[redfernsoljah]

I did a good bit of research before buying my engel 40 best purchase that i have made for my truck. Yes compressors are different engel only has one moving part. From what I have read there are less returns and problems with the engel than the Waeco. Dont have links right now just search under google for supporting evidence. Sizing engel 40 is equivalent to the waeco 50. Cooling power, I can attest that the engel will freeze at temps about 100F and more. Power consumption. This is where the engel wins hands down! Engel 0.5-2.5 Amps / Waeco 0.5-6.0 Amps. Ruggedness I looked at both and can say without a doubt that the engel is much more rugged than the waeco. Engel compressor will not interfere with hf radio. Does this justify the cost? do your own research...


Now this was my personal choice. What are you going to use the fridge for? Both fridges cool. One may be more rugged than the other. One may have a better battery draw. One may get a little cooler. Where and how are you going to use these. One has a better warranty than the other. In the long run is it better to spend a little more money? You can always add more batteries, buy more accessories, etc.. You decide.

[Corey]

I have been very happy with my ARB fridge I bought spring of last year.
I have had it up in the mountains in 90 degree heat and had no problem with keeping ice cream bars frozen.
I crank the fridge down to around zero Fahrenheit or so I believe, whatever the ideal temp is for ice cream.

I used the fridge on yesterweeks camping trip to Mt. Rainier, and the fridge did not fluctuate at all from 2.5 Celsius, the ideal temp for keeping perishable food nice and cold all week.

I also like the ruggedness of the steel ARB/Engel types, as mine has already survived a rear end collision, and walked away with just a dent on it.

[Go4aRyd]

Those who want to really dig on these should be sure to include the Oz web sites/forums in their searching. Good info from lots and lots of users.

[Psychlone]

In the interest of fairness, I asked the editor of Overland Journal, Jonathan Hanson, about their editorial policy, especially when reviewing products from paying advertisers. Short moments later I got an answer. I asked if I could copy it to the forum, which was ok, so here it is:

[...]

Overland Journal's review policy, set by the publisher and myself before the first issue was printed, is of strict editorial objectivity. We also, in our comparison tests, always pick an Editor's Choice and a Value Award, rather than taking the approach so many magazines do these days by not risking offending a potential advertiser. We do this because Overland Journal is a subscriber-driven magazine. We cap our advertising at only 30% of the total magazine size - with 70% editorial. We ensure high quality ads because that's what our subscribers demand. And having fewer ads mean our advertisers have a good relationship with our readers, too.

Our typical product review/ad placement schedule works in reverse: We find a product we like, review and recommend it in the magazine, and only then approach the maker to, first, build a relationship of mutual benefit (where, for example, they put our review on their website with the magazine's website linked). Only after this do we discuss possible advertising or any other partnership.

With that said, when we find a company we feel makes the best products, we'll do all we can to promote them - whether they are an advertiser or not. It's the product that counts. An example is Extreme Outback. Every product we have tried from them has been first-rate, so we recommend and use their compressors whenever possible, and are delighted to have them as an advertiser. When I wrote a compressor review, the Extreme Outback models clearly outperformed the other brands in the review in both the 4WD and motorcycle segment - and I said so. But in the GPS review, the top model won - the Garmin. Garmin is not an advertiser.

We also do a type of article called Best of Breed. This is not a comparison, but a selection of products we already know from field trials to be excellent. These, more often than not, are also from small companies with scant advertising budgets - Butler Bags, Luxury Lite, Feathered Friends, Russell Moccasin, etc. etc. Our goal here is simple: to let readers know about high-quality products they might not otherwise hear of.

As I already noted, we are subscriber-driven. This allows us to print longer, more detailed equipment reviews, trip stories, and skills articles, and to print larger, more beautiful photos, to justify our premium subscription rate. The best evidence I have for you that this approach works is our full-refund policy - if at any time a subscriber is unhappy, he or she can cancel the subscription for a refund. In the entire period since our premier issue in spring of 2007, I believe we have issued such a refund three times.

I hope that answers your questions and concerns; please feel free to write any time.

Regards, Jonathan

I must say, these guys at Overland Journal impressed me with a response that was both prompt, comprehensive and straight-forward honest. That's the kind of response that makes me want to subcribe. Now, I just wish I had that fridge review of theirs at hand

EDIT: Roseann Hanson from Overland Journal also came back to me with this info about the fridge test:

I wish I had a PDF of the article for you, but alas do not. You can order back issues on our website, however.
National Luna won, for what it's worth!
But I personally have used an Engel while working in Kenya for about 3000 km - and it's the most amazing workhorse, in the worst conditions (extreme dust, high temperatures, ridiculous knocking around).
I think all of them are good - none are "bad." It's more the features and price that you feel suit you best.

[Ramjet]

Thanks for all the feedback guy's. I'm in the process of buying a trailer from Skersfan (Bob) and I will be using an Engel 45. I again appreciate everyones opinion on the coolers. Has anyone had experience with the brand, National Luna?

[w5wi]

Psychlone previously said:

In the interest of fairness, I asked the editor of Overland Journal, Jonathan Hanson, about their editorial policy, especially when reviewing products from paying advertisers. Short moments later I got an answer. I asked if I could copy it to the forum, which was ok, so here it is:

[I must say, these guys at Overland Journal impressed me with a response that was both prompt, comprehensive and straight-forward honest. That's the kind of response that makes me want to subcribe. Now, I just wish I had that fridge review of theirs at hand

I appreciate your integrity to admit you made a mistake! Thanks from all of us!

Your findings above illistruate my point when I responded to your slam of the Overland Journal folks...

These guys work hard to develop and maintain a presence in our community based on integrity, honesty and truth. There is no room on this forum or anywhere else for off-handed, uninformed slights of them or any other vendor who has worked hard for a solid reputation.

cheers,

dale