Engel Insulation Covers

Coops,

I have heard of this happening even with the older ones, I have also seen it.

I have done some tests and the cover doesn't appear to make all that much difference, however my fridge is surrounded by draws on one side and water containers on the other side which insulate it a bit, still the top is free from external insulation... and so are both ends.

I found the cycles to be the same with or without the cover so I opted not to get one. (I borrowed one once).

The rust appears towards the bottom of the fridges used with a cover.

Will

I have found that if you polish the metal of the Engel, with some car wax, and take the cover off occasionaly, just to inspect and clean, you will increase the life of the fridge.

coops
mine has been in a bag since 1985 & as far as i know rust is not a problem so far but i am going top have alook when i get home
Regards Bruce

Hi Coops,

Our Engel has been in a cover since 1998 with no sign of rust. The technician was right about condensation though as we have noticed moisture between fridge and cover on a few occasions. We never zip our bag closed (a bit lazy, LOL) so the this allows the air to circulate a bit more and the moisture to dry up quickly.

No doubt we would get better insulating value out of our engel if we did zip the bag up but then, our main motivation for getting the bag in the first place was to protect the fridge against knocks and scratches. Every now and then we take the cover off and give the fridge a really good clean and inspection.

:o) Melissa

My engel has had cover on since new (jan 1999) and cabinet is rusting. At this stage, is small rust spots in cabinet.

Fridge has not been used that much.

I live in tropics and outside of fridge (when running) is always covered in condensation. Fridge has never been near salt water so condensation is only cause.

So, yes its true, in some climates.

Sean

Coops
I bought my engel in late 99 & it came with a free (big promotion) genuine engel cover. since then the fridge has done 2 trips around Aust 1st trip in the back of a ute in the weather (all sorts), 2nd trip inside a canvas canopy in the same ute.
had no trouble with rust untill the end of the 2nd trip, all of the rust is surface rust & caused by condensation (due to the consistently high temp under the canopy)
my advice is to buy the cover as it does a good job of reducing the load on the battery & keeping the fridge cooler at a lower setting on the switch. the trick may be to allow good airflow around the fridge & remove the cover fairly regular to allow the fridge & cover to compleatly dry out.
I have stripped my fridge & had the metal skin sandblasted & powder coated, since then have had no further sign's of rust.
hope this helps. Cheers Willie