Engel Versus ARB fridges

I have 2 Engels and both are over 15 years old never had a problem. These 2 fridges have been to most Asian countries when I was driving rally cars and were essential as apart of the back up vehicles. Since then one has been planted in the back of my 80 series.

Got to agree with Grant with setting temperature though. Exploded a few cans of drink over the years but at least you cant say its not keeping cool enough LOL

Cheers
Wayne B

"however, the ARB was awarded the "best fridge"...... not too sure why. "

Usually obvious - check the sponsorship ....

Tim just curious on your comment " Engel was clearly in front" I thought in that test the Engel did not fare as well as a number of other brands for power usage and holding its temperature in extreme heat?

There was things which were not ideal for both, I think the engel may have had more power usage in some areas.

I recall one of the tests was to see which fridge would "control" the temp better in a set outside temp. Both fridges set to 3 degrees and the actual temps were plotted. The engel went from 4 to 0 where as the ARB went from 3 to 5 degrees and was awarded the winner for better temp control. Yes the differance between the set point and the maximum deviation is lower but over 4 degrees and you run the risk of your meat going off etc etc. Obviously the lower temps are gong to use more power to get them lower.

I can't remember more specifics but I remember stewing over the magazine over it's interpretation of the data. Engel wasn't in front everytime but it was clear the ARB could do no wrong.

The old ARB fridges were made by Engel.

The new (current) ARB fridges are made by DOMETIC (Weaco).

.......................

In all of our travels by a long long lead we have encountered many fellow travelers with failed Weaco fridges.

Late last year whilst heading out to do the Simpson we met 3 separate groups that had a failed Weaco in them, and one group had a failed ARB (one of the new ones) in it. Granted it was during a very hot week, and iirc it was a pretty similar story fridge in vehicle sitting in the sun in the middle of the day and they die.

The most common fridges we come across out there would have to be Engel, specially with the camper trailer types. Many of them even run two Engels in their camper trailers.

Personally im not a huge Engel fan, IMO the fit and finish and quality of the fittings themselves today seems to be really lacking. Even the Stainless Steel screws, clip etc. doesnt look like SS... maybe Chinese SS?

Any fridge over the 50-60L mark is going to use a fair amount of power.

The 4wd Action fridge comparo and most of the results are really worthless. Vague and inaccurate, basic mistakes with a 'hint' of sponsor's bias!

We have the National Luna 50L Twin. 40L Fridge and 10L Freezer. It lives in the back of ute, rain hail and shine. Its never let us down and despite what the 4wd Action comparo might make you think it uses hardly any power (and ive bench tested it myself, along with my mates 40L & 60L Engels to confirm my thoughts on the 4wd Action Comparo).

My advice would be first of all to work out exactly how much room you have to fit the fridge, narrow down your list to what actually fits. Pay attention to the lid opening direction options and also where the dials are situated along with the power supply cord. This will further narrow down your choices to what really is going to suit you the best.

Head down to your local Rays or Anaconda and have a look at the fridges there, see how many of them (which brands) have busted clips and lids that dont align / seal properly.

Trail Blazer, Explorer or National Luna would be my pick and once you weigh everything up and look at the quality you are getting there really isnt much gap between them and the 'others'.

^^^ by 'gap' i mean the price gap. Once you look at what your getting the price difference doesnt really seem very big, and the way the Engel's etc. prices seem to go up and up it wont be long before they are in the same price bracket anyways!