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10-11-2014, 12:42 AM
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#1
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Canyon Lake, Texas
Trailer: 2015 19 "Past Tents", 2021 F150 Lariat 2.7L EB
Posts: 10,222
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Adding an Engel portable fridge
I know many have talked about getting a portable fridge - the top loading ice chest type. I had a chance to see the Engel MR 40 in person today and I was impressed. 40 qt capacity, and very low power requirements -- only 3 amps/hr when running non-stop with an ambient air temp of 45c! (That's a balmy 113F for us Southerners)
I'm seriously coveting one right now. It could be plugged in to the exterior 120v or 12v outlet on the trailer or the one in the tow vehicle. It would help out the performance of the interior fridge too, because frequently used items or drinks could be kept in the portable, and the main fridge door would be opened less often.
Engel MR040F-U1 Fridge/Freezer
Here is a link to it's performance spec sheet as well:
http://www.engel-usa.com/images/stor...ance_curve.pdf
__________________
"You can't buy happiness, but you can buy an RV. And that is pretty close."
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10-11-2014, 08:06 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Trailer: 2013 Escape 19
Posts: 251
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I had an engel 45 fridge/freezer in a teardrop and it would run for days without needing a charge on a small deep cycle battery. Sure miss those days of worry free refrigeration. They are very popular in Austria for expedition use and many will install a second battery charged from their vehicle to keep them going.
Dave
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10-11-2014, 10:24 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Solvang, California
Trailer: 2016 21' Escape (usetaowna a 19, a Burro and 2 Casitas)
Posts: 842
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What a coincidence, I bought one on Amazon yesterday. Built well, fast cool down, low power draw, 110/12v and can be used as a refrig or freezer by adjusting the thermostat! I'm hooking mine up to solar and batteries with an inverter.
The marine refrig is similar but built into a moulded case for corrosion resistance.
Greg
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10-11-2014, 11:47 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: North Van., British Columbia
Trailer: 2014 Escape 19, sold; 2019 Escape 21, Sept. 2019
Posts: 8,866
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As I've mentioned before, I've had top loading units on two previous boats as well as conventional (Engel) door units.
My experience is that a top loading unit is so much more tolerant of opening and closing. If I could have finished my trailer myself I would have installed a unit under the curb side dinette seat.
If the current issues aren't resolved before I start spending more time in really hot areas my next step will be to install a top loading unit.
Ron
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10-11-2014, 01:51 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Olympia wa, Washington
Trailer: 5.0TA 2017
Posts: 2,255
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My step father is a sailer uses a top load doesn't think much of frount loads. Lucky my small fridge in the 17 seems to be plenty big for a single person and works well. I think having one of those top load units seems smart but I will just bring an ice chest for now and try to limet door opening on my little fridge.
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10-11-2014, 02:51 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Solvang, California
Trailer: 2016 21' Escape (usetaowna a 19, a Burro and 2 Casitas)
Posts: 842
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They're built for the off the grid crowd. Looks like they'll run forever on 100w panel and a 75 amp/h battery. People claim to leave them plugged into the 12v on a car for a 2 or 3 days with plenty of juice left to start the car.
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10-12-2014, 03:22 PM
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#7
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Canyon Lake, Texas
Trailer: 2015 19 "Past Tents", 2021 F150 Lariat 2.7L EB
Posts: 10,222
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Greggo
What a coincidence, I bought one on Amazon yesterday. Built well, fast cool down, low power draw, 110/12v and can be used as a refrig or freezer by adjusting the thermostat! I'm hooking mine up to solar and batteries with an inverter.
The marine refrig is similar but built into a moulded case for corrosion resistance.
Greg
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Yeah Greg, the one I saw has the composite case - corrosion free. Engel uses a very interesting compressor motor on these that they call the "swing motor". It uses less amps at startup because it doesn't rotate - but goes up and down like a piston. It doesn't have to move as far as a rotary and gradually gets up to speed without the normal battery demand.
Congrats on your purchase. Did I mention I want one?
__________________
"You can't buy happiness, but you can buy an RV. And that is pretty close."
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10-12-2014, 11:29 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Idaho Falls, Idaho
Trailer: 2013 19' Escape
Posts: 147
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Just kills me to spend $900 for another ice chest when I already have one (useless as it is) in the trailer. I can buy a lot of ice for $900. Color me cheap...even though I did spend $30 K for the trailer.
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10-12-2014, 11:39 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Solvang, California
Trailer: 2016 21' Escape (usetaowna a 19, a Burro and 2 Casitas)
Posts: 842
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Robert, I just ordered the MR-040. I was thinking its too big but compared the dimensions against my Igloo Xtreme cooler and was surprised to see it's the same size. I like the idea of durable plastic that won't rust. A few pound lighter too.
The accessories are amazing. Several attachment systems, a stand, cooler bags, and even an expansion unit that increases the size by about 30%. I ordered it with a couple 12v extension cords, first time I've ever see them. Let the cooling begin!
Camping and travel were minor considerations, I have other uses for it which helps justify the "ouch". Competitively priced through an Amazon retailer with free shipping.
Greg
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10-13-2014, 04:15 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Olympia wa, Washington
Trailer: 5.0TA 2017
Posts: 2,255
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They make really nice ice chests too
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10-13-2014, 12:35 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: North Van., British Columbia
Trailer: 2014 Escape 19, sold; 2019 Escape 21, Sept. 2019
Posts: 8,866
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Greggo
and even an expansion unit that increases the size by about 30%.
Greg
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Everyone will know who you are, you'll be the person handing out ice cubes at gatherings
I know I'm blind sometimes but I didn't see the expansion unit on their web site. How does it work?
Ron
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10-13-2014, 02:20 PM
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#12
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Canyon Lake, Texas
Trailer: 2015 19 "Past Tents", 2021 F150 Lariat 2.7L EB
Posts: 10,222
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lefttee
Just kills me to spend $900 for another ice chest when I already have one (useless as it is) in the trailer. I can buy a lot of ice for $900. Color me cheap...even though I did spend $30 K for the trailer.
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Greg makes a good point here -- If we got the Engel we would use it for a lot more than just camping -- tailgating, parties, reunions, summer BBQs, outdoor bar, road trips in the car, you name it. Anytime and anywhere you would use an ice chest you could use this instead and no more trips to the store for bag ice. The portability helps justify the cost. But, there's nothing wrong with being cheap.
__________________
"You can't buy happiness, but you can buy an RV. And that is pretty close."
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10-13-2014, 06:49 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Solvang, California
Trailer: 2016 21' Escape (usetaowna a 19, a Burro and 2 Casitas)
Posts: 842
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I found a couple other makers, ARN and Edgestar. Engel seems the best. Buddy has one and loves it.
BTW, I was wrong about the expansion unit. I misunderstood the compressor drop in unit.
Greg
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10-13-2014, 08:39 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Solvang, California
Trailer: 2016 21' Escape (usetaowna a 19, a Burro and 2 Casitas)
Posts: 842
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OOPS, that was ARB and Edgestar.
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10-13-2014, 08:54 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Portland, Oregon
Trailer: 2002 Escape 13'
Posts: 967
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Greggo
OOPS, that was ARB and Edgestar.
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Back away!...and put that beer down!...
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10-13-2014, 10:28 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Solvang, California
Trailer: 2016 21' Escape (usetaowna a 19, a Burro and 2 Casitas)
Posts: 842
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hotfishtacos
Back away!...and put that beer down!...
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Ah ha ha you eSCAB! Haven't touched a drop in at least 10 minutes!
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10-13-2014, 10:44 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Spruce Grove, Alberta
Trailer: 2009 17B - Escape Pod
Posts: 148
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Have been admiring the Engel for awhile now. We use a little Igloo brand ac/dc cooler from Costco, which does a great job, but draws more power. It was just under $100.00. The solar can keep it going in direct sun, but not in clouds, so we turn it on and off when off the grid.
__________________
Dave
2009 Escape 17B
2010 Toyota Highlander
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10-13-2014, 10:46 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Park City/Scottsdale AZ, Utah
Trailer: 2014 Escape 19
Posts: 109
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rbryan4
Greg makes a good point here -- If we got the Engel we would use it for a lot more than just camping -- tailgating, parties, reunions, summer BBQs, outdoor bar, road trips in the car, you name it. Anytime and anywhere you would use an ice chest you could use this instead and no more trips to the store for bag ice. The portability helps justify the cost. But, there's nothing wrong with being cheap.
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We have a Yeti, keeps ice for at least 3 days, the most expensive cooler out there but still 1/3 the cost of an Engel. We use it on the first day of a trip, as our 4.3 fridge takes 12 hours to reach acceptable temps, after which we eat ice cream every night, maybe we got lucky with our fridge.
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10-13-2014, 11:02 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Solvang, California
Trailer: 2016 21' Escape (usetaowna a 19, a Burro and 2 Casitas)
Posts: 842
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Try running a fan on the coils when you cool down your refrig. Bet you can cut that 12 hours down to a couple.
Honestly, an Engel/ARB/Edgestar/Novacool might not be the most practical and easy to justify for camping. Heavy and sort of redundant to a working refrig. It will certainly have it's place but I have other plans for my Engel but they are truly amazing pieces of machinery. Cool down in a couple hours and run at less than 30 amps/24 hours! Mine's going into a shed to team up with a solar panel, a couple batteries and work forever! Should come in handy here in LaLa Land when the big one comes too!
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10-13-2014, 11:07 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Portland, Oregon
Trailer: 2002 Escape 13'
Posts: 967
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Greggo
Try running a fan on the coils when you cool down your refrig. Bet you can cut that 12 hours down to a couple.
Honestly, an Engel/ARB/Edgestar/Novacool might not be the most practical and easy to justify for camping. Heavy and sort of redundant to a working refrig. It will certainly have it's place but I have other plans for my Engel but they are truly amazing pieces of machinery. Cool down in a couple hours and run at less than 30 amps/24 hours! Mine's going into a shed to team up with a solar panel, a couple batteries and work forever! Should come in handy here in LaLa Land when the big one comes too!
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...and it's coming next month!...
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