The title says it all - I've always used Waecos but hear good things about the Engels. What's your opinion on them? I personally love the dual zone 80/110L Waecos but do the Engels offer something better that should encourage me to change?
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The title says it all - I've always used Waecos but hear good things about the Engels. What's your opinion on them? I personally love the dual zone 80/110L Waecos but do the Engels offer something better that should encourage me to change?
rays outdoors has $300.00 off their waecos this weekend + a cover
i like the soft sides of the outer
I choose my Waeco on basically price. Now I don't know how I lived without one. I like the small dairy compartment in the front comes in handy as I keep my fridge set to 0 or 1 (can't remember)
Drinks must be really cold.
Publicly speaking to a private audience.
There is half a dozen of these threads with a heap of info in theM if you want good info. I think it's a personal choice like ford v Holden, patrol v land crab, np v p4x4....:)
Not much difference now, Engel had the market to themselves for a long time, enter Waeco
great fridge, maybe its all down to features, current draw, and accessories. I'm with Mego I
like the Waeco with the dairy section. But my 40lt Engel has only been turned off I'd say 8mths
since 1994, can't complain, only used for food when camping, and cool drinks watching local cricket
over summer. Price may be a factor, wait till next 4x4 show in your area, great deals to be had
Waeco i got a 80ltr dual zone(fridge freezer dairy)for 850$ at bcf a few years back when a new model came out was the price for me but also weight
Waeco for us we run two when on a big trip a 110 for everyday use drinks and food the other as a straight freezer
and bring unused frozen goods home
the boss cryovacs the meat and it lasts twice as long no freezer burn either
the little one is 35l
I have a waeco 80lt. It has the same size foot print of the engel 60lt. Go figure. I had a minor repair done last weekend to my fridge, The service department said it would of cost me hundreds if it was a engel, instead $25 to repair waeco. I believe the ARB fridges are made also by waeco. Waeco are bringing out an 80lt all fridge if you like of the old model of fridge freezer. Hope this helps.
Nice set up roofy that's what id like to do also .
Id rather buy a fridge/freezer one as you can take out the devider and make it all fridge or all freezer also, just more options.
I have an 80 L wacko which has been great over the past few years. Also have a 50L ironman icecube which perfect on top of the drawers in the patrol and works like a dream, like a lot of others price is a factor. Paid $750 for the ironman with cover as opposed to $1250 for the same size wacko
Tap, Tap Taparoo
Thanks all. I know this is a hotly contentious debate (on many, many forums) but it is always interesting to hear new views on it. Interesting that the views haven't really changed all that much over time. Waeco is a great product IMO.
I have both, a 9 year old 50l Waeco that has never let me down, and a newish 37l Engel Eclipse I use as a drink fridge or freezer, works well also.
My choices where made on price, I consider both fridges to be quality gear, wait a while and good deals come along. Saved $350 on the Waeco and $300 on the Engel when I bought them.
I'm happy :)
I have a an 32L (i think) Engel. I paid $750 new for it about 15 years ago and its still going strong to this day. Probably should get it serviced one day...
That has to say something for reliability...
Just on purchasing - has anyone used portablefridgesonline.com.au? Looks quite good and the pricing is not too bad. And does anyone know if you can buy additional Waeco baskets? Engel seem to do it but can't find any for Waeco. Might call them to find out. Reason I say is that the dual zone fridge/freezer has removable baffles and if I can get the fridge or freezer only basket then I can basically convert the dual zone as needed.
Strange you say ARB fridges are made by Waeco. They used to have an Engel copy.
Jumping from bed to bed maybe
Must remember waeco weren't around when we bought our engels 15 yrs ago
I would ring a local service agent or weaco them selves. I think there head office is at Brisbane.
Also go to getawaeco website, factory ex demos good prices as well
Tap, Tap Taparoo
Yer found out only last weekend. Both made in same factory in CHINA.
Iv'e got a 30 year old 60L Engel, been all over OZ, still going strong.
Cheers, the ferret.
I hear you Ferret pretty hard to kill an Engel. Don't even think I 've heard of one breaking down.
a friend in 4x4 club had old yellow job as his freezer, freaked a few out in remote communities
pulling out the ice cream and passing them around aaahhhhhmmm ice cream
Ice Cream!!! Stuff the ice cream. Engels were made by men who drink beer, cold beer, and wanted nothing more than to keep their neck oil cold on a hot day out in the bush. And the meat frozen too for the bbq's. Those two go hand in hand. literally. One to hold the beer and the other to hold the tongs to cook your beloved and then to eat it...
My vote is for Engel just because they have proven themselves worthy for reliability. I want to sell my 32L and buy a bigger one. Now I gotta justify something else to the boss :(
Can't keep the 32 and use as freezer only and buy another for frothies
Mmmmmahhhh Frothies
I have had a engal for the last 10 years it has fallen out the back of a tray back , gets used in the boat , as well starting to look real beat up , but works as well as ever never been serviced , or repared , isnt the new arb the second tier plastic engal that sells a couple $ cheaper than the steel body.
Gaddy
I wouldn't buy a plastic body fridge personally. If the fridge cops a whack in the side and its plastic, guess whats going to happen. If its metal the worst would be a dint.
My Waeco has been dropped twice, first one not so bad, fell from the back step. Second time dropped it while carrying on the Murray and rolled down the embankment bout 3-4 metres on the Murray. Thank god no cans were damaged, fridge survived not a scratch and I mean not a mark at all, just really dusty so were the cans.
Publicly speaking to a private audience.
So what your saying is that is was like an air bag for your cans, WOW how lucky were you lol
It was like a slow mo slide and bump roll to a sandy type beach.Quote:
Originally Posted by threedogs
Publicly speaking to a private audience.
I hear you brother done the woobly boot, roll, swim, bounce a few times lol
waeco man myself, although i am convinced the engel uses less power? might look at engel next time for a trial
i have a primus mamoth metal bodied with waeco fridge unit, works great and is well priced aspecially my "display" unit for work lol.
I ended up choosing Engel for the following reason.
My daughter sold both Engel & Waeco in the shop she worked at in Port Hedland for a couple of years, eight out of ten warranty jobs were Waeco and some were not repairable. She also said that Waeco could not cope with the humidity as well as Engel.
They have also criscrossed the country extensively and always take the most difficult route. They have two Engels and had to buy an ARB 12 months ago as they were not able to take the Engel on the plane. The ARB broke down and is in the process of being replaced under warranty, the ARB did hardly any work compared to the Engels which are still going strong. Engel cost me more than Waeco but I think it's a sound investment.
But like someone said earlier it's like Ford v Holden.
Thinking about this thread a bit and dont think Waeco were in Aust when I brought my 40ltr Engel.
Think having seen both for a few years now its an even playing field and both will throw in extras to get your business
transit bags/covers etc, current draw is similar, both are solar compatible. Down to who has the best price when you're ready to buy.
I can get Waeco at wholesale price but still got the Engel. As said it's just like Holden/Ford
My old man has had the same Engel fridge for over 30 years in his truck, got it regassed once and that's it. Mate from work has a Waeco and has had nothing but trouble with it. Not saying all Engels will last over 30 years and all Waecos are crap, just my experiences. I got the gold 40L Engel at a great price with the transit bag so snatched it up.
I ended up getting a second set of hinges so I can make the lid open from the side.
Just makes it easier as it mounted behind driver where passenger seat was.
Would like to fit a two zone but not sure if I'd get the full benefit from it.
@ Winne Gold Engel will maybe outlast even the 4.2 lol
It's exactly the same as the normal 40L engel just a different colour.
I have had a 40l Engel since 2004 and it has travelled all over the southern African countries. I got it with the cover and it has definately helped to limit the bump damage. The Engel has worked full time throughout the time I have had it and it has never given the slightest problem - this despite being powered by the low voltage swings that have ensured having to replace compressors on the domestic deepfreeze in the kitchen in Malawi. No experience of Waeco, but out of principle would stick with Engel because of excellence service on my first one.
Incidently it has been my experience that larger units are not suited to carrying in a vehicle - even a Patrol. My very similar sized Landcruiser 100 basic with ambulance doors (the UN spec version) carried 7 people and a large camping trailer through may varied travels. The fridge fit perfectly inside and kept the drinks icy as well as the baby's milk fresh, and the steaks chilled for the evening campfire. My mates 80l unit was too big for his car and although great in his off-croad caravan, mostly got left at home in the caravan because it was too big to fit his Patrol.
Had Engel fridges since 1982, had the first one re-gassed. Bought a newer one in 2005 as they used half the power of the first.
Haven't owned any other brands but my brother is a fridgee who has worked on lots of 12VDC fridges and he said stick with Engels.
He has stories to tell and all the issues are with other than the Engel. Our immediate family own 5 of the anniversary models and they never have given trouble.
My engle is still a young un at almost 20 years old and has run almost continually the last 7 years, just replaced the cooling fan as the bearings were noisy, great fridge, know people who have had several of other brands in that time, got a 38 lt model and found this is big enough even for 6 week trips
I am not sure which to buy, the 40ltr or the 60ltr engel? Do you guys find the 40ltr large enough?
Yeah I reckon it's perfect size.Quote:
Originally Posted by James2014