 | Home > Expedition & Overland > Engel or ARB |
 
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| GREENI Member Since: 22 Aug 2010 Location: staffs Posts: 10382  
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I think it's fair to say they are all made by dometic in china...so they will all be reliable, the ARB has actual more 'tinny' storage and is more unique, less space taken up in truck because of handles recessed etc.
ARB has more features, looks best, coolest name(pardon the pun). National Luna came top in the Expedition Portal test though.... I have a Waeco, but i'd buy ARB next ! |
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17th Mar 2012 7:33pm |
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| leeds Member Since: 28 Dec 2009 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 8581
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Bpman since you are coming to YOG you will be able to compare an Engel side by side with an ARB.
That should be better then any paper exercise comparison. Fridges and freezers are normally the preserve of the feminine gender, you could always get Mrs Bp to talk to Barbara Brendan. |
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17th Mar 2012 8:01pm |
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| bpman Member Since: 21 May 2008 Location: Oslo Posts: 8069 
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good idea Brendan  |
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17th Mar 2012 8:08pm |
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| mudrut Member Since: 29 Feb 2012 Location: Stourport-on-Severn Posts: 80 
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ARB are Waeco are very similar - both use the Danfoss compressor and I think they are made in the same factory although they are very different casing designs. The Engel uses the Sawafuji Swing Motor compressor and is manufactured elsewhere.
To be honest, I've used fridges made by all three and there is little to separate the brands. My main fridge is an Engel which has been abused for the last six years and is still going strong. It would be my recommendation if pushed. It's worth noting that because of the compressor, the Engel has smaller requirement for startup current. I've found that the 15 amp startup current of the Waeco/ARB can expose limitations in the wiring of some vehicles. All the fridges settle down to draw an average of less than an amp once underway. The Engel still has an 'old school' control panel where one sets the temperature on a dial. This can mean a bit of guesswork initially. The other two have a more sophisticated digital target temperature setting. They also have a battery protection threshold which the Engle does not share. On a dual-batteried vehicle, I find this less important. regards Ian |
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17th Mar 2012 10:51pm |
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| landy andy Member Since: 15 Feb 2009 Location: Ware, Herts Posts: 5703 
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I changed from a Waeco to a Engle due to the battery protection thing.
It cuts in at something like 11.4 volts, and the fridge no longer works, and you only find out when you've got warm beer 
Andy |
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18th Mar 2012 1:58am |
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| BigRuss Member Since: 15 May 2010 Location: Norfolk Posts: 2785 
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But the question is does Mrs BP know  Russell
2011MY 110 XS USW Black |
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18th Mar 2012 8:18am |
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| bpman Member Since: 21 May 2008 Location: Oslo Posts: 8069
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You are up early Russ ... Of course Mrs BP knows, or at least she will when she looks under the bed  |
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18th Mar 2012 8:48am |
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| BigRuss Member Since: 15 May 2010 Location: Norfolk Posts: 2785
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So are you saying your beer will not be cold enough on your way up to nordcap? Russell 2011MY 110 XS USW Black |
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18th Mar 2012 9:03am |
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| Zagato Site Supporter Member Since: 08 Jan 2011 Location: Billingshurst West Sussex Posts: 5013
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Engel came out well last time the question was asked. JSG swapped to one also I believe after having another type
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18th Mar 2012 9:10am |
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| bpman Member Since: 21 May 2008 Location: Oslo Posts: 8069
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I don't want my beer to freeze  |
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18th Mar 2012 9:56am |
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| ben_j85jty Member Since: 02 Sep 2008 Location: Bicester, Oxfordshire Posts: 491 
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For my 2p worth,
When we were looking at getting a fridge a few years ago our 2 choices were the Engel of National Luna. The majority of out travelling companions use the National Luna so we looked at those first and I found that the features and finishing made theem out first choice. The ability to set a temprature and the light for example were 2 of the simple things that really stood out. The Engel as a more basic construction and operation, but is as robust as the National Luna. We ended up with a Engel purely on price. The Engel was £300 cheaper than the National Luna. If I needed to by a new one now? I would get the Dual fridge freezer National Luna and bite the bullet cost wise. 2002 Defender 110 DC |
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18th Mar 2012 12:23pm |
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| LandRoverAnorak Member Since: 17 Jul 2011 Location: Surrey Posts: 11324
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I loved the National Luna I used to have and would have no hesitation choosing another. They are expensive, but they're one of those things where you get what you pay for. Darren
110 USW BUILD THREAD - EXPEDITION TRAILER - 200tdi 90 BUILD THREAD - SANKEY TRAILER - IG@landroveranorak "You came in that thing? You're braver than I thought!" - Princess Leia |
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18th Mar 2012 1:51pm |
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| v40mav Member Since: 25 Aug 2008 Location: UK Posts: 206 
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I've been using the Engel for the last year, it's been fantastic but I'd agree it takes time to get used to the settings using the manual dial, I like my drinks cold but found at times it was nearing freezing.
Defender 110 County SW
Disco 3 HSE Freelander 2 HSE - SOLD going back to a car www.lothian4x4response.org |
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18th Mar 2012 3:35pm |
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| ben_j85jty Member Since: 02 Sep 2008 Location: Bicester, Oxfordshire Posts: 491
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I have found you have to change the dial depending on the contents of the fridge. 50 cans take more cooling that 1 I guess. 2002 Defender 110 DC |
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18th Mar 2012 3:47pm |
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