Engle fridge users?

[spressomon]

I mounted a Nicro Solar vent in the Superu this spring and it does help out when parked all day in the summer heat. It's not a miracle worker but it keeps things a good 15 - 20 degrees cooler inside based on a few tests in 85+ degree weather. Leak free in torrential rains at 65 mph and even through the car wash!

I'm thinking about adding a pair to the back on either side of the spotlight to help the Engel 45 stay cooler. :chowtime:

First of its kind I have seen. How quiet/noisy? CFM? Looks like the ticket...especially since it doesn't leak water

 

[xcmountain80]

Thats pretty trick! I thought I was queezy about cutting the snorkel hole in the last truck, I can't imagine through the roof! Yikes. Looks good though, do they open at a certain temp? How do it work.

Aaron

 

[ntsqd]

They're reasonably common marine parts. A qwik search of West Marine found these:

Day/Night Plus

Solar Mini

Stainless Vent

 

[teotwaki]

As seen on TV

$29.95 at Amazon

$12.99 at Amazon

 

[xcmountain80]

Whats in your fridge? I have a couple caprisuns, some coffee creamer, 100 calorie chocolate pudding, 16 or so bottles of water, supplies for the Goggie wrap (honey wheat wrap, hummus, sliced turkey, provalone, mango slices, and hearts of romaine). Oh yeah and for some reason my jet boil live in the freezer. How bout everyone else.

Aaron

 

[Superu]

A couple of answers.

The vent works rather well to reduce ambient temps when the car is sitting for a while. Last test I did with the car parked in the sun on subesquent 85+ degree days yielded the following results.

Without fan running: Interior temp after 4 hours ~134F
With fan running: Interior temp after 4 hours ~106F

Still warm in there, but the fan and it's location make a big difference by evacuating all that hot air that wells up along the roofline. Unlike the little window vents, it also provides a fairly large egress for the air and works passively if the battery were to run down or the sun where to disappear for an extended period.

Regarding my Engel 45l. Presently it holds ~11 cans of Murphy's Irish Stout, 4 cans of Bellhaven Scottish Ale, 3 cans of Guinness, a bottle of ketchup and a bottle of mustard! Obviously, we add food when we head out!

 

[spressomon]

The vent works rather well to reduce ambient temps when the car is sitting for a while. Last test I did with the car parked in the sun on subesquent 85+ degree days yielded the following results.

Without fan running: Interior temp after 4 hours ~134F
With fan running: Interior temp after 4 hours ~106F

Still warm in there, but the fan and it's location make a big difference by evacuating all that hot air that wells up along the roofline. Unlike the little window vents, it also provides a fairly large egress for the air and works passively if the battery were to run down or the sun where to disappear for an extended period.

Regarding my Engel 45l. Presently it holds ~11 cans of Murphy's Irish Stout, 4 cans of Bellhaven Scottish Ale, 3 cans of Guinness, a bottle of ketchup and a bottle of mustard! Obviously, we had food when we head out!

How do you turn your solar fan 'off'? Like in the cold winter months?

 

[xcmountain80]

Now not to sound like a ****************** but the fan kicks on at a certain temp or no? Cause if it does cold winter months would be just that cold. Therefore not allowing the fan to turn on. Now I could be wrong, but I can also see the problem , melting snow comes to mind.

Aaron

 

[Superu]

two methods

First, you reach up into the blade area and push the weatherproof switch to disable the power.

Second, you push upwards on the outer ring of the unit causing it to be fully sealed and protected against green water or similar back splash, car washes, hurricanes, etc.

I've run it through an automatic car wash several times to verify the watertightness and have had absolutely zero leakage.

 

[Superu]

The operation of the fan is completely manually controlled.

With the switch in the On position, it will run as long as it has sun on the solar panel or until the NiMh runs down at night. I usually only use it in the hot weather months and not much at night.

With the switch off and the green water shield closed, melting snow should never be an issue. Bear in mind, this unit is designed for off shore use and even when open you should expect very little water intrusion. I've forgotten to turn it off on one occassion and drove 30 miles in driving rain with no problem! :wings:

 

[Dave]

Currently I have a couple sodas, some bottled water, a Nalgene filled with water, some pudding snacks, and some granola bars "just chill'n" in my Engel.

 

[SAR_Squid79]

Has anyone mounted one of these in the back of an ExtraCab Tacoma?

I was thinking of possibly trying to put one behind the passenger seat. I measured it out today, and an MT45 would fit, but I'm not sure how "user friendly" it would be.

 

[xcmountain80]

Could work!

Aaron

 

[Dave Bennett]

Has anyone mounted one of these in the back of an ExtraCab Tacoma?

I was thinking of possibly trying to put one behind the passenger seat. I measured it out today, and an MT45 would fit, but I'm not sure how "user friendly" it would be.

I know a guy who mounted an Engel in an extra cab Taco. He put it behind the drivers seat so that his wife or co-driver could recline and sleep on road trips. And, the co-driver can also access the fridge while driving!

 

[SAR_Squid79]

He put it behind the drivers seat so that his wife or co-driver could recline and sleep on road trips.

Yeah - that's a good thought.

Do you know this guy well enough to know which fridge he had, and how much he liked or disliked his decision to mount it in the ExCab?