Fridge size?

[cruiseroutfit]

Whoa... I just read that the 60 quart was dc'd by ARB... looks like I may have to go with their 45qt and add the top extender piece.

...Thanks for the input guys. Never thought of going with something other than the ARB. Is there a fridge review link here?

Just to clear something up...

The ARB units are Engel units (well Sawifuji).

In 2005 ARB discontinued their version of the 35 & 60 quart units, however they are still very available through Engel. At the same time, ARB converted from rebadging the standard 45 quart unit, to using a special edition 45 quart unit that has a built in thermometer (LCD). This thermometer option is not available directly from Engel. May or may not be an issue for you... remote mount thermometers are very commonly used and might eliminate the need for a built in unit.

The ARB transit bag is very different from the Engel transit bags, different material, and different design. Where the Engel uses a zipper around the perimiter of the lid, the ARB is a 2-piece, no zipper. Pro's and con's to each. I've had customers that convert the lid on their 35/45 to a side opening, a PITA with the Engel cover, works great with the ARB cover.

As far as which unit suits you best? I always recommend a customer head out to their vehicle/trailer... and measure. The 60 quart unit is big, using a tape measure to lay out the footprint will help illustrate this. The 35/45 have an identical footprint, varying only in height.

The new "Marine 40" unit might be worth the wait? I'm hearing good things about it

 

[Martyn]

Just to clear something up...

The ARB units are Engel units (well Sawifuji).

In 2005 ARB discontinued their version of the 35 & 60 quart units, however they are still very available through Engel. At the same time, ARB converted from rebadging the standard 45 quart unit, to using a special edition 45 quart unit that has a built in thermometer (LCD). This thermometer option is not available directly from Engel. May or may not be an issue for you... remote mount thermometers are very commonly used and might eliminate the need for a built in unit.

Kurt

Overseas Engle portable fridges offer the LCD thermometer as standard. I assume that ARB has some agreement with Engle to be the sole importer to North America for these units, which are standard elsewhere.

Last time I looked the thermometers read in Celsius, is that still the case?

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Kurt

Overseas Engle portable fridges offer the LCD thermometer as standard. I assume that ARB has some agreement with Engle to be the sole importer to North America for these units, which are standard elsewhere.

Good info, I didn't realize many of the overseas units had the LCD thermo. too... as I understood it, it was a special edition, now I know Your assumption is correct, ARB is the only distributor bringing them to the states.

Last time I looked the thermometers read in Celsius, is that still the case?

Yes sir, still the case

 

[kcowyo]

First time you look inside your new 45L fridge you'll exclaim "WOW. there is no room!"

Yeah... My first impression was, "It's so big from the outside. Hope this will work." If I need to rotate from dry stock to fridge, that shouldn't be too much of a problem.

DesertGirl has become the master of layering your food in bags - Breakfast - lunch, dinner stuff - Easier to grab a complete bag than to dig for smaller items. it takes a bit of practice to get the system down....

Yet something else the dg, will have to teach me...

 

[AndrewP]

From a capacity perspective, I would love to have a 60, however it really is a monster. The Engel 45 has served me well, you just have to circulate your beverages from warm storage to cold when needed. So at most you have only 2-3 sodas or beers cold at a time, since all the other space is perishables.

As Alvaro said, I have made it a full week for 2 people with just the Engel 45. It's tight, but it can work.