Need Help in Regards to fridge/freezer owners!

What Type of Hinge is on your fridge/freezer?

  • Forked Hinge - you take off by pulling it toward you.

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Split Hinge - which allows the lid to slide off LEFT to RIGHT

    Votes: 16 100.0%

  • Total voters
    16

flyingwil

Supporting Sponsor - Sierra Expeditions
Hey guys,
I need a bit of help from all you in vehicle fridge/freezer owners out there!

I need to get details on the hindge portion of your ARB or Engel fridge/freezers! From my research there two type of hinges on them:
  1. The older style Engel/ARB/Norcold, that has a ‘forked’ hinge on the lid. This lid you take off by pulling it toward you.
  2. The Newer style split hinge which allows the lid to slide off LEFT to RIGHT

So what do you have? Any pics would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!
Wil
 

Life_in_4Lo

Explorer
mine is split, I've never seen a forked hinge on them... maybe an old style?

Engel carries a hinge lock to prevent slippage when opening the lid- I recommend it!
 

flyingwil

Supporting Sponsor - Sierra Expeditions
Life_in_4Lo said:
mine is split, I've never seen a forked hinge on them... maybe an old style?

Engel carries a hinge lock to prevent slippage when opening the lid- I recommend it!


Based on my research, the older styles had a forked hinge, but this is research from the internet and included other countries. If I recall correctly these units were no longer produced with the fork hinge after 2001, based on consumer feedback. My guess is that all US models have the split hinge, but I want to make sure before my purchase!

Thanks!

Wil.


PS. Thanks for the link to the pics, Chris.... You have a Norcold unit correct?
 

blupaddler

Conspirator
Wil,
Mine is the split hinge.
Also, like life-in-4lo said get the fridge hinge accessory. I am going to buy one, just haven't gotten around to it. But it is something you will definately need.
 

VikingVince

Explorer
Wil

I have the Coolmatic frig/freeze made/imported by Waeco. I'd recommed you check them out as well before making your purchase. They're hard plastic (won't rust) and use the Danfoss compressor just like the ARB/Engel/Norcold. Mine functions exceptionally well and they're not as expensive as the other brands. Mine has the split hinge; also the lid is designed so you can have the hinge on either edge of the top (maybe that's standard on all units, I don't know) Check them out here http://www.waecousa.com
Look under portable frig/freeze...they have both DC only as well as AC/DC units; the DC only is cheaper and if you know you're only going to use it in your vehicle, it's a good way to go IMO
 
Last edited:

davegonz

Explorer
This is slightly incorrect, the ARB/Norcold/Engels all use Sawafuji swing motor compressors and not the Danfoss BD-series compressors that are used by Waeco, FridgeFreeze, NovaKool, etc.

VikingVince said:
Wil

I have the Coolmatic frig/freeze made/imported by Waeco. I'd recommed you check them out as well before making your purchase. They're hard plastic (won't rust) and use the Danfoss compressor just like the ARB/Engel/Norcold. Mine functions exceptionally well and they're not as expensive as the other brands. Mine has the split hinge; also the lid is designed so you can have the hinge on either edge of the top (maybe that's standard on all units, I don't know) Check them out here http://www.waecousa.com
Look under portable frig/freeze...they have both DC only as well as AC/DC units; the DC only is cheaper and if you know you're only going to use it in your vehicle, it's a good way to go IMO
 

Tucson T4R

Expedition Leader
davegonz said:
This is slightly incorrect, the ARB/Norcold/Engels all use Sawafuji swing motor compressors and not the Danfoss BD-series compressors that are used by Waeco, FridgeFreeze, NovaKool, etc.


I have Waeco 85 qt that came with my trailer. Does anyone have an oppinion on the advantages/disadvantages of these two types of compressors?

So far I have been pleased how my Waeco has functioned.
 

Beowulf

Expedition Leader
I too would like a comparison of Engel vs Waeco compressors. The Engel seems to have a loyal following but have never heard anything bad about Waeco.

Unfortunately the Engel 35 won't fit behind the seat of my 06 Unlimited at 25.5" long. However the Waeco 35 is only 22.8" long.

I am leaning towards the Waeco because of it's reduced length.
 

jerdog53

Explorer
What size would be proper for a weeks stay or for a long weekend? I realize it all depends on how much stuff you will need refrigerated on that particular outing but a rule of thumb would be helpful, I was thinking in the 35 to 40qt size.

Thanks!

Jerry
 

Forum statistics

Threads
188,249
Messages
2,904,496
Members
229,805
Latest member
Chonker LMTV
Top