Engel 43 or ARB 42

[Extreme Steel]

Need to know if anyone has a preference on which unit is more relible
and can withstand the grueling heat of Baja. any input will help me deside
on what to purchase. Thanks, Steve:costumed-smiley-007

 

[mountainpete]

The Engel and ARB units are virtually identical. They have the same motor, controller, dimensions, interior basket. The only real difference is a the ARB has a built in Celsius thermometer.

One is not going to me more reliable then another and they perform identically.

Pete

 

[targa88]

The Engel and ARB units are virtually identical. They have the same motor, controller, dimensions, interior basket. The only real difference is a the ARB has a built in Celsius thermometer.

One is not going to me more reliable then another and they perform identically.

Pete

I agree with Pete.
I chose the ARB because I liked the thermometer.
You will also need a transit bag, ARB is easier to operate than the Engel one....

 

[Martyn]

The ARB thermometer is on the condenser so it doesn't give an accurate reading of what is happening in the cool box. My preference is the Engel thermometer with the probe in the cold box.

 

[mountainpete]

The ARB thermometer is on the condenser so it doesn't give an accurate reading of what is happening in the cool box. My preference is the Engel thermometer with the probe in the cold box.

Interesting Martyn... I compared the thermometer on my ARB with a digital probe thermometer I have (it's not an Engel but used for cooking). They were virtually identical.

Did you find more of a discrepancy?

Pete

 

[Martyn]

Interesting Martyn... I compared the thermometer on my ARB with a digital probe thermometer I have (it's not an Engel but used for cooking). They were virtually identical.

Did you find more of a discrepancy?

Pete

I think a "static" fridge would show the same temperatures, but as a fridge is in use it is being opened and closed, cold items removed and warmer ones replacing them, or cold items removed and nothing replaces them. In this scenario the condenser can be reading a lot colder than the cold box.

 

[targa88]

The ARB thermometer is on the condenser so it doesn't give an accurate reading of what is happening in the cool box. My preference is the Engel thermometer with the probe in the cold box.

Martyn,
Not sure that I understand the science behind this.... would the temperature not be dependent on where the sensor is located rather that the display on the top?

 

[Martyn]

Martyn,
Not sure that I understand the science behind this.... would the temperature not be dependent on where the sensor is located rather that the display on the top?

Yes, it the location of the sensor that I was referring to. The display can be located anywhere. To get an accurate temperature of the food inside the fridge it's important to have the sensor in the cold box.

 

[JIMBO]

:sunny: Yo Martyn, speaking of Fridges

Would you recommend the Engle 40, over the Engle 45-for just my wife and I ???

And either one, can you let me know (email) the total cost and availability ???

Yes the Koolatron worked OK with my solar for 5 days, but it never would get below 40 degrees and that 4 amp draw, used most of my 60 watt solar

I'd like to just keep it for day trips and be able to use the Engle 40/45 for my weekers !!

Thanx--JIMBO

 

[Martyn]

:sunny: Yo Martyn, speaking of Fridges

Would you recommend the Engle 40, over the Engle 45-for just my wife and I ???

And either one, can you let me know (email) the total cost and availability ???

Yes the Koolatron worked OK with my solar for 5 days, but it never would get below 40 degrees and that 4 amp draw, used most of my 60 watt solar

I'd like to just keep it for day trips and be able to use the Engle 40/45 for my weekers !!

Thanx--JIMBO

We have the Engel 40 and 45 in stock. The 40 is $641.00 vs. the Engel 45 that is $649.00

The 40 has a nice case that won't dent and it seems to have more insulation than the 45. The compressor does resonate in the ABS case when it is cycling on. The 40 does not come standard with a removable basket. Insulating bags are coming with the next container load. The lid opens to the side and can be switched from left side to right side. There are two latches made from ABS plastic on the side.

The 45 is in a steel case that can be dented and scratched. It come stock with a removable basket and insulating covers are in stock. The lid is hinged at the back, with a single metal latch at the front.

Both the 40 and 45 pull an average of 1.7 amps over the same period of time in the same conditions. However the 40 pulls 3.4 amp when the compressor is running to cool the fridge down vs. the 45 that pulls 2.7 amps when the compressor is running.

I have no explanation as to why it pulls more amperage given it has the same compressor. I would guess that the longer term 1.7 amp is reached because the 40 has more insulation and 5 liters less volume and therefore cycles less than the 45

 

[IggyB]

The display location is wherever the manuafcturer want it to be. The sensor location is also wherever the manufacturer wants it to be.

Since it would be pointless to measure temperature anywhere else other than that inside the "cold box", that is where the sensor is located. The sensor is a thermocouple or an RTD (Resistance Temperature Detector). Both provide a millivolt output from the sensing tip which would be pretty small, no more than 1/4". The sensor either protrudes either just inside the cold box or is epoxied or otherwise attached to the outside of the cold box liner.

After that is's a couple of tiny wires to the battery powered display.

Or so I think. :beer:

 

[Martyn]

The display location is wherever the manuafcturer want it to be. The sensor location is also wherever the manufacturer wants it to be.

Since it would be pointless to measure temperature anywhere else other than that inside the "cold box", that is where the sensor is located. The sensor is a thermocouple or an RTD (Resistance Temperature Detector). Both provide a millivolt output from the sensing tip which would be pretty small, no more than 1/4". The sensor either protrudes either just inside the cold box or is epoxied or otherwise attached to the outside of the cold box liner.

After that is's a couple of tiny wires to the battery powered display.

Or so I think. :beer:

Yes, I think you have summed it up very well. The point is therefore that the sensor on the ARB fridge is not in the cold box but on the condenser.

Engel USA does not import the fridge model with the thermometer because of the location of the sensor and the amount of disassembly needed to replace the little battery that powers it.

 

[JIMBO]

:REExeSwimmingHL: Sounds good Martyn, will you email me the order invoice for my records and after I get it, I'll order by phone from you and quote the same VISA # I used for the LOCK & ROLL

We have the Engel 40 and 45 in stock. The 40 is $641.00 vs. the Engel 45 that is $649.00

The 40 has a nice case that won't dent and it seems to have more insulation than the 45. The compressor does resonate in the ABS case when it is cycling on. The 40 does not come standard with a removable basket. Insulating bags are coming with the next container load. The lid opens to the side and can be switched from left side to right side. There are two latches made from ABS plastic on the side.

The 45 is in a steel case that can be dented and scratched. It come stock with a removable basket and insulating covers are in stock. The lid is hinged at the back, with a single metal latch at the front.

Both the 40 and 45 pull an average of 1.7 amps over the same period of time in the same conditions. However the 40 pulls 3.4 amp when the compressor is running to cool the fridge down vs. the 45 that pulls 2.7 amps when the compressor is running.

I have no explanation as to why it pulls more amperage given it has the same compressor. I would guess that the longer term 1.7 amp is reached because the 40 has more insulation and 5 liters less volume and therefore cycles less than the 45

I'll also get the TRANSIT BAG

Does that sound copasetic ???

I'll wait for your answer--JIMBO

 

[IggyB]

Well, the battery would be powering the display only. So shouldn't it be on the display?

If you take just the thermocouple sensor and connect a volt meter to it, the voltage reading would correspond to temperature being sensed. Thermocouple is 2 wires of different metals, voltage is produced at the junction of the two wires.

Measuring temperature of the condensed would not give you the temperature at which the food is kept in the cold box.