You guys are going to hate me for this one! -Fridge Build

[CaliCruiser]

Today I am at work and I get a call from my dad while he is at a yard sale and ask me about "some fridge/freezer setup that kinda looks old and funky." I have wanted a fridge for awhile and missed out on a couple deals, but I have kept my eyes peeled for a deal for a long time and finally found one. My dad asks the dude if it works and asks him to plug it in and check it out. 15 minutes later my dad is back from the bank and the fridge is already pretty chill inside and pretty much froze a gallon of water. I'm pumped!!!!

If I told you guys how much I paid I think I would get some spammed off of the Portal:sombrero: The compressor and condenser are really dirty but otherwise I think everything is in pretty good shape. This is the older model so It draws more current than the newer ones, but I am still stoked and ready to take this on a trip!

Anyway, here is the plan:

-Disassemble an clean/paint the whole thing. I'll probably go with some sort of two tone gray and blue combo.

-I think all of the pieces are there but the lid is a bit dented in and the lid handle has a little crack in it.

Question: Can I remove the 'shell' from the compressor assembly to make the painting easier?

Do the standard 30-35 quart transit bags fit these old school fridges?

 

[xcmountain80]

Thats recycling my friend and no one will hate you for that. I'm trying to find a FJ65 to recycle myself. Great find man and good luck.

Aaron

 

[Martyn]

Today I am at work and I get a call from my dad while he is at a yard sale and ask me about "some fridge/freezer setup that kinda looks old and funky." I have wanted a fridge for awhile and missed out on a couple deals, but I have kept my eyes peeled for a deal for a long time and finally found one. My dad asks the dude if it works and asks him to plug it in and check it out. 15 minutes later my dad is back from the bank and the fridge is already pretty chill inside and pretty much froze a gallon of water. I'm pumped!!!!

If I told you guys how much I paid I think I would get some spammed off of the Portal:sombrero: The compressor and condenser are really dirty but otherwise I think everything is in pretty good shape. This is the older model so It draws more current than the newer ones, but I am still stoked and ready to take this on a trip!

Anyway, here is the plan:

-Disassemble an clean/paint the whole thing. I'll probably go with some sort of two tone gray and blue combo.

-I think all of the pieces are there but the lid is a bit dented in and the lid handle has a little crack in it.

Question: Can I remove the 'shell' from the compressor assembly to make the painting easier?

Do the standard 30-35 quart transit bags fit these old school fridges?

The Engel 35 has the following outside dimensions: 25.5" x 14.3" x 16"
The Engel 45 has the following outside dimensions: 25.5" x 14.3" x 20"

If your fridge is the same as either one then the Transit bag will fit.

I'd be careful about disassembling the fridge. Some times they are held together with dirt and rust and work fine until they are cleaned up.

 

[CaliCruiser]

Ya you are probably right about the tearing apart. I guess I'll just mask if off really well and go to town with the spray can and see what happens. Thanks for the measurements on the 35, I am pretty sure that is about the size it is.

Is there any way to check or add refigerant to these or are they sealed?
Anyone have any idea on the vintage?

-Dylan

 

[Martyn]

I'm thinking it's less than 10 years old.

As far as I know it's a sealed unit.Looks in good condition. The rust may have come from it being used on a sail boat or in a salty environment.

 

[CaliCruiser]

Cool, 10 years old would be great. It sure runs great. The picture of the compressor and condenser make it look worse than it is, it is mainly surface sticky crap and dust.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Congrats Dylan

 

[RoundOut]

Get yourself some of that "orange clean" type cleaner and just start wiping it with a paper towel. Used some compressed air to blow out the dust from the compressor area. They clean up nice. You'll be surprised how nice it will look after simply cleaning it.

Congrats. That is an awesome score. It looks like the same unit as I picked up from a dude in Dallas a few months back. I bought it as a surprise for my wife to use in her Sequoia, but she didn't want it, so I sold it to Buckru on this forum. If it is the same one, it's the same size as my Engle 45. EXACTLY. I had to get a new basket, handles, 12V cord, etc., all from Engle, and it all fit perfectly.

.

 

[CaliCruiser]

That is pretty cool that the stuff interchanges. I don't think this is the same though, I picked this up locally (California) from a guy that has owned for awhile. I am going to measure it today, and hopefully the transit bag will fit it.

:victory:

Dylan

 

[Martyn]

That is pretty cool that the stuff interchanges. I don't think this is the same though, I picked this up locally (California) from a guy that has owned for awhile. I am going to measure it today, and hopefully the transit bag will fit it.

:victory:

Dylan

Let me know if a transit bag fits, we can ship one out to you.

 

[xcmountain80]

Ya you are probably right about the tearing apart. I guess I'll just mask if off really well and go to town with the spray can and see what happens. Thanks for the measurements on the 35, I am pretty sure that is about the size it is.

Is there any way to check or add refigerant to these or are they sealed?
Anyone have any idea on the vintage?

-Dylan

Call Paul @ Engel and ask him what you can do.
561 743 7419
Last time I was there he had a unit that was from the 70's that came off a sailboat it was vintage and almond in color had just stopped working.

Aaron

 

[CaliCruiser]

Cool, maybe I'll give him a call and ask him about it.

Couple of questions:

Do these little things come out? The lid is pretty caved in and I would like to push it back in but the inside is pretty clean and I don't want to crack the plastic.

Also, has anyone pulled this handle off? I removed the two front screws put it still won't pop off.

Thanks,

Dylan

 

[xcmountain80]

How much did you pay for it?


Aaron

 

[CaliCruiser]

Fridge - 20.00
Paint - 3.00

I'll probably buy a transit bag for it so add that in. . .

The lid and handles are ACE brand machine gray and the body is Krylon Dull Aluminum. I still need to clean it a bit, but it is full of beer right now and it's football time baby!

 

[CaliCruiser]

The Engel 35 has the following outside dimensions: 25.5" x 14.3" x 16".

Mine is a little different on the dimensions. A friend of mine has a newer 35 quart Engel with a transit bag so I'll try it on mine and see if it fits.

-Dylan