Have been looking to replace my Engels as it is too heavy and cumbersome in the back of my 4WD (as the spare wheel is now under the floor.)
Most lighter and smaller (plastic) units are coolers and don't seem to cope well in Australian temperatures.
Has anyone owned/used the Evakool DC25 (22 ltr) unit which is shown to cool down to -16c ? This unit is appealing in size and weight if it is able to keep a few drinks cold in our northern heat and will lessen the need to constantly be opening the caravan fridge as well.
There are no reviews of this unit on the internet and very little information from all my investigations so far.
Other recommendations of this size unit would also be appreciated.
Cupie said
11:31 AM Jul 19, 2018
I can't imagine getting rid of my Engel.
I got it as part of the deal when I got my new Jayco in 1999 & use it as a bar fridge when not touring. So until recently it has been running 24/7. No need for a bar fridge these days as I usually only drink red wine.
Except for an occasional period where it makes a noise like a water pump it just keeps on going. I think that there is a problem with the motor mounts, but it doesn't effect its operation.
When I was a beer drinker I got into the habit of using cans rather than stubbies in part to reduce the weight.
-- Edited by Cupie on Thursday 19th of July 2018 11:32:51 AM
Dougwe said
12:48 PM Jul 19, 2018
Welcome to the gang mukka, enjoy here and out in the playground.
Keep Safe on the roads and out there.
Dave1952 said
01:04 PM Jul 19, 2018
The Evakool units used to use the Danfoss compressor, which is reputed to be the best for travel fridges like Evakool and the like. I do not know what motor the Evakool uses these days but if it is the Danfoss compressor, it would be excellent value for money. I have an Engel, which, of course uses the Sawafuji Swing motor. Excellent fridge too, but I do agree it is quite heavy. Currently, it is in our annexe keeping my Insulin cool. I will do a bit of research myself, and who knows, I might try an Evakool myself.
It has worked very well on the three trips we've used it for (about 5 weeks in total). Like you I use it to supplement the 3 way van fridge, and to keep drinks etc cold in the car while travelling/sightseeing.
I also have a 60 litre Evakool, which is an excellent unit, but far too big and heavy for travelling with the van. It's only used at Christmas time these days - when my beer gets turfed out of the beer fridge to accommodate masses of food for the hordes we accumulate about that time. Can't say if the smaller Evakool has similar internals though.
Nev
Desert Dweller said
04:07 PM Jul 19, 2018
Evacool have a very good name so they must be doing something right.
mukka said
05:17 PM Jul 19, 2018
Thanks Doudwe. Looking forward to learning a lot.
Dave1952, I think they have moved away from Danfoss. Possibly to China. Might call them sand check it out.
Newd, the Kenner looks great value for money but is pretty long and not very high so wife's wine won't stand up. wine in cans would be good.
Desert Dweller thanks for your input.
Loved my Engels but at 70+ years lifting it full out of the back of the car to get to spare wheel is not appealing. Probably would be raining as well.
Thanks one and all.
-- Edited by mukka on Thursday 19th of July 2018 05:24:46 PM
Nevd said
05:32 PM Jul 19, 2018
Mukka,
Maybe cask wine on its side? (Says a beer drinker with a smile on his face)
Nev
Cupie said
05:42 PM Jul 19, 2018
mukka wrote:
Thanks Doudwe. Looking forward to learning a lot.
Dave1952, I think they have moved away from Danfoss. Possibly to China. Might call them sand check it out.
Newd, the Kenner looks great value for money but is pretty long and not very high so wife's wine won't stand up. wine in cans would be good.
Desert Dweller thanks for your input.
Loved my Engels but at 70+ years lifting it full out of the back of the car to get to spare wheel is not appealing. Probably would be raining as well.
Thanks one and all.
-- Edited by mukka on Thursday 19th of July 2018 05:24:46 PM
At 77 YO I always empty the Engle before moving it. Give SWMBO a can & have her hold the umbrella when getting out the spare.
Mike Harding said
08:24 PM Jul 19, 2018
mukka wrote:Loved my Engels but at 70+ years lifting it full out of the back of the car to get to spare wheel is not appealing.
How often do you need your spare wheel? I cannot remember changing a wheel on my 4WD (which does serious bush stuff) for some years.
Dave1952 said
09:14 PM Jul 19, 2018
It would be a shame if they have moved away from the Danfoss in that the Danfoss is very efficient, but if my old memory is correct, the Danfoss uses a bit of juice if just running on battery. I have no idea if that was true or not but as Dsert Dweller says, Evakool have an excellent reputation. Trailblazer fridges used to use the Danfoss too, but I have heard nothing on that brand for some little time, so no idea if they are even still in business.
Joe50 said
01:05 AM Jul 20, 2018
I believe Danfoss sold off its compressor business about eight years ago and it is now known as Secop. I have a Secop BD35F compressor in my main fridge (Novakool 193 litre) and from documentation I've seen for Danfoss compressors the Secop is all but identical. It's been chugging away for almost four years without a problem.
Dave1952 said
09:33 AM Jul 20, 2018
Thanks for that update Joe50. It's worth knowing.
bill12 said
05:06 AM Jul 21, 2018
I have an evercooler plastic 50 ltr, and its great but uses a bit more amps than specified. Gets down to minus 10c quickly, but only run at minus 4c. Australian made at Coloundra, QLD. Good fridge.
mukka said
01:05 PM Jul 22, 2018
Hi Mike,
Hopefully, never. But sods laws says it will happen if I put the fridge on top of it and probably in the middle of nowhere.
Anyway, drink very little nowadays so smaller unit is better suited.
-- Edited by mukka on Sunday 22nd of July 2018 01:06:38 PM
mukka said
01:09 PM Jul 22, 2018
Many thanks for all your advice and comments, much appreciated.
Have been looking to replace my Engels as it is too heavy and cumbersome in the back of my 4WD (as the spare wheel is now under the floor.)
Most lighter and smaller (plastic) units are coolers and don't seem to cope well in Australian temperatures.
Has anyone owned/used the Evakool DC25 (22 ltr) unit which is shown to cool down to -16c ? This unit is appealing in size and weight if it is able to keep a few drinks cold in our northern heat and will lessen the need to constantly be opening the caravan fridge as well.
There are no reviews of this unit on the internet and very little information from all my investigations so far.
Other recommendations of this size unit would also be appreciated.
I can't imagine getting rid of my Engel.
I got it as part of the deal when I got my new Jayco in 1999 & use it as a bar fridge when not touring. So until recently it has been running 24/7. No need for a bar fridge these days as I usually only drink red wine.
Except for an occasional period where it makes a noise like a water pump it just keeps on going. I think that there is a problem with the motor mounts, but it doesn't effect its operation.
When I was a beer drinker I got into the habit of using cans rather than stubbies in part to reduce the weight.
-- Edited by Cupie on Thursday 19th of July 2018 11:32:51 AM
Keep Safe on the roads and out there.
I have this cheapie ebay one
www.ebay.com.au/itm/KENNER-20L-Portable-Freezer-12V-24V-240V-Camping-Car-Boating-Caravan-Bar-Fridge-/273005006371
It has worked very well on the three trips we've used it for (about 5 weeks in total). Like you I use it to supplement the 3 way van fridge, and to keep drinks etc cold in the car while travelling/sightseeing.
I also have a 60 litre Evakool, which is an excellent unit, but far too big and heavy for travelling with the van. It's only used at Christmas time these days - when my beer gets turfed out of the beer fridge to accommodate masses of food for the hordes we accumulate about that time. Can't say if the smaller Evakool has similar internals though.
Nev
Thanks Doudwe. Looking forward to learning a lot.
Dave1952, I think they have moved away from Danfoss. Possibly to China. Might call them sand check it out.
Newd, the Kenner looks great value for money but is pretty long and not very high so wife's wine won't stand up. wine in cans would be good.
Desert Dweller thanks for your input.
Loved my Engels but at 70+ years lifting it full out of the back of the car to get to spare wheel is not appealing. Probably would be raining as well.
Thanks one and all.
-- Edited by mukka on Thursday 19th of July 2018 05:24:46 PM
Mukka,
Maybe cask wine on its side? (Says a beer drinker with a smile on his face)
Nev
There you go ... Wine in a can
https://bws.com.au/wine/can-wine
At 77 YO I always empty the Engle before moving it. Give SWMBO a can & have her hold the umbrella when getting out the spare.
How often do you need your spare wheel? I cannot remember changing a wheel on my 4WD (which does serious bush stuff) for some years.
Hi Mike,
Hopefully, never. But sods laws says it will happen if I put the fridge on top of it and probably in the middle of nowhere.
Anyway, drink very little nowadays so smaller unit is better suited.
-- Edited by mukka on Sunday 22nd of July 2018 01:06:38 PM