Our Engel is about 22 years old, its a 32l, MT35F-G4-D, and were about to use it as a freezer.
My research shows when the dial is set to freeze, temp the thermostat cuts in to turn the compressor off Is 18degrees, is this achievable?
Has anyone installed 12v fans, if so, where did the power source come from, I am guessing the fan direct in front would extract air?
-- Edited by Brianvicki on Wednesday 22nd of October 2025 11:54:25 AM
Whenarewethere said
09:39 AM Oct 23, 2025
At 22 years old it's probably got so much dust inside, there is a blanket covering everything. Also the fan has probably died, they only last so long & it will have a blanket of dust on the back of the blades.
Replacing fan in 32L Engel fridge (it has a 24v fan):
I upgraded the fan in my 28L Waeco fridge with a larger 120mm Noctua industrial fan. More power efficient than the original & pushes more air & at higher pressure.
The standard Noctua fans are so efficient you may as well leave it running continuously. Running the fridge as a -18°C freezer the compressor will probably be running about 40 minutes every hour.
Whenarewethere said
11:45 AM Oct 23, 2025
Below is the link to my fridge modifications. It is a Waeco but the same thermal principles apply regardless of manufacturer.
We do actually pull out fridge apart to blow it out with our triple ARB compressor set-up. Like a computer, the amount of dust inside is frightening.
I have actually put some air compressor air-line connectors on multiple garden hoses to reach vast distance. Good enough for the task.
Blowing out dust with our 3 ARB compressors together with collecting dust with our Nilfisk VP600 vacuum is a weapon nations will kill for!
Anyway, use the Noctua fans, they are expensive, but look at the long term benefits. I have used >50 for a 3d render farm.
Rod Mac said
03:28 PM Oct 27, 2025
Hi, My 40 litre Engel is well over 20yrs old and is used at times as a freezer, the temp gets down to around minus 18c and does not miss a beat and the motor cuts in and out as it should to maintain that temp, mind you it does mainly just keep going.
I am right now using it as a freezer using 240v in the garage and when in the back of the Pajero it runs on the 12v rear socket and runs and freezes with no problem when travelling.
If we park up for a few days I use a 12v outlet from the caravan and the solar takes care of the house batteries and I will also turn it off overnight.
So I am not understanding why you are talking about using fans, can you explain a bit more re your query.
Rod Mac
Hetho said
09:31 PM Nov 2, 2025
My 32Ltr is also 20 years old, and I agree totally with Rod Mac. Doesn't miss a beat. When I'm home in give it a blow out with compressed air; but that's it.
Best beer fridge I have ever had.
Have used it as a freezer on many occasions and works a treat.
When I was doing my research on fridges 20 years ago, a mate got a bit tired of me taking about fridges and which one to purchase; his comment at the time was "Hetho just go and buy a >>>>>>>ing Engel". It was good advise.
I am not understanding the fan bit either.
Regards.
Hetho.
jab160 said
11:48 AM Nov 24, 2025
The fan bit is helping the fridge by suppling an airflow through the condenser/ compressor. So locating any sort of fan to move that air around is good, swear by it.
Our Engel is about 22 years old, its a 32l, MT35F-G4-D, and were about to use it as a freezer.
My research shows when the dial is set to freeze, temp the thermostat cuts in to turn the compressor off Is 18degrees, is this achievable?
Has anyone installed 12v fans, if so, where did the power source come from, I am guessing the fan direct in front would extract air?
-- Edited by Brianvicki on Wednesday 22nd of October 2025 11:54:25 AM
At 22 years old it's probably got so much dust inside, there is a blanket covering everything. Also the fan has probably died, they only last so long & it will have a blanket of dust on the back of the blades.
Replacing fan in 32L Engel fridge (it has a 24v fan):
m.youtube.com/watch?v=6AM-MYo4f2c&pp=0gcJCR4Bo7VqN5tD
I upgraded the fan in my 28L Waeco fridge with a larger 120mm Noctua industrial fan. More power efficient than the original & pushes more air & at higher pressure.
The standard Noctua fans are so efficient you may as well leave it running continuously. Running the fridge as a -18°C freezer the compressor will probably be running about 40 minutes every hour.
Below is the link to my fridge modifications. It is a Waeco but the same thermal principles apply regardless of manufacturer.
https://thegreynomads.activeboard.com/t65059593/extra-fridge-insulation-wattage-test/
We do actually pull out fridge apart to blow it out with our triple ARB compressor set-up. Like a computer, the amount of dust inside is frightening.
I have actually put some air compressor air-line connectors on multiple garden hoses to reach vast distance. Good enough for the task.
Blowing out dust with our 3 ARB compressors together with collecting dust with our Nilfisk VP600 vacuum is a weapon nations will kill for!
Anyway, use the Noctua fans, they are expensive, but look at the long term benefits. I have used >50 for a 3d render farm.
Hi, My 40 litre Engel is well over 20yrs old and is used at times as a freezer, the temp gets down to around minus 18c and does not miss a beat and the motor cuts in and out as it should to maintain that temp, mind you it does mainly just keep going.
I am right now using it as a freezer using 240v in the garage and when in the back of the Pajero it runs on the 12v rear socket and runs and freezes with no problem when travelling.
If we park up for a few days I use a 12v outlet from the caravan and the solar takes care of the house batteries and I will also turn it off overnight.
So I am not understanding why you are talking about using fans, can you explain a bit more re your query.
Rod Mac
My 32Ltr is also 20 years old, and I agree totally with Rod Mac. Doesn't miss a beat. When I'm home in give it a blow out with compressed air; but that's it.
Best beer fridge I have ever had.
Have used it as a freezer on many occasions and works a treat.
When I was doing my research on fridges 20 years ago, a mate got a bit tired of me taking about fridges and which one to purchase; his comment at the time was "Hetho just go and buy a >>>>>>>ing Engel". It was good advise.
I am not understanding the fan bit either.
Regards.
Hetho.