Engle or Isotherm frig/freezer

A

Anita Marie

New member
I am looking into buying a portable frig/freezer. I am considering either an Engle or Isotherm. Any opinions would be appreciated. I am mostly going to use it to make ice.

Thanks
Fred
 
Wondered why just the two: Engle and Isotherm? The older Engle has a good reputation--sounds like more issues in the most recent units--but based on only a few reviews that is really difficult to judge. The Engle uses a Sawafuji Swing motor--I had the same motor in the two Norcold units which lasted many years. But others have not had as good luck. Part of the issue is power supply--as I remember it is 27 volts AC--so you have to have inverters, converters etc...

The ARB, Isotherm, Waeco/Dometic, all use the Danfoss 35B rotary motor which runs on 12 volt DC directly. The swing motor uses less power at start up--it is more like a car fuel pump--in that the solenoid directly drives the piston for the compressor, rather than rotary converted to lineal forces. On some tests the Engle used less power than others over 24 hours.

The ARB is also highly regarded--and my recollection is that Pat Anderson's used less power than our Dometic.

What is the application--ice for use in ice chest? Ice for drinks, etc? There are a lot of variables so to the best course of action in keeping food/beverages cold.
 
Patty here. Fred, we did a lot of research looking for the lowest power consumption. We went with the ARB. We BUY a bag of ice and it lasts as long as our drinking does (one gin each per night-easily a week). Keeps meat frozen and has a "dairy" section for cheeses and salamis, etc. that does not freeze. Can't recommend it enough.
 
Greg, thanks spending time with Robbin explaining your set up. I think I looking at the 22qt unit. I think it is the 27 model.

Patti, I think I am looking at a unit that will be making ice to cycle ice to a cooler the way Greg is using his. I have removed the frig in the boat and am trying to figure out how to use the space.
 
We have had a Waeco for about 10 years. We used it on three trips of two months each and gradually began leaving it home on subsequent trips. We find the Norcold Fridge that came in the TomCat to be the best use of the space. We run it 24/7 when cruising and have used it on many trips of two months or more. It's amazing how much food you can keep in the fridge. We have two batteries for the fridge and 200 Watts of solar to keep the batteries charged. For soda's and beer we use a K2 cooler, similar to a Yeti, but cheaper.
 
Fred, We were very happy with an Engle on the Rosborough. It fitted under the aft seat very nicely and was quiet in operation on either ac or dc.
Use it mainly for keeping frozen goods in reserve and threw in a block of ice to keep up the thermal mass when the "goodies" started to get low.

Merv
 
Back
Top