under-counter refrigerator

after much deliberation, research and reading of all the comments on this forum I think I have decided to order the Engel SR48-U1 fridge freezer. It seems the best compromise for my purpose:
-It has the swing motor
-it's rated at 0.5/2.7 amps (110/12V)
it's a built-in with side opening door.
-it'll make ice cubes for G&Ts
-its only $720 from Engel and comes with free shipping!
it should fit nicely in the cubby under the helm seat (15.12" W x 17.67" D x 20.39" H)
I'm a little worried about the depth because I measured the lowest and smallest depth (lower bow side of the cubby at only 16")
I'll measure again tomorrow.

(does anyone know why I can't upload an image directly into the body of this response?
 
Hi Sebastien, I only saw your post as it came up I my posts from last visit box, hopefully my response will put it up for you.
Sounds like a great fridge choice and as we have a small Engle for a freezer I know what a great luxury ice cubes can be in the middle of nowhere + frozen meat.
I hope your extended cruise will work out fantastically for you!
 
The depth may not be as "bad" as you think. The refrigerator has a 45* angle for the evaporator coils on what will be the forward side outboard. (This does give an unusual shape to the interior, but may give the needed room outboard.

You can alway make trim to go around the refer if it does not set back far enough. Teak, or painted wood wood would both work.

Be sure that there is enough room around the back for free flow of air, or put in a small computer fan, with a "snap disc" or thermostat to help in heat transfer.
 
yes Engel front loading fridges (there are only three almost identical models) look just like a slightly older model Norcold with venting above the door.
The Engel has the Swing compressor and the Norcold has the danfoss I believe.
 
Thanks. I'm assuming "Swing" and "Danfoss" are brands?

I'll look into this more if/when our current refer kicks it, assuming we keep the boat that long.
 
Swing refers to a different more efficient type of compressor, Danfoss is I believe a brand of compressor that is a very small version of the of the common household fridge compressors.
 
I just ordered the ENGEL SR48F-U1 FRIDGE/FREEZER
straight from ENGEL for $710 down from $720..
(no shipping or tax and in 20 seconds I found a coupon code for $10 off to boot)

now to research (read that mostly copy from Sierra) setting up a 100 watt solar system)

I don't have a radar arch but will brainstorm attaching something to the rear of the hand rails to suspend it above / independent from the bimini OR brainstorm how to attach it to the bimini but with an air gap as per Thataways repeated warnings re. this...
 
"Unique to Engel this purpose built compressor is designed to be a portable refrigeration compressor and is one of the key reasons why ENGEL is 'A LEGEND IN RELIABILITY'. The Sawafuji Swing Motor is a true reciprocating compressor; it has only one moving part.

"The piston is connected to an electro dynamic device which is powered by the use of magnetic
fields. With this technology there is no need for bearings, cranks or con-rods, so less moving parts means
less chance of failure. With only one moving part there is a very low friction loss which means this is a highly
efficient compressor.
It has no high start up current draw because when it starts up it can simply move down just a fraction then
return. Then it slowly increases the distance the piston travels each stroke until it reaches a full stroke. The
Sawafuji Swing Motor does not need to perform a full stroke on start up unlike many rotary type compressors
that must perform a complete cycle and need much more current to start.

http://www.marinewarehouse.net/images/engel/Technical-factsheet.pdf
 
Ron on Meander":2r82m6go said:
Very interesting series of videos of comparison of Sno-Master, ARB, Engel and Waeco fridge/freezers.
Ron
Click to expand...

Thanks Ron from bringing up this very recent series of 7 "episodes". I watched them all (Ok I did fast forward some introductions). Lengthy and interesting. What was not clear to me, was if the units were kept together on the one table, or were tested separately. Instructions for any of these say to allow a sufficient space between the unit and walls--4" is a minim. Also most of the tests were with a single small water bottle in the refrigerate and running at the lowest temps (about -4* F--their temps were in C). Realistically we run our refrigerator at 35* and the freezer at 16* with our temperature transducers in the middle of the chests. The below is a photo as we were taking the food out at the end of the trip, so freezer is up a bit:

DSC00423.sized.jpg

Their conclusion was that the "Snomaster" was the "best". This is a Chinese copy of the National Luna, from South Africa which has been highly rated for a number of years. National Luna seems to be carried by a number of outfitters in the USA, and are not that much more costly than the "Snomaster." Looking at the data and the video series there are some inconsistencies--which they could not explain.

Does the Engle really use that much less power than the others? The short term tests, including 12 hours suggested it used less, yet on the 24 hours it used more than others. The least was the ARB....at 24 hours, but in the short term it seemed to use equal to the Dometic (Waeco).

Bottom line was that they all seemed to use about 30 amp hours in 24 hours when not opened and in a air conditioned environment. Realistically, one should plan for 60 amp hours usable, because of ambient temps, opening and closing, adding warm items to the units would close to double the consumption. They also approached the issue of batteries, and touched on use of LiFePO4 batteries...
 
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