A Canadian thank you for this video, hard to find a lot of info on this fridge over here. Your video helped me make my buying decision, if only I could have bought it from you guys!
I've heard a few people mention the latches, Aaron, and I can understand why this could be a concern. As you mention, spares are readily available, and I haven't actually seen or dealt with any that have broken though. ~ Ben
The problem is those handles that unnecessarily increase the length of the fridge! It's very hard for someone like me with a FJ Cruiser (which has a short length boot) to find a decent size fridge that also doesn't have huge handles! Mycoolman seems to have solved this problem though, but it's a new, almost unknown brand.
I have no hesitations in recommending MyCoolman, Aref, the brand is backed by decades of experience. The people who started MyCoolman came from another leading 12V fridge brand and they have applied their knowledge to their fridges. If MyCoolman fits your car then I'm sure you'll be more than happy with the quality and performance too. ~ Ben
Hi MAjiN9ne, we did a bit of a noise comparison here - th-cam.com/video/_4j_4NW6WoI/w-d-xo.html. The Dometic came out quieter but it may get noisier when the fan winds up more. As for power consumption... that's a topic that could be discussed until the cows come home. The Sawafuji motor in the Engel will only pull a maximum of 2.8 amps per hour, that's if it's running flat out for an entire hour. So if you are using it efficiently then it will be less than this. Dometic claim to have an average draw of about 1 amp per hour for their 45 litre fridge, but it can draw up to 8.2 amps maximum when it is running flat out, so if you aren't using it efficiently then you have the potential to draw more power from the Dometic. At the end of the day, both fridges are leaders in their class, power consumption will be roughly the same but will vary in different conditions. Everyone will have their opinions on which one is best, it's a bit like a Ford vs Holden debate, so I'd suggest you base your decision on other factors like features or dimensions. Hope that helps. ~ Ben
@@SnowysOutdoors Thanks, what is efficient use for you? I need to set it permanently to my campervan and open maybe few times a day, leaving the temp and all the other stuff, needing to calculate power usage so that's why I am not sure which to pick as i cannot afford a bigger battery system.
The arrow should point to the end of the plug, AZ Claimjumper. There is also a diagram of the actual plug on the fuse to show the correct orientation. ~ Ben
Hi nguont, both the Eclipse and the MT series of fridges from Engel provide the same reliable refrigeration as they feature the same Sawafuji compressor. The MR40F Eclipse doesn't have the tough metal exterior but this shouldn't be an issue if you are securely mounting it in the rear of a vehicle, if it's on the back of a ute then I would consider the metal housing. The main feature that may be worth upgrading for is the digital temperature readout on the MT series. With this display, you can set the temperature specifically and get a readout of the current internal temperature. The MR40F doesn't have this, you will need a temperature gauge and a best guess as to where to set the dial for a specific temperature. I hope this helps. ~ Ben
ive never bought such a fridge...so you'd have to keep the car motor running to keep this fridge cold? How long before it becomes warm if i switch the car motor off? i.e ive taken it camping?
Fair question Luke Thomas. Once your car is switched off (fridge also off), you'd be lucky to get a day out of it staying cool, particularly if it's inside a very hot car. You could leave it overnight, but you'd then need to spend the next day driving (fridge running) to cool things down again. You're best powering the fridge all the time, that way the compressor cuts in and out to maintain the internal temperature. As old greg mentioned, you'd be best using a secondary power source, and just keep your car battery just for starting your car. ~ Ben
A Canadian thank you for this video, hard to find a lot of info on this fridge over here. Your video helped me make my buying decision, if only I could have bought it from you guys!
Stoked to have helped @Peter A!
~ Lauren
Great fridges and super reliable but the weak points are those clasps. Very delicate and prone to breaking. You can buy spares though
I've heard a few people mention the latches, Aaron, and I can understand why this could be a concern. As you mention, spares are readily available, and I haven't actually seen or dealt with any that have broken though. ~ Ben
The problem is those handles that unnecessarily increase the length of the fridge! It's very hard for someone like me with a FJ Cruiser (which has a short length boot) to find a decent size fridge that also doesn't have huge handles! Mycoolman seems to have solved this problem though, but it's a new, almost unknown brand.
I have no hesitations in recommending MyCoolman, Aref, the brand is backed by decades of experience. The people who started MyCoolman came from another leading 12V fridge brand and they have applied their knowledge to their fridges. If MyCoolman fits your car then I'm sure you'll be more than happy with the quality and performance too. ~ Ben
THE ENGEL - Best fridge, side opening, set it on 2 and forget it (the free cover just seals the deal)
Yep, it's a popular model, and well priced too. Thanks for your thoughts MADBONE. ~ Ben
How do these compare to the dometic fridge? I am mostly interested in lower power consumption and most quiet operation, thanks.
Hi MAjiN9ne, we did a bit of a noise comparison here - th-cam.com/video/_4j_4NW6WoI/w-d-xo.html. The Dometic came out quieter but it may get noisier when the fan winds up more. As for power consumption... that's a topic that could be discussed until the cows come home. The Sawafuji motor in the Engel will only pull a maximum of 2.8 amps per hour, that's if it's running flat out for an entire hour. So if you are using it efficiently then it will be less than this. Dometic claim to have an average draw of about 1 amp per hour for their 45 litre fridge, but it can draw up to 8.2 amps maximum when it is running flat out, so if you aren't using it efficiently then you have the potential to draw more power from the Dometic.
At the end of the day, both fridges are leaders in their class, power consumption will be roughly the same but will vary in different conditions. Everyone will have their opinions on which one is best, it's a bit like a Ford vs Holden debate, so I'd suggest you base your decision on other factors like features or dimensions.
Hope that helps.
~ Ben
@@SnowysOutdoors Thanks, what is efficient use for you? I need to set it permanently to my campervan and open maybe few times a day, leaving the temp and all the other stuff, needing to calculate power usage so that's why I am not sure which to pick as i cannot afford a bigger battery system.
There is a thermal fuse in the 12/24 volt power cord. Which direction should the arrow which is painted on the fuse glass exterior be facing?
The arrow should point to the end of the plug, AZ Claimjumper. There is also a diagram of the actual plug on the fuse to show the correct orientation. ~ Ben
How are these compared to the MT series with the metal outer casing ? Is it worth paying extra for the MT?
Hi nguont, both the Eclipse and the MT series of fridges from Engel provide the same reliable refrigeration as they feature the same Sawafuji compressor. The MR40F Eclipse doesn't have the tough metal exterior but this shouldn't be an issue if you are securely mounting it in the rear of a vehicle, if it's on the back of a ute then I would consider the metal housing. The main feature that may be worth upgrading for is the digital temperature readout on the MT series. With this display, you can set the temperature specifically and get a readout of the current internal temperature. The MR40F doesn't have this, you will need a temperature gauge and a best guess as to where to set the dial for a specific temperature.
I hope this helps. ~ Ben
Snowys Outdoors cheers thanks for that
ive never bought such a fridge...so you'd have to keep the car motor running to keep this fridge cold? How long before it becomes warm if i switch the car motor off? i.e ive taken it camping?
Fair question Luke Thomas. Once your car is switched off (fridge also off), you'd be lucky to get a day out of it staying cool, particularly if it's inside a very hot car. You could leave it overnight, but you'd then need to spend the next day driving (fridge running) to cool things down again. You're best powering the fridge all the time, that way the compressor cuts in and out to maintain the internal temperature. As old greg mentioned, you'd be best using a secondary power source, and just keep your car battery just for starting your car. ~ Ben
18.02.20 - $899 no thanks
Not for everyone I guess, Specialized 29er. ~ ben
Can't beat engel reliability had mine 13yrs never let me down no computers no trouble