ENGEL 40l COMBI Fridge/Freezer 3 year review

ENGEL 40l COMBI Fridge/Freezer 3 year review
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[@KaizenOz]

I was thinking why would I need a freezer when camping, then you pull out the magnums. Lol sold.

[@arronjohnston742]

"why engel? because it was good enough for Malcolm Douglas" BOOM! drop mic walk away...... great stuff Ronny as always....

[@billmarsh7104]

pretty sure the bush tucker man had one in the old army land rover too.

[@justinscott4924]

I have a 40l Engel fridge it was my Grandfather's he bought it before I was born I am 38years old and it still running.

[@leaa4891]

I, also, inherited my grandfather’s Engel. Works a treat.

[@craigjones9244]

Wow👍🏻

[@jarrodbasham6044]

The green lid Engel is more than a fridge, it’s part of the family.

[@mitsnpieces6038]

My father bought our Engel back in 1977 with our new Trakka Kombi. Done hundreds of thousands of k's around Australia. Never missed a beat. When not traveling, it's running off main's power as a second freezer. Use it every single day. Been that way since 1977. Best investment ever.

[@ulivialex131]

I still have the old Engel rebadged as an arb fridge Bought it in ‘ 93, still running today.

[@andrewcox710]

We also have a 77 model that is a family heirloom! It's done the Cape more times than roothy, Alice Springs, wa, madigan line, gun barrel, the Kimberley and everything in between! My 2 brothers and I all now run the mt45 use the heirloom as the family spare if one of us needs 2! I reckon it's got more stickers than the deni ute muster too as a visual passport of its life!

[@PerthSnaps]

I have an Engel from about 1960’s and it works like a charm, it’s been up to Marble bar and back countless times and it’s even served beers in the pub up there when they had a power outage when my grandad owned the pub

[@EFFICIENTSELF]

Engel 👍 you won’t buy better. . I sold 2 little 15 litre Engels they were over 25 years old and still going strong 💪 . Good video Ronny

[@robmacca67]

Bought my old 40ltr Engels back in 1990 and to this day it hadn’t missed a beat...

[@hunting8725]

Great video. Concise, heaps of useful info and not just a worthless unboxing. 3 years, now that’s a proper review. Thanks man.

[@henrygreen19]

21 years now on my 40L. Not one hiccup - if it ain't broke, do not touch it !! Love it.

[@menacee]

Great product Had ours over 17 years now still going strong

[@tadpole4859]

Bought an 80L Engel about 4 years ago as I was living in Leinster travelling to Kalgoorlie monthly to do shopping. Got a 50L Waeco at the same time. Had nothing but issues with the Waeco. Engel never misses a beat. My parents still use an Engel they've had for 30 odd years.

[@dogdude4897]

Great review, ty. 32 years, sooo impressive 👍

[@davj1979]

Had Engels for decades. These are a great example of “get what you pay for” , tough, reliable, and work so very well.

[@benjaminkaper21]

Good work mate, they certainly have lived up to their legacy, I have a 1971 model 40L my dad bought brand new and still runs to this day, awesome fridges 😊

[@ewingfox6459]

Perfect Summation "if it is good enough for Malcolm Douglas" - 'nuff said. Another awesome video and hello from Vermont, where half the year we use our coolers to keep our drinks from Freezing, not the other way around :)

[@rickhall7180]

Very good review Ronny. I have a 40 litre Engel that is about 5 years old and an Australian made Trailblaza 60 litre that I purchased in 1996 and is still going strong...8 trips to Cape York, CSR, WA, most of Len Beadell's tracks and regular off road and fishing trips. Both are very good units. My brother has an Engel that I borrowed from him to cross the Simpson in 1994 and is still going. Keep up the good work.

[@lonniet.2816]

Great review and sounds like a great fridge/freezer!

[@murgs416gaming]

Great fridge, had mine a year now and hasn’t missed a beat.

[@kyronbyrne2360]

Ive been really impressed with my 40l engle. Its been through hell and back. Ive accidentally forgotten to tie it down in a dune sysem and it has jummped of the back of the ute and flipped landing straight on its lid. It now has a big dent but it still runs fine. A few weeks later I left it out in terential rain on the back on the ute with no cover on it and thought I flooded the motor but it still runs like a dream. Really happy with it.👌

[@craigporter5543]

I have one of the really old ones that I got from my grandfather, still going strong.

[@craigbiffin2734]

I’ve got my late fathers he got on his 30th B’day & passed away age 60 in 2008 Run like a gem

[@MADBONE0]

30 year old Engel $400 New basket $60 New Seal $25 Still 🏃 running 😎 planning on giving it a raptor coating to hide the surface rust ;)

[@andrewzak2588]

I’ve had my 60 L. ENGEL fridge now for 28 years and is still going strong. and has travelled with me through some very harsh and isolated tracks. l run it just above No, 2 as I pre-freeze my frozen gear I have a good run with it staying frozen. It has paid for itself many times over.

[@simonmerritt6795]

I have a 40lt, early 2000’s , left the door open on my canopy & the fridge slide lock failed, the grey girl hit the tarmac at around 80ks, picked everything up threw it back in crossed my fingers & turned it on, it still worked 👌🏻 & still cranking away, that was a few months ago now. They are pretty bullet proof, wouldn’t recommend that test though 😜

[@jimpap13]

Nice review been thinking of buying one of these for some time.

[@joearblaster2201]

Mine turns 10 next year. It's seen some good times already. Here's to the next 10!

[@mickjames8763]

I’ve got an Engel that looks the same as the 1977 model. Mine however has been in a roll over. It then bounced down the middle of the highway. Still works on 240v and 12v..great fridge!!!

[@donfinch862]

Yeh mate, got the green lid off Dad, runs like a beaut. Early '80s. He did get the evaporator replaced once - can't remember why. The transformer failed, but I managed to repair it when I was an apprentice sparky - broken winding wire at the connection. Have now given it to my daughter who is into camping. 3 generations, bloody awesome. Have repaired a few, mainly the oscillator - new transistors. Oh, and dad put plywood on the lid so he could sit on it! Thanks for the post and all of your ventures you share

[@mrdoodle8581]

I have one of these, been good so far, (6 months). I use it as a fridge mostly. very happy with the power usage.Dealer mentioned that it is best to keep the fridge running all the time, it doesn't like sitting unused for long periods.Social media forums say the same.

[@Biigsauce]

My grandfather has one from the late 70’s it’s very beat up, rusty and noisy as all hell and it still does the job 👌🏼

[@Arrow-dx1ov]

Filmography is amazing good stuff Ronny

[@wademan7180]

Yep had the 40ltr for years an just stepped up to the 75l combi. Unreal I’m so happy I didn’t go with the other brands!!

[@dawesville1615]

Hi Ronny, I have just bought a 40l Combi. Can’t talk more highly of it. The freezer gave me ice all weekend away. When you are a spirit drinker only, you gotta have ice. Thanks for the tip about removing the basket. I did spend a bit of time rummaging. Makes sense. Cheers!

[@skyebudd5679]

My dad has one that looks just like that 1977 one. :) he still lends it to me for my camp trips.

[@odthegreatest]

Thanks. Helped a lot to decide.

[@andrewsteinhardt5307]

We've got my Dads MRFT-540A old green Engel, would be 33 years old. Works no probs, although we did upgrade it due to it being in the back of the Defender canopy and on really hot days it ran quite a bit to keep temp down, also changing over the cords from 12 V to 240 V was a challenge when the Landy was loaded. Will never get rid of it as it lasted longer than the old boy. Engel all the way for us, a 60 ltr in the camper trailer, 2 x 40 ltrs in the ute tray, one is freezer for long trips and the other is the dedicated beer and Vodka cruiser fridge for all trips! Great channel Rhonda!

[@93jummy]

My dad braught an engel in 1976 when he was 17 for his lunch box while on exploration for coal.(Unsure the Ltrs but it fits 30 gold cans) been in a few car accidents rolled a falcon and when they came back in 2 days they opened the boot and the fridge fell out. but was still buzzing away with Cold beer. When I turned 17 and was working on cattle stations my old man gave it to me. Never had dual batterys all the rest stuff if you had an engel. It just rattled away in the wagon when needed and never ever fail. 6 pack cold beer will frost up in 15 minutes no worries. Perfect over night trips.. few rattle can paint jobs over the years unfortunately. I still have the old one but it draws 4.5 amps. And I can run two new 45ltr Engels with aroud 5 amps.. old one just sits in the shed ready to go but I know it always will I dont loan it. I have a dual zone primus 75 ltr when they came out. But it was too needy. Emergency fridge for a mates it seems to be. Hungry as hell on house power Never see other branded fridges just sitting in utes in the outback.

[@thomaspearce8519]

19.5 years old and still as good as new!

[@rjl110919581]

THANK YOU FOR DETAIL YES ONE BEST ON MARKET TODAY

[@gaz8410]

I've had a 40L Engel with a 20L Two Zone extender for the past 12 years. Works great, plenty of room, gives me options. Love your advice Ronny about keeping it simple & not having fancy gadgets that will let you down.

[@tombannan7898]

Hi guys, just watched the engel review, wanted to reply by saying that I too have a very old model engel still running strong, its a 32lt that i bought about 1989, apart from some silicone holding the temp dial steady, its never, ever missed a beat, cheers Tom

[@e210dall3]

Sold my 80 series fully kitted to my sons mate. The 35 year old yellow/green Engel is still running. Have the new Engel in the Troopie and its never let me down. Bought my son an Engel for his 21st. He's 36 now and you guessed it....still running perfectly. If it works well why would you buy anything else. btw the ARB is a Waeco. Fully interchangeable parts. Just saying.

[@forrestrichardson8891]

awesome again, great content

[@DonsShed]

Great stuff Ronny :) I will definitely be getting one of these once our Primus 65ltr Combi dies :) Cheers, Don (Dons Shed and Xplor Overland)

[@longy6612]

looking at buying a fridge before cup weekend, so im going to buy this one cheers ronny

[@haroldtatow852]

I have one it’s 7 years old I love it it’s deadly as man 😁👍🏾

[@heathpoole226]

My mates old man got his engle just before my mate was born... close to 40 years old, and still going strong.

[@iancarman]

Simple & reliable; that's the way to go! Years of abuse and exposure to the elements and it's still going strong 🤘

[@alfredbennettwallis4677]

Nice high quality video

[@088ben]

Hey Ronny. Just thought I would share this with but you might already know. The fuse in the back of all Engel fridges now is actually a reverse polarity fuse. I had the same problem as Wayne and it was because that fuse was blown. I was told by my local Engel repairer that they added it a number of years ago because a lot of people were blowing up power supplies after removing the cig socket connector on the 12v lead and putting on Anderson plugs on and wiring them incorrectly. Thanks for another great vid.

[@MrHarryau]

Must admit this review had me a bit worried for a second,Ive had the combi 2 years now and it hasn't missed a beat.Just recently did the Oodnadatta track,Connie Sue,Anne Beadell,Nigalloo ,Gibb river road, back home via theTanami Road, 12,000 ks all up over 5 weeks,that Warburton end of the Connie sue was pretty friggen rough. This 40 l combi was only relying on solar,2 x 120w panels through a mppt controller, sometimes hooked up a extra 120w blanket on cloudy days. Was good on power lowest the battery got to was 21.1 on the hottest crappy overcast day. Pretty impressed.As you said good enough for Malcolm Douglas. Thanks for ya hard work mate.

[@stuartcooper3470]

Had my Engel for 16 years I have not turned it off other than to change cars and that only took a minute never have to play with the temp. The best fridge of all time. I have another I use as a freezer

[@DirtShy]

I'm the the guy with a ARB 50 litre fridge, the thing is it's a 2013 model that's used 300 days a year and still running bouncing around in a truck, I'm just guessing it's the Dan Foss compressor it was made with at that time.

[@jackcordingley4991]

My Engel is around 25-30 years old. Inherited from the grandparents and still buzzing along

[@119747]

Yep I have a 39 litre around the 1979 vintage still works but only used as a spare, also have an ARB 40 litre and a snomaster 85 dual door, all good fridges used in different applications cheers

[@rhysmaylam1203]

My grandad bought his Engel second hand in 1982, so we don't know exactly how old it is. It has 2 feet left due to rust, has been nicknamed "Chewbacca" because it can be heard across the camp site when it turns on, and will kill a 12v battery in 14 hours... It'll never get sold, I love my old fridge! But it'll never get run on 12v again.

[@highcountryrob5534]

I love my Engel 40lt.I had my first Engel fridge for over 20 years.I gave that fridge to my nephew when he got his first 4x4.That fridge is still working grouse.I bought a newer model Engel 40 litre from a mate coz he up grading to an Engel 60litre fridge.I wouldn’t consider changing to another brand of fridge for my camping needs.

[@simonkemp7541]

I have Engel just like your brothers around 1977 to 1980 still works always in my triton

[@martyrichter8799]

Hi Ronny, I have two fridges I bought second hand off a bloke at work, they were about 15 years old when I got them and are about 20 years old now, both working fine. I gave one to my son who leaves his on the back of his Navara all the time, out in the weather etc and works fine. I also have one I paid $300 for off a bloke who kept his on the back of his ute and he said it was well over 20 years old but it works fine except the 240 volt side of things has a fault in the wiring but 12v is good even though it is a bit rough it does the job.

[@ghbgbh3859]

Got mine given to me by my dad its about 10-12 years old and is still brand new

[@Rexy888]

Mines 17 years old its my beer fridge in the shed atm only thing that hurts em is dog piss makes em rust keep fido away.

[@benwragg1471]

Bought mine back in 98 had the thermostat replaced last year because it kept freezing. Runs perfect now and will for the next 20

[@andrewmorgan4306]

I have 6 Engel fridges 60 and 30 litre that are over 35 years old and don,t miss a beat and a 15 , 30 and 57 upright that are newer and finally a 57 comble that are around 12 years old and they all work great, and purchesed them all second hand.

[@Xemis5]

Wow Ronny. Uploading vids at 6am Adelaide time. That's committed!!!

[@Ronny_Dahl]

Pre scheduled mate 🤙

[@michaelmcdowell6091]

Love my Engel old green top probably good 15 years old still works like new

[@chrisfitzsimons7414]

Have a 40 year old engel. Still running pretty well. Turns itself off after a few days without explanation when running on car but still great fridge.

[@Leon-lp9fl]

Silver deflects heat as well, cool video!

[@joelfrancis5391]

Thanku Ronny

[@PhilipHarrington]

I bought a 39 litre Engel for a trip across the centre via gunbarrel l hwy .. Simpson desert etc to Rockhampton and around state top and back to Perth. I still have and use that fridge. It a bit beaten up and rusty but cold as. Been regassed once in 30 years. It spent 12 years bolted to the back of my 60 series wagon.

[@paultalbot2192]

1995 Bushman still going strong, bought a second unit 5 years ago, same. Australian owned company mate.

[@outdoors5352]

Bushman made in China I think.

[@shanenorwell8580]

It’s interesting the power and efficiency difference between Engel and waeco. I’ve got both brands in 40litres. The waeco is in an insulated inclosure with fan cooling and never turns off when using it as freezer, runs 24/7 and never gets to -18. The Engle on the other hand is on the back of my Ute in full sun and only runs about 30% of the time at -18. Big difference in power consumption.

[@ronhughes1805]

Soon after getting our 80 Series Landcruiser in 1993 we purchased our Engel. We still have both. Over the years we travelled on a variety of road conditions ranging from very good to extremely rough and rugged. We’ve had 2 problems. The 1st related to a “spring base” that was suggested we use between the fridge and slide that caused the motor to move a bit. The second was the incorrect size wire used from battery to cars cargo area. Hopefully the Engel will keep on going with minimal power drag.

[@domeniccurciarello3105]

They are good i have a 40ltr and 80lt got from gum tree love it

[@soundzrinmygarden3833]

I just bought the 40L Engel Retro and it's niiiiice. I'm 50 so shouldn't need another fridge, will out live me

[@MikeSmith-fi4ew]

My 30lt Engel is now 27 years old. Last year I needed to replace the control switch. The hardest part was sourcing a spare, but I found a local guy with 2 new ones and bought one, easy to fit. It's still as good as the day I bought it and works out to $37 per year in annotated purchase cost. Plus the $70 for a new switch :) When I see a different brand that old, I "might" look. But I think mine will outlast me.......

[@Cocoa_bean2014]

Well the strange world of KZbin has led me here. Long story short I’m in the Moore River area and I’m fitting out a camper in a Toyota hiace. I’m looking for some assistance with my solar set up. Looking to find a local that will work along side me for beers/ beer money. I commented on a Aussie overlanding in Afghanistan and an Overlander from Canada told me to come and speak to you lol

[@danielyoshimura3059]

I just bought one!

[@johnsmith-sg2nm]

My 30 lt Engel turned 28 earlier this year. It is pre digital and 2 years ago the switch "pot" started to fail. After a few phone calls, emails and Googling, I found a local guy that had a couple of new switches. A short drive and $75 got the spare. During the search an Engel repairer in my State didn't have the spare , but had the full workshop manual in PDF. One email later, a read and about 30 minutes of work had the new switch installed. I've had it in the rear of a wagon or in house with a transit cover since new and it still looks much as I bought it and certainly works that way to. Show me another brand older and as good and I might look at it, maybe, perhaps not lol. :)

[@treasurethetime2463]

I have one made in the 1970s. Runs like a top.

[@victorsimone5445]

I’ve had my 40 litre Engel for about 12 years now. I’ve never had to service or re-gas it. I’ve had mine, at times running for 4 weeks straight in the truck (actual truck) kris crossing Australia & never had any faults with it. I’m not a fan of the handles, as I think they’re a little week, but saying that, they’ve been bashed over the years & are still going strong. My temperature gauge no longer works, but I know what setting it needs + I now have the Engel digital gauge sitting on top of it, so I know what the temperature is doing. I’d would never buy any other brand, the simplicity & reliability of the Engel’s is what sets them above all else.

[@williammurphy242]

Thanks mate

[@WesternAustraliaNowAndThen]

Engel is still the standard by which portable fridges are judged. Our 60L is about 15 years old now and still sitting in the back of the 4x4 working away every time we need it. There was a problem once when it stopped cooling and I read online that turning it upside down overnight might sort the problem out. I had nothing to lose so I tried it and it has worked perfectly ever since. When we go on long trips we attach a Twozone to the top and that gives us 60L of freezer space at the bottom and 40L fridge space on top. It takes very little extra power to use a Twozone and Engel is still one of the most efficient fridges to run. Engel seem expensive as a first purchase but if you divide the cost over the number of years they will keep going, they are cheaper than just about any other brand in the long run. Ours is currently at $100 a year and every year it keeps going, that figure gets lower. Having said all those nice things about Engel I have to add that I HATE Engel uprights for caravans. Great motor and reliable but complete junk cabinets and noisy as hell.

[@lukeaus]

My 40l Engel is about 13 years old and has been running for almost 10 years straight, rarely been turned off. Its been smashed once but never missed a beat. I also first purchased mine because of Malcolm Douglas and would only ever buy an Engel.

[@markedward5941]

I have been a long haul interstate driver for 40 years , every interstate truck has a fridge that is basically never turned off . Every truck depot I have ever been to has broken fridges laying around the workshop . I see Engles with busted lids from truckies climbing over them in older cab-overs to get to the bed but apart from that they are bulletproof and no fridge will handle being a leaning post for a tired truckie getting into the bunk . My current depot where I am their longest serving driver has a pallet of broken fridges of every kind imaginable with every kind of problem but it will never have an Engle on it apart from a loose or broken lid hinge . I wouldn't buy a Waco ( Dometic), EverKool, Companion , Bushman or an ARB if they were a 1/4 of the price of an Engle no mater how many mates have them with seemingly no problems ( so far) . Workshops in depots with dozens of long haul trucks will tell you all you ever need to know about the reliability of fridge brands .

[@bravofoxtrot5811]

I have my Engel since 2016 (MR40) and sits in the back of the jeep and love it. Would not buy any other brand. I recommend Engel

[@leonmouton4133]

Hi Ronny Yea those fridges are awesome, I use to build those fridges for 4x4 mega world in South Africa about 13 years ago, as far as the brackets go, i built a different kind of bracket for many customers that sits flush with the fridge behind the handles. If i can recall that fridge runs at 4.3 aph. You should try the national luna, also quite hardy the amp draw is about 2.8ah, but yes Engel fridges are freaking strong. And would outlast most others. 😏😏😏

[@derekhughes9274]

G'day mate, just bought my third Engel same as yours. My other two are an MRFT540 and a 530, the 40ltr I bought in 1983, it has not missed a beat. The small I found on a dumpster, it ran ok for a while then lost it's ability to run on 12 vlt, still performs on 240 so she's relegated to home duties. Apparently this is how they eventually fail, and it's not economic to repair. So enjoy, they are without a doubt the best value for money you will ever get. Cheers Deka.

[@markandkim66]

Went camping over the Australia Day long weekend, filled my 80L Engel full of beer for the boys, fit 126 cans in it.🇦🇺👍🍺

[@howardelton6273]

I have the exact same model (4 years now). I have removed the back seat and it sits perfectly behind the driver (can reach in the side window to get stuff without opening the door). I only use it as a full fridnge on 4 degrees and am yet to find out how long it will run on the spare battery. more than 6 days, I know that much. Shoul probably do a test. with a Wh meter. It is the single best thing I have added to my vehicle for camping! Used it down in Margs just last weekend.

[@Jon_Ringo]

I have a 70L Whynter and a 40L Edgestar. We use the 70L when the whole family goes camping for multiple days and the 40L for just me. Love both of them. Also, whatever lens you were using on this shoot.....keep using it, it looks amazing, with just enough wide angle.

[@PaulCoetserBalie]

I love my 40l engel. My is 14years old. Bullet proof

[@mickburns5546]

Hi Ronnie. My Engel 40 liter is 25 years old. I have in the back of the cruiser and have not turned it off for 3 years. It just does what it’s supposed to.

[@juliangraziani7299]

I used to work in a 4wd store as well as out back fitting. Engel is the true legend of fridges. I personally have a 2013 40 litre and an early Green top 29 litre. The issue with piston type compressor fridges (basically anything other than an Engel) is current draw on compressor start up. Ive seen 18 amps on some fridges which settles to 2 amps running. Most wiring to power sockets cannot supply that Amperage once the voltage of the supply battery drops a little. Engel is significantly less on start.

[@psalm11823]

Amps on start up for the Engel would help validate your comment.

[@redfernsoljah]

In the Is and have been running an mt45 since at least 2003. I have run it in my vehicles A Land Rover Disco, Toyota FJ and now a 4Runner full time on a second battery without any issues with the fridge or battery as long as I drive the vehicle every few days to charge the batteries. Great setup overall but as said lacking functionality of other fridge/freezers with high tech options. Just a solid no holds bar fridge with little draw and able to run off camber at which some fridges would damage the compressor.

[@OzTrax4X4]

Picked up my MT45F-G4P with transit bag for a mere $500. Uses hardly any power, and the transit bag keeps the cabinet cooler for long so its not cycling on and off as much. Highly recommend an Engel Fridge for anyone who is in the market for a fridge or looking for efficiency.

[@macca_1751]

I use the 1977 model aswell, was dads and it runs as good if not better then our bigger 60 litre

[@garymolony8880]

Sorry. I criticized your content last week and had no right to do that. Its your channel and it not easy job to do. Hope you accept my apologies. I do enjoy most of your vids and should have kept my big mouth shut. Still a subscriber and thanks for your hard work in providing entertainment