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Date:         Tue, 14 Sep 2004 17:56:11 -0700
Reply-To:     Vince S <gipsyflies@COMCAST.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Vince S <gipsyflies@COMCAST.NET>
Subject:      Re: Norcold and Engel - Compressor Based Cooler/Freezer
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

I have been facinated by the Engel swing compressor fridge. It turned out Sawafuji purchased the drawing to the swing compressor over 35 years ago (I read somewhere that it was first invented in Germany). Sawafuji has been manufacturing fridge sinc e 1962 and steadily impoving the technology. It is now so reliable many portable fridge/freezer has been in operation for 20 years under the harsh conditions all over the world. Over 3 million Engel fridge has been sold. I just found their international site which also show the stand alone and built-in fridge. Look like the Norcold DC-0040 is a re-badged Engel built-in 45 liter. The Norcold is a bargain at around $500.

http://www.engelinternational.com/builtin.asp

Here is the company history:

http://www.engelinternational.com/history.asp

I am sold on this technology. I am ordering the MT35F 35 liter cooler/freezer with the optional transit bag. This is for use in other vehicles as opposed to the camper. Here are the performance charts http://www.i-m-d.com/engel/MT35%20curve.jpg

Some listees has discussed the desire for installing a top load. I think it is possible to adapt one of the smaller ones for by the side of the bench seat.

Check out the photo of the safari tent camper in the applicantion page:

http://www.i-m-d.com/engel/1applications.htm

- Vince

http://gipsyflies.home.comcast.net 1989 Vanagon GL Camper 1993 Mazda Miata (for sale) 1996 Land Rover Discovery 2005 Mini Cooper S

-----Original Message----- From: Vince S [mailto:gipsyflies@comcast.net] Sent: Sunday, September 12, 2004 9:11 PM To: 'vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM' Cc: 'westyventures@mindspring.com' Subject: Norcold and Engel - Compressor Based Cooler/Freezer

Upon closer examination of Engel's patterned swing compressor here http://www.i-m-d.com/engel/1Tech.htm I now realized that the Norcold DC-0040 http://www.norcold.com/acdc_dc440.cfm refrigerator's compressor appears to be one of this. I was in a marine supply and saw the Norcold so I inspected it very closely including the compressor. Unlike the Danfoss which looks very much like a miniature compressor from a household refrigerator it is a long cylinder just like the Engel swing compressor in the above link.

The other clue is same Engel coolers are also sold under Norcold brand.

Karl recently installed the Norcold in his Vanagon.

p.s. I mistaken Engel as Engle in my previous post.

- Vince

http://gipsyflies.home.comcast.net 1989 Vanagon GL Camper 1993 Mazda Miata (for sale) 1996 Land Rover Discovery 2005 Mini Cooper S

-----Original Message----- From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Vince S Sent: Sunday, September 12, 2004 8:34 PM To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM Subject: Compressor Based Cooler/Freezer

I have been considering getting one of the compressor based cooler. Doing a bit of research there are 2 main manufacturers. Waeco who makes the Coolmatic and Engle.

Initially I thought the Coolmatic which uses the famed German Danfoss compressor is the best until I read up more on Engle. It turned out Engle employs a "swiing" compressor design making it very energy efficient. It has only one moving part.

The testimonials on the Engle's site have some positive user experience.

Anyone have experience with either the Coolmatic or Engle? The price of both are pretty well on par. All Engle units are AC/DC while Coolmatic has DC-only and AC/DC.

In longervity and power efficiency Engle seems to be ahead. Engle is made in Japan.

Here is Coolmatic and Engle's websites:

http://www.i-m-d.com/engel/1products.htm

http://www.coolmatic.net

- Vince

http://gipsyflies.home.comcast.net 1989 Vanagon GL Camper 1993 Mazda Miata (for sale) 1996 Land Rover Discovery 2005 Mini Cooper S


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