Cruising Sailors Forum Archive

I can't answer that...
In Response To: Adler-Barber vrs Engel ()

Too many variables. All or most of the new marine refers use the variable speed Danfos compressors. There are two sizes of compressor available and the variable speed means it can be adjusted to match the demand. Different refer manufacturers use different methods to control speed. The A-B machines sets fixed speed based on evaperator plate size. Danfos makes their own smart controller that adjusts speed based of run times. Other mfrs do their own thing.

I have no experience with Engel. The big question would be: Is the Engel capable of cooling the size box you have?

Then comes the insulation and use issues. The better the insulation the less power used. Adding a lot of warm stuff to the refer makes it work harder. Opening the box more often add to the heat that the refer needs to remove.

In my case the top insulation was terrible. I spent a lot of time making better insulated and gasketed top and lids. The refer has about a 25 to 30 percent duty cycle and the freezer is closer to 50 percent.

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