Engel 12-Volt Ac/Dc Freezers

I am very happy with my Engel 34-qt cooler though now would rather have purchased the 45-qt one instead. The reason for that being the same low amp draw of the 34-qt version (2.5 amps). I have used it for over 3 years now mostly for extended island camping (two weeks) but as back-up freezing as well. I run the cooler, inverter for shavers recharging, LED lighting, and Walkie-Talkies off one one 134-watt solar panel tied to a AGM 1150 CCA battery. All that gear, except for the LED lighting ran full time and never let me down. I even had a 3-day period with very little sun due to storms and due to the extreme low amps draw of the cooler that battery kept it going all that time. When the sun came out the panel rechaged that battery in about 5 hours. One really nice feature of the Engel cooler is the little basket inside for all the food, as it easily comes out. The cooler can be easily carried by a smaller person with the basket with food removed. The only bad feature is sorry lid hindges, which can be tie-wrapped so they will stay put. I found that the little green LED "ON" light on the cooler gave off enough night light to get around easily in the tent during the night. I would buy another if needed.

I purchased the 43 quart freezer in April, 2007, to transport frozen venison from my home (in N. Indiana) to my daughter's home in Miami, FL. I also purchased the insulated "traveling container" and the indoor/outdoor thermometer, which displays the ambient temp. and the temp. inside the freezer. The freezer never was above -12 F all the way to Fl. (Coldest was -15) We did stay one night in a hotel, and plugged it in with the AC cord in our room. On our way home to Indiana, we had a full "load" of frozen Mahi-Mahi which we caught off the Fl. coast. It was such a pleasure to NOT have to buy dry ice to transport. It gets cold quite rapidly! It is also great to transport frozen foods home from the grocery. The longest I have let the freezer run without the vehicle's motor running was 3 hours. I did not have any problem with this draining the battery, but I would NOT recommend leaving it run overnight.
I have also used it as a refrigerator. We put food at the bottom without having to worry about "water" getting in to it. The on/off/control dial lets you set how cold you want it.
The only negative comment I could make is its weight. 63 lbs. empty, and quite heavy when loaded.

Excellent product! Well made & will actually begin to evaporate the ice on 'Freeze' setting if lid is not opened once or twice a day. Truely a 'must have' item if you camp for more than two or three days at a time-especially in the summer heat. I use mine primarily to keep my two other regular coolers stocked with ice. Try using 8"x3 3/4x2 3/8 inch aluminum loaf pans for ice moulds-they are cheap & most grocery stores stock them. Use 2 per mould ( one stacked inside the other) for the rigidity needed to stack the moulds in layers-two abreast & one accross makes one layer. 12V solar charger recommeded for outdoor use. My camp kit is finally complete. Thanks Cabelas & Engles Mfg.!!!

I purchased my Engel in 2005 so I have had it for 7 years. Once you get over the price tag you will not be disappointed. No more soggy food, no more running to town for ice...which can be a big inconvenience/expensive depending on where you camp. I use mine in the back of my 4 wd for week long overlanding trips over some very rough terrain and also use it in my camper. I use my Engel for about 4 weeks a year and various times at the house to keep drinks cold for bbq's. Power consumption is far less than the thermo-electric variety so you won't have to recharge your battery near as often.