Engel 4x4 Power sources
Hi everybody,
Just bought the Engel 57ltre fridge/freezer, with the good motor made in Japan, now what old fart would like to know. In the box is a three pronged power plug and the other end is to go into the Engel. Then there is all the other leads as well, In the landcruiser 2010 model deisel Prado, it has the three pronged plug to connect the Engel to the car (power box convertor 220v built in 4x4).
On reading the instructions in the Engel doesn't state whether this three prong plug set up will work in the 4x4, salesman at BFC said it might be for when you want to keep the Engel running while parked up. As the Engel only works in the Prado when the motor is running, as soon as ignition is turned off the Engel shuts down. The instruction booked for the Prado doesn't say anything about plugging in a Engel, but salesman said that is what its for.
Here are the questions
1. Do we go back to Toyota Service Centre and see if they can fit it correctly or advice, as we have only done 510klms need to do 1000klm for first service.
2. Or do we go to a Auto electrician for advice also
3. Would you need a adaptor when you plug in the Engel to main power from the three pronged plug
Fellas hope I've explained it correctly, remember I'm a blonde hahah
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dodgy
Posts: 4577
Date Joined: 01/02/10
That plug is fine to run the
That plug is fine to run the Engel. The inverter behind that panel is designed for that purpose. If you wanted to have the fridge running all the time I would suggest an upgrade to a dual battery system and putting in a voltage regulator that will cut the power if battery gets too low. Thats an auto sparky job if you are not keen to have a crack yourself.
I have the older Prado with cig lighter fitting in the back and my Engel will freeze pretty quickly (5 hours driving) if im not careful and accidently bump the temp control.
Does anyone know where the love of god goes, when the waves turn the minutes to hours?
roberta
Posts: 2773
Date Joined: 08/07/08
Thanks Dodgy
old fart thought that, but we were a bit cautious being first time owners of a brand new car (with all the eletronics in it) and of course new to Engels as well. Old fart prefers the 93 Hilux (still keeping it) as he can fix it if we stop on the side of the road, but not in the prado.
It also has two cigerette connections, one in the front near the auto gear stick and one at the side of the air condition vent for back seat passengers.
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Adam Gallash
Posts: 15644
Date Joined: 29/11/05
Prado
Just got an 05 model prado and yes the engel will only run when the ignition is on unless you have a dual battery system as dodgy has said. We are getting the dual battery system installed at the moment so we don't have to take the engel out of the car all the time and won't need to keep the car on whilst camping. Probably going to be around $750 by the time we finish (Exmouth prices) but well worth it IMO.
You should have 2 options with the engel, one 3 prong plug to a cig lighter and one 3 prong plug to a 240v connection so you can mix and match depending upon where you are and what you have available.
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roberta
Posts: 2773
Date Joined: 08/07/08
Thanks Adam
we saw the spare room on the left hand side for a spare battery and old fart is seriously thinking of putting another battery in , like what you are doing.
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alfred
Posts: 3097
Date Joined: 12/01/07
Roberta - you mentioned you
Roberta - you mentioned you got the Engel with the good motor that is made in Japan. Do they make one with the dodgy motor? I am looking at getting one, so how do I identify which one has the good motor?
roberta
Posts: 2773
Date Joined: 08/07/08
Alfred sorry I haven't
got back to you sooner, just looked on the carton box the motor is called SAWAFUJI swing motor and the model number old fart and I bought is MT60F-G4C-s for $1849 at Myaree BCF.
This motor was mentioned in two threads about buying a Engel from fellow FW'rs
Hope this helps you, as I also bought 104 litre ice box an they threw in the cover for free other wise I would have had to pay $225 to cover Engel. It takes up about half the room in the back of the prado, quite big.
Regards
Roberta
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alfred
Posts: 3097
Date Joined: 12/01/07
Cheers, thanks for that info
Cheers, thanks for that info Roberta.
roberta
Posts: 2773
Date Joined: 08/07/08
A Big thanks
for all your advice
Roberta
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Pete D
Posts: 1681
Date Joined: 07/06/07
Deep Cycle as 2nd Battery
I'd be going to the experts Roberta.
You have spent big $ on a new bus. Finish it off properly. Go to ARB (or the like), that do these installs daily.
I'd be getting a deep cycle battery with a smart isolator. Hard wire (run new 6-8mm cable) this to new 12V plugs in the rear of the bus. The latest engels have 2 prongs that push into a special socket and screw up (this stops any chance of the plug rattling out) - I've installed this on the boat.
I'd be checking out wiring the Prado inverter to the deep cycle aswell (but again, the experts will know what to do with this....and also in relation to the car warranty). I'm sure ARB would have doen plenty of these for mining companies aswell as 4wders.
These guys are very helpful and know Engels.
http://www.engeland.com.au/welcome.toy
Good luck!
Cheers Pete
Mainey
Posts: 177
Date Joined: 17/09/10
keep the fridge happy
I've been 'playing around' with solar power installations since 1995, my advice is fit an independent dual battery system, using an AGM Deep Cycle battery, with an electronic battery isolator and using thick battery cable (16mm² minimum) and get someone to work out what battery capacity you will need, possibly 120ah - maybe more?
Maîneÿ . . .roberta
Posts: 2773
Date Joined: 08/07/08
Peter D and Mainey
advise has been noted and will be going to ARB, in Canningvale, old fart (Bob) was also thinking on those lines, I know it will be expensive but get the job done by the pros and everything will be honkey dory.
Once again thanks for your adivce
Roberta
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