Over/under fridge recommendations?

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stevenp

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Looking for something to replace a Norcold EV461. General consensus seems to be that Norcolds aren't the best quality, so I'm looking for recommendations. Any experience with Vitrifrigo? Defender sells one for about $1,500 which is in price range and since they're only about an hour away I can pick it up and save on shipping.

Cutout is approx 54" x 24".
 
No problems with my Norcold DE0061. The original NoCold worked when I removed it in 2007 due to a rusted door and seal, however it still worked. The Norcold model I have now hasn't skipped a beat in 7 seasons.
NovaCool is a name I have read good things about.
Bill
 
A lot of people switch out to a small size 120v only fridge using an inverter to power it off the batteries when need be. Cheaper in the long run.
 
Thanks Bill. I've had a smaller Norcold in the past and never had an issue. The EV461 gave up the ghost when the boat was transported last year so I never even had a chance to see how well it worked. I'm wondering if the poor reviews for Norcolds are from folks who have unrealistically high expectations of marine refrigerators. I've seen Nova Kool mentioned a few times while scouring the web but I haven't found anyone so far who stocks them locally.
 
Captbill, I'll investigate that option. Might be a little bigger of a project than I'm willing to take on right now with all the other projects on the list to get this boat in order.
 
Capt Bill I have never understood the inverter/ home frig idea for use on a small to medium sized boat. Especially if you want a larger frig/ freezer. The good about newer model Norcolds is realatively low 12VDC amps when run off batteries when running off the AC it works well. I just hate the idea of having to convert a standard frig for marine use by adding an inverter and the inverter battery system needed. Mine on 12VDC under full load draws 3 amps or less. The Norcold has been ice cold for me in our use and draws little current. I almost never run it off 110VAC.
Bill
 
The inverter/home fridge concept is purely about the money. The fridge AND the inverter are still cheaper than a DC fridge, and you're going to need the batteries for either one.

Once the inverter is installed you can run lots of other AC-only equipment that would generally cost more in DC if you could even get it. Power tools, coffeemakers, etc.

The DC fridge is arguably more efficient, but I've never seen a test with similar sized fridges run over a period of say a week, so I can't say for sure. The DC fridge probably draws less amps, but what's the cycle time?
 
Just did some searching and I don't see any residential AC units that will fit my opening without breaking out some power tools. I'm not looking for a project here so I'm going to stick with a dual voltage unit. It will slide right in the hole and the wiring is already in place; plug and play...
 
quote:
Originally posted by Billylll

Capt Bill I have never understood the inverter/ home frig idea for use on a small to medium sized boat. Especially if you want a larger frig/ freezer. The good about newer model Norcolds is realatively low 12VDC amps when run off batteries when running off the AC it works well. I just hate the idea of having to convert a standard frig for marine use by adding an inverter and the inverter battery system needed. Mine on 12VDC under full load draws 3 amps or less. The Norcold has been ice cold for me in our use and draws little current. I almost never run it off 110VAC.
Bill

Click to expand...


If you already have the inverter installed, I will submit that a standard reefer/freezer combo is a better idea. The Norcold has a duty cycle around 50% and it vibrates quite a bit. The capacity is less than an equivalently outside sized box.

We have been aboard Freedom in the Bahamas 5 years running and the "spillover" tech that Norcold uses has worn me thin. Since we have the inverter aboard as well as a genny I see no reason to have a dual voltage refrigerator. Their capacity for a given space requirement is less, and they make more noise.
 
Bob, funny mine makes no detectable noise. Runs about 35 to 40% of the time up here where the inside cabin temps are lower then where you are. I have a larger inverter in the boat, I really use it as a high current charger way more than an inverter. I look at it this way my solar array can more than recharge the house bank which the Norcold runs off of if I were to loose power for an extended time. With the losses or inefficientcy of an inverter (they can make noise as well) I'm not sure I want to depend on the inverter for my refrigeration/ freezer.
I'm sure it works for many people I just can't see using a seperate inverter for keeping food from getting spoiled.
If I lived on the boat full time perhaps it wouldn't be a big deal to use an inverter conventional home fridge/ freezer.

Bill
 
Bill
Long term having a stand alone freezer is a necessity. Most boaters that come South for an extended stay will have one. With all the sun and wind down here keeping the batteries up isn't such a big deal. Every Norcold we've had, and there have been at least 5, has always had a low frequency vibration that penetrated the whole boat.
It wasn't until recently that Norcold at least provided a door activated light and that says quite a bit about their concern for competition. Between Norcold and Uline I don't know who to gripe about more.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Billylll

Capt Bill I have never understood the inverter/ home frig idea for use on a small to medium sized boat. Especially if you want a larger frig/ freezer. The good about newer model Norcolds is realatively low 12VDC amps when run off batteries when running off the AC it works well. I just hate the idea of having to convert a standard frig for marine use by adding an inverter and the inverter battery system needed. Mine on 12VDC under full load draws 3 amps or less. The Norcold has been ice cold for me in our use and draws little current. I almost never run it off 110VAC.
Bill

Click to expand...


It's mostly about cost. And not everybody has had the luck you have with Norcold units.

Sometimes I think it has to do with the fact that many builders don't allow for good ventilation around the fridges. So the boxes tend to heat up and with their poor insulation they can't cool the way they should/could.
 
Good points Capt Bill, I have good ventilation for my unit. In addition I ran new DC wire 2 sizes up so I have virtually no voltage sag when running it on 12VDC which is 99% of the time.
Bill
 
Stevenp

I am going through the same thing right now. After a lot research I decided to stick with Norcold. My old one is a DE461 AC/DC. The replacement prices that I found were $1300 - $1500 but I keep coming across the 461 3-way (adds propane) for a lot less so I called Norcold to ask way. Their response was the dealers must just be trying to move them so I went ahead and ordered a 461.3 and got it for $1089 plus $75 shipping. The first that showed was damaged a little so I refused receipt, the 2nd one is coming tomorrow. Next thing to do is figure out how to get the old out and the new in.

Good luck
Niles
 
I found one that will fit:
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Summit-A...White-FF874/202694659?N=c3nsZ2bcqsr#more_info

This unit seems to be popular for RV's. I'll have to check but I think I have mfr recommended clearances around the unit so it would get proper air circulation. The user manual says that it's not designed to run in ambient temps under 55* F whereas the dual voltage fridges don't appear to have this limitation according to the manuals.

I already have a 6.5kw generator on board but I hate the thought of running it just for the fridge while we're anchored for the day. There's already a pretty decent bank of 2 house batteries that would normally run the 12v fridge; I could run the inverter off that. Would something like the inverter below be a good choice? Overkill? Undersize?

http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|328|936|613742&id=674794

I would have no intention of expanding the inverter's use into other AC systems on the boat; this would be installed for the fridge only.
 
Niles,
That's interesting. I'll look into the three way units. Would you mind sharing where you ordered yours from? Besides price what made you stick with Norcold? Did you evaluate other dual voltage brands?

Just an observation. I've noticed that the Norcold units have an amp draw of around 2 while running. The Nova Kool and Ventrifrigo units are around 5 amps. It appears to me that the better rated brands have a larger compressor.
 
Considerations:

Before you get a three-way RV unit check the amp draw or watt on the beast. As they're designed to run on propane, the electric modes use heating elements rather than a compressor. In my experience, they're power hogs (unless of course you run them on propane). If your boat is set up so you can safely use propane, then go for it.

Re compressor size, while a 2 amp compressor is great for advertising, it MIGHT actually draw more power over time than a 5a unit that runs less.

Glueing extra insulation on the sides and top of the fridge will usually help, too.

It really doesn't take much of an inverter to run a fridge. I originally used an 800w dedicated inverter to run my 9 cu ft fridge and it worked just fine. I've since gone to a larger inverter, but that was simply so I could run more stuff...
 
I had to replace my similar size over/under on our Viking SC. After many phone calls and repeated recommendations we went with a Vitrifrigo replacement. This was last year. The appliance and installation went easily enough and works fine. The running ratio is a bit more than the unit we replaced, and in FL when its hot, I have to set it on the colder side to have very cold perishables. It is also slightly more audible - the compressor/fan when running, but cannot be heard over the AC compressors or air handlers. There are no vibrations felt. At this point, we are pleased with the Vitrifrigo and would make the same choice.

Ours is a 240 volt AC only install, but the unit itself allows for combined AC DC installation - there are two sets of input wires. It is a nice looking unit and we are further planning to put stainless steel inserts in the door for a better match to our interior.
 
Steve, no mods to reinstall were the main reason to stay with Norcold. I also didn't want to mess around going the inverter and AC unit. I talked to Norcold tech support and told them I would use in a boat without propane and they didn't have any problem with it. But...Willie has me wondering. I just read the manual for the n641.3 and it states that the unit auto senses for mode of operation and that AC is first, propane second and DC third. I'm still searching for the draw. I bought from PPLmotorhomes.com. I'm going to call them in the morning to discuss, which I did once. I should of posted here first.

Niles
 
I agree with Bill the energy efficiency demands and high sales volume or home units lead, IMO, to a better more efficient product that the 12V units.

I cant speak for ever norcond unit made today but a look behind my on deck unit was shocking how primitive it seemed.
 
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