Refrigerator experience?

[Jeff Wanamog]

I made the mistake of putting a Norcold refrigerator in my FWC. It vibrates so bad, you have to turn it off to sleep. Added insulation, isolators ect. Nothing worked.
Now I am going to purchase a new frig.
It is between a Waeco CR-65, A NovaKool 2600 and a Vitrifrigo C62i.
The Vitri and the Waeco have interior light which I would like.
All have the Danfoss compressor that I love in my ARB 50. You can barely hear it run.
If anyone has any experience with any one of the three, please let me know.
Thanks.
Jeff

 

[TurboChris]

I just ordered a EdgeStar....

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=23350

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

I made the mistake of putting a Norcold refrigerator in my FWC. It vibrates so bad, you have to turn it off to sleep. Added insulation, isolators ect. Nothing worked.
Now I am going to purchase a new frig.
It is between a Waeco CR-65, A NovaKool 2600 and a Vitrifrigo C62i.
The Vitri and the Waeco have interior light which I would like.
All have the Danfoss compressor that I love in my ARB 50. You can barely hear it run.
If anyone has any experience with any one of the three, please let me know.
Thanks.
Jeff

Shutting if off at night will help save your battery, not so bad

 

[TomH]

On the Sportsmobile Forum, many owners make the same observations about the Norcold. On the other hand, Sportsmobile owners who have an Isotherm rave about them, especially the models in the Cruise series that are available with an ASU. This is a unit that senses when shore power or alternator power is available and kicks into overdrive, deep freezing a plate inside the refrigerator. This reduces the amp draw from batteries or solar. There have been issues of needing to disconnect power to this unit if it needs to be reset. This has been accomplished by installing a little interrupter switch. The Isotherms are said to be super quiet and highly energy efficient, drawing very little current.

http://isotherm.com/en/index.html?fixframe=1&

 

[Jeff Wanamog]

Thanks!

Thanks for the info. Another one to look into. I like the plate theory.
Right now I am leaning towards the Waeco.
Wish I had done better home work last time.
Thanks again.
Jeff

 

[benedmonson]

I'm not sure if the Waeco your looking at is the same build as the Waeco 50 I owned. If it is, buyer beware! The lid hinges broke on week one with no customer support available. So for the next year I had to use a bungy cord to keep the lid closed. The Waeco fridges from my experience are amp hogs! Other than that the price is attractive. I now own a National Luna 50L Split Fridge Freeze and life is bliss. I have a 10L freezer compartment that makes four full size ice cube trays per day and only sips the Amps. Life is good!

Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk

 

[Tucson T4R]

I've been running a large 84qt Waeco for over 3 years now. Once I got the input power on my trailer straightened out I have had no problems with the fridge. I think is does draw quite a bit of current but being a huge 84qt size that is to be expected. Their customer support has improved over the last year from when they were first purchased by Dometic.

When this one dies I'll probably step up to one of the other high end brands but for now it is running fine and reliably keeps my food fresh.

 

[Fireman78]

Have you looked at ARB's new 50qt? I've had mine over two years and use it all the time. It is very quiet, super strong lid and latch, looks great, interior light, two compartments. I'm pretty rough on equipt. and have been extremely happy with it. I has been running since the day I bought it, actually, as my beer fridge while home. You can get em' for 750-800.

OH... nevermind, I just realized you allready have an ARB too. My bad. I'll just leave this post as an endorsment..

 

[ersatzknarf]

Jeff,
Here's another comment on the Norcold/NovaKool issue : http://travelblog.kalzbagon.com/2009/07/28/avoid-norcold-at-all-costs/

Hope this helps...

 

[Mike S]

I recently installed a Novacool 6800 12V DC in my Airstream trailer. After a month of use on my annual safari I give it two thumbs up!

They are made in British Columbia and use the Danfoss compressor. They are quiet, draw only a couple amps, and fridge/freeze very well. Mine has an interior light. These are mainly used in marine applications.

I have also heard good things about Vitrifrigo fridges, but have no experience with them.

 

[Jeff Wanamog]

And the winner is!

Well I chose the Waeco/Dometic CR65. So far I am very impressed. It makes almost no noise at all. Made ice in a amazing amount of time. Very well laid out interior. Has a very smooth latch with a transport lock. Very nice LED interior light.

Now, I have a very slightly used Norcold that I will sell very cheap if you don't mind noise. Worked very well, just noisy.

Jeff

 

[CSG]

I have the little Norcold in my Traverse as a factory installed fridge. It doesn't vibrate so much as hum. I turn it off at bedtime with no ill effect. It otherwise has been working well for eight years.

 

[westyss]

I recently installed a Novacool 6800 12V DC in my Airstream trailer. After a month of use on my annual safari I give it two thumbs up!

They are made in British Columbia and use the Danfoss compressor. They are quiet, draw only a couple amps, and fridge/freeze very well. Mine has an interior light. These are mainly used in marine applications.

I have also heard good things about Vitrifrigo fridges, but have no experience with them.

I give the novacool the thumbs up too, quiet, efficient, good value and easy to install and run.