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BoonHauler's avatar
BoonHauler
Explorer
Mar 08, 2014

Compressor Model Refrigerator / Freezers

I thought I'd start a new thread on this subject matter for those that will follow in the future.

As I mentioned in another thread I'm planning on installing a compressor model refrigerator and freezer in the trailer I'm building for myself.

There's a few reasons why I've chosen to go this route and the first would be that I see only escalating prices in the future for any petroleum based energy source, in this case LPG.

For this reason alone I've chosen to take the more expensive route with a large solar system as well, but back to the refers for now.

The second reason would be the cooling stability that a compressor based model offers.

As I'm sure all of us are more than aware with absorption based cooling the outside air temperature plays into just how stable the cooling is. The hotter it is outside the harder the cooling unit needs to work to keep the suds at that frosty temp we all love and the colder it is outside the harder it is to keep the lettuce from freezing.

Again, for these two reasons I've choosen the compressor technology as the way to roll.

So, onto the manufactures of these units.

I've been looking at the Nova Kool line up and as I see things I have to think they're at the front of the pack but that's why I've started this thread so we can all have input as to the pluses and minuses if any in regards to these units and there manufactures.

At the heart of the Nova Kool units is the Danfoss compressor. Danfoss units are available in 12 & 24 VDC and 110 VAC dual voltage units. Here's a link to Danfoss

I've just become aware that Dometic uses the Danfoss compressor as well in their compressor based models.

As for Norcold, they use a Sawafugi compressor that I know nothing about.

I'm looking for the biggest Freezer unit that I can find as I see that as dovtailing with my boondocking mentality and to date that's the Nova Kool F5810

I'll also be using their R5810 Refrigerator as I see that as a good fit size wise as well.

Apperently Dometic makes a large 8.5 cubic foot Refrig / Freezer combination model but it maybe out of production. I have to confirm that with a source at Dometic that I did not get around to doing today. Here's a link to their site Dometic Marine

And then there's Norcold but it looks like their largest model is a combo refrig / freezer 7.0 cubic feet. Here's their link Norcold

So, what are the downsides of these type units?....well, they're pricey too say the least, at least the Nova Kool line up is. For the two units I'm looking at it will be around 3500 delivered.

As for any other downsides, I'll throw that out to the rest of you.

Have I forgotten anything?

Edit: I see Nova Kool has 100/240VAC 50/60HZ power options

67 Replies

  • BoonHauler wrote:
    I called Norcold today and was told Sawafugi. They said nothing about Danfoss.


    Then you need to find a different source at Norcold. I found several models on their website that use the Danfoss. Look at the specs for the fridge. If it says it uses 110V-12V-24V it is a Danfoss. The Danfoss power supply will internally switch to accept either 12 or 24V and given AC or DC will default to 110VAC. the power supply on the Sawafugi units will only accept 110VAC or 12VDC.
  • I called Norcold today and was told Sawafugi. They said nothing about Danfoss.
  • mena661 wrote:
    The later Norcold DE0061 units use a Danfoss compressor from what I understand.


    I'm not sure when Norcold switched to the Danfoss systems, but the last DE0061 I sold had it. I'll check with my distributor and see if there are other Norcold models that use it. I can't imagine why Norcold took so long to switch. They lost a lot of their customer base with the Japanese compressors and they have been the pits ever since the changeover to R134a.

    Edit: I just looked at West Marine's website and the DE-0041 description says it senses between 12 and 24V. That would be the Danfoss system also. The Norcold Japanese compressor units ran on aprox 23VAC. So I'm thinking that Norcold has switched over with all of their new units.
  • pianotuna wrote:
    Hi,

    Is this for full time use?


    Don, if you're referring to my specific situation, yes.
  • The later Norcold DE0061 units use a Danfoss compressor from what I understand.