12 volt compressor fridge- any reason not to buy this one ?

I removed my three-way Dometic and put in a Tundra compressor fridge. I'm VERY happy with it.

....VERY....

I still have the 3 way and only boondock for the most part. I was going to get a compressor fridge but way over my budget. I picked up a portable plug and play solar generator that you move a couple times a day since there is no room on the roof for more than 100 watts without shading. Instead of the 5 hours I get of decent sun moday on the roof I can get double the sun time with it. The only one I found that was not Chinese, has some real watts, and folds pretty compact in a good supplied case. I looked at another one called Zamp but it was priced as much as a honda inverter generator and was only 80 watts. This overlandsolar 90 watt one just plugs onto the battery and has its own charge controller you set for battery type. It's just an option for those of us with less real estate on the roof or a couple grand to spend. I was going to get the 60 watt but this one was not much bigger and I will take all the watts I can get in this very overcast state and so far it's giving me around 6 amps in okay sun.

Butch50 wrote:
Doing some more reading and it appears that I could put a 9.1 cubic foot Nova Kool into the same size space as the 6.3 cubic foot Norcold that I presently have.

The following is the cutout size that is need for both units.

Norcold 6.3

Length X Width X Depth

52 7/8" 23 1/2" 24"

Nova Kool

52 7/8 23 1/4 22 3/4

So using the same cutout I presently have in my NL with the 6.3 3way I could go to a 9.1 Nova Kool. I would pickup almost an additional 3 cubic feet of space. Not that I really need it but my wife would fill it up.

Anyone want to buy a never used Norcold 6.3? :)

3cuft extra space is a pretty big deal.

Butch50 wrote:
Doing some more reading and it appears that I could put a 9.1 cubic foot Nova Kool into the same size space as the 6.3 cubic foot Norcold that I presently have.

The following is the cutout size that is need for both units.

Norcold 6.3

Length X Width X Depth

52 7/8" 23 1/2" 24"

Nova Kool

52 7/8 23 1/4 22 3/4

So using the same cutout I presently have in my NL with the 6.3 3way I could go to a 9.1 Nova Kool. I would pickup almost an additional 3 cubic feet of space. Not that I really need it but my wife would fill it up.

The draw on the Nova Kool per the specs are 5.2 amps.

If I do this I plan on adding about 300w of solar and also 4 grp27 AGM batteries. There would be 2 batteries in the camper and another 2 in the bed of the truck just below the existing batteries in the camper. I would also be running a larger charge line from the truck to the batteries. The truck has a 220 Amp alternator. I have a Yamaha 3000W generator that well be with us a lot of the time if the trailer goes with us it well be there and if not the Honda 2000i would be with us instead. If I stay with my present camper, which is looking more like I well be, the door at its narrowest is 23" wide so the Nova Kool would go in without removing the door. If the doors on the Norcold gas unit is removed I believe it would come out the door also.

It is just that they are heavy and it is not something one person can do by themselves. The Nova Kool is 105# and the Norcold is shipping weight of 139#. At least the fridge is close to the back door and it wouldn't have to be carried all the way to the front.

Make sure that the door swings the right way or can be switched left or right.

Dave

Doing some more reading and it appears that I could put a 9.1 cubic foot Nova Kool into the same size space as the 6.3 cubic foot Norcold that I presently have.

The following is the cutout size that is need for both units.

Norcold 6.3

Length X Width X Depth

52 7/8" 23 1/2" 24"

Nova Kool

52 7/8 23 1/4 22 3/4

So using the same cutout I presently have in my NL with the 6.3 3way I could go to a 9.1 Nova Kool. I would pickup almost an additional 3 cubic feet of space. Not that I really need it but my wife would fill it up.

The draw on the Nova Kool per the specs are 5.2 amps.

If I do this I plan on adding about 300w of solar and also 4 grp27 AGM batteries. There would be 2 batteries in the camper and another 2 in the bed of the truck just below the existing batteries in the camper. I would also be running a larger charge line from the truck to the batteries. The truck has a 220 Amp alternator. I have a Yamaha 3000W generator that well be with us a lot of the time if the trailer goes with us it well be there and if not the Honda 2000i would be with us instead. If I stay with my present camper, which is looking more like I well be, the door at its narrowest is 23" wide so the Nova Kool would go in without removing the door. If the doors on the Norcold gas unit is removed I believe it would come out the door also.

It is just that they are heavy and it is not something one person can do by themselves. The Nova Kool is 105# and the Norcold is shipping weight of 139#. At least the fridge is close to the back door and it wouldn't have to be carried all the way to the front.

crosscheck wrote:



For most people, maybe not full timers, but family type RVers, 2-4 weeks of camping a year is pretty average. Your residential fridge is working 24/7 in 70F temps so if my math is right, you would have to camp 12 x 7= 84 years to have the same amount of time on your RV fridges as your failed residential units. Of course those numbers would change if you have been full timing in your Avion.

Dave

Good point on the difference in usage.

ticki2 wrote:

crosscheck wrote:

ticki2 wrote:
Speaking of solar real estate , something always seems to be missing when comparing the 2 types of fridges . What ever extra solar that needs to be added to run the compressor fridge should be added to the cost of the fridge for a comparison . JMHO

Does anyone have a feel for the longevity of a 12v compressor fridge ( I have no idea ).

If you are looking at the two fridges strictly on a cost bases, then extra solar panels should be factored in as should be the propane over the 20 year life of the absorption unit.

For me personally, I did not get into the RV/ camping lifestyle to save money.

As for longevity of compressor fridges, do a search on the sailing/ yatching community because they have been using this technology for years.

I can't speak personally about the life of 12v fridges but being 65, we have owned a lot of different residential fridges with compressors and I don't ever remember any of them dying when we owned them. They like any appliance have a finite life though.

Dave

I agree , all the factors , solar , batteries , propane , should be considered in the cost , also the pros and cons of each . That is why I brought the subject up .

As far as residential fridges my experience is different . I have had 2 fail in the last 15 years , which has caused me to re-think the topic . As a comparison I replaced the 3 way in my '76 TT last year for the first time and the one in the '68 Avion is still original . I am not saying this is typical , just my experience . Could be that the quality is just not there in any new products .

For most people, maybe not full timers, but family type RVers, 2-4 weeks of camping a year is pretty average. Your residential fridge is working 24/7 in 70F temps so if my math is right, you would have to camp 12 x 7= 84 years to have the same amount of time on your RV fridges as your failed residential units. Of course those numbers would change if you have been full timing in your Avion.

Dave

Butch50 wrote:
Well I'll state right off I don't have one but I want to install one. When I look at the Nova Kool Installation Guide It does not state that you need outside vents. All it tells you is that it needs air flow at the bottom and at the top either in front or on the sides and it gives how much is needed. In fact a couple of them a RFU9000 and a RFU8820 do not require any additional vents as it is built in the fridge front flange.

It just seems when you are trying to keep as many outside openings down that the less you cut into the outside shell for insulation factor the better. Yea in the summer time you are adding that heat to the inside of the unit. It would seem the best would be to have outside vents for summer time and inside vents for winter (cold) camping. During the winter have panels that would fit into the openings and then in the summer you could take them off and let it vent to the outside. I'm also trying to keep the openings down from places that mud dabbers can make nests also. I have to tape up all the openings in my camper in the summer time when we are not using it to keep those buggers from building their nests. With the panels I could close it off when I'm not using it then.

Sounds like you have it figured out. According to the drawing I saw from NovaKool, you have to vent the fridge but it does not say cut holes in your outside. Many of these units are used in sailboats in the galley which is below the water line. Does that mean you drill a hole in the hull to let fresh, outside air in. No way, Hose.

You have plenty of vents in your roof I am assuming to let out any warm air, fantastic fan ,A/C, or all of your windows. A domestic fridge doesn't require outside air. Put the fridge in with adequate interior venting and see how it goes.

Your bottom vents will draw the cool air from the floor over the condenser and vent it upwards.


Dave

Well I'll state right off I don't have one but I want to install one. When I look at the Nova Kool Installation Guide It does not state that you need outside vents. All it tells you is that it needs air flow at the bottom and at the top either in front or on the sides and it gives how much is needed. In fact a couple of them a RFU9000 and a RFU8820 do not require any additional vents as it is built in the fridge front flange.

It just seems when you are trying to keep as many outside openings down that the less you cut into the outside shell for insulation factor the better. Yea in the summer time you are adding that heat to the inside of the unit. It would seem the best would be to have outside vents for summer time and inside vents for winter (cold) camping. During the winter have panels that would fit into the openings and then in the summer you could take them off and let it vent to the outside. I'm also trying to keep the openings down from places that mud dabbers can make nests also. I have to tape up all the openings in my camper in the summer time when we are not using it to keep those buggers from building their nests. With the panels I could close it off when I'm not using it then.

crosscheck wrote:

ticki2 wrote:
Speaking of solar real estate , something always seems to be missing when comparing the 2 types of fridges . What ever extra solar that needs to be added to run the compressor fridge should be added to the cost of the fridge for a comparison . JMHO

Does anyone have a feel for the longevity of a 12v compressor fridge ( I have no idea ).

If you are looking at the two fridges strictly on a cost bases, then extra solar panels should be factored in as should be the propane over the 20 year life of the absorption unit.

For me personally, I did not get into the RV/ camping lifestyle to save money.

As for longevity of compressor fridges, do a search on the sailing/ yatching community because they have been using this technology for years.

I can't speak personally about the life of 12v fridges but being 65, we have owned a lot of different residential fridges with compressors and I don't ever remember any of them dying when we owned them. They like any appliance have a finite life though.

Dave

I agree , all the factors , solar , batteries , propane , should be considered in the cost , also the pros and cons of each . That is why I brought the subject up .

As far as residential fridges my experience is different . I have had 2 fail in the last 15 years , which has caused me to re-think the topic . As a comparison I replaced the 3 way in my '76 TT last year for the first time and the one in the '68 Avion is still original . I am not saying this is typical , just my experience . Could be that the quality is just not there in any new products .