Compressor fridge, Dometic or Novacool?

~DJ~ wrote:
I may be posting prematurely as I have not heard back from Dometic yet. About 2 years ago we put in the Dometic CR 1110. It seemed to me to be running excessively since new. It has gotten worse this last year and my Dealer just figured out the hinge side of the door is not closing properly. In fact it won't close good enough to turn out the interior light.

Since it's been this long Dometic will more than likely say tough but we'll see.

If they won't help me out on this I'm not sure what I will do. Not relishing the idea of replacing it with another new one, $$$$, that may have the same problems.

Perhaps adjusting or replacing the hinges will do the trick . Any chance you can check the dimensions of the hinges on a known good one .

Just for the general topic I came across this chart . It's for the portable units but might be useful .

http://www.dometic.com/QBankFiles3/EPiServer/Dometic/US/Manuals/Marine-manuals/Refrigeration/L-2495-CF-Amp-Chart_5533.pdf

I may be posting prematurely as I have not heard back from Dometic yet. About 2 years ago we put in the Dometic CR 1110. It seemed to me to be running excessively since new. It has gotten worse this last year and my Dealer just figured out the hinge side of the door is not closing properly. In fact it won't close good enough to turn out the interior light.

Since it's been this long Dometic will more than likely say tough but we'll see.

If they won't help me out on this I'm not sure what I will do. Not relishing the idea of replacing it with another new one, $$$$, that may have the same problems.

You didn't ask me either, although, my name is Dave!

I have 320 watts of solar and two group 31 AGM batteries. Never had a problem boondocking and running low on power.

Dometic CR110 keeps cold with no problems.

I know you didn't ask me but just for the data points, I originally had 135W of solar and that wasn't able to keep up with the Dometic. I added a second 140W panel for a total of 275W and that can now easily keep the fridge running unless I get several very cloudy days strung together.

Dave, how much solar do you have and is it able to keep up?

My NovaKool 7500 is a 12V-110V unit, not a 220V. We are on a long bike tour in Europe where everything is 220V, had a few glasses of wine, climbed a high pass earlier in the day, was tired and was not thinking clearly.

Hope this clears up any confusion.

Dave

We run a NovaKool 9.3cuft compressor fridge. It draws 60 to 70 watts and uses about 600 watt-hr in a 24 hour period (maybe a bit more if you set the freezer to really cold (0 F) to keep ice cream hard). Love it.

Leaning towards the Novacool 4500. The box dimensions put the Novacool with an 1 inch gap on top and 3/4 inch on the sides, will have to find a way to insulate that.

We are into our 5 th season with a NovaKool 7500 (110-220V)with no issues what so ever. Freezer developes frost within less than 30 minutes after being plugged in. Draws around 4.4amps or 60w. when running We installed 330W solar and boondock or dry camp exclusively and almost never run genny.

We use our TC a lot and Cook our own food so the fridge/ freezer is always crammed with stuff. I can not tell you if the NovaKool is better than the other units so make sure you do the research and contact other RV owners and ask for their opinion.

We are very satisfied with our unit.

Dave

DieselBurps wrote:
Engal doesn't make a unit that will fit my opening. I would rather have a top loading arb or engal but I already have the non working 3 way fridge in the camper.

Dan how many amps does your Dometic CR fridge draw?

Just went out and hung a meter on it and read 4.5 amps.