3-Way Frige Kaput - Suggestions

Good choice to go all electric on the fridge. Do you use the freezer a lot?

I think you were talking about my post. I ordered a Nova Kool. The RFU 8220. I am going to try to post a link. Hasn't been working for me lately. But Nova Kool has tons of options. They do take three to 4 weeks to get here. I bought mine through Sure Marine the best price and the shipping was also the best at 176.00.
There are many good brands and I did a good bit of research. The main thing is the DanFoss compressor.

Nova Kool

I have removed by obsolete Propane refrigerator. I had to remove the cooling unit from the back to get it out of the truck camper. Nova Kool makes their fridges and freezers in lots of sizes and there are many that fit a lot better with more space than a propane fridge can achieve.

RV fridges were built to take all the bumps swaying and shocks associated with RV. Domestic fridges will not take those service conditions. Don't know about marine.

cooldavidt wrote:
RV fridges were built to take all the bumps swaying and shocks associated with RV. Domestic fridges will not take those service conditions. Don't know about marine.

These 12 volt Danfoss compressor fridges are mainly made for mobile and off grid solar applications. Nova Kool and I am sure many others are built with strong latches and mounting infrastructure.

I can't remember if it was an identical unit or not but I had a 12v fridge in my last offshore boat that was that size. It was a little slow to cool things which were warm going in. Once it was well chilled it seemed to maintain temps well and didn't cycle that often.

cooldavidt wrote:
RV fridges were built to take all the bumps swaying and shocks associated with RV. Domestic fridges will not take those service conditions. Don't know about marine.

He said "Dometic", a very common brand of RV fridge, not "domestic".

There's a company in Australia that has engineered some all-electric refrigerators/freezers for use in RVs (caravans) and off-grid situations using Danfoss technology. They're very energy efficient. They have a US subsidiary but I don't know if they import their refrigerators. But if enough of us RVers are fed up with the Norcold and Dometic stuff maybe they will start bringing those units over here.

EvaKool

996Pilot wrote:
So after reading an earlier post about someones freezer getting to 0 but the refrigerator at about 50 degrees and all of the comments about "ït's toast", I am resigned to the fact that mine's toast also. Same symptoms and 2 years of a host of other issues and I'm a believer.

I've planned for this from the standpoint that I've already decided that when a replacement is needed I'd go with a 12V (only) replacement that utilizes a Danfoss compressor. I have (2) T-105 Rolls 6V batteries (225Amp total) and permanent solar with MPPT controller. All LED lights and planning on going with a catalytic (propane) heater. Energy draw is at a minimum. Now the hard part -- picking the refrigerator.

So looking at tons of online information and my space limitations it appears that the Dometic models are just the same box with a different compressor/power setup. Not bad for direct slide in but we're not really happy with the existing box as it's really small inside (2.7 cu. ft.) with a ton of electro-mechanics outside that take up a bunch of usable space. What I've found online is a brand/model from a company that markets to Marine installations called an IsoTherm. The Isotherm 130 model offers 4.7cu. ft. of refrigerator (with a sandwich size freezer) in the same footprint as the 2.7cu. ft. Norcold that's coming out of the camper.

I know nothing about the Isotherm model refrigerators and was wondering if anyone here has any experience (real or anecdotal) about Isotherm refrigerators. OR --- rock solid suggestions about Danfoss compressor refrigerators that might offer more interior space in the same size package as a Norcold N-300 series refrigerator.

All constructive recommendations considered. --- Thanks

Dometic CR1110 (3.8 cu.ft.) will fit the same cavity space as a Norcold N300 series, I know since I replaced my Norcold N300.3 in my Lance 815 with a Dometic CR1110 compressor refrigerator. Here's a link to my install CR1110 install.

This refrigerator has been rock solid, off roading, many thousands of miles on it. You have enough battery power and how much solar do you have (you can always add more).
I have 85 watt solar,not enough, I've kept my batteries mostly charge up from my truck system and some generator use.

You'll find many of us TCers have gone the 12Vdc compressor (Danfos) way and I haven't any buyers remorse for doing so.

By the way once mine has cooled down it only pulls 2 amps while running. Any question just ask.

There is a bunch of folks on internet forums that want to re-think or re-invent the RV frig solution.

I've always had great luck with your standard, old school, 2 way or 3 way, ammonia based RV frig.

Why switch from something that works and has stood the test of time?

A friend of mine just bought a 1988 Jayco that is the twin of my camper. I came over to his house and showed him how to light the frig. I was stunned when the 29 year old frig was cold within the hour.

If it's not busted, don't fix it.

whizbang wrote:
There is a bunch of folks on internet forums that want to re-think or re-invent the RV frig solution.

I've always had great luck with your standard, old school, 2 way or 3 way, ammonia based RV frig.

Why switch from something that works and has stood the test of time?

A friend of mine just bought a 1988 Jayco that is the twin of my camper. I came over to his house and showed him how to light the frig. I was stunned when the 29 year old frig was cold within the hour.

If it's not busted, don't fix it.

Well WB I can think of a whole lotta reasons to switch from OLD SCHOOL.

First - "Because it's OLD SCHOOL". I'm not saying to upgrade just for technology sake but if you must replace anyway why not go with something that outperforms old school?

Second - Propane refrigerators have ALWAYS been a compromise at best. Sure you can use them on very little propane and they work. They're not always that good in the southwest when it's really hot. They take a very long time to cool. Once cool is lost (due to opening doors) they take a long time to re-cool. They can/do leak ammonia at times. They can/do leak propane at times.

Third - a 2-way, 3-way is kind of a misnomer. I could never run my 3-way on just DC power without sucking the batteries dry (even with T-105's and solar). That leaves propane and AC. I always ran on propane (unless parked on my camper pad) but the last few years, all of the servicing in the world didn't keep me from having problems with the Nocold N300.

Fourth - Many would argue how well a Nocold N300 has withstood the test of time. There are countless RV and Marine forums with more than countless complaints about Nocold refrigerators being **** or burning a unit to the ground/water. Just look at the RV salvage places at all of the fire struck units and see where the fires originated.

Lastly -- my Nocold N300 is toast and I have to replace it no matter what. I have plenty of battery/solar to run a DC refrigerator (with a danfoss compressor). These new compressors offer efficiency, simplicity, and agility. I say agility because I can run it up to 30 degrees off-level (try that with propane). It's a simple and safe installation that removes one more source of combustible gas use and carbon monoxide generation. It just seems like the best solution for an upgrade where one is necessary.