DC Compressor Refrigerator - UPDATE: Fridge Installed

[msiminoff]

I am looking for some advice from folks with experience with DC compressor fridges, please.

The background:
My wife, two kids, and I have just started a 1-year cross country trip in our TC... we've come to the realization that we no longer have the desire to deal with with all of the leveling (this is our #1 frustration), propane consumption, & slow cooling of our absorption fridge (a Dometic RM 2663)... We are ready to swap it out for one with a compressor.

We're going to be in San Diego next week and have tools & space available to do the install there... and I have located two dealers in SD each of whom has a fridge in stock. One is a Norcold DE-0061 and the other is a Vitrifrigo DP2600. My primary question is this; Which one would you purchase, and why??

The nitty-gritty:
- The Vitrifrigo is slightly more expensive than the Norcold. But the price difference isn't enough to sway my decision (both are in the ~$1600 range)
- The Vitrifrigo is 8.1 cu ft, the Norcold is 7.0
- The rated current draw each fridge is ~5.4A, but I have no idea about how their duty cycles compare to one another.
- Our TC has 300A/h of AGM battery capacity on board (call it ~150A/h useable)
- We have 300+ Watts of solar on the roof
- The truck has a 180A alternator and can bulk charge the camper batteries at over 100A
- We have a ProSine 2.0 that can bulk charge at 100A when powered by our Honda EU2000
- Our travels will put us onto ferries and through tunnels, not to mention the zillion gas stations, that prohibit open LPG bottles and/or pilot lights.

Any and all advice is welcome.
Thanx in advance!
-Mark

[msiminoff]

portscanner wrote:
...did you block off the roof and wall vents to the outside? It looks like you did in the pictures.

Yes, I blocked off the roof vent... NO, I did not block the wall vent!

My existing wall vent is perfectly aligned with the Vitri's compressor and condenser (will post pics soon). In addition. There is a fan mounted directly to the condenser which maintains good airflow across it. I am in the process of making a partition in the cabinet which will ensure that only outside air is drawn in and that hot air is not simply recirculated. Of course if it is hot outside then, well... then it's hot, and the compressor is going to be running a lot. Anyway, with 320+ Watts of solar, I'm not worried in the least.

I don't see any benefit to me ducting heat from the compressor/condenser back into the TC (in cold weather), it's just not enough Watts/BTUs to make it worth the effort.

We have been in the Palm Springs / Palm Dessert area for the past few days and temps have been in the mid 80's. Fridge has stayed in the mid to upper 30's and freezer is in the low single digits. I've been burning about 50-55 A/h between sundown & sunrise, but that's everything (lights, water pump, a few minutes of microwaving, phone & laptop charging, a little TV, etc). Batteries have been back to 100% by 1:00pm every day, even with some cloudy skies.
So far, so good!

-Mark

[arto_wa]

c.traveler2 wrote:

Mello Mike wrote:
Hi Mark,
You're making the right decision going with a DC compressor fridge. I only have a limited amount of experience with them, but so far I'm thrilled with mine. I have a Dometic CR110 and have been very happy with how it worked during a recent 1,700 mile trip. My new camper has a 240 watt solar power system and 220 amp hour battery system and I had more than enough power at a setting of 4.5 (1 low, 7 high). The contents were ice cold. Of course, I did a lot of driving on the trip, too, so I was able to supplement the solar charging with a 180 amp alternator. Your setup is even more capable than mine. As long as you get a fridge with a Danfoss compressor you'll be happy.

I'm going to be doing some more testing on my Dometic CR110 this week with amperage readings and total amp hours consumed per day and will post a complete review and analysis of my findings soon.

Just like Mike I also have a Dometic CR1110 compressor refrigerator that with the help of a good friend installed (2013) it in my Lance 815. I've had zero problem with this unit, during the course of time since the install I've replaced the charging wire from the truck to camper batteries to 4 gauge and have added a Interstate 4D 1300 RV/Marine battery.You may find that several manufactures of 12Vdc refrigerators use the Danfoss compressor. Here's my video link of that install.

CR1110 install

c.traveler2


Thanks for the excellent compressor fridge installation video!

:C

[crosscheck]

HMS Beagle wrote:
But if you don't have reasonably cool air on the condenser coils you will have much lower efficiency/higher energy use. So back of refer should be vented - even if it is to the inside of the camper - not sealed up.

No Question. Vents in the interior cabinet that the reefer is in should be adequate for movement of cool air and covered with bug screen if you seal up outer vents when it is cold outside.

Dave

[HMS_Beagle]

But if you don't have reasonably cool air on the condenser coils you will have much lower efficiency/higher energy use. So back of refer should be vented - even if it is to the inside of the camper - not sealed up.

[crosscheck]

HMS Beagle wrote:
^^ Hope he didn't. It still has to get rid of the heat somehow.

In cool or cold weather, the heat from the compressor helps to heat the camper when the vents are covered. Uncover vents when in warm conditions.

Dave

[HMS_Beagle]

^^ Hope he didn't. It still has to get rid of the heat somehow.

[portscanner]

msiminoff wrote:



This is the refrigerator cabinet with the 3/4 polyiso foam added to the left side and ceiling.

did you block off the roof and wall vents to the outside? It looks like you did in the pictures.

[msiminoff]

Would/could you test and post the power draw on 12 volts (either in watt hours or amp hours) over a 24 hour period after it has cooled off?

Yes, I will absolutely do that. I can even data-log the consumption using the output from my TriMetric. However, I'm currently on the road with the TC, so it will be a while before I can do this since I can't isolate the fridge from the rest of the system.

...can you post a pic with the new unit installed?

Here you go...

Could you have cut up the old unit and avoided removing the camper door when removing?

I guess that would have been an option, since the Frigo fits through the door frame. But the Dometic is still 100% functional and I'm hoping to be able to re-use or sell it.

Cheers,
-Mark

[nycsteve]

portscanner wrote:
Cool! (no pun intended)

Would/could you test and post the power draw on 12 volts (either in watt hours or amp hours) over a 24 hour period after it has cooled off? I think that a lot of people would like to see that. Also, please note the ambient temperature in the TC when you run that test?

Thanks!!!

x2. Following this with interest. Also ,can you post a pic with the new unit installed? Im courious to see how it looks trimmed out. Lots more room in the new one! Could you have cut up the old unit and avoided removing the camper door when removing?

[portscanner]

Cool! (no pun intended)

Would/could you test and post the power draw on 12 volts (either in watt hours or amp hours) over a 24 hour period after it has cooled off? I think that a lot of people would like to see that. Also, please note the ambient temperature in the TC when you run that test?

Thanks!!!

[msiminoff]

Thank you everybody for all of the great advice! I picked up and installed a Vitrifrogo DP2600 fridge two days ago. I spent quite a while reviewing the available choices. Conveniently the dealer I purchased from carries Norcold, Isotherm, Dometic, and Nova Kool in addition to Vitri. The sales person explained that all of the refrigerators that used the Danfoss compressor have the same electronics and the same reliability... and very similar performance. I ultimately chose the Vitrifrigo based on available interior space, (8.1 cu ft), aesthetics, price, and availability.

Installation took about 4 hours from start to finish, this was primarily due to the need to remove and reinstall the TC's entry door... including the door frame 😞 because the old Dometic fridge couldn't fit through the doorway :M

The Vitri fit easily through the doorway and into the fridge cabinet. I was able to add an additional 3/4" of polyiso-foam insulation (R5) to the top, sides and back of the cabinet, and 1.5" on the bottom. This is in addition to the fiberglass batting that was originally there. Then I connected the DC wiring and plugged in the AC and just like it was up and running.

It is practically silent when running, I have to put my ear up again the fridge door to even hear the compressor. After 24 hours the temperature seems to have stabilized (a lot of the stuff that went in was at room temp) and it's currently sitting at 36ºF in the fridge and 6ºF in the freezer with the thermostat at the 3-½ (out of 5 ) setting. Current outside is in the mid-80's. I don't yet have enough info to know the daily watt-hrs, but I'll update this post when I do.

Here are a few pics:

New Vitrifrigo DP2600 sitting on the driveway


The Vitri is much more spacious inside than the Dometic it replaced.


The Dometic barely fit through the doorway... even with the frame removed.


The Vitri slid through easily.


This is the refrigerator cabinet with the 3/4 polyiso foam added to the left side and ceiling.


Top temp is the freezer, bottom is the fridge (note that I've since adjusted the thermostat)

Cheers,
-Mark

[crosscheck]

I think you will be happy which ever compressor fridge you decide on as long as it has a Danfoss compressor. We are on our 5 th year with the compressor fridge.

I have a NovaKool 7.5cuft unit that draws 4.4amps when cycling. 400 AH batteries, 330 W solar, alternator from truck keeps the fridge fed in any kind of weather. We do not hook up and have the Honda 2000 along for back up but have only used it a few times in the last 5 years.

Much of our camping is in rough areas where there is no flat spots so this type of fridge was important to us. Quick and consistent cooling is a plus for this unit as you can turn it on and within 15 minutes, frost has formed on the walls of the freezer.

When in hot weather, I leave the 2 exterior vent s open, and in cool or cold temps, cover the openings with insulated foam material and screw on the vent covers.

I will remind you what others have already said,

1) Install lots of solar

2) Have plenty of AH batteries for those cloudy days.

3) If you are handy and already doing a reno and there is room, some solid insulation around the new unit will work wonders.

4) A small genny as backup may not be required but is nice to have for insurance.

Dave

[c_traveler2]

Mello Mike wrote:
Hi Mark,
You're making the right decision going with a DC compressor fridge. I only have a limited amount of experience with them, but so far I'm thrilled with mine. I have a Dometic CR110 and have been very happy with how it worked during a recent 1,700 mile trip. My new camper has a 240 watt solar power system and 220 amp hour battery system and I had more than enough power at a setting of 4.5 (1 low, 7 high). The contents were ice cold. Of course, I did a lot of driving on the trip, too, so I was able to supplement the solar charging with a 180 amp alternator. Your setup is even more capable than mine. As long as you get a fridge with a Danfoss compressor you'll be happy.

I'm going to be doing some more testing on my Dometic CR110 this week with amperage readings and total amp hours consumed per day and will post a complete review and analysis of my findings soon.

Just like Mike I also have a Dometic CR1110 compressor refrigerator that with the help of a good friend installed (2013) it in my Lance 815. I've had zero problem with this unit, during the course of time since the install I've replaced the charging wire from the truck to camper batteries to 4 gauge and have added a Interstate 4D 1300 RV/Marine battery.You may find that several manufactures of 12Vdc refrigerators use the Danfoss compressor. Here's my video link of that install.

CR1110 install

[Mello_Mike]

Hi Mark,
You're making the right decision going with a DC compressor fridge. I only have a limited amount of experience with them, but so far I'm thrilled with mine. I have a Dometic CR110 and have been very happy with how it worked during a recent 1,700 mile trip. My new camper has a 240 watt solar power system and 220 amp hour battery system and I had more than enough power at a setting of 4.5 (1 low, 7 high). The contents were ice cold. Of course, I did a lot of driving on the trip, too, so I was able to supplement the solar charging with a 180 amp alternator. Your setup is even more capable than mine. As long as you get a fridge with a Danfoss compressor you'll be happy.

I'm going to be doing some more testing on my Dometic CR110 this week with amperage readings and total amp hours consumed per day and will post a complete review and analysis of my findings soon.