Is there something special about the Nova Kool?

[urbex]

Saw the thread on replacing a fridge with the Nova Kool to get a 12V compressor fridge in there, and issues with a Norcold.

I have an older SixPac camper that I'm refurbishing a bit that currently has an icebox in it that I intend to replace with a refrigerator. I know plenty of people like the iceboxes, but the big reason I switched to a fridge over the coolers was specifically to get away from having to buy ice all the time, even just for day trips.

I currently have an older Norcold portable that I can't recall the model number off hand, but it's essentially a relabeled Engel MT60, and has worked GREAT for me even in the Phoenix summer heat. I bolted it down in the bed area of my Scout, and even with it being in the direct sun and 115 degree heat, it would still freeze the stuff inside if I cranked it up too high. Easily ran 24 hours + like this on a single Group 24 AGM battery.

So naturally, I was looking at Norcold permanent mount fridges for the TC, but now I'm wondering if I should be looking at these Novas now instead?

[Steve_in_29]

Old-Biscuit wrote:
That old fridge is still working because it was simple and WELL built with thick-walled tubing

Those same things will NOT be found in NEW rv fridges
One reason 12V compressor fridges have gained in popularity

Just look at the number of 120V AC residential fridges being used as replacements and even OEM now'

The use of residential fridges has bloomed because the absorption fridge (at least in its RV iteration) doesn't work very well outside of a narrow ambient temp range. Also the RVs with the residential fridge option tend to be higher end units that are going to spend MOST of their time sitting in an RV Park and not bouncing around the trails to a wilderness campsite. They also tend to be all electric RVs with no LP at all and have LARGE diesel generators that run constantly if not plugged in.

The compressor fridge was built to handle the constant vibration and range of motion of rough trails due to its previous long history of use in boats and the trucking industry.

I have had a Tundra compressor fridge in both of my Outfitter truck campers (previous 2004 and now a 2007) as well as a portable ARB fridge/freeze that I use when 4Wheeling. These things work GREAT! I know people that use it to keep ice cream frozen in 100+ degree temps while wheeling in the desert. Ours kept fresh seafood frozen for our return trip to the US from Baja.

I turn on the Tundra and it is starting to freeze ice in about 45 minutes. As opposed to the absorption fridges in our previous Class A and C that had to be pre-cooled for a day prior to use. People I know who RV at the Colorado River have all kinds of things rigged up to keep their absorption fridges temps down in the usable range.


*Tundra compressor fridges were bought out and are now made by Dometic.

[Old-Biscuit]

That old fridge is still working because it was simple and WELL built with thick-walled tubing

Those same things will NOT be found in NEW rv fridges
One reason 12V compressor fridges have gained in popularity

Just look at the number of 120V AC residential fridges being used as replacements and even OEM now'

[urbex]

I learned a while back that for stuff like this, it's better just to go with the good stuff right from the get go. Yeah, the cost stung...a LOT, but I've been nothing but happy with this unit, especially with the amount of abuse it's taken in stride with me, given that it's been bolted down in several vehicles that have seen air time and down right beatings off road. In all honesty, I'm absolutely amazed that this thing has held up this well.

[67avion]

You're certainly looking at good products with Engel and Nova Kool. We just found a great deal more storage and convenience with our Nova Kool over the Engel. But Engel is one of those products that literally is used to save lives by transporting blood and organs for transplant. That's quite an endorsement for quality and dependability.