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Old 02-21-2016, 07:42 PM   #1
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Replacing 8.1 cu ft Norcold Refrigerator

We're replacing our Norcold refrigerator and other than a Norcold replacement, we're considering a Vitrifrigo of the same size. None of these are frost free and we are wondering if the membership can enlighten us as to a good replacement.
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Old 02-21-2016, 07:57 PM   #2
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Greetings,
Mr. C2. Can't really recommend any particular brand/model but it I'm pretty sure a frost free refer depends on a fan running quite a bit so this would suggest a greater power draw.

From the looks of your installation you would require a front venting model as your tight enclosure would hinder proper venting of any other sort and lead to an early demise of the appliance.
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Old 02-21-2016, 08:05 PM   #3
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Have you looked into WAECO (Dometic)? They now have a larger model, the CR0140. I'd give that one a look see. When I did my research one reason these stood out was because of their relatively low energy consumption.

Note: The CR series are not frost free.
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Old 02-21-2016, 09:04 PM   #4
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To avoid costly renovations to your interior finishings, take your dead Norcold to a fridge shop and have them take out the guts and replace them with a DC only Danfoss compressor unit.
I had a Norcold, and did so. This also allowed me to reduce my total battery load by 1/2, since I no longer had to feed the huge appetite for power of the AC/DC Norcold.
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Old 02-22-2016, 06:11 AM   #5
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USE the unit that vents the unit into the cabin !!!

Forget the name.
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Old 02-22-2016, 09:47 AM   #6
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Looking at new fridges myself....seems like half the reviewers claim Norcold has switched to new Danfoss compressors and half say no they are still using Engle manufactured compressors.


Guess I will have to call manufacturer and/or inspect unit out of box.
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Old 02-22-2016, 10:19 AM   #7
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I had the same nevercold. It was a 10amp DC monster. With two compressors, it was the biggest in the market at that time.


After much research, we settled on an isotherm. Great frig, not frost free, but only pulls 1amp. The only thing I didn't like was there is not a mounting flange like your nevercold.
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Old 02-22-2016, 10:26 AM   #8
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Well a little research reveals that Norcold switched to Danfoss just recently...halfway through their new line of 7.0 cu ft ac/dc fridges.


Not sure any compressor only uses 1 amp running...it certainly could be the average amp hr draw which I am hoping the new Norcolds are close to.


Isotherm CR219 (looks like your pic) from Defender web page which seems similar to all the newer fridges.



Current Draw:
  • Compressor Running: 6.0 Amp @ 12 Volt DC (half at 24 Volt DC)
  • Average: 2.3 - 2.5 Amp @ 12 Volt DC *
If my opening was taller I would probably go isotherm too as their water heater I installed is impressive. But to fit, I would have to drop down to their classic which is smaller....doesn't fit as well and is another $700 more....well I might still...but have to think on it some more.
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Old 02-22-2016, 10:29 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by psneeld View Post
Well a little research reveals that Norcold switched to Danfoss just recently...halfway through their new line of 7.0 cu ft ac/dc fridges.


Not sure any compressor only uses 1 amp running...it certainly could be the average amp hr draw which I am hoping the new Norcolds are close to.


If my opening was taller I would probably go isotherm too as their water heater I installed is impressive. But to fit, I would have to drop down to their classic which is smaller....doesn't fit as well and is another $700 more....well I might still...but have to think on it some more.
I could believe too, but 1 amp. You are right about the cabinet mods. The Isotherm was a little taller and not as wide. We are extremely satisfied with its performance, so far.
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Old 02-22-2016, 10:35 AM   #10
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Norcold Replaement

I would consider a Nova Kool to replace your Norcold. The freezer compartment is on the bottom and the ventilation is in the front of the refrigerator. It is exactly the same size to the Norcold and has a Danfoss compressor.
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Old 02-22-2016, 10:48 AM   #11
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Originally Posted by Bensjoy View Post
I would consider a Nova Kool to replace your Norcold. The freezer compartment is on the bottom and the ventilation is in the front of the refrigerator. It is exactly the same size to the Norcold and has a Danfoss compressor.
Thank you...not sure about the freezer on the bottom...understand the convenience but not the thermodynamic efficiency.
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Old 02-22-2016, 11:04 AM   #12
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Had a Tundra T-80 (made by Vitrofrigo) that died at the ripe old age of 28 years old. I replaced it with a Vitrofrigo as it had all the same dimensions and slid right into the hole.

No brainer and uses 30% less energy.
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Old 02-22-2016, 11:17 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bensjoy View Post
I would consider a Nova Kool to replace your Norcold. The freezer compartment is on the bottom and the ventilation is in the front of the refrigerator. It is exactly the same size to the Norcold and has a Danfoss compressor.
Exactly what we did in 2004, our Nova Kool has performed flawlessly 24/7/365 ever since.......
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Old 02-22-2016, 11:20 AM   #14
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it will be interesting now tt Norcold uses Danfoss compressors how they stack up.


For those that have current Norcolds, like many, easy install options are limited.


Anyone have info on how bottom freezers are as efficient as top freezers?
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Old 02-22-2016, 06:58 PM   #15
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Walt...hope you got some ideas...I have...

But I would still love to know if the bottom freezer reduces efficiency...if just doesn't make a lot of sense to me in that regard.
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Old 02-22-2016, 07:27 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Alaskan Sea-Duction View Post
I had the same nevercold. It was a 10amp DC monster. With two compressors, it was the biggest in the market at that time.


After much research, we settled on an isotherm. Great frig, not frost free, but only pulls 1amp. The only thing I didn't like was there is not a mounting flange like your nevercold.
Exactly what model Isotherm is that fridge?
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Old 02-22-2016, 07:43 PM   #17
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Norcold uses a 110 VAC compressor and inverts 12 VDC, not frost free.
Why not buy a 110 Ac frost free refrigerator and use a inverter on 12 VDC ?
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Old 02-22-2016, 07:45 PM   #18
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Norcold uses a 110 VAC compressor and inverts 12 VDC, not frost free.
Why not buy a 110 Ac frost free refrigerator and use a inverter on 12 VDC ?
Not the unit I am looking at...it uses a Danfoss 12V compressor and reportedly uses a fraction of the power that a household fridge does...plus none of them really fit without major surgery.
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Old 02-22-2016, 09:50 PM   #19
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we had our local refrigeration guy out to do warranty work on our ice maker and he swears by the Vitrifrigio (sp?) and says there is one the exact size as the nor cold that he keeps in stock as he swaps them "all the time". I have been pondering a replacement to the nor cold for five years and still have not made up my mind.
I like the idea to swap out the compressor- can they replace the rubber door seal? that thing is gross.
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Old 02-22-2016, 09:55 PM   #20
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Quote:
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Walt...hope you got some ideas...I have...

But I would still love to know if the bottom freezer reduces efficiency...if just doesn't make a lot of sense to me in that regard.
Well, I looked at a NovaKool today and didn't like the freezer on the bottom. It does fit the hole the old Norcold will leave, however. Yes, I believe that Norcold has changed to Danfoss compressors but the frig that caught my eye is the Vitrifrigo! Fits exactly in the same hole as the Norcold but has 8.1 cubic feet! (1 cubic foot more than the Norcold) Another thing that really impressed me is the "seal" around the doors. My friend has had his Vitrifrigo for two weeks and there is no evidence of it even being close to needing a defrosting.( MY Norcold needs one about every week.) So far my vote goes to Vitrifrigo!
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