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Old 06-27-2016, 06:06 AM   #1
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Vitifrigo

I feel like making a change!
Im thinking of replacng my working Dometic fridge with a new comptessor based Vitifrigo fridge. Yes I have read Lewsters posts. I have a plethora of solar, batteries.... its all free power and storage!
My current fridge is 26 years old gets plenty cold however.... it is 26 years old and that day will come! Money isnt an object.....
I cant seem to find any Airstream owners who are very vocal about the change from absorption to comprrssor.
Any new users care to voice a fresh opinion?
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Old 06-27-2016, 06:14 AM   #2
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I would buy one in a minute if I needed it and had the money. Really impressed.
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Old 06-27-2016, 06:27 AM   #3
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I love propane, it seems foolish to keep burning the stuff with free solar sitting on the roof! The stainless is uber sexy!
After countless hours of reading and researching, I cant see a drawback!
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Old 06-27-2016, 07:55 AM   #4
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What is the minimum battery capacity recommended to support one of these fridges?

Kelvin
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Old 06-27-2016, 08:03 AM   #5
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We have had one for a year and a half, LOVE IT! I also have 600W solar and Lifeline batteries so we do not worry about enough power to run it. It was an expensive investment when we did our remodel but really like the idea of being able to change components (most are stainless steel and replaceable) and work on the unit myself if needed. The Vitifgigo comes from the marine industry and having lived aboard for five years, I was familiar with them. Update and enjoy! Thomas
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Old 06-27-2016, 08:16 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AtomicNo13 View Post
I feel like making a change!
Im thinking of replacng my working Dometic fridge with a new comptessor based Vitifrigo fridge. Yes I have read Lewsters posts. I have a plethora of solar, batteries.... its all free power and storage!
My current fridge is 26 years old gets plenty cold however.... it is 26 years old and that day will come! Money isnt an object.....
I cant seem to find any Airstream owners who are very vocal about the change from absorption to comprrssor.
Any new users care to voice a fresh opinion?
I'm a planner, not a user, but I am thinking about the same thing. I don't have solar or a large battery bank, but in two years with my 25 and now the 30 S/O I have spent exactly one night without electric hookups. I have a Honda 2000i, so in the odd event we end up somewhere in a WalMart lot or want to do some limited boondocking I can keep the batteries charged. I think my TV will supply enough current to keep from discharging the batteries while driving. If we get more into boondocking I do have the rooftop real estate to put in several hundred watts of solar.

I'll be interested to follow your progress. Switz is putting Vitrifrigo fridges into both of his trailers. The smaller one (23?) is done and the larger one (30?) is going to be done in the fall IIRC. Perhaps he will weigh in.

Al
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Old 06-28-2016, 05:20 PM   #7
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I have one as well per Lewsters recommendation - it's fantastic - just got back from a 3500 mile trip at times 100 degree and it kept things nice and cool - I have one battery and it never flinched running the fridge at times 8 - 10 hours between hookups - next week planning a 4 day trip without hookups

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Old 06-28-2016, 06:21 PM   #8
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We have a Vitrifrigo spec'd for the boat we have on order... They look impressive!
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Old 06-28-2016, 07:57 PM   #9
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We have a Dometic Tundra for the past 8 years. Same compressor lower price.

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Old 06-28-2016, 09:18 PM   #10
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Vitrifrigo and Isotherm both make quality marine grade refrigeration units. You can even get some with a side-by side fridge freezer that fits under a counter or pull-out drawer models! They are both made in Italy and imported into the US by the respective companies.

I have found that it's a toss-up between the two and that either is better made with higher quality components than other Danfoss-based refrigerators. The determining factor many times is simply which brand has the closest fit to the available opening in the cabinetry.

In fact, I just ordered 3 Vitrifrigo dp-2600 units, one in black and 2 in stainless (which is only 10% or so more than the black unit) for some scheduled upgrades for a few Airstream owners.

Can't go wrong with either!!!
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Old 06-24-2017, 10:21 AM   #11
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Considering making this upgrade. Is the DP2600 the same size as the Dometic 7 cu/ft fridge? I have two 6v Lifeline 220ah batteries, 200w of roof solar, plus 200w of portable I can connect into the system. Is that enough capacity to run the fridge, lights overnight? On my trip to Yellowstone a couple of weeks ago the IPN Pro remote showed the battery drained down to 88% by morning having run the LP fridge electronics, some lights and some furnace. Despite partially sunny days with the roof and portable panels the batteries were fully charged when we got back from our day trips around the park. I only had to use the generator one afternoon when it was snowing and cloudy the next day. It took 3 hours to charge from 86% to 100%.

Is the DP2600 a dual compressor fridge, one for the freezer and one for the main box?

Kelvin
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Old 06-24-2017, 10:44 AM   #12
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Info here

http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?...235&id=1262894
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Old 06-25-2017, 04:31 AM   #13
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I replaced my Dometic with a Vitifrigo about a year ago and have been very happy. Seems to stay cooler going down the road.
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Old 06-25-2017, 07:21 AM   #14
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Can anyone give details on the Vitrifigo?

Is it insulated better than the Dometic? How has it handled traveling in hot weather?

Does the compressor run full time in hot weather or does it still cycle?

How's the freezer for storing ice cream in hot weather?

Has anyone place a remote thermostat sensor in various spots in the Vitrifrigo to observe temperature variations

What type of user controls are available. Does the freezer have separate controls? Does it display the temperature?

Any issues with the shelves and door shelves.

Battery consumption. Anyone track their battery usage prior to the Vitrifrigo and compare afterwards?

Any issues with the Vitrifrigo?

What don't you like about the Vitrifrigo now that you've lived with it?

Thanks

Kelvin
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Old 06-25-2017, 07:40 AM   #15
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What I would like to know, for anyone who has replaced the std Dometic 7 cubic foot unit on their own:

1. Did you have to modify the opening to accept the new unit?
2. How did you modify the DC wiring?
3. If you ran new DC cables, how did you pull or run them?

Larry
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Old 06-26-2017, 05:59 AM   #16
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I looked up my Dometic specs, the RM3762

The overall dimensions
54 3/4"H, 25 5/64"W, 26 1/16D
Recess dimensions
53 3/4"H, 23 11/16"W, 24"D

The Vitrifrigo DP2600
Dimensions (Overall): 53.5" H x 24.875" W x 23.75" D
Dimensions (Cut-Out): 52.5" H x 23.1" W x 23.75" D

The net weight of my Dometic is 119lbs, the Vitrifrigo is 136 so only 17lbs heavier.

In my case it seems the dimensions are close. The recess height and width my have to be shimmed a little but the overall current opening wouldn't have to be expanded.

I would think you'd want the Vitrifrigo on a separate DC circuit so running the wire may require feeding it under the floor or in my case under the street twin, night stand then to the curb twin to my DC panel. I already have a dedicated A/C circuit because of my Magnum 1012 1000w inverter/charger install in conjunction with a queen to twin bed remodel.

Hopefully, members who have done the switch will chime in.

Thanks

Kelvin
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Old 06-26-2017, 06:06 AM   #17
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Kelvin, thanks for the info. It is interesting to see that the fit is close with only shimming required, although if I ever did this project, I do not have the woodworking tools any more to cut/rip trim pieces.
It would be nice to hear from someone who did this as to what they did about electrical connections. Perhaps Lewster, who has done a number of these. I would not like the idea of having to penetrate the floor and run a cable under the trailer.

Larry
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Old 08-26-2017, 06:20 PM   #18
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12v compressor connection directly to battery -- really?

I, too, am interested in hearing more about the electrical connections of a Vitrifrigo compressor refrigerator. The installation manuals I see online for refrigerators with the compressor indicate the 12v must be connected directly to the battery. Am I taking this too literally? Must I really run wires from mid-ship to the tongue? Surely not.

There is 12v already supplied in the rear refrigerator compartment for my traditional 2-way refrigerator. I'm not sure what gauge wiring is used. If the wire gauge is sufficient, is there any reason I cannot use it to supply the 12v to a Vitrifrigo compressor refrigerator?

There is also a 110v AC outlet in the same compartment which I would plan to use for the AC supply. Although I guess I need to check to see if that outlet is on the optional inverter which my rig has. I would think it would not be one of the inverter-specific outlets. (2012 23D International)
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Old 09-06-2017, 05:30 PM   #19
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Lewster, or any others who have done the Vitrifrigo install. . . we’d love to hear from you about the 12v electrical connection questions in a couple of the posts above!
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Old 09-06-2017, 07:08 PM   #20
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Mine is on its own circuit wired to converter - 12 gauge marine wire is what I used for the whole trailer


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