where to buy Dometic 12v

[jranck]

For a variety of reasons, we've decided to replace our absorption fridge with the Dometic DMC4101. We don't have anyone locally that carries one, so that means some online retailer.

Anyone have an idea as to who we should purchase from?

[Al and Missy]

Originally Posted by jranck

For a variety of reasons, we've decided to replace our absorption fridge with the Dometic DMC4101. We don't have anyone locally that carries one, so that means some online retailer.

Anyone have an idea as to who we should purchase from?

Not an answer to your question, but did you consider the Vitrifrigo unit? Appears to have substantially less power consumption on 12 volts. Switz on here has one. I will probably install one when my Dometic dies. They are available last time I checked from Defender Industries, a marine supplier.



https://www.vitrifrigo.com/us/us/dp2...l-cooling-unit

[jranck]

Originally Posted by Al and Missy

Not an answer to your question, but did you consider the Vitrifrigo unit? Appears to have substantially less power consumption on 12 volts. Switz on here has one. I will probably install one when my Dometic dies. They are available last time I checked from Defender Industries, a marine supplier.



https://www.vitrifrigo.com/us/us/dp2...l-cooling-unit

I've never looked at it and didn't even know it existed. I know the Dometic fits in the same hole as my existing fridge. I guess I have more research to do.

[richard5933]

I've got a Vitrifrigo in my coach. We ordered it from Sure Marine. They are great to work with and know their stuff. Vitrifrigo is mainly sold in the marine world, so I found that route best for getting one. I really like the fridge and would install another if we ever got another coach.

[Al and Missy]

I don't know if this will work for you, but here is the PM switz sent me responding to my questions about the Vitrifrigo he installed.


https://www.airforums.com/forums/pri...pm&pmid=925069

[jranck]

Thanks Al & Missy, but I can't use the link you sent. You may be able to forward the PM to me though.

Jeff.

[Al and Missy]

Originally Posted by jranck

Thanks Al & Missy, but I can't use the link you sent. You may be able to forward the PM to me though.

Jeff.

Re: Vitrifrigo
Al:

I installed the DP150iL ion the 23D and the DP2600 in the Classic. We have been pleased with both units. The power is around the 65 watts as specified. There is much better refrigeration insulation in these units. Both units have the same model number compressor.

I have been in the 23D since 29 April in the high country (6,800 feet) at ourAirstream only RV park. We have had temps in the mid 90s. Even on the days I had to retract the complete set of awnings due to high winds so full afternoons was on the refrigerator compartment, the unit had no issue keeping stuff frozen in the freezer and the little amount of stuff in the fridge cold. Sparse contents are harder to keep cool than a full unit. The unit cycled for perhaps five minutes at a time perhaps four time an hour, but it is quiet and I was not aware of operation most of the time even with the three fans we installed to get proper air flow coming out of the top hatch of the 23d fridge space.

The 23D has a 300 amp-hour battery and five 100 watt solar panels on the roof. We did some creative wiring so that when on battery power when off grid, 120Vac power does not go to the DP150iL inverter power outlet as it makes no sense to use battery to create 120Vac to convert back to 12Vdc. Note that the entire trailer was rewired so every outlet plus the additional ones we added operate when using the Magnum MSH-3012 converter.

The Classic was used at the end of the season in that park last summer after the conversion and it worked fine but with the wife there, the fridge was closer to being full. The Classic has the cooling chimney and the operation was similar and the same power draw.

Send me a real world email address and I can send you photos of the custom cabinet and matching Hickory door we had made above the new fridge as it is shorter that the Dometic. We needed about ½" of filler strip as the DP2600 is also a little narrower.

We have a 600 amp-hour lithium battery under the front sofa and nine 100 watt solar panels on the roof. During the power conversion (all outlets powered by the Magnum MS-2812), we added a new main panel with a two pole 30 amp breaker going to the Magnum, Also in the new box were breakers for one A/C, refrigerator and original water heater. When on battery power those three appliances are not powered as the fridge and water heater could run on propane. That solved the 120Vac power to the DP-2600 when on battery issue.

Both trailers were also converted to the German made Turma Aqua-Go comfort models of instant on demand water heaters. They use a little 12Vdc for the control circuitry and are propane fueled when heating water. They can self protect from freezing in cold weather.

This link is good for 7 days of the last bit of work done on the Classic that included a 9th solar panel, refrigerator, CU434 stove plus XM radio antenna, Verizon WiFi antenna, replacement door mechanism, a new sub-woofer, and a MaxxFan 7000K too replace the Fantastic fan and shroud.

Note that we replaced the stock black plastic fridge door panel with a magnetic friendly stainless steel panel on both fridges as well as the stove side splashes in both trailers.

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/94jboj7ch...LXy7XswGa?dl=0

Lou Schwitzer
l.schwitzer@mchsi.com
cell 812-322-0181

[Al and Missy]

Originally Posted by Al and Missy

Not an answer to your question, but did you consider the Vitrifrigo unit? Appears to have substantially less power consumption on 12 volts. Switz on here has one. I will probably install one when my Dometic dies. They are available last time I checked from Defender Industries, a marine supplier.

https://www.vitrifrigo.com/us/us/dp2...l-cooling-unit

Loading up tonight to head out tomorrow. Fridge not cooling. Opened up burner compartment and it is full of yellow dust. Guess I get to put my money where my mouth is.

[Al and Missy]

I'm sticking with propane and having a new cooling unit installed in my Dometic 8 cu. ft. Americana fridge.

I was looking at the wrong manual for dimensions; there was going to be significant cabinet work required to install the Vitrifrigo.

The Vitrifrigo would support my mostly campground M.O, but in order to do more than one night off-grid I would need to run the generator, or invest in solar and lithium.

All in, the refurb costs less than the Vitrifrigo not including shipping and installation. I couldn't identify what benefit the $600 increase for the Vitrifrigo would buy me.

I'd really rather not have the propane unit, but I have a propane cooktop and a propane furnace. I'll probably add one of the boiler temperature safety systems.

[jranck]

Originally Posted by Al and Missy

Loading up tonight to head out tomorrow. Fridge not cooling. Opened up burner compartment and it is full of yellow dust. Guess I get to put my money where my mouth is.

Sorry about that. It appears cabinet rework is required no matter which 12v fridge you pick!

[richard5933]

While I love the Vitrifrigo in our coach, I did the same on my Excella 25 and installed a new cooling unit in the existing propane fridge. The Amish made units work better than the original, IMO. Hopefully you'll have the same result.

[DutchB]

Originally Posted by jranck

For a variety of reasons, we've decided to replace our absorption fridge with the Dometic DMC4101. We don't have anyone locally that carries one, so that means some online retailer.

Anyone have an idea as to who we should purchase from?

We have a 2021 GT and the Norcold crapped out just out of warranty. I have been searching for the DMC4101 too.

Dometic says they are not in stock (they do not sell direct but customer service was helpful). I have started to call around and I am getting quoted from $300 to $700 plus freight ABOVE the list price on Dometic's site. So they are price gouging.

Have you had any luck since you posted?

[jranck]

Originally Posted by DutchB

...
Have you had any luck since you posted?

No luck for us. We've decided that this is not the year to replace our fridge. Luckily, for us this is more of a want than a need. Yours is a need (obviously). Sorry that I don't have better news for you.

Jeff.

[4RXLA]

I was able to get a Nova Kool ac/dc from a marine parts dealer.