Vitrifrigo AC/DC Drawer Refrig/Freezer

[DJW]

I have the perfect spot where an old Norcold AC/DC upright refrig was originally installed (I took it out 11 years ago) to fit one of the New Vitrifrigo 2 Drawer refrig/feezer units on our 42 foot Cascade in Pearl Harbor HI. Each drawer (top freezer and bottom refrig) has more cubic feet capacity then my current Norcold MRFT-60 AC/DC refrig/freezer that I use. Has anyone had any experience with the Vitrifrigo Drawer units? If you have never seen the units Defender carries them.

http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|406|10789|1259656&id=1262856

Defender

 

[DJW]

Any thoughts on how well they would work on a sailboat. They are a selfcontained refrig unit.

Dennis

 

[Sumner]

Any thoughts on how well they would work on a sailboat. They are a selfcontained refrig unit.

Dennis

I think it would depend on how you were going to use them. They are rated at 4.4 amps which is about normal, but how often/long they will be consuming that 4.4 amps each day is going to really depend on how well the installation can be insulated. The drawers also would loose less cold air each time they are opened vs. an upright frig/freezer, but I would think more than a chest type.

If you mostly day sail and are in a slip and power is no problem or are under power some each day generating electricity then they might fit your needs. I wouldn't want them for cruising were we supply the majority of our electricity with solar. If the above is of no concern then I guess it boils down to are they well made and reliable and that might be what you are asking. I don't have an answer for that.

We made a 2 compartment ....

.... frig/freezer for the Endeavour using...

.. a Coolmatic 84 unit...

http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|406|10789|86418&id=86577

and a ...

... Waeco VD-09 Evaporator for the freeze and it cools the rest of the box...

http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|406|10789|86418&id=1554195

...and after using it for 2 months now love it. I can't believe how little it is on and it is quiet. I think we are going to be very happy with this.

Sum

[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]============================[/FONT]

Our Endeavour 37

Our MacGregor 26-S Pages

Our Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida

Mac-Venture Links[FONT=Arial, sans-serif][/FONT]

 

[DJW]

Sum

That was pretty much what I was looking for. If any body has had any experience with the Vitrifrigo AC/DC Drawer Refrig/Freezer units. The boat goes out serveral times a month for day sails and 3-5 day outer island trips a couple times a year. We do have a Northeren Lights 6Kw genset and the boat spends most of the time in the slip with shore power. Our battery bank is not all that large, 2 banks with 2 6 volt golf cart batteries in each hooked in series.

Dennis

 

[Sumner]

Considering how you use the boat and the genset these might be a solution for you. I guess if you can't find a bunch of negative BS about them on the internet then that might be a good sign. Have you talked to any of the mechanics that service some of the higher end powerboats? I'll bet some of those guys use these.

Would you be able to add any additional insulation? I imagine these must come as a slip in unit with some insulation. I looked on Defender and looked at these also when we wanted a frig and I could never see what the insulation situation was with them. Also unlike you home where insulation overhead pays off the most with the frig more insulation on the bottom will pay off the most as that is where the cold air is dropping to and where the warm air rises to that is under the frig (especially if that is where the compressor is).

Good luck,

Sum

[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]============================[/FONT]

Our Endeavour 37

Our MacGregor 26-S Pages

Our Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida

Mac-Venture Links

 

[DJW]

Just and update

Went ahead and ordered a Vitrifrigo combo Refrig/Freezer last week from Climate Control in MD. It should arrive in HI this next week. The DW is looking forward to the new setup as she was really getting tired of the current setup. Will report back after installation.

Dennis

 

[DJW]

Update

The unit arrived in good shape to HI from MD. Mike our son who lives in HI finished the installation yesterday and the DW is thrilled. Mike said the unit was very well made and the drawer locking devices were very secure. It fit in the spot with no problems although Mike had to raise the floor a 1/2 inch to slide it all the way back. The DW has not sent any pictures of the installation yet but when I get some I will try and post.

Dennis

 

[sv_Forever]

Fridge drawers...yes!

Update

The unit arrived in good shape to HI from MD. Mike our son who lives in HI finished the installation yesterday and the DW is thrilled. Mike said the unit was very well made and the drawer locking devices were very secure. It fit in the spot with no problems although Mike had to raise the floor a 1/2 inch to slide it all the way back. The DW has not sent any pictures of the installation yet but when I get some I will try and post.

Dennis

Please do give us any follow up on your new appliance that you find helpful.
I am about to mutiny. No way I can cruise with existing chiropractic monster.
Cannot stand the system on our vessel. 15 lb hatches to lift, and three holes...abyss deeper than I can reach. Have to remove pounds and piles of stores to get to anything. Cold plates in the only useable area. Nothing gets air circulation, so we have sporadic temps. No squared off spaces were in the design. Two big caverns with two big obnoxious cold plates....each with its own share of disgusting blobs of 'tar' and spray foam..copper tubes running in the way of usage. It is a back and shoulder buster.
I have searched for drawer systems, and so have found your post.
Thank God someone else is trying sensible design.
This is my last hope. Drawers. I'm not interested in the shoe box solutions.
Thanks!! Pam