Isotherm CR195 vs Nova Kool RFU9200

[dtfeld]

Well my Norcold finally died. I’m looking at putting in a dual compressor replacement, so that narrows the field down to the Isotherm CR195 or the Nova Kool RFU9200.

I replaced the cockpit fridge with an Isotherm 65 last summer and love it. I’m leaning heavily towards the Isotherm, but the downside is the fridge is a little too small and freezer a little to big IMHO. The Nova Kool has a larger capacity (always a plus), and a better fridge/freezer ratio. The guts of both are the exact same compressor set up, so very close competitors except for the fridge/freezer ratio.

The Isotherm is 6.9 cu ft total 4.6 fridge 2.3 Freezer
The Nova Kool is 9.1 cu ft total 6.6 fridge, 2.5 Freezer

Before I make a final decision, I’m looking for recent reviews from current owners of these models.

 

[Skybolt]

I think the Nova Kool is closer to the original look, or can be. But they both use the same compressor, a Danfoss (Dometic) DB35. So it comes down to which do you prefer? Not to mention more space is always a plus!

 

[ttmott]

Dave - have you considered a couple of drawer units stacked up?
It was the best thing I did moving from door to drawer.
Even though the CF was nearly the same the useable space is significantly greater.

 

[dtfeld]

Dave - have you considered a couple of drawer units stacked up?
It was the best thing I did moving from door to drawer.
Even though the CF was nearly the same the useable space is significantly greater.

That’s basically what the Isotherm is, a 130l fridge on top, 65l freezer on bottom. No other combination will fit in this space. I’ve been looking for 5 years!

 

[dtfeld]

I think the Nova Kool is closer to the original look, or can be. But they both use the same compressor, a Danfoss (Dometic) DB35. So it comes down to which do you prefer? Not to mention more space is always a plus!

I think both would be fine looks wise. Bigger is usually better, but with the same rough outside dimensions, I just can’t figure out how the Nova Kool fridge is basically 50% bigger!? I think they are likely very similar size wise, and someone in the marketing department is taking a few liberties!

 

[Strecker25]

Where are you seeing the nova kool for sale? The few places that have it listed it’s way out of stock (12-30 weeks I think I saw) and pretty pricey.

 

[bbwhitejr]

I purchased a NovaKool in 2017 for the cockpit of our 44DB. At that time, they were built after order was placed. It took 6 weeks or so for it to be delivered, but was worth the wait. Have owned Norcold, Isotherm, and the NovaKool. Hands down the NovaKool was the most impressive unit. It lived in the cockpit for 3 years and never once needed defrosting. The door seals were perfect. I have stayed in touch with the guy who bought the boat and it has continued to work flawlessly since install. I now have an Isotherm freezer and a separate new Isotherm fridge and both are hands down better than the Norcold of past times, but still the NovaKool was a better unit. Just my 2 cents….

Bennett

 

[dtfeld]

Where are you seeing the nova kool for sale? The few places that have it listed it’s way out of stock (12-30 weeks I think I saw) and pretty pricey.

Have not contacted anyone, but 30 weeks is an issue!

 

[dtfeld]

I sent a several emails out to various resellers requesting price, shipping and lead times, I'll report back. I imagine nobody doing much (including me) till after the new year.

 

[ttmott]

I sent a several emails out to various resellers requesting price, shipping and lead times, I'll report back. I imagine nobody doing much (including me) till after the new year.

http://marinewarehouse.net/ ??

 

[dtfeld]

I bought the Isotherm 65 from marinewarehouse.net last year. Good price on the unit, and shipping was reasonable, so yes, they got an email for the CR195.

The Nova Kool is a little more exotic in available locations. SureMarineServices is in WA state, YachtAid being the other in Miami FL, but price is much higher.

 

[dtfeld]

After much comparison, measuring and remeasuring, and self doubt, I finally decided to go with the Nova Kool RFU9200 with a dual compressor setup. Not mine, but hope this is what it looks like after install.

Purchased thru Sure Marine Services, Inc out of Seattle WA (Todd took several phone calls to answer questions and even sent me some comparison pictures of the Nova Kool vs Vitrifrigo). I highly recommend SMS and Todd if your thinking about a Nova Kool. It wasn't cheap (was the most expensive option available). However, it was also the biggest capacity with a dual compressor setup and for our purposes, had a larger fridge section compared to the freezer. I also like that the Fridge is on top as we use that much more than the freezer. One other pro is the compressors are located at the bottom of the unit and allow the hot air from the condenser to vent out into the cabin as opposed to back behind and into the cabinet, so hopefully that helps keep things cold/frozen. Otherwise, I was probably going to add a vent fan on a thermostat at the top of the fridge cabinet. The downside of the Nova Kool is the lead time as these are built to order...I've been quoted somewhere between 3 and 9 weeks, depending on who I ask. I'm hoping for sooner!

The Vitrifrigo and Isotherm where tough competition. All three had their Pros and Cons.

If your looking for a strait replacement for the 52" high Norcolds, the Vitrifrigo is about as close of a match you can get, and is the cheapest option with a single compressor, and seems to work pretty well until it gets hot outside, then the single compressor has a hard time keeping up (makes sense). However, the fit and finish seems very nice. Good option.

The Isotherm CR195 is the other dual compressor fridge freezer option, and is a very nice looking unit. It is about $500 cheaper than the Nova Kool, but it is about 1.5-2" narrower than the current opening that requires some cabinet work, and it is also the smallest overall capacity, with a smaller fridge and larger freezer section.

Here's some rough pricing I found. This is the unit + Shipping to my location.

Vitrifrigo 8.1 cu ft BLACK (Single Comp) = $1630
Vitrifrigo 8.1 cu ft SS (Single Comp) = $1910
Nova Kool RFU9000 9.1 cu ft Black (Single Comp) = $2055
Isotherm CR195 6.9 cu ft SS (Dual Comp)= $2605
Nova Kool RFU9200 9.1 cu ft Black (Dual Comp) = $3185

Hopefully, I've made a good decision.

Ill post up some pics and reviews as I get them.

 

[bbwhitejr]

My experience with SMS and NovaKool were top notch. Like you, I had to wait for it, but it arrived perfectly intact and when they said it was once it was built. Mine was a much smaller cockpit model refrigerator, but it worked to perfection.

You will not be disappointed.

Bennett

 

[dtfeld]

My experience with SMS and NovaKool were top notch. Like you, I had to wait for it, but it arrived perfectly intact and when they said it was once it was built. Mine was a much smaller cockpit model refrigerator, but it worked to perfection.

You will not be disappointed.

Bennett

@bbwhitejr I based my decision solely and completely on your recommendation Bennett!

 

[Creekwood]

While not the same size as yours, I replaced my dead 3.1 cuft Norcold DE541 on my 330 with a 5.8 cuft NovaKool 5810 in 2015. It runs from May to October and has been awesome. No compressor rattle when it starts and stops, runs more efficiently. Its also almost twice the interior volume and fits in basically the same space as the Norcold. No complaints at all (so far?)

 

[dtfeld]

While not the same size as yours, I replaced my dead 3.1 cuft Norcold DE541 on my 330 with a 5.8 cuft NovaKool 5810 in 2015. It runs from May to October and has been awesome. No compressor rattle when it starts and stops, runs more efficiently. Its also almost twice the interior volume and fits in basically the same space as the Norcold. No complaints at all (so far?)[/QpcUOTE]
@Creekwood I saw you had one and like it alot in researching refrigerator installs. Im⁰