Replaced Norcold w/ Vitrifrigo Fridge 01 380

[Mystic Dreamer]

My old Norcold DE-561 on my 01 380DA was on the way out so I decided to replace it with an Italian made Vitrifrigo DP-2600. Other threads talked about the Norcold not coming out of the boat, but my local MarineMax (who did the install) assured me that it would. It did require the sliding cabin doors to come off and for the Norcold and the Vitrifrigo to be disassembled/reassembled somewhat, but they do fit. Here is the finished product:

The new Vitrifrigo is real nice- Danfoss compressor, LED interior light, and lots more room than the Norcold. I swapped out the black panels for some 22ga stainless that I had custom cut (from an online site) for less than $100. I considered Tundra, but they recently had a fire in their plant, and I also considered Isotherm, but the Vitrofrigo won out. Cost was not cheap at nearly $1600. Here is the link to more info:http://www.vfamerica.com/eng/catalog.asp?id=2710&n=ocean

The Vitrifrigo has nearly the same height and width dimensions as the Norcold, however, it has more depth since the compressor sticks out about 2" more on the bottom. We needed to build some trim to make it look good.

While I was at it, I replaced the old black Panasonic microwave with a new Panasonic Stainless Steel. I think the fridge and micro in stainless give the galley an updated look:

Brian

 

[skolbe]

Looks nice - the microwave looks great as well.

 

[Pietro]

You’ll be happy with your Vitrifrigo. I installed the same model as yours two seasons ago and I must say it’s great and better than the Nevercold all around. I’m also thinking of replacing the black door panels with stainless steel

 

[floriduramax1]

Looks great! :thumbsup:

 

[katricol]

Looks nice

 

[quality time]

Looks great Brian!

Where'd you get the microwave?

 

[Mystic Dreamer]

Thanks everyone... I was worried about the Vitrifrigo "sticking out" but I think with the trim it made it look fine. The Vitrifrigo is 8.1 total cu. ft.- which is much larger than the Norcold DE-561. The Danfoss compressor is whisper quiet and the fridge cools things real fast- the Norcold would take a day to get a case of beer cold!

I bought then Microwave from Amazon.com for $139.00- it had nearly the same dimensions as the old one. Very easy to replace. After I bought this one, I saw a different Panasonic with the same dimensions at Target for $119. Here is the one I bought on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-Pre...ef=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1293028825&sr=8-1-spell

 

[Searaybio270]

Brian,
Thanks for posting this. My Nevercold may be shot in my boat so I may take a good look at Vitrifrigo. I also like the frig and microwave look. Great idea - nice job.
One question - I didn't see any Beer. :huh:

 

[Boulder380]

Our Nevercold is now AlwaysHot, and this looks like great option. Did Gulfport or Clearwater do the work?

 

[Mystic Dreamer]

Our Nevercold is now AlwaysHot, and this looks like great option. Did Gulfport or Clearwater do the work?

Clearwater did the install. I sent you a PM.

 

[searaycruisn]

Mystic,

Can you give us some more details about what it took to get the fridge out of the gangway? What did you need to take apart? Gangway door? Refrigerator?

 

[Mystic Dreamer]

Mystic,

Can you give us some more details about what it took to get the fridge out of the gangway? What did you need to take apart? Gangway door? Refrigerator?

Can't give you exact details, since I did not do the work, but I do know the cabin door had to come off. I remember there being some minor disassembly of the Norcold. It was not a very long job- around 3 hours of labor cost.

 

[BDO86]

Hello,

Just wondering how you go the cabin doors off? Looks great!:smt038



Thank you,

Bryan

 

[aquadancer]

Looks awesome! My Never old is still going OK but I know it will eventually quit. This looks like a great option. $1600 including MM labor?

 

[aquadancer]

View attachment 24979View attachment 24980Well, I guess I jinxed myself! after 10 yrs of service, my Norcold DE461 died this past weekend... In a fit of adrenaline driven freanzy, I removed and tossed this pile of junk singelhandedly in less than hlf hour leaving a big hole where the fridge used to be. Taking it out required removing cooling fans, doors, and the flange to fit through the 22' wide companionway door on my 2002 410DA.

I spent this morning researching replacement options from Isotherm, Nova Cool, Tundra, and VitriFrigo. Looks like Vitrifrigo DP2600i has the best combination of fit, capacity, price, local availability and service. I spoke w/ local distributor and they offered it for $1560 (about the same price as what Defender.com wants). Factory authorized local installer (if I chose not to do it myself) wants 3 hr of labor at $105/hr to install.

Here are my questions to those who may have done this:

1. Vitrifrigo distributor says that the door and flush mounting flange are easy to remove/reinstall (screws only, no double sided tape as in the Norcold). With doors and flange removed, the fridge should fit through 22' doorway without any more surgery. Can anyone confirm this?
2. Does anyone have Vitrifrigo manual / installation instructions? Just want to double check how it is wired.
3. Finally, any additonal comments on Vitrifrigo performance/reliability from those who have them on their boats?

Even though I wasn't planning on dropping nearly 20 boatbucs on new fridge this spring, I am looking forward to more cold storage capacity (8.1 cu.ft vs. 6.3 cu.ft!!!) and quiet, vibration-free refrigerator. Comments and advice much appreciated.

 

[rondds]

Brian
Did you do the microwave swap yourself? Curious how you got the old one out. Was there a trick?

Looks great, BTW!!

 

[Mystic Dreamer]

[]Here are my questions to those who may have done this:

1. Vitrifrigo distributor says that the door and flush mounting flange are easy to remove/reinstall (screws only, no double sided tape as in the Norcold). With doors and flange removed, the fridge should fit through 22' doorway without any more surgery. Can anyone confirm this?
2. Does anyone have Vitrifrigo manual / installation instructions? Just want to double check how it is wired.
3. Finally, any additonal comments on Vitrifrigo performance/reliability from those who have them on their boats?

Even though I wasn't planning on dropping nearly 20 boatbucs on new fridge this spring, I am looking forward to more cold storage capacity (8.1 cu.ft vs. 6.3 cu.ft!!!) and quiet, vibration-free refrigerator. Comments and advice much appreciated.

1) Although I did not install myself, I do know my sliding cabin doors had to come off to get the new Vitrifrigo through the opening. I believe this had to be done even though the flange was removed from the Vitrifrigo.
2) I would argue that the 3 hours install by someone experienced will be money well spent.
3) Note that in my case, the Vitrifrigo was deeper than the Norcold and it required a trim piece to be installed between the flange.
4) So far so good on the Vitrifrigo... ice cold and quiet! And lots more space!

 

[Mystic Dreamer]

Brian
Did you do the microwave swap yourself? Curious how you got the old one out. Was there a trick?

Looks great, BTW!!

The microwave was very easy, less than 30 minutes total. The cabinet underneath provided access to a few screws that held down a board- the board had the microwave screwed to it. Once the board was loose, the whole microwave and board simply slid out and I just needed to unplug the micro. I then simply unscrewed the old microwave then screwed down the new one onto the board, plugged it in,slid it back and reinstalled the screws from underneath.

 

[aquadancer]

Brian,

Any chance you have user / installation manual you could share? Just want to check out wiring.

 

[Mystic Dreamer]

Brian,

Any chance you have user / installation manual you could share? Just want to check out wiring.

My boat is currently in Miami, so I will look next time I am on it, in about 10 days. I don't remember seeing a manual though... Maybe you can call Vitrifrigo USA in Pompano and they can e-mail you one.