Replaced Norcold w/ Vitrifrigo Fridge 01 380

The only one less likely than me for that to happen to is you!
 
My friend used to have a Carver with the same unit and he says he was able to get it fixed. Not sure if the replacement was a Danfoss.
 
Cherwig, You do know that you have to take the outer door shroud off to get the sliding doors out? You don't have to remove any cabinetry to get the frigs in and out. It's difficult to explain but you will put the new Vitrifrigo frig through the doorway on it's side above the lip on the cabinet and it will almost be vertical to go through the doorway. I looked at the Novacool, Isotherm and the Vitrifrigo for a replacement. I made my decision o the Vitrifrigo for a couple of reasons. A friend of mine put a Vitrifrigo in a few years back and his experience was great. No noise running and used way less battery when anchored out. I also wanted a bigger capacity refrigerator and I think this one is about 2 cubic feet bigger than the Nevercold LOL. The price also was a deciding factor, I paid $1,532 for this one and the Novacool and Isotherm if I remember correctly were closer to $2K. I've been using it for over 2 months now and it's great. I would highly recommend it. I'll be glad to answer any additional install questions if you need anymore help. Al
 
Al, does it fit flush? Out of all the replacement fridges you mentioned, which would fit flush like the OEM one? Thanks
 
Jims380DA, No, it sticks out about 1 7/8" which is not a problem at all. Remember you are picking up extra cubic feet of storage with this model too. You'd have to get the dimensions on the other manufacturers to check against the Vitrifrigo dimensions since I don't remember what they were. Al
 
Do you have any pics? Did you get the Stainless steel model?
 
I got the standard black model refrigerator. If you want to you can always get some stainless steel door panel inserts cut later. I've got about 10MBs of pictures if you want to give me your email address. l
 
Can norcold parts like the compressor be replaced rather than replacing entire fridge? Just looking at all options for when the time comes.
 
Spoke to my friend with the Carver this weekend (see post 42 above). He said everything comes out of the back, pretty much leaving only the box. Then it's all replaced - he didn't recall the make of the new guts but he remembers the cost was something like $600-800.
 
My NovaKool is also very quiet and stays in the 35°-40° range when set on 4 (out of 7). If the door is opened and closed often then I crank it up to 6.
 
THJeff, I'm looking at replacing my Norcold DE 461 refrigerator in my 2000 380 Sundancer with either a Nova Kool RFU9000 or Vitrifrigo DP2600. What has been your experience with Nova Kool since you have had one for a few years?
 
After reading many of the Norcold refrigerator replacement posting, I am starting to lean more to the Vitrifrigo DP2600. Since many of the posting go back a few years, I'm hoping to get updated info on the performance of Vitrifrigo units, good/bad.

Also, I'm trying to get info on how do I remove the entry way sliding door to the cabin. Can anyone help me?
 
I replaced my old Norcold DE0051 with a new Norcold NR751. I know they get a bad wrap, but the old one lasted for 17 years and it was still humming along (albeit loudly) right up until the cooling unit gave out. I'm thinking that's a pretty good track record. The new one is whisper quiet (literally, all you hear is a whisper)
 
Bobeast I appreciate the feed back and recommendation.

I'm still considering the Nordcold DE0061R because they did switch to the Danfoss compressor which is the same compressor all the other marine refrigerator are using. But for some reason they are still getting a poor rating which scares me a little. So I'm trying to do my due diligence and look at the Vitrifrigo. I was considering the Nova Kool but ruled them out because their freezer run on the warmer side. the Admiral likes her ice cream hard not soft. I've also looked at the Isotherm CR195 which seems like a very good refrigerator and having separate temperature controls for each compartment but it's a bit smaller and much more expensive because it has two compressor driving up the price.

Bottom line, I welcome all opinions and recommendation. The more I learn, the better decision I can make or at least understand why I made the decision I did. That's what I love about this site there lots of help and recommendations, Thanks!
 
MysticView said:
Bobeast I appreciate the feed back and recommendation.

I'm still considering the Nordcold DE0061R because they did switch to the Danfoss compressor which is the same compressor all the other marine refrigerator are using. But for some reason they are still getting a poor rating which scares me a little. So I'm trying to do my due diligence and look at the Vitrifrigo. I was considering the Nova Kool but ruled them out because their freezer run on the warmer side. the Admiral likes her ice cream hard not soft. I've also looked at the Isotherm CR195 which seems like a very good refrigerator and having separate temperature controls for each compartment but it's a bit smaller and much more expensive because it has two compressor driving up the price.

Bottom line, I welcome all opinions and recommendation. The more I learn, the better decision I can make or at least understand why I made the decision I did. That's what I love about this site there lots of help and recommendations, Thanks!
Click to expand...

As the owner of a 2002 boat with two original Norcolds on it I always get nervous when I read these threads. They get me thinking about having two time bombs.
That being said, they’re both original from 2002.
While we primarily use the freezer portion for ice cube trays, the few times we put ice cream or other items that need to be frozen in it, the Norcold in the salon does the job.
The Norcold on my 1987 boat was original and still going strong when I sold that boat in 2016.
When (not if) the time comes to replace one, or both, of the fridges on my boat I’m not going to omit Norcold from the list of possible replacements.
I’m not a fridge or appliance expert but I think that in a particular price range all brands are probably of about equal quality.
For me the decisions will come down to whatever brand and model best fits the space.
That’s probably more important than brand.
Of the brands and models you mentioned, the one that would probably scare me away would be the one with two compressors. I’d be concerned about battery drain because we spend time on the hook and don’t always run the generator all day. That may not be a concern for you though.
 
JVM225 said:
As the owner of a 2002 boat with two original Norcolds on it I always get nervous when I read these threads. They get me thinking about having two time bombs.
That being said, they’re both original from 2002.
While we primarily use the freezer portion for ice cube trays, the few times we put ice cream or other items that need to be frozen in it, the Norcold in the salon does the job.
The Norcold on my 1987 boat was original and still going strong when I sold that boat in 2016.
When (not if) the time comes to replace one, or both, of the fridges on my boat I’m not going to omit Norcold from the list of possible replacements.
I’m not a fridge or appliance expert but I think that in a particular price range all brands are probably of about equal quality.
For me the decisions will come down to whatever brand and model best fits the space.
That’s probably more important than brand.
Of the brands and models you mentioned, the one that would probably scare me away would be the one with two compressors. I’d be concerned about battery drain because we spend time on the hook and don’t always run the generator all day. That may not be a concern for you though.
Click to expand...

I agree with that, my 2000 norcold is orig, wait, I don't want to jinx it. I would like a little bigger, but don't want to fight any harder than I have to to get it in the Salon. That, and power use would be my key factors. I have at least 60% hearing loss, so really, the sound isn't a factor LOL, at least for me.

I do think this style would be awesome, not sure if it would fit though, its close

https://www.suremarineservice.com/Galley/DW250/8.2-CU-FT-FRIDGE-FREEZER-SS
 
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Our P.O. installed the Vitrifrigo in '06 and we bought it in '07. It has ran flawlessly for 12 years...
 
Chris-380 said:
I agree with that, my 2000 norcold is orig, wait, I don't want to jinx it. I would like a little bigger, but don't want to fight any harder than I have to to get it in the Salon. That, and power use would be my key factors. I have at least 60% hearing loss, so really, the sound isn't a factor LOL, at least for me.

I do think this style would be awesome, not sure if it would fit though, its close

https://www.suremarineservice.com/Galley/DW250/8.2-CU-FT-FRIDGE-FREEZER-SS
Click to expand...
One of the few blessings of having gunners ears, another is the dampening effect for my screaming demons lol
 
So any thoughts on the vitri and has the issues with those been worked out?
 
For what it is worth, in 2015 I replaced my dead Norcold (I think it was a DE0041) with a Nova Kool 5810 5.8cu ft and it has been excellent. Quiet. Very efficient when running on 12v, MUCH more capacity in the same space, and it has an interior light.
 
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