Vitrifrigo Refrigeration?

[svHyLyte]

Our 24 YO FigoBoat has finally given up the ghost and we need a replacement. The refrigeration technicians I am dealing with are suggesting a Vitrifrigo unit as an alternative to FrigoBoat (we don't have enough room for a SeaFrost or some of the other units). Does anyone have any experience with this line of units? Richard Kollmann (the guru of "Chill") was not too enthusiastic but admitted somewhat of a lack of experience.

Any first hand observations will be appreciated.

s/v HyLyte

[deniseO30]

What went bad SV? you can just get a new condenser if the evap coil is still good (most likely is)

[svHyLyte]

What went bad SV? you can just get a new condenser if the evap coil is still good (most likely is)

Well... Let's see. Seven years ago my daughter used a steak knife to free an ice-cream bar from the evaporator plate (box) with the predictable hole a result. Fixed that with Marintex and an epoxy patch that has, remarkably, held up reasonably well although if the plate defrosts, it does leak a little; and,

After 24 years the copper coolant lines to the evaporator have developed pits due to exposure to marine air and there are now several tiny holes in these--albeit patched with epoxy--that also slowly allow Freon to escape (we need a re-charge about every 12-18 months); and,

The thermostat has died (I can jumper around it with which the compressor tries to start) so that needs replacing; and,

The compressor now rattles like heck as it tries to start although, if you give the case a well placed bang with a spanner, it will start and run, albeit with much ratteling and groaning while it gets hot to the touch; and,

The control module died about 10 years ago and was replaced with a generic version that won't work with the current era Danfoss compressors;

So, I need a new evaporator, compresser, thermostat and control module.

Sometimes ya' just got'ta know when to hold... and when to fold. Moreover, the new units are so much more efficient now I should come out ahead in energy savings, no?

s/v HyLyte

[deniseO30]

sounds like replacement is in order! How big is the box? Defender has a good choice of units. Most are pretty easy for DIY imo or you going to have it installed professionally?

[Pub911]

Really hard to argue against Alder Barber Cold Machine for retrofits. They's got the DIY thing down and have a lot of options including custom-bend plates to match odd sizes if their standard sizes don't work for you. 3 years and no issues whatsoever for mine.

[svHyLyte]

Thanks guys/ladies...

The cabinet where this thing has to go is sized for FrigoBoat's vertically oriented Unit (i.e. with the condenser positioned vertically on a frame above the compressor):



While this is still available, the parts for this system (Compressor, Evaporator and Thermostat) come in at just under $2,000 (USD)! By comparison, the quote I have for the rougly similar Vitrifrigo is $835 (USD). The question is whether anyone has any experience with that manufacturer.

As we already have a separate SeaFrost unit for our Freezer, I would go with another of those units in a heartbeat if I had the room for it but we simply do not.

So... That's the scoop.

s/v HyLyte

[AlanF]

A little late, but for anyone else coming along - The Vitrifrigo is a pretty good unit, and comes in the vertical layout as well as a horizontal that's pretty close to the others. When you get right down to it, they're all pretty similar, since they're using the same compressor and one of I think three similar control units. The difference is mostly just the physical layout and size/shape of the plates or box, and the connectors, which are all different (so you can't mix-n-match.)