49 replies to this topic

[leadsled9]

I replaced my Norcold 3.0 cu ft 3-way refrigerator with a Dometic/Waeco 3.8 cu ft DC refrigerator today. The 3-way was still working just great. I had planned to replace it with a DC fridge when it croaked....but that Norcold may run forever and I was tired of always having to fuss with the controls in order to maintain a constant temperature. I didn't want the black door model since it would make the camper darker....and I couldn't find one with the white door....so I ended up getting a SS model. At least it matches my stainless steel sink.

Here are some comparison pictues:

Comparison - front view:


Comparison - interior view:


Installed view:

[leadsled9]

More pics:

Installed view2:


Installed view3:


Back vent view...I still need to put a flare plug on the propane line so I
can use my furnace/stove/water heater again.

[leadsled9]

More:

Front shelf of Norcold only 6" due to large heat exchanger inside;


Front shelf of Waeco/Dometic 12" - much nicer:


Reason Norcold is so much smaller inside....see the back; 1/3 of it is apparatus not storage:

[leadsled9]

Last pics:

[SunMan]

Last pics:

Pretty spiffy, first SS model I've seen before.

[rotti]

Is that the same 110L frig FWC offers as an option?

[leadsled9]

Is that the same 110L frig FWC offers as an option?

Yes, it is the same exact model that FWC puts in for the largest DC fridge. The only difference is the ones they install have the black door. I think the Stainless Steel model looks better and it is only $23 more than the black door model.

It is the WAECO CR-1110E/F-S COOLMATIC STAINLESS STEEL FRONT 3.8 CUBIC FT. model.

According to the specs the Waeco is only 0.8 cu ft larger but the specs are kind of misleading. There is a lot more space in the Waeco due to the design. The freezer in the Norcold is 618 cu in and the new freezer in the Waeco is 680 cu in (by actual measurement). The freezer in the Waeco is not as tall...but runs deeper to pick up the extra space. With the freezer being less tall...it leaves room for 3 shelves rather than only 2. Also, all 3 shelves are 12 inches deep. The top shelf on the Norcold is only 6 inches deep.

[rotti]

That is one I'm thinking of getting then. I agree, like the SS idea better than the black.

What kind of charging would you recommend, one or two batteries? I'm trying to avoid the solar cost.

[Ted]

We made a similar swap but of the smaller size fridge because ours is the older style camper. Still the space gained by using a fridge with a Danfoss compressor is a huge bonus. We went with the Isotherm Cruise instead of the Waeco, but I'm sure you will notice it with any Danfoss compressor fridges.

[leadsled9]

That is one I'm thinking of getting then. I agree, like the SS idea better than the black.

What kind of charging would you recommend, one or two batteries? I'm trying to avoid the solar cost.

I'm not sure what to recommend since everyones needs are different.

I have two 105 ah AGM batteries and a 120 watt solar panel installed. I can barely tell when the compressor comes on since it is so quiet. You have to hold your ear right next to it to even be able to tell if the compressor is running. Maybe it's just 'cause I'm old.

Once it gets to temperature (a couple of hours) the compressor runs very little. Of course...its winter time. I'll have to wait to summer to see how it performs when it's 100 degrees outside.

I really hated that the Norcold had to be level as my driveway is angled...and I could never load up the fridge while parked in the driveway.

One and a half hours after turning on the DC fridge (with food in it) the temperature was 34 degrees and the freezer was 0 degrees....this is with the Dometic knob about 5 out of 7. I think I'll back it off some as I want to maintain the same 38 degrees that my home fridge is getting.