Date:         Fri, 1 Aug 2008 16:26:22 -0700
Reply-To:     Jeffrey Vickers <jeff@VICKERSDESIGN.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jeffrey Vickers <jeff@VICKERSDESIGN.COM>
Subject:      Fwd: Got the wrong Vitrifrigo!
In-Reply-To:  <20080801215849.B29FD47CC53@izzy.vickersdesign.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed; delsp=yes

Thomas,

My fridge is not installed yet but I am planning on getting it done
next week. It is an Isotherm Model CR49 which is nearly identical to
the Vitrifrigo. It is 1.7 cu. ft. and draws about 2.5 amps per hour. I
have not tested how long my battery will run my fridge but I have a
105 AH battery under my rear seat and I doubt it would power the
fridge for 7 - 10 days as you say someone claims. I have two 53 watt
solar panels on 50 ft leads to charge my batteries if I camp without
moving or running the engine. I use a 1315 Surepower separator to link
the two batteries and I also have 30 amp, 110V charger on board to top
off and desulfate the batteries when I'm parked at home. My Isotherm
is wired straight into my house battery via a fuse block under my rear
seat. I like having all the house electrical stuff collected under my
rear seat - it makes it easy to service everything and add anything I
want. Both the Isotherm and the Vitrifrigo has more usable space than
the Dometic - with the added feature of actually being able to keep
things cool... imagine that!

Hope that helps,

Jeff



On Aug 1, 2008, at 2:48 PM, Automatic digest processor wrote:

> Date:    Fri, 1 Aug 2008 14:19:10 -0700
> From:    Thomas Jefferson Kitts <thomas@THOMASKITTS.COM>
> Subject: Fwd: Got the wrong Vitrifrigo!
>
> On Aug 1, 2008, at 12:07 PM, Jeffrey Vickers wrote:
>
>> Since I don't plan on going back to the Dometic I am thinking that I
>> can use my fridge door to make a drawer front that matches the other
>> drawer. All the grey trim is there so I'd just have to cut off the
>> top
>> of the fridge door to get a piece with the two top radius corners and
>> then cut the same radius for the bottom corners. Wrap the trim around
>> the new cuts, make a face plate like yours and cut the hole for the
>> drawer front out of the bottom of the face plate and Bob's yer Uncle.
>
> Jeffery:
>
> I'd be interested in a detailed breakdown on how you installed your
> Vitrifrio, if you are up to it. (Which model number you bought, who
> you bought it from, what mods were necessary, how long. That sort of
> thing . . .)
>
> I'm now on the fence about re-installing a used Dometic to replace my
> defunct one. (Haven't decided yet David. Still may go with yours once
> my shipper friend gets back from NYC!) I'm looking for the best
> solution. As in, ease vs convenience, and just trying to figure out my
> options.
>
> Someone just claimed that they can run their Vitrifrigo 7-10 days on a
> second battery system and that might be enough for me to forego LP
> power altogether for the extra space and convenience and cooling
> factor. (Was that you David?)
>
> Some questions about the power source for a Vitrifrigo:
>
> What is the draw down on a 12v system?
>
> Has anyone used solar to power the fridge while away from 120v, or
> more accurately, reduce the battery draw-down? (I don't even know if
> that is a silly question.)
>
> How does one wire the fridge into the electrical system (In general
> terms. I have a second battery system already in the Westy but haven't
> confirmed if the second battery was wired in parallel or is
> independent of the main yet.)
>
> How much useful inside room does the Vitrifrigo offer over the Dometic
> (Don't care about having ice or a freezer.)
>
> My Dometic is still parked on my work bench. I keep getting annoyed
> whenever I look at it. -grin-
>
> regards,
>
> Thomas