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--Gordon May--of "Chill") was not too enthusiastic but admitted somewhat of a lack of experience.

Any first hand observations will be appreciated.

s/v HyLyte

[SV Sofia]

I've installed three of them over the last two years. All are doing fine so far. They get the job done here in the Pac. NW with very little current draw.
Sorry I dont have any hard numbers of amp-hour consumption, but so far, I've received only good words from the owners of these systems.
For my own boat, I put in one of Dick Kollmann's holding plate/engine drive compressor systems that I made from scratch from his book. I absolutely love it. In the Caribbean, I'm able to run my genset for a bit over an hour every other day on my Tayana 42V CC.
Cheers,
Keith
Keith

[CaptainBW]

I would like to resurrect this thread. Saw a Vitrifrigo drawer system installed in the Island Packet Blue Jacket at the boat show">Annapolis boat show a couple of weeks ago and it caught our eye.

Anyone had any experience with these drawer units?

[senormechanico]

I have a keel cooled BD35 Vitrifrigo with an evaporator.
Love it.
See the thread here about Aerogel.

[SV THIRD DAY]

Most people love their refrigeration systems until they get to the tropics...been there...done that. If you have plans for the tropics look into systems that don't need water cooling or prepare to have Amps sucked out of your battery bank like you have never seen before.

[CaptainBW]

Rich,

What system are you using? I take it that it works well in the tropics. We will definitely be sailing in the tropics so that is a consideration.

[senormechanico]

We sailed to Mexico (different boat) back in the '90's.
We started with an air cooled Cold Machine for the first year, replaced it with a water cooled Isotherm cold plate system (much better).
Although I haven't had tropical experience with the current boat and the keel cooler, I sure like its performance. It sips amps and is very quiet.
You won't hear it at all unless there is absolutely NO other noise present.
In summer with Desolation Sound water temps in the low 70's and daytime temps in low 80's, we averaged about 35-40 aH a day with lots of door openings.

[AnchorageGuy]

Not quite the tropics, but our Vitrifigo has operated flawlessly in south Florida and the Bahamas for about three years now. We really like it and it freezes our ice cream. Something the Adler Barber never could do. Chuck

[bobconnie]

So far we have had only engine or genny run refers! Never had a 12-24 or 36 volt system YET. Never had a problem keeping frozen food and meat with a engine powerd system! In the heat of the Sea of Cortez in summer 45 mins a day would keep things frozen and cold. and make 20 gals of fresh water with our water maker! On the days we had to motor sail down there we never had any problem with either system, Cooling or water! Works for us and we have both a engine as most of you have and a genny, which most of ya don't! But then we enjoy both ice cream, and showers !! Never had a problem with our diesel driven fridge system! and we have the fuel aboard to use it ! As most of ya do!

[two fast]

Hi we have had our 2 Drawer Vitrfigo fridge for 3years in Sydney it draws around 1.5 amps running around half the time depending how it's used and who is on the boat this also includes a small computer fan to remove the hot air
I don't think it would have enough insulation as a freezer around here, my wife and friends love it.

[FSmith]

Waterwayguy, What model vitrifrigo do you have?

[AnchorageGuy]

C115 12 volt. http://trawler-beach-house.blogspot....igerators.html .Chuck

[Roy M]

I just installed one two months ago. I was very impressed by the quality of it. The owner, in her, well, let's say, advanced senior stage of life, doesn't have to get on her knees to get the veggies at the back of the reefer, she just pulls open the door and plucks it out.

[Dod42]

Our Lipari came with the Vitriofrigo 2 drawer fridgesame as in the photos above. I have been monitoring the power usage and was surprised. Here is the graph and stats.

We have it turned up to max (I like cold beer) and we don't take particular care on how long or often we open the drawers.

Nice unit

[CaptainBW]

Dod42,

Nice graph. That is very informative.

Do you recall the temperature range (outside...not the fridge) that day?