Ziggy - Nova Kool Refrigerator

In the last two trailers we've owned, an Escape 19 and Bigfoot 25B25RQ, we've seriously considered upgrading the absorption refrigerator to a 12v compressor 'fridge. We've never been satisfied with absorption, three way, 'fridge operation. They just can't keep temperature with outside it's above about 85 degF. Very upsetting.

The cost of a 12v compressor 'fridge is one hurdle. However, the really large cost is upgrading the electrical system to handle the increased load. We mostly camp where there are no hookups, think Forest Service Camps, so being self contained is a must. The cost of the 'fridge and electrical upgrade has always stopped us before. It's been very close several times but have not taken the plunge.

When be bought Ziggy, 2010 PleasureWay Excel TS, it's one upgrade we knew we'd make. Ziggy had a Dometic RM2354 'fridge. a three way unit using propane/12v/120vAC, with 3 cubic feet of space. It worked as well, or as poorly, as the other absorption 'fridges we've used. A lot of Internet research was done, much on the "Older Model Pleasure-Way RV's (PW owners helping each other)" Facebook Forum. A good number of people had installed 12v 'fridges into similar PleasureWay coaches. I also found a number of companies making these 'fridges which included:

"Wait just a second, those are expensive. Why not just use a small dorm room 'fridge with an inverter to run it from 12VDC?" Well, since you asked, those 120VAC fridges are inexpensive for a reason, they are very inefficient. On top of this add in the losses in the inverter. The increase in electrical system cost exceeds the cost savings of a cheap refrigerator, via my opinion and calculations.

In my uneducated opinion, and many reviews, it seems the Isotherm is likely the best built. However, all these are of high quality, not much to pick here. Isotherm was selected by most of those on the above Forum switching out to a 12v fridge. Many had used the Isotherm Cruise 115, a 4.1 cubic foot unit. All who did this reported a very tight fit. Others used the Cruise 85 at 3 cubic feet. They found the Cruise 85 an easy fit, and from its specifications I agree. The loss of that much space is a concern for long trips though. The Nova Kool R4500 looked to be a good choice. One person had installed this in his PleasureWay reporting it "fit easily". This unit has 4.3 cubic feet.

Chris Topher, a poster on the above Forum, suggested carefully measuring our particular unit as they vary year to year. I did and found the Cruise 115 had no chance of fitting, but the Nova Kool R4500 had about 1/8" clearance. I ordered one.

The problem is height clearance with the corner of the kitchen sink. I figured I could open the 'fridge cut-out and floor support blocks slightly if needed. When I received the Nova Kool I found the lower front flange on the 'fridge extended below the installation cut-out. I could not easily lower it. To add more bad news it interfered with the sink by about 1/8".

A cursory investigation showed that moving the 'fridge sidways would require a lot of cabinet work as well as rerouting wiring and propane lines. That was a non-starter. But, the Nova Kool interfered only slightly with the corner of the sink. I decided to cut a notch in the 'fridge case to clear the sink. Drastic yes, but desperation leads to crazy ideas. I attacked the interfering corner of the 'fridge with a hole saw and then an angle grinder with cut-off blade. Luckily the only thing under the outer case was foam.

Going at this slowly it took three fitting until a clearance was obtined. I planned to cover the cut with sheet metal bonded in place with epoxy. But after fitting I decided to just leave it bare. I think putting a cover on would then have interfered, requiring a deaper cut. I stopped while I was ahead. Disaster averted. The pic below shows the fit at the cut-out taken from the upper outside 'fridge vent. The quater circle pushing on the cut-out foam is the sink.

A wood trim piece was installed filling the old cut-out, as seen in the top pic. I may replace this at some time with oak. But who am I kidding, it fits well, convers the hole, and looks fine, I have so may other small projeccts that this is likely the final solution.

A pic showing the 'fridge seen through the lower vent is below.

I'm happy with the results. The Nova Kool works very well though we need to use it for a few trips to fine tune temperature adjustment. It has more than adequate cooling power, so far we're trying to keep it from being too cold, freezing.

All in all a great success. With the electrical system, described elsewhere, coming together we should be set for even very hot desert trips.

P.S. I do suggest, if you attempt this, to measure your particular opening carefully. They do seem to vary year to year, model to model, and possibly unit to unit. Hopefully you can avoid violating your new 'fridge as I needed to do.