TheSamba.com :: View topic - fridge replacement projects

Wed Jun 14, 2023 10:32 am

Got a CRX-50 in black and changed the front panel to Folkstone Formica and painted the trim with SEM Warm Gray 15183.

I did have to remove the brass fitting in the city water hookup but no other mods to the van to get it to fit nearly flush.

Fridge came with plastic "feet" that I removed and used the screw holes to mount 1/2 Baltic birch, which is then screwed into steel brackets from below.

I'm happy with the fit and how it looks in there. Still need to trim it out and add a drawer below, and then see how well it actually works!

Wed Jun 14, 2023 11:06 am

Can't wait to see the finished product!

Thu Jul 06, 2023 11:35 am

Very pleased with how the Dometic CRX-50 fits. And that there is room for a drawer to keep more kitchen gear - in our case an induction burner 'cause cooking on gas is too slow!

Also drawers in the sink cabinet from CUSTOMish3D.

Sat Jul 08, 2023 3:41 am

Hi all,

I'm looking for a fridge which would allow to fit the standard fridge door (hence keeping the original look).

From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZiisWh4paw&t=1631s I understand that the Webasto Cruise 49 checks the box.

But I was wondering whether there is a fridge which also has:
- Removable Freezer compartment
- Thermostat (instead of a turn button with numbers)

Thanks.

Sat Jul 08, 2023 4:34 am

Look on page 28 of this thread - Dometic CRX-50 with original door.
As far as I know none of the fridges that fit have a thermostat.

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...;start=540

Thu Jul 27, 2023 10:32 pm

Just finished up my TF49 and Propex install today.

Thu Sep 28, 2023 6:12 pm

Here's a link to a very nice stealth install of a TF49 behind the Westy cabinet door:

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=785121

If you're taking this approach be sure to include this in your homework along with the other posts in this tread.

Sun Mar 03, 2024 5:12 pm

Hi @Fishgo--

I love the Vitrifrigo and want to put one in our 1989 Westie, but I am worried about the current draw.

What size/type of auxillary battery do you need to keep the Vitrifrigo running? We currently have a 45Ah starter battery (flooded lead/acid) as an aux battery (because it's the only kind we could find that would fit under the driver's seat).

We do have a 100 Watt solar panel and charge controller, but not sure if our setup would power this fridge?

What aux battery setup do you have? Any solar with that?

Thanks for the info! Your install looks great. Are you still happy with it?

Sun Mar 03, 2024 7:57 pm

JenEye wrote: Hi @Fishgo--

I love the Vitrifrigo and want to put one in our 1989 Westie, but I am worried about the current draw.

What size/type of auxillary battery do you need to keep the Vitrifrigo running? We currently have a 45Ah starter battery (flooded lead/acid) as an aux battery (because it's the only kind we could find that would fit under the driver's seat).

We do have a 100 Watt solar panel and charge controller, but not sure if our setup would power this fridge?

What aux battery setup do you have? Any solar with that?

Thanks for the info! Your install looks great. Are you still happy with it?

Not fishgo but assuming you're referring to the Vitrifrigo C50i they mentioned. The spec says 2.8ah which compares to roughly 2.4ah for the TF49/VF51 fridges (same thing) that many folks have installed. That's running continuously but they cycle on/off depending on the ambient temp and the temp of the stuff just put inside the fridge so assume 1.5 - 2.0 ah to run the TF49/VF51. 2.8 is 16% greater than 2.4 so both fridges are in the same ballpark though the VF C50i will draw more power.

Many folks got away with running these with a 100 watt solar panel and a 100ah lead acid battery if not running a furnace (Propex, CDH, etc.) and lots of other electrical consumers. The battery would need a charge every 24 - 48 hours.

Nowadays LiFePO4 batteries are making it easier to add ah or use the greater available capacity of the LFP batteries to run a fridge for 2 - 3 days or longer. Some folks have left all battery anxiety behind by installing a 280 - 300 LiFePO4 battery with 100 - 200 watts of solar and a DC-DC charger.

The weak link in your current setup is a 45 ah FLA battery. On a good day it will run a TF49/VF51 for 24 hours before needed a change (it only has about 22 ah of available capacity), it'd be less than 24 hours for the higher consumption VFC50i.

Folks are getting 100 - 150ah LiFePO4 batteries under the driver's seat (see threads here).

If you want to run one of these fridges I recommend starting with a min of 100ah of LFP, 150 is better, 280 will eliminate battery concerns and power a heater or other stuff. 100 watts of solar is a good start with the consideration of an additional 100 watts of mobile panel to get the panel in the sun when you're parked in the shade.

Mon Apr 22, 2024 6:09 pm

I just pulled the trigger on the Vitrifrigo C50i. In my opinion the best fit, finish and replacement for the original Dometic. The only source I could find was

https://www.camperinteriors.co.uk

Shipped to Peace Vans Seattle with the silver trim flange, total around $1100. My baby wants for nothing!

I will list in the classifieds, but if anyone is interested, I have the door, fascia and two shelves (cabinet kit) I would part with for $100 ~ SOLD ~

Fri May 10, 2024 10:11 am

Vitrifrigo C50i. In like a glove! Perfect size, easy install. Super quiet. 3 hours after wiring it up, I have ice cubes! :D

Fri May 10, 2024 11:19 am

Corwyn wrote: Vitrifrigo C50i. In like a glove! Perfect size, easy install. Super efficient.

That looks great. Might be time for a new whisk broom. ;)

Fri May 10, 2024 11:43 am

Crooked Designer wrote: Corwyn wrote: Vitrifrigo C50i. In like a glove! Perfect size, easy install. Super efficient.

That looks great. Might be time for a new whisk broom. ;)

I got that whisk broom from GW a few days after I bought the van many years ago (there are emotional attachments) 😁

Fri May 10, 2024 12:17 pm

Corwyn wrote: Vitrifrigo C50i. In like a glove! Perfect size, easy install. Super efficient.

You'll also enjoy how quiet it is...having the compressor located bottom right rear...as far away from your ears while sleeping as possible 8) :thumbsup:

BTW, IMO the door should open into the commissary, not into the bedroom [-(

But to each their own...

Fri May 10, 2024 12:28 pm

Corwyn wrote: I just pulled the trigger on the Vitrifrigo C50i. In my opinion the best fit, finish and replacement for the original Dometic. The only source I could find was

https://www.camperinteriors.co.uk

Shipped to Peace Vans Seattle with the silver trim flange, total around $1100. My baby wants for nothing!

I will list in the classifieds, but if anyone is interested, I have the door, fascia and two shelves (cabinet kit) I would part with for $100.

Nice install and Fridge. Cost isnt bad at $690... but shipping is $415 (to westcoast) :shock: . It would be nice if there was a US supplier selling these.

Fri May 10, 2024 12:33 pm

skemems wrote: Corwyn wrote: I just pulled the trigger on the Vitrifrigo C50i. In my opinion the best fit, finish and replacement for the original Dometic. The only source I could find was

https://www.camperinteriors.co.uk

Shipped to Peace Vans Seattle with the silver trim flange, total around $1100. My baby wants for nothing!

I will list in the classifieds, but if anyone is interested, I have the door, fascia and two shelves (cabinet kit) I would part with for $100.

Nice install and Fridge. Cost isnt bad at $690... but shipping is $415 (to westcoast) :shock: . It would be nice if there was a US supplier selling these.

I looked for a long time, with no luck. Plenty of Vitrifrigos in the US, just not this model ☹️

Fri May 10, 2024 3:01 pm

Corwyn wrote: Crooked Designer wrote: Corwyn wrote: Vitrifrigo C50i. In like a glove! Perfect size, easy install. Super efficient.

That looks great. Might be time for a new whisk broom. ;)

I got that whisk broom from GW a few days after I bought the van many years ago (there are emotional attachments) 😁

I have one in my van too.. thought it was from PO, but maybe it originally came from GW also... Must investigate. I use it constantly.

Sat May 25, 2024 9:09 am

Has anyone installed the INDEL B CR49 AC/DC REFRIGERATOR/FREEZER from Van Cafe recently? They say it is AC/DC but none of the specs from anywhere shows this, but they confirm it has an AC plug on it, but I have been burned by Van Cafe in the past on details like this.

It is also similar to the truck fridge, and maybe made by the same people but it appears to install differently with screw holes through the side. They sell an install/trim kit for over 200 but I don't think you need or use the trim pieces with the Indel fridge so I'm not sure how to approach this install. I think I'll need to fab my own install trim and bracket to sit on.

I'm thinking about the Vitrifrigo but I had issues with ordering from the company in the UK, and customer service back and forth is difficult.

So I'm not sure which way to go right now, I like the Indel fridge over the truck fridge but I'm just not sure what I'm going to get from Van Cafe when it arrives. I can order direct from OFF/Indel but they only have a DC powered version, and it is 100 $ cheaper, so this is odd? Its easy to mount an AC to DC converter in the van, but it wouldn't have the switching capability for the fridge to run on either, I'd have to rig up a 3 way switch I think.

Thoughts?

Sat May 25, 2024 9:32 am

This is the site I ordered mine from. Gray plus the trim flange:

https://us-camperinteriors.glopalstore.com

It's really just a front-end in the USA for their UK store.

Sat May 25, 2024 2:04 pm

Corwyn wrote: This is the site I ordered mine from. Gray plus the trim flange:

https://us-camperinteriors.glopalstore.com

It's really just a front-end in the USA for their UK store.

Yah that is what I tried, they were using a shipping company that can no longer ship these to the US, but they say they may have a way around it, just not as easy as it was for you. I'll keep looking into it.