RicMcK 
Samba Member
Joined: August 29, 2023
Posts: 207
Location: Seattle
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 Posted: Mon May 19, 2025 4:44 pm Post subject: C51i Vitrifrigo fridge |
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I'm doing a throught experiment and dreaming of a C51i Vitrifrigo fridge. IT has a low current draw of 2.8A with a dury cycle of 30-40%.
My Question is: the specs say it's either 18 9/16 or 11 11/16 Inches deep. Will this fit in a 89 Westy?
And, if you have installed one, waht is the usable space under it (L, W, D), as I'm thinking of putting LifeP)4 batteries under it.
_________________
Rick McK
Seattle
89 Westfalia-2.2L WBX
2006 TDI Jetta
1936 Ford Pick up
70 tin top, 700k mi when sold in 91
58 split window bug - long gone. |
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jimf909
Samba Member
Joined: April 03, 2014
Posts: 8127
Location: WA/ID
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| Posted: Wed May 21, 2025 8:04 pm Post subject: Re: C51i Vitrifrigo fridge |
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VF51? C50i? C51i? I sure don't know all the models but I'm familiar with the first two but not the C51i.
Edit: okay, it looks like the current day C51i may be what was the VF51 back in 2016 so take a look at my post below and a few others in the fridge thread below to see some material removal needed (either from the back of the fridge or the fridge door).
There are quite a few fridge projects posted here:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...mp;start=0
Here's a post showing the C50i (this has become my favorite fridge for the Vanagon):
| Corwyn wrote: |
Vitrifrigo C50i. In like a glove! Perfect size, easy install. Super quiet. 3 hours after wiring it up, I have ice cubes! 
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Here's my 2016 post showing an install of a VF51:
| jimf909 wrote: |
Here's a look at my install of a Vitrofrigo 51 (Truckfridge 49) using the oem Westy cabinet door (inspired by previous posters in this thread). I just measured the temp of the ice packs in the freezer and they were below 10*f. The cup of water on the bottom shelf was freezing (I had it set on 10).
VF fridge concealed behind Westy door...
Voila...
Fridge behind fascia...
VF door stripped of trim but with insulation in tact. The VF fridge door is about an inch thick...
Back of fridge trimmed to accommodate Vanagon brace (also trimmed to accommodate the fridge)...
VF door trimmed about 3/8"...
VF fridge door offset about 3/8" towards the front of the van...
Offsetting the VF door 3/8" was the biggest gumption trap. This allowed the VF door to fit into the aperture of the cabinet. I had to think about it overnight.
I still have some trim to complete and I may install an inverter and other bits below the fridge. The cutting of the brace for the van's side panel was slightly unnerving but I've gotten over it.
Overall I'm pleased because I wanted to keep the stock Westy cabinet look. Truth be told, I'd like to replace the Westy kitchen with something more space efficient some day. At that point, retaining the oem Westy look won't be so important, but that day may never come. |
As for installing LFP batteries below the fridge, are you thinking of a DIY battery with the cells lying flat on their largest side? I contemplated that but decided to move them to the Westy closet.
_________________
- Jim
| Butcher wrote: |
| This is the main fault with DIY'ers, they get together on these forums and pat themselves on their backs spreading bad information. |
Guilty as charged.
Current: 1990 Westy Camper - Bostig RG4, 2wd, manual trans w/Peloquin, NAHT high-top, 280 ah LFP battery, 160 watts solar, Flash Silver, seam rust, bondo, etc., etc.
Past: 1985 Westy Camper - 1.9 wbx, 2wd, manual trans, Merian Brown, (sold after 17 years to Northwesty who converted it to a Syncro). |
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