| Author |
Message |
chase4food Samba Member
Joined: February 27, 2016 Posts: 636 Location: PNW im Amerika
|
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
slackin' at work Samba Member

Joined: May 07, 2003 Posts: 443 Location: Central Virginia
|
Posted: Wed Apr 06, 2016 8:24 pm Post subject: Re: fridge replacement projects - post here |
|
|
| chase4food wrote: |
| slackin' at work wrote: |
| vince, have a part # on the bulb…or the specs? |
No. I bought it in Bangkok.
It is 3 LEDs on a small PCB and protected by transparent heatshrink. I basically shoehorn into the light fixture lens with a bit of clever soldering of the leads.  |
haha.
so blue it is.  _________________ `20 SQ5
`06 Z4M coupe
`04 R32
`84 MK1 GTI
`76 Brasilia |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
svxcarat Samba Member
Joined: May 19, 2009 Posts: 127 Location: San Francisco
|
Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2016 8:45 pm Post subject: Re: fridge replacement projects - post here |
|
|
My install😀 |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Type17 Samba Member

Joined: April 24, 2012 Posts: 300 Location: Chicagoland
|
Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2016 9:51 pm Post subject: Re: fridge replacement projects - post here |
|
|
| svxcarat wrote: |
My install😀 |
Very cool!  |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
jimf909 Samba Member

Joined: April 03, 2014 Posts: 8247 Location: WA/ID
|
Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2016 10:02 pm Post subject: Re: fridge replacement projects - post here |
|
|
^^^ Holy Toledo! That looks good. Is it a TF49? Mine arrives tomorrow. It hasn't appeared that a TF 49 would fit in the aperture of the stock fridge.
Tell us more, please. _________________ - 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). |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
chase4food Samba Member
Joined: February 27, 2016 Posts: 636 Location: PNW im Amerika
|
Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2016 10:05 pm Post subject: Re: fridge replacement projects - post here |
|
|
Nice job. I know how hard that is. You are braver than me. _________________ - Vince 飲食玩睡
what Isolde wants Isolde doesn't always get, 4 I know what is best for her - Liebe macht frei |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
photogdave Samba Member

Joined: April 05, 2004 Posts: 3164 Location: Vancouver Island, B.C.
|
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
WestiT3_1986 Samba Member
Joined: January 26, 2016 Posts: 46 Location: Germany
|
Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2016 12:19 am Post subject: Re: fridge replacement projects - post here |
|
|
| photogdave wrote: |
| svxcarat wrote: |
My install😀 |
Care to share the details? |
+1! Please tell us more! |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
pedrokrusher Samba Member

Joined: July 11, 2011 Posts: 654 Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
|
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
tim_ha Samba Member

Joined: November 20, 2012 Posts: 195 Location: Estes Park, CO
|
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
candyman Samba Trout Slayer

Joined: December 20, 2003 Posts: 2717 Location: Missoula MT
|
Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2016 5:04 pm Post subject: Re: fridge replacement projects - post here |
|
|
Does anyone have any leftover grey laminate they would be willing to sell? I would hate to buy a full sheet if the rest will go to waste. PM me if anyone has some
Thanks
Jason |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Pcforno Samba Member
Joined: October 14, 2014 Posts: 602 Location: Santa Fe, nm
|
Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2016 6:15 pm Post subject: Re: fridge replacement projects - post here |
|
|
| I did the same thing on my truckfridge tf-49. Sorry didn't take pictures. Just make a shelf with aluminum brackets followed by plywood and slide the new fridge in. You will have to trim the inner support bracket on the driver side wall to make it fit. Used an angle grinder to make quick work of it. Then make some careful measurements before mounting the fridge door back on the old westy door. I used a thin, highly insulativ material between the truckfridge door and the westy cabinet. It's actually more insulative than the previous door with only a very thin layer. It's called aerogel spaceloft. you can secure the final position of the fridge using long wood screws from either side of the cabinet into the sides of the fridge insulation. Just make sure you get the depth of the fridge right by opening and closing the door before screwing the fridge in place. It's pretty easy install, really. |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
jimf909 Samba Member

Joined: April 03, 2014 Posts: 8247 Location: WA/ID
|
Posted: Sat Apr 16, 2016 7:38 pm Post subject: Re: fridge replacement projects - post here |
|
|
Vitrifrigo 51 Photos
I thought I'd post a few photos of the Vitrifrigo 51 that will hopefully show some of the similarities and differences between it and the TF49. I've never seen a TF49 in person and Karl mentions that the build quality of the Vitrofrigo is a bit better but I'm not a witness to these differences. By the way, thanks to Karl at Westyventures for pioneering this path to make this an easy decision and easy purchase. His posts have been super-helpful and he makes it easy to buy from his website.
The packaging was excellent (a box in a box emblazoned with Made in Italy) and it arrived quickly.
The front...
Vitrifrigo badge applied at some point...
Latch slides to the left to open the door...
Inside of fridge with white LEDs. It seems the TF comes with some bluish LED which I'm guessing is better for maintaining night vision of truckers (I said guessing ). The shelf in the firdge has a neat removable section to accommodate tall bottles...
The door with dividers in the lower shelf. The upper shelf adjusts to three different positions.
Freezer compartment. I'd heard the door was insulated which seemed like a benefit over the TF but that doesn't appear to the the case it's just a plastic door..
From the back...
120 mm computer fan. I'm looking for a quieter unit. I'm guessing it's not too loud in the cabinet but it'll be easy to swap out...
Compressor, etc. This appears to be a slightly different orientation compared to pics of the TF I've seen...
I'm going to try to install it like the unit above using the oem Westy door - it looks like a perfect set-up. _________________ - 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). |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
jimf909 Samba Member

Joined: April 03, 2014 Posts: 8247 Location: WA/ID
|
Posted: Sun Apr 17, 2016 11:33 am Post subject: Re: fridge replacement projects - post here |
|
|
I put a glass of water on the floor of the Vitrifrigo 51, set it on 10 and it was frozen solid in the a.m. Looks like it can serve as a freezer too.
In other news, I removed the door from the VF and placed against the Westy fridge aperture: looks like a bit of trimming will be needed (or at least removing the shrunken vinyl trim and resetting it).
_________________ - 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). |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
chase4food Samba Member
Joined: February 27, 2016 Posts: 636 Location: PNW im Amerika
|
Posted: Sun Apr 17, 2016 11:41 am Post subject: Re: fridge replacement projects - post here |
|
|
Based on the few photos you shared, I see very little evidence that the Vitrifrigo being all that different from Truckfridge. I will add that they both look remarkably the same with very minor differences. They bear many signs of rolling off the same factory in China to me - and I admit I don't have the inside scoop. The most important points of these fridges is, they all have the same excellent Danfoss DC compressor guts.
The bottom line question from me is, is your fridge price competitive with the Truckfridge, after factoring in the spectrum correct LED lightbulb? _________________ - Vince 飲食玩睡
what Isolde wants Isolde doesn't always get, 4 I know what is best for her - Liebe macht frei |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Outback Kampers Samba Member

Joined: December 29, 2004 Posts: 2345 Location: Oregon Outback
|
Posted: Sun Apr 17, 2016 11:41 am Post subject: Re: fridge replacement projects - post here |
|
|
Jim, if you are planning to duplicate the installation like svxcarat, the door itself is not used, only the inner door shell. PM me or call me tomorrow for more details. _________________ Karl Mullendore
1990 Syncro 16" sunroof Reimo highroof conversion
1990 Westy Multivan 112i automatic
1992 LT31 Karmann Distance Wide 'La Tortuga'
2014 Touareg X TDI |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Outback Kampers Samba Member

Joined: December 29, 2004 Posts: 2345 Location: Oregon Outback
|
Posted: Sun Apr 17, 2016 11:44 am Post subject: Re: fridge replacement projects - post here |
|
|
| chase4food wrote: |
Based on the few photos you shared, I see very little evidence that the Vitrifrigo being all that different from Truckfridge. I will add that they both look remarkably the same with very minor differences. They bear many signs of rolling off the same factory in China to me - and I admit I don't have the inside scoop. The most important points of these fridges is, they all have the same excellent Danfoss DC compressor guts.
The bottom line question from me is, is your fridge price competitive with the Truckfridge, after factoring in the spectrum correct LED lightbulb? |
Both being Indel products, yes they are very similar. The TF49 is built in China, the C51 VF in Italy. There are differences in the shelf adjustability, latch design, thermostat, and other minor differences.
FWIW, both are now delivered with white LEDs. _________________ Karl Mullendore
1990 Syncro 16" sunroof Reimo highroof conversion
1990 Westy Multivan 112i automatic
1992 LT31 Karmann Distance Wide 'La Tortuga'
2014 Touareg X TDI |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
chase4food Samba Member
Joined: February 27, 2016 Posts: 636 Location: PNW im Amerika
|
Posted: Sun Apr 17, 2016 11:50 am Post subject: Re: fridge replacement projects - post here |
|
|
I risk being called out accusation without substantiation. It is all too common to relabel a product true country of origin with "value add" steps in the other country. I would just point out the most similar Truckfridge can be have for just $499. What is the street price for the other?
Even if the latter is 100% made in Italy, is it better than China? I seriously doubt it.
The main difference I see is the configuration of the freezer with the Truckfridge being smaller. Pros or cons depends on your point of view. There are minor subtle difference on the back but not a whole lot. _________________ - Vince 飲食玩睡
what Isolde wants Isolde doesn't always get, 4 I know what is best for her - Liebe macht frei |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Outback Kampers Samba Member

Joined: December 29, 2004 Posts: 2345 Location: Oregon Outback
|
Posted: Sun Apr 17, 2016 12:00 pm Post subject: Re: fridge replacement projects - post here |
|
|
| chase4food wrote: |
I risk being called out accusation without substantiation. It is all too common to relabel a product true country of origin with "value add" steps in the other country. I would just point out the most similar Truckfridge can be have for just $499. What is the street price for the other?
Even if the latter is 100% made in Italy, is it better than China? I seriously doubt it.
The main difference I see is the configuration of the freezer with the Truckfridge being smaller. Pros or cons depends on your point of view. There are minor subtle difference on the back but not a whole lot. |
I sell, have owned and installed both, and allow the customer to decide which version to buy based on the differences and manufacture country. Better, hard to say; build quality is slightly better in the Vitrifrigos I have installed. The freezer shape and size is now identical. _________________ Karl Mullendore
1990 Syncro 16" sunroof Reimo highroof conversion
1990 Westy Multivan 112i automatic
1992 LT31 Karmann Distance Wide 'La Tortuga'
2014 Touareg X TDI |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
chase4food Samba Member
Joined: February 27, 2016 Posts: 636 Location: PNW im Amerika
|
Posted: Sun Apr 17, 2016 12:02 pm Post subject: Re: fridge replacement projects - post here |
|
|
Please do provide the specifics as to where the build quality is different for the benefits of those have yet to invest in a DC fridge. For me the choice is clear.
Selling both does not begin to tell the whole story. _________________ - Vince 飲食玩睡
what Isolde wants Isolde doesn't always get, 4 I know what is best for her - Liebe macht frei |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
|