4788 refrigerator-gctid368484

[ksanders]

Thinking about replacing the referigerator on our 4788. Its just not cooling like it should, and being 12 years old I don't want to fool around with it.

Replacement units seem to be the:

Nova Kool RFU9000 ot the

Norcold DE-0061

Has anybody successfully used another referigerator on a 4788? If so what did you use and how much modification to the cabinets was necessary?

Any idea who might have stock on a unit in Washington state?

We sail in 14 days so I need something available right away if I'm going to do it.

Thanks

[Jeffw]

Not sure of your dimensions, but Camping World usually stocks many different size RV refrigerators, mostly Dometic and Norcold. Most of these are 2-way, propane/110 volt, some can be had 3-way, adding 12 volt. I know there's one near Tacoma, and I think another one north of Seattle...

http://www.campingworld.com/category/refrigerators/40

Edit: Another thing to consider, if your current unit is propane, the burner flue can get fouled, they need to be cleaned periodically, and the burner can be adjusted as well. I know this is my RV experience, may or may not apply to big cruisers, just thinking out loud...

[Guest]

Kevin, Boat Electric and Sure Marine usually carry a good stock of the various fridges, as well as Fisheries Supply. We went from the norcold to the Nova Kool RFU9000 on our 4087- it was a direct fit replacement; also, the Nova Kool is 9cf vice the Norcold's 7cf.

Finally, the Nova Kool uses a Danforth compressor vice the proprietary non repairable compressor in the Norcold.

I can check further if you need- all 3 places are within 10 min of home.

[ksanders]

Pau Hana wrote:
Kevin, Boat Electric and Sure Marine usually carry a good stock of the various fridges, as well as Fisheries Supply. We went from the norcold to the Nova Kool RFU9000 on our 4087- it was a direct fit replacement; also, the Nova Kool is 9cf vice the Norcold's 7cf.

Finally, the Nova Kool uses a Danforth compressor vice the proprietary non repairable compressor in the Norcold.

I can check further if you need- all 3 places are within 10 min of home.

Thanks Pete

I'll give them a call and see if they have stock.

The freezer wouldn't freeze ice after being on for 24 hours.

Better to replace it now while the boats in Anacortes. Shipping az fridge to Alaska would cost hundreds.

Everybody has good things to say avout the nova Kool

[kwb]

Go with freezer on bottom model.

I went household in my swap to get 9.5cf but then didn't spend the extra hundred or so to get bottom freezer and have kicked myself since.

[boatworkfl]

When you get to seward go over to Avtec across from shoreside petroleum and talk to the refrigeration scool instructor. They worked on mine and it works better than new.

I donated to a few of the students tool fund.

[Guest]

The Isotherm refrigerators are very nice. I put a CR187 on my boat and have been very happy with this appliance.

[cosmo777]

Previous owner installed a Vitrifrigo and we are very happy with it. It was a direct replacement for what was originally there.

[Guest]

Gene the previous owner put virtifrigo on and it has been great! Here is a link to it at Sure marine http://www.suremarineservice.com/DP2600IXAC.aspx Very happy with it!

[ksanders]

Thanks guys!

Sure marine has the vit... Df2600 in stock for $1300. That's the one I think l'll go with

[seaclusion]

we installed a Vitrifrigo and we are very happy with it as well and also It was a direct replacement for what was originally there all we had to keep the old norcold bottom trim section and drill new pilot holes for mounting and sourse our some screw head black trim caps only if your as fussy as me . if your slidiing door opens more then ..... if i remember say 24'' you shoud be able to get the norcold out and the vitrifrigo in with out taking all the doors and hinges off .......they sell for about 1600.00 ....good luck

[Guest]

The problem with the 4788 is poor ventilation behind the refrigerator. Especially if you have heart cooling ducts running behind the frig. The Novacool has a bottom mounted compressor and a fan for circulation that uses a front mounted grill. It fits in the same hole but is larger in capacity as it doesn't have evaporating coils mounted to the back. It has the freezer at the bottom as well and will definitely freeze ice cream and meat. the service response was very good. Down in the delta refrigerators get the cooling test with the 100deg weather. I was happy with the unit .

[ksanders]

Scary wrote:
The problem with the 4788 is poor ventilation behind the refrigerator. Especially if you have heart cooling ducts running behind the frig. The Novacool has a bottom mounted compressor and a fan for circulation that uses a front mounted grill. It fits in the same hole but is larger in capacity as it doesn't have evaporating coils mounted to the back. It has the freezer at the bottom as well and will definitely freeze ice cream and meat. the service response was very good. Down in the delta refrigerators get the cooling test with the 100deg weather. I was happy with the unit .

Steve

I'll call Boat Electric on Monday and see if they have stock as well.

Thanks for all the input.

[mmichellich]

We put the Nova Kool in our 47. Freezer is too cold, have to nuke ice cream before serving. Refer is not as cold as we would like but acceptable.

[ksanders]

OK guys, please tell me what you had to do to make it fit.

There is nothing in the space directly behind the fridge, but in the 4" space behind the "wall" (the one leading up, down and over) there is allot of wires and even 3" heating ducts.

Does anything intrude into that space?

Does the vit.. and the nova kool ventilate out the bottom?

Thanks!