Quiet and dependable, norcold refrigerators are designed to improve mobile living. With bold product innovations and a wide selection of sizes, they’re user-friendly for the whole family.
Before the cooling unit is installed in the fridge a putty-like material called a thermal mastic is applied to some of the zig-zag tubing. This must be removed to remove the cooling unit.
Gas/Electric Absorption Refrigerators
Absorption refrigerators run off of gas, kerosene, or electricity to change a liquid into a cold state. They use the same principle as people sweating, shedding heat into cool dry air.
A rich solution of ammonia, water and hydrogen, along with sodium chromate is stored in the absorber vessel. This is heated by a flame on propane or a heating element in the case of electrical power. The heat changes the ammonia to a vapor. The vapor travels through the freezer section of the refrigerator and up to the top of the fridge.
Once there, it is separated from the hydrogen by a cooling source (similar to a radiator). The dissolved ammonia drops back into the water. This cools the refrigerator. The cycle is repeated.
One nice thing about an absorption refrigerator is that it uses very little electricity when running in LP mode. It may use some to run the refrigerator’s thermostat and any general or parasitic loads but that is it.
AC/DC Refrigerators
DC refrigerators use less energy than AC refrigerators, however it is important that the system you choose for your fridge can power a quality DC refrigerator as well. When you can run a fridge on your solar and/or off-grid system that does not depend on utility grid power, you are much more independent.
Back when we first started using electricity direct current (DC) was the only option, but DC could only travel a short distance before it began to “leak” or lose energy. George Westinghouse solved this problem by developing alternating current (AC), which can deliver more energy over greater distances with far less loss.
There are still many refrigerators that use only DC, and they work fine for boating, but most boondocking refrigeration needs to be able to run on both AC and DC. Some new marine refrigerators use the super efficient Secop (Danfoss) compressors that run on 12 or 24 volt DC, but they also have input for 115v AC to use when plugged into a generator or shore power.
Marine Refrigerators
Many boat owners rely on their refrigerators to keep food and beverages cold for extended adventures out on the water. Whether you’re fishing in a remote lake or cruising across a tropical ocean, keeping your provisions at the ready is essential to enjoy your time on the water.
Marine refrigeration systems are designed to perform in harsh conditions. They must withstand violent movement, operate noiselessly, and be completely reliable—all while using an absolute minimum of battery power.
When a refrigeration system is running the refrigerant starts as a gas and goes into a compressor, which raises its temperature & pressure to 100-150 psi. This hot high-pressure refrigerant then flows through a condenser, which cools it to liquid form. Once the refrigerant is at a low-temperature it’s fed into an insulated box that contains either an evaporator plate or a holding plate. Both of these plates suck heat out of the boat’s refrigeration and ice boxes, keeping them cool.
Truck Refrigerators
For truckers who travel long distances, having a quality refrigerator in your truck can make all the difference. Not only do these units keep food and beverages cold (or frozen) they also prevent spoilage by keeping items at their ideal temperature.
These fridges operate independently of the truck engine so they continue to cool even when your truck is parked and uncoupled from the trailer. This is a crucial feature when transporting perishables or medical products.
Refrigerators are easy to install in most trucks or RVs. Each unit’s details page includes information on the cut-out dimensions and installation location. If you are not familiar with installing a fridge it is always best to consult a professional. Having your refrigerator installed correctly is the key to a safe and reliable product. It can also be helpful to have a professional inspect your refrigerator from time to time to make sure it is running properly. This can help avoid expensive repairs in the future.norcold cooling units