Vitrifrigo Refrigerator - AC/DC Converter vs Dual Electronic Box

[tonyp444]

Hi all,

I’m getting around to replacing our refrigerator and have a question on the model. I did a google search, searched Vitrifrigo’s website, and searched the forum and couldn’t find any info. It seems like Vitrifrigo is a pretty popular brand for replacement refrigerators so I’m hoping someone might have already looked into this.

I’ve narrowed it down to the C115iX OCX2 model, which should fit perfectly in our 325. There are two options for this model as far as how they run on AC and DC power.

The model ending in D3X-1 “Includes an AC converter module that converts 115/230V AC, 50/60Hz, to 24V DC so the product can be powered from an AC power source”. It also says “Power supply: 12/24V DC - 115-230V AC (60/50 Hz)
AC to DC converter required (included).”

I’m a little uneasy about it saying 24v DC but it seems as though it runs on 12v as well.

The model ending in D4X-1 comes with a “Dual electronic box 12/24V DC 100-240V AC 50/60Hz” and costs about $220 more.

Does anyone know the difference here, and is it worthwhile to spend $200+ more for the integrated dual box? I’m guessing the main difference might be that you need to have space to mount the converter, which shouldn’t be an issue for me, but I’m curious if there is a performance/efficiency difference or any other reason why the more expensive unit with the dual box is the way to go.

Here are the links to the models I’m considering:

https://defender.com/en_us/vitrifrigo-o ... 115ixd3x-1

https://defender.com/en_us/vitrifrigo-o ... 115ixd4x-1

Thank you!

[g36]

I belive you will find the dx3 (dc only)is powered by either DC from a battery or ac converted to dc from the external power supply.
The dx 4 (ac/dc,)will be connected to both ac and dc ( a battery) and will choose which ever is available with ac taking priority and auto switching to battery when no ac present. My vitrifrigo has the ac/dc option. They will be using the Dc Danfoss compressor. I have the 8.1 cuft vitrifigo and love it.

[tonyp444]

I belive you will find the dx3 (dc only)is powered by either DC from a battery or ac converted to dc from the external power supply.
The dx 4 (ac/dc,)will be connected to both ac and dc ( a battery) and will choose which ever is available with ac taking priority and auto switching to battery when no ac present. My vitrifrigo has the ac/dc option. They will be using the Dc Danfoss compressor. I have the 8.1 cuft vitrifigo and love it.

Got it, that makes perfect sense when you put it that way. So the main advantage of the ac/dc auto switch box as I see it would be that it will run directly off shore power while at the dock. I’d much prefer that than have to always run it off the batteries. I should’ve been able to figure that out on my own but thank you for clearing it up for me. That’s exactly what I needed, thanks!

[MyPleasure]

Hi, just my 2 cents worth here. A friend and fellow boater owners a battery business, and he tells me that a straight 12volt fridge is more efficient than a 120/12 volt fridge. When you’re at the dock, your battery charger will keep the batteries topped up, and if the 12 volt fridge is more efficient at anchor, well, that’s a win anyway!
Good luck

[km1125]

QR_BBPOST Hi, just my 2 cents worth here. A friend and fellow boater owners a battery business, and he tells me that a straight 12volt fridge is more efficient than a 120/12 volt fridge. When you’re at the dock, your battery charger will keep the batteries topped up, and if the 12 volt fridge is more efficient at anchor, well, that’s a win anyway!
Good luck

It all depends on the exact model of fridge. Some of the older Norcolds used an AC compressor, so there was just a transformer to convert the 120VAC down to ~28VDC for the compressor. The DC side had to go through an inverter, so there were more losses on that side. Some newer fridges use a variable-rate DC compressor, so both the DC and AC sides have to go through conversion to feed that compressor. So they both have some losses making the efficiency of either side about the same.