Foretravel Owners' Forum

Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: George and Steph on October 23, 2017, 05:26:26 am

Title: Experience with Unique?
Post by: George and Steph on October 23, 2017, 05:26:26 am
Looking at a 12v replacement for the Norcold.  Unique  Unique Off Grid (http://uniqueoffgrid.com/product/solar-powered-dc-fridge-2/) The specs look good but unfamiliar with the brand.
Title: Re: Experience with Unique?
Post by: Jeff & Sandy on October 23, 2017, 08:00:50 am
These look like nice appliances. I would have considered them had I known about them.  I did lots of research....new Dometic unit, conversion to residential, and cooling unit replacement were all things I considered. We decided a two way fridge works best for us based on how we use our coach

I'm on my way to Shipshewana, IN to have an Amish cooling unit from JC Refridgeration put in my original 1993 Dometic. The cost including installation is $850.00 and it includes a 3 year warrantee.

Title: Re: Experience with Unique?
Post by: Pamela & Mike on October 23, 2017, 08:52:22 am
We have one of there deep freezers that has worked well, but can't say about there fridge. We have had the freezer for several years (can't remember how long) and it is well built, low energy use, and they were easy to work with. We would look at there fridge units for our cabin if the need comes up.

Pamela
Title: Re: Experience with Unique?
Post by: Don & Tys on October 23, 2017, 09:40:04 am
Looks like an option fro those that would prefer to avoid absorption refrigerators. Installs about the same as a residential, meaning you would have to be a little bit creative about attaching the fridge to the cabinetry and the door securing mechanism. It uses a Danfoss compressor, though they don't call out which model. The $1200 MSRP is quite a bit more than any similar sized residential, but significantly less than the standard Dometic/Norcold units it replaces. The 8.1 cu ft Vitrifrigo we got was priced about the same as the Dometics (I paid about $1.5CB) but has the mounting flange and doors latches. It also has an A/C connection built in and auto switches to shore power when available. The Unique unit form factor wise, is a lot taller and a couple of inches narrower than our Vitrifrigo (Cutout (H x W x D in inches) 52-5/8" x 23-1/8" x 24-½"). It certainly could work, but it would be better if the shore power option didn't require you to unplug the fridge from the A/C adapter if you wanted to use it on 12 VCD.
Don
Title: Re: Experience with Unique?
Post by: George and Steph on October 23, 2017, 10:00:15 am
Thanks Don.  I will be chatting with Alan later today about the Vitrifrigo.  Your adaption notes are most useful.  Latches and braces and especially the power transfer.  If we went with this unit we would lose the drawer under the Norcold but that is doable.