T&T: 12 Volt Refrigerator

[John Foltz]

We thought the NovaKool was the best choice and bought one last year.  
The freezer on the bottom was a wonderful feature. The compressor is  
repairable and it is a solidly built unit. BUT, the refrigerator only  
got down to 50 degrees. That didn't meet with the food safety officer  
on my boat.

I called Marion at NovaKool. He sent out a repair guy to the boat.  
The mechanic found a refrigerant leak and repaired it. Still only got  
to 50 degrees.  NovaKool sent a brand new refrigerator as a  
replacement at their cost.  After a few days, the new one didn't get  
below 50 degrees again. I was on a first name basis with Marion, and  
I tried everything. He was stumped. Finally, after I limped up the  
ICW with the food barely at cooler temp NovaKool paid to send back  
the second refer and gave me a full refund.

I ended up replacing it with a NorCold that a West Marine employee  
delivered to the boat in Beaufort SC. The components on the NorCold  
are much cheaper than the NovaKool.  You have to buy the front panels  
separately and you have to assemble all of the cheap plastic parts on  
the front door. It makes as much noise as a lawn tractor and based on  
what I read on the list, I took an extended warranty.

Here's the bottom line--As much as I hate the cheapness and loud  
operating of the NorCold, it works as predicted. It uses little power  
on DC and keeps ice cream very well.
(I have done several field tests with ice cream---and it continues to  
perform).

NovaKool has a great reputation, they were great to deal with, but  
the refrigerator just did not get below 50 degrees. I just hope I  
don't need the extended warranty on the NorKold.

John Foltz
M/V Freedom
PT38
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2520 Vestal Parkway East # 309
Vestal, NY 13850
607-754-4774
john at boathousejournal.com