12 VLT FRIDGE PROBLEM

The factory in Italy replied to my email on this issue - but it doesn't cover higher ambients (that may be the key to the issue :-o)....... they said........
[ "minimum temperature inside fridge at 25°C environment is +2°C, in the freezer can reach -16°C." ] ....... hell - a lot of my trips are in ambients of high 30's ........... what sort of a fridge is this thing ?

Should have said.............could you indicate details of your installation ? What sort of vehicle / trailer is the fridge in ? Who installed it ? Could the installation position, including wiring be inadequate ? Some people with these fridges are happy, but others are quite disappointed in the performance ........... could it be that they are not good hot climate performers ? It is a fact that some European manufactured goods are designed for there, but sold here as is - take Adelaide's expensive Bombardier trams - wonderful technology, but the air conditioners couldn't cope with a hot day in Adelaide !! People were melting between stops !
.......re my upcoming van order - I'm of the view that I need a fridge that can provide real cold, even if it costs a lot of energy - that I can supply.

"could it be that they are not good hot climate performers?".....

Have had Vitrifrigo in our van since new in 1997. Got it for 2 reasons: 1. Reputation for good performance in tropics compared to "normal" van fridges.
2. Designed originally as marine fridge and could therefore cope with travel on rough roads, not being level, etc.
Have been totally pleased with it. We have spent a lot of time up north, in hot conditions. The most extreme example of this was 4 months in Pilbara, Sept-December, and that got well over 40 degrees a lot of the time. Van was not in shade. Fridge kept meat frozen in freezebox and all else as cold as we wanted.
Over the 11 years, we have had it regassed twice and replaced a thermostat once. Its van home has been towed over 100,000km.
Don't think there can be too much wrong with them.......I would certainly not have any other type.

Thanks Wendy - quality feedback.

OK so it looks like an installation problem. These things can be fixed, sometimes quite simply, did you look at Collyn's article?
Mark

Hi
If the company you bought begin with a "C" & ends with a "c" [C#*#c] They may tell you that it only has 12months warranty.
Vertrigo actually give 24 MONTH WARRANTY FROM DATE OF SALE TO DISTRIBUTER , check date of manufacture. Also if you have not already done so go to those two sites already mentioned .
SOME VERY INTERESTING reading that is very similar to your problem.!!

I have just printed out all the reading material from Collyns site. Some interesting stuff here, thanks.

Yes the place certainly begins with a C and ends with a C so we will see what happens.

Thanks again

minalinka, I have one in my Karavan and the only problem I have with it is that the wires from the control area to the condenser fan seem to need to be moved from time to time and I am not sure why. They are in the block on the back of the compressor and have a negative and positive in plastic that is nearly clear.

I am aware thugh that a friend had a Vertifrigio that had only an L shaped evaporator around the freezer box. (L on its belly) It covered the top and the back. The one I have has a C shaped one, with the top, rear and bottom plates, allowing better gas evaporation in the cooler box. Of course a sort of rectangular C

Hi Minalinka

Just wanted to let you know that you may need to be persistent with pursuing a claim under warranty. After being given the runaround for a while we are now happy with the outcome of our Vitrifrigo problems. Have a read of the following thread on the Caravan and Motorhome Forum.

Inefficient Vitrifrigo

Cheers
Ali