VW Vortex - Volkswagen Forum banner
Cancel
Create thread New Garage Forums

Retrofitting a refrigerator to a Phaeton

Jump to Latest
1 - 20 of 130 Posts

PanEuropean

· Registered
Joined
·
22,111 Posts
Discussion starter · #1 · (Edited)
Falconer has asked that we start collecting some information about retrofitting a fridge in a Phaeton. A refrigerator is available as a factory order option, via VW Individual. I don't think it would be too difficult to retrofit one, because the entire refrigerator kit is manufactured by a third party (Waeco). So, to get things started, here's some pictures of the refrigerator. As you can see, the fridge door replaces the ski-sack door.
Michael
Text and picture from the European Catalog
Although they refer to a 4 seater, I don't see why the fridge could not be retrofitted to a 5 seater, provided you were willing to give up use of the middle seat (the backrest might get a bit chilly). Edit January 25, 2005: I don't think a retrofit to a 5 seater would work, because the ski-sack access door appears to be smaller on the 5 seater. See the post way below with the photos of the ski-sack door. Michael
Image

Here's a picture of the compressor assembly in the trunk of the car.
Image


And, (added November 1, 2005), here are some pictures of the actual fridge installation in a 4 seat Phaeton. Other pictures of the interior of this car can be seen at the VW Individual Phaeton Interiors post.
Compartment in Trunk
Image

Image

Access Door, Closed
Image

Access Door, Open (note small transparent door is still closed)
Image

Transparent Door Open
This door probably prevents condensation around the larger door.
Image


Modified by PanEuropean at 9:51 PM 11-1-2005
 
Discussion starter · #2 ·
Re: Retrofitting a refrigerator to a Phaeton (PanEuropean)

Here's a link to the website of the company that supplies VW with the complete refrigerator assembly. I can't link directly to the page with the Phaeton pictures, however, if you click on this link, then click on the words "Mobile Refrigeration in Passenger Cars" on the left hand side of Waeco's web page, you will see Phaeton pictures.
Waeco Automotive original equipment
Michael
 
Discussion starter · #3 · (Edited)
Re: Retrofitting a refrigerator to a Phaeton (PanEuropean)

Here's some actual pictures of a factory installed fridge in a 4 seater.
By the way, if you are trying to do a Google search for information about this equipment, or if you are speaking to anyone from VW in Germany about it, use the term 'coolbox', rather than 'refrigerator'. That is what the thing is referred to as, in 'European English'.
Michael
Phaeton Refrigerator
this particular leather colour is called 'teak', and it is available from VW Individual.
Image


Image


Image
 
Discussion starter · #8 · (Edited)
Re: Retrofitting a refrigerator to a Phaeton (n-n-n-n)

I think the colour balance might be off in those interior photos of the fridge - I didn't take them myself, I scarfed them from Waeco's website. Below is a picture of teak leather that I took myself - it's not quite as strong as the fridge pictures suggest. The picture below was taken in the atlier (selection-room) at Dresden, where customers who want to order a VW Individual interior are taken. They don't mess around there - they bring out the whole darn hide, to let you see what it looks like.
I might not be the greatest photographer either, so far as colour correction goes, so use the sun beige sample in the upper left as a reference point.
By the way - Welcome to our forum! I think you might be our first member from the Antipodes. If you have any questions, just post em, we've got a pretty good group of enthusiasts here - owners, sales staff, and sometimes VW Media even drops by to help us figure things out.
Michael
Teak Leather Hide
Image



Modified by PanEuropean at 10:45 AM 11-16-2004
 
#9 ·
Re: Retrofitting a refrigerator to a Phaeton (PanEuropean)

What i´ve heard is that VW germany has a "contract" with Waeco that says coolboxes for the phaeton is only availible through VW individual. If you want a coolbox contact your VW dealer for prices, of cource VW will take a lot of more money for it that if you were buying direct from Waeco. Can somebody confirm this?
 
Discussion starter · #10 ·
Re: Retrofitting a refrigerator to a Phaeton (Soki)

My guess is that Waeco's arrangement with VW is no different than any other OEM supplier: The component supplier will only sell components to the OEM, and the OEM has the right to sell parts through their dealer network. This is pretty standard in the auto industry.
For example, Hella makes the tail-light assemblies for the Golf IV. Although Hella has a very active and brisk business selling aftermarked tail-lights for the Golf IV (different designs), the 'genuine original' Golf IV tail-light may only be purchased through VW dealers, not directly from Hella or Hella distributors.
Concerning the fridge - my guess is that the whole refrigerator / compressor / evaporator assembly is generic, in the sense that the same components are used in the Phaeton, Maybach, Rolls, etc. You could probably buy that from a Waeco distributor, if they have such a distribution network. The VW specific parts, though - such as the cover that surrounds the compressor in the trunk, the mouldings and seals for the aperture between the seats, etc. - would have to be ordered through a VW dealer.
I don't see anything unusual or conspiratorial there. Just standard practice.
Michael
 
Discussion starter · #12 · (Edited)
Re: Retrofitting a refrigerator to a Phaeton (FalconerHK)

Here is one additional diagram - this from a recent update to the Phaeton Service Manual - that shows how the fridge assembly fits into the car. This particular diagram is part of a set of instructions that explain how to remove the fridge.
It is simpler, faster, and involved fewer steps to remove the fridge than it does to remove the spare tire. What the service manual implies is that the entire compressor - condensor - coolbox assembly is a single stand-alone component, and the cover that fits over this assembly in the trunk is another component. The set of fittings that replace the ski-sack and ski-sack door will probably be the only part of the retrofit that involves ordering multiple small parts. I don't think wiring will be much of an issue, the main power distribution bus for the Phaeton is only about a foot away from the spot where the compresser is, and it's just a two-wire harness, with no control module (that I am aware of) that ties into the vehicle diagnostic system.
In the diagram, item 1 is the electrical connector, item 2 is a bolt, and items 3 and 4 are sliding pins that keep the opening of the coolbox properly aligned and sealed up to the coolbox door assembly between the two rear seats. These are the only 4 things that have to be touched to completly remove the fridge assembly from the trunk.
So far, this project is looking quite feasable, and fairly simple. I sure hope they have a car in stock at the factory with the fridge installed. Last time I was there, there were none present. Because the fridge is only installed upon special request, cars with a fridge do not 'hang around' very long - they get manufactured, then shipped out within a day or two.
Michael
Steps involved in removing or replacing the fridge compressor / coolbox assembly
Image
 
Discussion starter · #13 · (Edited)
Re: Retrofitting a refrigerator to a Phaeton (PanEuropean)

Here is a better quality photo of the fridge door, showing the details of the door seal and latch assembly. This is the original photo that was reduced in size for use in the catalog photo at the very top of this thread.
Detail of refrigerator door, showing door seal, latch mechanism
Image
 
#14 ·
Re: Retrofitting a refrigerator to a Phaeton (PanEuropean)

Yes I think I am the only member on these boards from Australia. We have very little information about the Volkswagen Phaeton in Australia at the moment, it is due for release here around March 2005. Volkswagen Australia only expects to sell 35 cars here per year!
Volkswagen does have a more upmarket image here than in other countries, whether it is enough to shift the Phaetons out of the showroom I don't know.
I still love that Teak leather. At the moment I am trying to decide whether I should order a Cayenne Turbo with the same coloured leather.
 
Discussion starter · #15 ·
Re: Retrofitting a refrigerator to a Phaeton (n-n-n-n)

Hi Nicholas:
Welcome to our forum! I hope you find it interesting and worthwhile.
I am not too familiar with the Porsche truck - I have seen them, both in Canada and in Europe, but never been in one or driven one. I am quite familiar with the Phaeton, because I own a W12. It is a delightful car.
My guess is that when VW of Australia introduces the Phaeton, they will offer the same 'extended test drive' program that has been offered in Canada and America. Qualified prospective customers are encouraged to take the car for 2 days, or a weekend, and really get familiar with it.
VW of Australia will probably organize some pretty snazzy events for prospective Phaeton customers as part of the product launch. In Canada, they threw a party that won a number of awards in the advertising industry. You might want to contact your local VW dealer and get put on the list of interested potential buyers, so that VW of Australia sends you out an invitation.
Michael
 
Discussion starter · #16 ·
Re: Retrofitting a refrigerator to a Phaeton (FalconerHK)

I found the price of the refrigerator (when installed as a factory option) listed in the September 2004 issue of the 'VW Individual' catalog. It is much less expensive than I thought it would be - € 1,970.- That translates to about USD $ 2,600.- at current (December 2004) exchange rates.
When I get a chance, I will go to my VW dealer here in Zurich and see what the price of the individual parts required to refit a refrigerator adds up to. My past experience with my Golf is that it usually costs about 1.5 times more to buy an option as 'parts', after the fact, than it does to have the option fitted at the factory.
Michael
 
#17 ·
Re: Retrofitting a refrigerator to a Phaeton (PanEuropean)

Some Audi A8L guys I know are interested in this topic as well. If there's an opportunity for a group buy of the "cool box" and parts needed to fit it in the ski sack area, you'll have some takers over at AudiWorld.
 
Discussion starter · #19 ·
Re: Retrofitting a refrigerator to a Phaeton (taygeorge5288)

Quote, originally posted by taygeorge5288 »
Will this work in a five seat phaeton?

We don't know. VW does not offer a fridge in a 5 seater, likely because the middle seat would be very uncomfortable if the passenger was resting against what was, essentially, a fridge door. There might also be some safety related issues - for example, if a collision takes place, you don't want the middle rear seat passenger to get whacked in the back by a bottle of water that is loose in the fridge.
Whether it can be retrofitted to a 5 seater, strictly from a point of view of "will it fit", will become more clear once we can get detailed photos showing the fridge door assembly.
Michael
 
#20 ·
Refrigerator Retrofit

Michael,
Thank you for all of your informative posts... In the post regarding retrofitting the keyless start, you mentioned that you installed the refrigerator in the rear of the Phaeton. I have a V8 5 seater and am also thinking about adding the refrigerator. Could you post information about the installation procedure, parts required and cost....
By the way, how much trunk real-estate did the refrigerator consume?? I play golf and would still like to get a few sets of clubs in the trunk.
Also, I am interested in changing the front center trim section from the short wood to the long wood trim with wood-trimed cup holders. Any ideas about "do-ability", cost, and difficulty to make the change??
Thanks very much for your time.
Take Care,
Douglas

Modified by copernicus0001 at 3:12 AM 12-14-2004


Modified by copernicus0001 at 3:14 AM 12-14-2004
 
1 - 20 of 130 Posts
About this Discussion
129 Replies
40 Participants
Last post:
AJL44
VW Vortex - Volkswagen Forum
posts
85M
members
1.5M
Since
2001
A forum community dedicated to all Volkswagen owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about performance, builds, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, maintenance, new releases, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
The Car Lounge Golf IV & Jetta IV Golf III & Jetta III Golf II & Jetta II Golf IV/Jetta IV Parts