The RFC-501 is the entry model of Yamato's RFC laboratory freezer/refrigerator combination series — a Made-in-the-USA, floor-standing two-door unit pairing a 9.1 cu.ft. refrigerator (2°C to 8°C) above a 9.1 cu.ft. freezer (0°C to -25°C) in a single 515 L / 18.2 cu.ft. cabinet. Each compartment has its own digital controller and its own power plug, so a lab gets both monitored 2–8°C and sub-zero storage from one footprint. It is the right pick where space or budget favors a combined unit over two separate cabinets. Larger combinations are the RFC-1301 (1359 L) and RFC-2001 (1982 L).
Key Specifications
| SKU | RFC-501 (model RFC501) |
| Type | Laboratory freezer/refrigerator combination, two solid doors |
| Total capacity | 515 L / 18.2 cu.ft. |
| Refrigerator capacity | 9.1 cu.ft. |
| Freezer capacity | 9.1 cu.ft. |
| Refrigerator temperature range | 2°C to 8°C / 36°F to 46°F |
| Freezer temperature range | 0°C to -25°C / +32°F to -13°F |
| Temperature control | Two — digital display (one per compartment) |
| Temperature alarm | Hi/low temperature, audible + visual; alarm relay dry contacts |
| Doors | Two solid, locking |
| Shelves | 2 per compartment, epoxy coated (adjustable) |
| Legs | Four locking |
| Insulation | Polyurethane (CFC-free) |
| Compressor | 1/4 hp (refrigerator), 1/3 hp (freezer) |
| Evaporator | Fin and tube |
| Refrigerator defrost | Automatic |
| Freezer defrost | Automatic |
| Interior / exterior finish | White coated steel (stainless available) |
| Interior dim. refrigerator (WxDxH) | 28" x 28" x 20" |
| Interior dim. freezer (WxDxH) | 28" x 28" x 20" |
| External dimensions (WxDxH) | 27.5" x 34" x 81.5" (70 x 86 x 207 cm) |
| Weight | 550 lbs. |
| Voltage | 115V, 60 Hz, 1 phase |
| Running amps | 4.5A (refrigerator), 7.5A (freezer) |
| Supply plug | NEMA 5-15P (1 plug per chamber), UL listed |
| Optional accessories | Chart recorder, leg seismic restraints, wall seismic restraints |
Application Profile
The RFC-501 fits labs and pharmacies that need both refrigerated and frozen storage from one floor-standing unit — a self-contained dual-temperature station for satellite and core facilities alike. Typical uses:
- Combined 2–8°C and sub-zero storage where floor space or budget favors one cabinet over two separate units.
- Laboratory reagent and sample management — refrigerated media and buffers above, frozen aliquots and enzymes below.
- Pharmacy cold-chain storage of both refrigerated and frozen pharmaceuticals with independent alarm-protected zones.
- Seismic-zone installations — optional leg and wall seismic restraints support code compliance in California and similar jurisdictions.
Because each compartment is independently controlled and separately powered, an excursion or service event in one zone does not compromise the other.
Design Architecture
Refrigeration. Two independent circuits: a 1/4 hp compressor serves the refrigerator (2–8°C) and a 1/3 hp compressor serves the freezer (0 to -25°C), both feeding fin-and-tube evaporators. Both compartments use automatic defrost, and CFC-free polyurethane insulation with CFC-free refrigerant stabilizes each zone. The unit is UL listed and Made in the USA.
Control and monitoring. Two digital controllers — one per compartment — set and read temperature independently. Each zone carries a Hi/Low temperature alarm with audible and visual annunciation plus dry-contact alarm relay for facility monitoring integration.
Cabinet and access. Two solid, locking doors front the white-coated-steel cabinet (a stainless steel interior/exterior finish is available). Each compartment holds 2 adjustable, epoxy-coated shelves. Four locking legs stabilize the floor-standing unit; optional seismic restraints (leg and wall) are available.
Electrical. Standard 115V, 60 Hz, single-phase power with one NEMA 5-15P plug per chamber (4.5A refrigerator / 7.5A freezer running) — plan two dedicated receptacles.
Frequently Asked Questions
What temperatures do the two compartments hold? The refrigerator holds 2°C to 8°C and the freezer holds 0°C to -25°C, each with its own digital controller.
What is the capacity split? 515 L / 18.2 cu.ft. total — a 9.1 cu.ft. refrigerator above a 9.1 cu.ft. freezer.
Are the two zones independently controlled? Yes. Each compartment has its own digital controller, its own Hi/Low temperature alarm (audible and visual) with a dry-contact alarm relay, and its own power plug, so an excursion or service event in one zone does not affect the other.
What power does the RFC-501 require? 115V, 60 Hz, single-phase, with one NEMA 5-15P plug per chamber (4.5A refrigerator / 7.5A freezer running) — plan two dedicated receptacles.
Does it need manual defrost? No — both the refrigerator and freezer compartments use automatic defrost.
Ordering & Configuration
Each RFC-501 ships as a complete floor-standing combination: two-compartment cabinet, 2 epoxy-coated shelves per compartment, two locking solid doors, dual digital controllers with audible/visual alarms and dry-contact relays, four locking legs, and one NEMA 5-15P cord per chamber. Chart recorder and leg / wall seismic restraints are optional accessories; a stainless steel finish is available.
At quote, confirm that the 9.1 / 9.1 cu.ft. refrigerator/freezer split suits the workflow versus the larger RFC-1301 / RFC-2001; choose white-coated-steel or stainless finish; verify two dedicated 115V receptacles (one per chamber) at the install site; specify seismic-restraint requirements for the jurisdiction and any chart recorder or documentation needs; and arrange freight/delivery for a 550 lb, 81.5"-tall floor unit. Lead time and warranty follow Yamato standard capital-equipment terms.
RFC laboratory freezer/refrigerator combination family:
- RFC-501 (this product) — 515 L / 18.2 cu.ft. (9.1 R + 9.1 F), two doors, white coated steel
- RFC-1301 — 1359 L / 48 cu.ft. (24 R + 24 F), two doors, stainless steel
- RFC-2001 — 1982 L / 70 cu.ft. (46.6 R + 24 F), three doors, stainless steel
