Replacing a Rivacold FA or FT Monoblock: What Replaces It and What to Check
Rivacold's FA and FT Blocksystem units have been replaced by the R290 BEST range. Here's how to find the right replacement, and the capacity catch most people miss.
If you've got an old Rivacold FA or FT monoblock that's packed up, or is on its way out, the first thing you'll find is that the like-for-like replacement isn't an FA or FT any more. Rivacold has moved its wall-mounted monoblocks over to the BEST range, which runs on R290 propane instead of R452A.
The good news is the new units come in matching sizes, and Rivacold publishes a cross-reference that tells you which new model replaces which old one. The bad news is that matching the code isn't the whole job. Here's what to check before you order.
What replaced the FA and FT?
Rivacold's replacement is the BEST family of R290 wall-mounted monoblocks. It comes in two versions:
- BEST (model numbers start BE): the full-spec version, with Bluetooth, the Rivacold app and optional remote monitoring.
- BEST Easy (model numbers start BY): the same refrigeration hardware, sizes and capacities, without the connectivity extras. If you just need the room kept cold, it does the same job for less.
Both come as a saddle-mount version (WS), which sits over the top of the coldroom wall, or a through-wall version (WT), which fits through an opening in the wall. An old FA was a saddle unit and an old FT came with the insulated panel fitted, so an FT is most naturally replaced by a WT.
Matching your old unit
Start with the rating plate on the old unit. You want the full model number, for example FTM016G001D. The letters after FT tell you the application: M is a chiller, L is a freezer.
A few common examples from Rivacold's cross-reference:
- FTM006 or FTM007 chiller: BYWT251MA10P11
- FTM016 chiller: BYWT301MA30P11
- FTM034 chiller: BYWT352MA60P11
- FTL009 freezer: BYWT251LA20P11
- FTL016 freezer: BYWT302LA50P11
The full chiller and freezer tables, with capacities, room sizes and a data sheet for every model, are on our Rivacold manuals and downloads page.
The capacity catch
This is the bit most people miss. On paper, the new unit is rated for the same size room or bigger. But look at the actual cooling capacity in watts and some of the replacements are smaller than the unit they replace.
Take the FTM016. It's rated at 1960 W. Its listed replacement, the BYWT301MA30P11, is rated at 1645 W. That's around 16% less cooling. The FTL012 freezer is similar: 1266 W against 1065 W for its listed match.
On a room that was comfortably sized, that won't matter. But if the old unit was already working hard (a busy kitchen with the door open all day, warm stock going in, a hot plant room), a smaller replacement can struggle to hold temperature. If that sounds like your room, look at the room load properly and consider going up a size.
Check the wall opening
Don't assume the new unit will drop straight into the old hole. Every model has its own data sheet showing the unit dimensions and the wall cut-out size, so check it against your existing opening before you order. It's far easier to plan for a bit of panel work than to find out on the day.
The BEST units also have limits on wall thickness, and through-wall chiller and freezer models use different insulated panel thicknesses, so check the data sheet for your model.
Check the electrics
These units need a dedicated 230V supply to a rotary isolator, installed by a competent electrician. If the old unit was fed some other way, allow for the supply to be brought up to standard.
Get it fitted properly
A monoblock needs to be selected, installed and commissioned by a competent refrigeration or coldroom engineer. R290 is a flammable refrigerant, and the charge is kept to 150g or less per circuit for exactly that reason. Poor selection or installation can also void the manufacturer's warranty.
Need a hand?
If you're not sure what you've got, send a photo of the rating plate and the controller to our WhatsApp parts line on 07506 055 552 and we'll tell you which unit replaces it.
You can find the manuals, data sheets and full cross-reference tables on our Rivacold manuals and downloads page, and the units themselves here: BEST Easy chiller monoblocks and BEST Easy freezer monoblocks.
