RIGID 48V Mini Compressors are variable-speed BLDC rotary compressors designed for compact vapor-compression refrigeration systems operating from a 48V DC power source.

The 48V compressor portfolio ranges from the 720 g QX1403VDL and QX1903VDL miniature compressors to twin-cylinder 3.8 cc platforms and the higher-power 8.8 cc QX8848VDL.

Depending on model and refrigeration operating conditions, published nominal cooling capacities range from approximately 300W to more than 1,067W.

Typical applications include:

• Telecom cabinet cooling
• Battery thermal management
• Compact liquid chillers
• Electronics cooling
• Micro DC air conditioning
• Medical equipment
• Portable refrigeration
• Solar and off-grid cooling
• Vehicle and mobile cooling systems
• OEM thermal-management equipment

Cooling capacity must be evaluated at a defined refrigeration operating point. A compressor's nominal capacity does not represent the cooling output available at every evaporating and condensing temperature.

48V DC Compressor Specifications

Model Displacement Nominal Capacity Refrigerant Weight Speed Range

QX1403VDL 1.4 cc 300W / 1,023 BTU/h R134a / R290 0.72 kg 2,000–6,000 rpm

QX1903VDL 1.9 cc 450W / 1,535 BTU/h R134a / R290 0.72 kg 2,000–6,500 rpm

QX1903VDL-T 1.9 cc 455W / 1,552 BTU/h R134a / R290 0.90 kg 2,000–6,500 rpm

QX3803VDL 3.8 cc 646W / 2,200 BTU/h R134a 1.60 kg 1,800–6,000 rpm

QX3803VDL-T 3.8 cc 760W / 2,592 BTU/h R290 configuration 1.60 kg 1,800–6,000 rpm

QX8848VDL 8.8 cc 1,067W+ / 3,638 BTU/h R134a / R513A 4.70 kg 1,800–4,000 rpm

*Refrigerant compatibility is configuration-specific and should be confirmed for the exact compressor model before system design.

For clearer engineering selection, RIGID's 48V portfolio can be divided into two groups:

Miniature 48V compressors: QX1403VDL, QX1903VDL, QX1903VDL-T, QX3803VDL and QX3803VDL-T.

High-power 48V DC compressor: QX8848VDL for applications requiring approximately 1kW-class refrigeration capacity.

RIGID’s 48V compressors offer low noise, low vibration, variable-speed control, and compact size, making them ideal for energy-efficient and portable cooling solutions.

For compact 48V refrigeration systems, RIGID offers the QX1403VDL and QX1903VDL miniature BLDC rotary compressors.

QX1403VDL

48V DC

1.4 cc displacement

300W nominal cooling capacity

720 g

82 × 56 mm

Working current: 1–4.0A

Maximum current: 7.0A

Variable speed: 2,000–6,000 rpm

QX1903VDL

48V DC

1.9 cc displacement

450W nominal cooling capacity

720 g

82 × 56 mm

Working current: 1–4.1A

Maximum current: 7.5A

Variable speed: 2,000–6,500 rpm

The QX1403VDL is suited to lower thermal loads, while the QX1903VDL provides greater displacement and higher nominal refrigeration capacity.

Final selection should be based on cooling capacity at the required evaporating and condensing temperatures rather than nominal capacity alone.

For a 48V liquid chiller requiring more capacity than the QX1903VDL can provide, the 3.8 cc QX3803 platform is a stronger candidate.

The QX3803VDL provides:

• 48V DC
• 3.8 cc displacement
• 646W nominal cooling capacity
• Twin-cylinder rotary architecture
• R134a refrigerant
• 1.6 kg weight
• 145 × 64 mm dimensions
• 1–6A working current
• 12A maximum current
• 1,800–6,000 rpm variable-speed operation

For R290 applications, RIGID also provides the QX3803VDL-T platform with published nominal capacity up to approximately 760W.

For liquid-chiller selection, specify:

• Required heat removal in watts
• Coolant type
• Coolant inlet temperature
• Required outlet temperature
• Coolant flow rate
• Maximum ambient temperature
• Refrigerant
• Condenser airflow

The compressor should then be checked against its performance data at the required evaporating and condensing temperatures.

Most models are compatible with R134a, R290, or R1234yf, offering flexibility for various industries.

Yes, RIGID 48V compressors use inverter technology, enabling precise variable-speed control via a 0–5V analog signal.

Yes.

RIGID's QX8848VDL is a higher-power 48V variable-speed DC compressor designed for approximately 1kW-class refrigeration applications.

Published specifications include:

• 48V DC
• 8.8 cc displacement
• Rated cooling capacity: 1,067W / 3,638 BTU/h
• Rated compressor input: 309W
• COP at the specified rating point: 3.46 W/W
• Refrigerants: R134a / R513A
• Weight: 4.7 kg
• Dimensions: 185 × 94.4 mm
• Variable speed: 1,800–4,000 rpm

The QX8848VDL should be treated as a higher-power DC compressor rather than directly grouped with RIGID's 720 g miniature QX19 platform.

Actual capacity and COP depend on the refrigeration operating condition.

Between 0.7V and 4.5V, speed control is linear. Use the formula: S = 1132 × V + 1408, where S = speed (RPM) and V = control voltage (VDC).

Yes, provided the DC supply meets the compressor controller's voltage, current and electrical-protection requirements.

48V architecture is particularly relevant to applications such as:

• Telecom equipment
• Battery systems
• Remote communication stations
• Mobile equipment
• Solar and off-grid systems
• Industrial electronics

RIGID 48V compressors use BLDC motors with electronic drive boards for variable-speed operation.

The compressor should be connected through its matched drive electronics rather than operated as an uncontrolled DC motor.

System designers should verify:

• DC supply-voltage range
• Maximum compressor current
• Cable voltage drop
• Fuse and overcurrent protection
• Controller cooling
• Battery capacity
• Operating duty cycle
• Required runtime

A native 48V compressor can avoid adding a DC-to-AC inverter solely to operate a conventional AC refrigeration compressor.

Yes.

48V DC compressor technology is particularly relevant to telecom equipment because many telecom power architectures already operate around a 48V DC bus.

A miniature vapor-compression system can remove heat generated by:

• Power electronics
• Communication equipment
• Battery systems
• Power supplies
• Control electronics
• Network hardware

Depending on the thermal load, a system designer could evaluate the QX1903VDL for lower-capacity applications, the QX3803 platform for higher loads, or QX8848VDL for approximately 1kW-class requirements.

Compressor selection should not be based on cabinet volume alone.

For telecom cooling, calculate:

Internal equipment heat + solar heat gain + enclosure heat transfer + ventilation/infiltration load.

Then define the maximum ambient temperature and required internal cabinet temperature before selecting the compressor.

Yes, 48V compressors are highly compatible with solar panel setups and other off-grid power sources.

Yes, when using AC mains, an AC-DC converter is needed to supply stable 48V DC power.

Yes, a matched patented driver board (PCB) is available for plug-and-play integration and control.

Absolutely. The PCB supports analog control and can be integrated with microcontrollers, PLCs, or IoT systems.

Yes, features like overcurrent, undervoltage, overvoltage, and overtemperature protection are included.

They are used in portable A/Cs, compact chillers, off-grid fridges, battery cooling systems, mobile HVAC units, and marine refrigeration.

Yes, it is ideal for EV battery thermal management and cabin cooling.

Definitely. Its high efficiency and 48V compatibility make it perfect for telecom battery and cabinet cooling.

Yes, it’s widely used in refrigerated vans, cold chain logistics, and transport cooling, especially when the vehicle is not running.

Yes, selected RIGID 48V compressor configurations are available for R290.

The current 48V portfolio includes R290-compatible configurations within the QX14, QX19 and QX38 platforms, subject to exact model confirmation.

The QX3803VDL-T is specifically positioned as an R290 compressor configuration.

R290 is propane and is classified as an A3 flammable refrigerant. The complete refrigeration system must therefore be engineered specifically for R290.

Design considerations include:

• Refrigerant charge
• Ignition-source control
• Electrical-component selection
• Ventilation
• Leak risk
• Compressor lubricant
• Expansion-device sizing
• Applicable product and regional safety standards

R290 should not be treated as a drop-in replacement for R134a.

Confirm the exact compressor/refrigerant configuration before prototype development.

Both are 1.9 cc, 48V variable-speed BLDC rotary compressors, but the tropical version is intended for more demanding high-temperature operating conditions.

QX1903VDL

• 450W nominal capacity
• 720 g
• 82 × 56 mm
• 1–4.1A working current
• 7.5A maximum
• 2,000–6,500 rpm

QX1903VDL-T

• 455W nominal capacity
• 900 g
• 92 × 71 mm
• 1–4.1A working current
• 7.5A maximum
• 2,000–6,500 rpm

The tropical model uses a larger compressor package and is intended for applications where elevated ambient or condensing temperatures need to be considered.

For high-ambient applications, the compressor should be verified at the actual maximum condensing condition rather than selected only because it carries a “tropical” designation.

RIGID's 48V compressors operate through an electronic compressor drive board.

For applicable compressor/controller configurations, compressor speed can be commanded using a 0–5V DC analog control signal.

The published control relationship specifies:

• Minimum speed around 2,000 rpm at 0.7V or below
• Maximum speed around 6,000 rpm at 4.5V or above
• Linear speed control between approximately 0.7V and 4.5V

The published relationship is:

S = 1132 × V + 1408

where:

S = compressor speed in rpm

V = control voltage in VDC

This allows an OEM controller, PLC or microcontroller to modulate compressor speed according to thermal demand.

The exact controller interface and speed range should be verified for the selected compressor because the 48V portfolio includes models with different minimum and maximum RPM limits.

Because compressor cooling capacity changes with the refrigeration operating point.

The QX1903VDL has a published nominal capacity around 450W, but that does not mean it provides 450W under every evaporating and condensing condition.

For example, RIGID uses the QX1903VDL in the DV1930E 48V refrigeration platform, which is specified at approximately 130W cooling capacity under an LBP operating condition.

At lower evaporating temperatures, suction pressure and refrigerant mass flow change, and available refrigeration capacity can be substantially lower than under the compressor's nominal rating condition.

The most important variables are:

• Evaporating temperature
• Condensing temperature
• Compressor speed
• Refrigerant
• Superheat
• Subcooling
• Heat-exchanger performance

Therefore, engineers should not select a compressor from a single nominal wattage.

Use:

Required capacity + Te + Tc + refrigerant + RPM

to evaluate the actual operating point.

For accurate compressor selection, provide the actual refrigeration requirements rather than simply requesting a “450W,” “700W” or “1kW” compressor.

The most useful engineering parameters are:

• Required cooling capacity
• 48V DC supply characteristics
• Evaporating temperature
• Condensing temperature or maximum ambient temperature
• Refrigerant
• Target temperature
• Application type
• Available installation envelope
• Maximum allowable current
• Compressor orientation
• Required operating duration
• Expected annual production volume

For a liquid chiller, also provide:

• Coolant type
• Coolant inlet temperature
• Required coolant outlet temperature
• Flow rate

For telecom or electronics cooling:

• Internal heat dissipation in watts
• Maximum ambient temperature
• Target enclosure/equipment temperature
• Air or liquid cooling architecture

For refrigeration/freezer applications:

• Cabinet volume
• Target temperature
• Product load
• Insulation
• Pull-down requirement
• Maximum ambient temperature

RIGID can use these parameters to evaluate whether the QX1403VDL, QX1903VDL, QX1903VDL-T, QX3803VDL, QX3803VDL-T, QX8848VDL or another compressor platform is appropriate.

For initial engineering selection, start with:

Cooling capacity + evaporating temperature + condensing temperature + refrigerant + 48V DC supply.