Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 11-13-2010, 08:28 PM   #1
Winnebago Camper
 
Indian Creek's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 25
Anyone change over to residential fridge?

Has anyone gotten fed up with Norcold, and their recalls, enough to change out the Norcold in favor of a residential refridgerator? I know it can be a big job, but think about the advantages. What am I missing?
Won't the generator handle the load while traveling? What gives?



Dave
__________________
Dave
2012 Salem Villa
Navy VietNam Vet Dong Ha Ramp 68-69
Indian Creek is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-13-2010, 08:43 PM   #2
Winnebago Owner
 
Rick Long's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Some Place
Posts: 52
Send a message via Yahoo to Rick Long
Before you decide to do it... make sure the new one will fit through the door!!!
__________________
1999 Fleetwood Bounder 32H
Many Places Full Time
No Dog * No Cat * No Co-Pilot
Rick Long is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-13-2010, 08:56 PM   #3
Winnebago Camper
 
Indian Creek's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 25
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rick Long View Post
Before you decide to do it... make sure the new one will fit through the door!!!
The Norcold won't even go thru the door. It has to come out thru the windshield.
__________________
Dave
2012 Salem Villa
Navy VietNam Vet Dong Ha Ramp 68-69
Indian Creek is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-13-2010, 10:17 PM   #4
Winnebago Owner
 
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 57
Fit is always an issue but other practicality concerns usually center on energy consumption. There are some good discussions on this over at the Az Wind Sun forums.

The upshot is that there has been a lot of improvement in household refrigerator energy efficiency in the last few years. You'll still need to be concerned about running a battery down but it can take a couple of days. The price difference, though, makes it possible to purchase a refrigerator, a solar system, an inverter, and a couple of spare batteries for about the same cash outlay as a typical RV fridge.

A compressor based refrigerator will come to temperature much faster than an absorption type and won't require as much attention to its being level.

So the decision is not as clear cut as it was in the past, I think.
BryanL is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-13-2010, 10:44 PM   #5
Winnebago Camper
 
BobGed's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Carson City, NV
Posts: 30
You might need a new inverter and addtional batteries. It's on my list to have done. Norcold will go out, and RR will come in, through a removed side window on my Phaeton.
__________________
Bob, Sherron & Kinsey (Goldendoodle)
2017 Tiffin Phaeton 40QBH
2014 Jeep Cherokee Limited
BobGed is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-14-2010, 03:43 AM   #6
Winnebago Camper
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 7
Happened across a site with AC/DC compressor-based fridges designed for truckers while looking for a replacement for my Norcold. Seem promising. With a nominal drain of 24 watts (60 max), you could run quite a long time on batteries.

--Dave
Dave Rickey is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-14-2010, 04:18 AM   #7
Winnebago Watcher
 
nodine's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Knoxville, TN, USA
Posts: 1
Quote:
Originally Posted by Indian Creek View Post
Has anyone gotten fed up with Norcold, and their recalls, enough to change out the Norcold in favor of a residential refridgerator? I know it can be a big job, but think about the advantages. What am I missing?
Won't the generator handle the load while traveling? What gives?



Dave
Actually, this has become quite common with the on set of all the RV frig fires. Quite a few Monaco owners have made the switch. As mentioned, you need to find a unit that will fit. Often a little cabinet work is required. Some models don't like modified sine wave inverters but this is due to internal electronics and not the compressor. A residential frig will keep cold for 8 hours so you could manage without the inverter. In the summer we always have the generator running while traveling to keep the dogs cool so the lack of inverter power is not an issue. The residential frig could be a disadvantage for those that do a lot of dry camping. By the way, I have read that many folks have had success with removing a side window to exchange the refrigerators. No matter how you get the frig in and out will require help and is best left to younger bucks.

Bob
__________________
Bob, Pam, and Wheatens Buffy and Bo
2006 Diplomat 40PDQ
2007 Ford SportTrac
2006 Honda in standby
nodine is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-14-2010, 06:01 AM   #8
Winnebago Owner
 
az bound's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Surprise Arizona
Posts: 92
IMO it's a win win situation. The chassis alternator handles the load when traveling. Dont think I would ever go back to to rv fridge. If most camping is in Rv parks with FHU there is no need for a larger inverter, just a frig that is compatable with exhisting inverter, MSW PSW.
If you do more boondocking then an AGS system, larger inverter and battery bank may be needed. Match the system to suite your needs.
In our case we have an Amana refer that will run on MSW with two 245 AH AGMs combined with an AGS system to maintain the batteries. We do more boondocking than Rv parks and this fulfils our needs.
__________________
Harold & Linda
2009 CT coachworks siena 35V
W22 Workhorse 8.1L. Explorer Sport toad,
az bound is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-14-2010, 06:58 AM   #9
Winnebago Camper
 
Indian Creek's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 25
Quote:
Originally Posted by BryanL View Post
Fit is always an issue but other practicality concerns usually center on energy consumption. There are some good discussions on this over at the Az Wind Sun forums.

The upshot is that there has been a lot of improvement in household refrigerator energy efficiency in the last few years. You'll still need to be concerned about running a battery down but it can take a couple of days. The price difference, though, makes it possible to purchase a refrigerator, a solar system, an inverter, and a couple of spare batteries for about the same cash outlay as a typical RV fridge.

A compressor based refrigerator will come to temperature much faster than an absorption type and won't require as much attention to its being level.

So the decision is not as clear cut as it was in the past, I think.
I agree with everything you said, Bryan. I know people are doing this mod. I'm sure the $ will be close to price of new Norcold or even less.
So far, the upshot is what keeps me interested in the idea. I already know that it will be more efficient, that the res. unit will have to be a "counter depth" model. I know that I would have to figure out a way to keep it anchored down, and also a way to keep it closed. Thanks to air suspension, I dont' think the door latch will take much.
I hope to hear from someone who has actually changed out a Norcold 1200's model for a residential refridgerator, and if it was worth the trouble. Actual pros and cons.
Thanks for your response.
Dave
__________________
Dave
2012 Salem Villa
Navy VietNam Vet Dong Ha Ramp 68-69
Indian Creek is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-14-2010, 07:05 AM   #10
Winnebago Camper
 
Indian Creek's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 25
Quote:
Originally Posted by nodine View Post
Actually, this has become quite common with the on set of all the RV frig fires. Quite a few Monaco owners have made the switch. As mentioned, you need to find a unit that will fit. Often a little cabinet work is required. Some models don't like modified sine wave inverters but this is due to internal electronics and not the compressor. A residential frig will keep cold for 8 hours so you could manage without the inverter. In the summer we always have the generator running while traveling to keep the dogs cool so the lack of inverter power is not an issue. The residential frig could be a disadvantage for those that do a lot of dry camping. By the way, I have read that many folks have had success with removing a side window to exchange the refrigerators. No matter how you get the frig in and out will require help and is best left to younger bucks.

Bob
I understand letting the young bucks do it. The cabinet work doesn't scare me at all, and we don't boon dock much, (maybe at a wal-mart once in a while) but it's not a regular deal. Thanks for your input.

Dave
__________________
Dave
2012 Salem Villa
Navy VietNam Vet Dong Ha Ramp 68-69
Indian Creek is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Residential Fridge for a 2005 Vectra 40AD TripleE Heating, Cooling and Appliances 9 01-01-2014 05:17 PM
Residential Fridge Question GaDawgFan Heating, Cooling and Appliances 13 11-21-2013 05:11 AM
Residential Fridge traveler of california Heating, Cooling and Appliances 7 12-17-2012 05:28 PM
Journey fridge swap, Norcold to residential smlranger Heating, Cooling and Appliances 46 09-11-2012 06:20 PM

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Winnebago Industries or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 07:34 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.