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Old 05-20-2018, 08:38 AM   #1
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Residential Frig or Not

Hi All,

Looking for some guidance whether to swap out our Norcold RV refrigerator for a residential. I know there are many, many posts on this topic and I have read most of them. But looking for some recent experiences and opinions.

Here is our situation. Our current Norcold 1200 rarely gets below 45 degrees in the refrigerator. The unit is ~5 years old having been replaced by the previous owner due to recalls and repairs. From what I can tell, it has all the proper recall items, the rear air space is clear, and does not have any obvious issues. The freezer does get cold, but the refrigerator rarely gets below 45 degrees. Being in Texas, our outside air is pretty regularly in the high 90s. I have owned several RVs and I find this pretty normal when the outside air is so high.

We are typically connected to power or have the generator running, even when driving down the road. Simply to hot to not have the basement AC going. We are at times, of course, not connected to power (such as when staying overnight at a Walmart or similar) and if cool enough we do not run the generator all night. We still have the original Domestic inverter (modified sign wave) and three standard deep cycle house batteries.

Looking for thoughts on this. For those of you in the hot south, have you found a way to get your RV refrigerator to stay at a safe cold temperature? For those of you who have switched to a residential unit, are you happy?

Not looking to debate one or the other, simply looking for some positive guidance.

Thanks.
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Old 05-20-2018, 09:47 AM   #2
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Your Norcold 1200 is an accident waiting to happen. Residential refrigerators are safe and perform pretty much exactly like they would if installed in your kitchen at home.

Some things to consider:

1. A pure sine wave inverter may be required depending on the refrigerator. Probably wouldn't be a bad idea to upgrade it anyway.

2. You will need 4 - 6 6V batteries (true deep cycle like golf cart batteries. With this battery setup, you will get at least 12 hrs runtime for the frig. Modern refrigerators consume very little power so don't worry too much.

3. You do not need to run your generator while driving to power the refrigerator. The alternator and your inverter will supply ample power.

4. There are many models that will fit in the space your Norcold fits in now. Normally, some carpentry work is required. The most fun will come from removing the old frig and installing the new one. Most installers will remove the driver's window to remove and install the frigs.

I would look for a shop with experience doing these conversions. Probably faster and less hassle than tackling this one yourself.
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Old 05-20-2018, 10:57 AM   #3
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We love our residential fridge in our Adventurer. But it came from the factory with it, a 2000 watt PSW inverter, 4-AGM batteries, a solar panel and controller- even auto gen start.

We’d never go back to a RV fridge in a MotorHome.
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Old 05-20-2018, 11:34 AM   #4
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The only thing I can think of is some of the after-market cooling fans, etc. Here are some links you might want to check out before spending the bucks on a residential fridge that you may not need:

http://www.irv2.com/forums/f115/extr...elp-94770.html

https://community.fmca.com/topic/300...wont-get-cold/

https://rvcoolingunit.com/-Improve-y...5.aspx?sid=298
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Old 05-20-2018, 12:47 PM   #5
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Forty years of RV fridges and no problems on any except age and wasps. Yes I do run a battery operated fan in the fresh food section. Just don’t understand limiting the ability to dry camp or boondock without a massive solar system or substantial generator use to have a residential fridge. If the latter, please don’t pull up near me. Nature has so many beautiful things to hear. “A solar panel?” How’s that working out?
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Old 05-20-2018, 01:10 PM   #6
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I'm with LarryW all the way.
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Old 05-20-2018, 04:51 PM   #7
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I would never swap my Norfold for a residential for the above reasons
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Old 05-20-2018, 08:47 PM   #8
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I would never swap a residential for a gas model. I have had both so I don't think I am making an unknowledeable opinion.
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Old 05-20-2018, 09:19 PM   #9
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Most RVers that have residential fridges have also owned RVs with Gas Absortion RV fridges, too. For those of us with that experience we know which works the best. I would also suggest that most folks that have only had a RV fridge see a limitation that’s not really a problem, but they just don’t know it yet.

If you are switching the fridge in your RV though, I would strongly encourage you to add more batteries, and an inverter at the very least. And consider adding some solar as well. You’ll rest much easier if you do.

Those additions will help your RV in many ways and even add to your Boondocking abilities.
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Old 05-20-2018, 09:39 PM   #10
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“see a limitation that’s not really a problem” and “consider adding some solar”

The “limitation” is real. Most battery banks cannot sustain a residential fridge. Four won’t usually but six can. Most RVs can’t carry four batteries much less six house batteries without modifications.

Add “some” solar? I disagree. Either install a solar system that will fully recharge your adequate battery bank on most days or forget solar altogether. Most RVs don’t have the roof real estate for enough panels. Most RVers aren’t scooting about in 40-45 foot As.

OP in another post parked one night at Walmart...one night...and drained is batteries using a residential fridge. That’s not “self contained.” Run your generator all night away from me please.
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Old 05-20-2018, 11:10 PM   #11
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Thanks everyone for the replies.

We do have a fan at the back of the unit. I hear it come on but will double check it is functioning and still placed correctly. I think I will also replace the thermistor. Even if not the issue, pretty inexpensive test. Thanks for the link to the posts suggesting the thermistor.

The comments regarding boondocking or dry camping make sense and for those of you who do that often clearly an RV refrigerator has its benefits. While we rarely dry camp, as I mentioned we do have the occasional overnight. We do run the generator often (simply to hot for me otherwise) but if I installed a residential refrigerator, I will likely install a switch to allow it to be turned on/off. I would think a few hours of no power and keeping the doors closed should be fine.

While I may upgrade the inverter at some point, will likely be a while. Can a residential refrigerator run on a modified sign wave inverter?
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Old 05-21-2018, 06:04 AM   #12
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The fridge will work on a MSW inverter but the word on the forums is it causes premature failure of the fridge.
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Old 05-24-2018, 07:28 PM   #13
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“You will need 4 - 6 6V batteries (true deep cycle like golf cart batteries. With this battery setup, you will get at least 12 hrs runtime for the frig.“

Gee, what a ringing endorsement for residential fridges...at least 12 hours runtime with four batteries. Just like golf too.
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Old 05-25-2018, 12:53 AM   #14
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In the past we have found that ours worked better on gas than electric, you might try that for a day or two.

We now have a residential refrigerator and don't want to go back.

Larry
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Old 05-26-2018, 04:35 PM   #15
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Once burnt

After my Norwood caught fire in the Seattle area and a 25000.00 insurance claim I had a Samsung installed to replace it. Best move I've made. Kept my original 2000 msw inverter and 3 12volt house batteries. Will make it one night on inverter re s t of time we are plugged in or on generator. Live in Fl so I know heat.

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Old 05-26-2018, 05:05 PM   #16
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I had the Norcold, replaced with the Amish and finally with a Samsung RF-197, the predecessor to the current RF-18. Exact fit from a width perspective but taller than the Norcold. Yes it complicates boondocking but running the fridge and solar or genset will keep everything cold. You have to decide if you can manage that - If you check the forums online for comments from people who have converted, I know you will not find many that regretted the decision. As has been pointed out, the 1200 carries a significant fire risk that will be eliminated with a res fridge. You really need to make your own decision. Looking back, it was a no brainer for me. Good luck!
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Old 05-26-2018, 05:11 PM   #17
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“I would think a few hours of no power and keeping the doors closed should be fine.”

Depends on when and where you are camping. Middle of March at Stovepipe Wells it was 105 at early cocktail time. No hookup sites open, not that I wanted one. RV fridge worked fine. Residential fridges are too limiting for me.
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Old 05-26-2018, 05:24 PM   #18
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Oh boy. Now RV fridges are a fire risk. Do they also cause cancer?
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Old 05-26-2018, 05:27 PM   #19
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Looks like we are coming to a consensus here. Those of us who largely dry camp like the versatility of our propane/electric refer and those of different rving styles find residential fits their needs.

Our Norcold 1211 has never hiccuped on us (knock on wood) and its primary drawback is it gets TOO cold when running on propane -- which it normally does when we are rolling or boondocking. Like all our other freezers and refers, it seems to perform best when well stocked. Two slices of moldy cheese and the dregs of last night's wine is not enough.

Having said that, the Norcold REQUIRES annual maintenance. If you are comfortable performing your own maintenance, it goes a long way toward having confidence in your equipment.

The answer to so many questions is "it depends". Here too. We all use our rigs differently.

Fair Winds and Following Seas!
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Old 05-26-2018, 06:17 PM   #20
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Possibly, Oldchina. Many of the folks on here are newbies. They don’t know what type camping they will favor....RV parks, boondocking or a combination. To advise newbies that “the only way to go” is residential fridge is irresponsible. Yes, a residential fridge is possible when boondocking with a big battery bank and lots of solar or mucho generator use (yuck). But again newbies don’t usually understand solar or the noise, maintenance and necessary time of a running a generator.

Sometimes I believe it’s “I bought one, so to validate my decision I’ll tell everyone else to buy a residential fridge.” Other than those always staying in RV hookup parks, a residential fridge is a bad idea.
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