New fifth wheel refrigerators

I have a 2014 Lifestyle fifth wheel that I ordered with a Norcold 1210. After nothing but frustration with Norcold (the fridge and the company) I pulled it out and sold it. I replaced it with a Samsung French door unit that fit in the space perfectly. I LOVE IT and will NEVER have another RV without a residential fridge.
I had already replaced my 1 standard 12 volt battery with 2 6 volt batteries. All I had to do was install an inverter. I used a GoPower 1000 watt but probably could have gone smaller.
I can precool the fridge in 92 degree FL heat in less than 3 hours off the 2 batteries and inverter set-up and still have a reading of 2/3 on the battery level gauge. Once I hook up to the truck I'm good to go all day.
Check the power usage of the unit as the ratings are all over the place even for Energy Star units. The Samsung I have is extremely efficient.
In cooler weather, the fridge will stay cold (within acceptable FDA standards) with no power for several hours without worry but in the hot 90+ degrees days in a hot RV....no.
The only reason I can see someone not wanting a residential unit is if they dry camp with no generator or decent solar.
Whatever you do, get the residential. If the RV already has an inverter, you can just add some batteries. You will love it. Good luck. Phillip

Arizcowboy wrote:
Looking at the new fifth wheels . They are now using residential refrigerators in them 120 ac . Dealers claim that they are so effective that they can stay cold for three days off of the invertor . Has anyone had experience with this set up ?

Dealers and internet articles can say anything. This should be easily proven or dis proven and the dealer should be obligated to show the math behind the claim. The refrigerator draws power and the battery(s) supplies it. The only variable is the duty cycle the refrigerator requires to keep cold. If the frig is not used the duty cycle is low and if the frig doors are opened frequently the duty cycle would high.

I do that with my RV fridge now - run down the road all day with it off but pre cooled. Everything is intact when we set up .
Residential is going in at the first hint of trouble or within 5 years ,before it burns the trailer down.

Old-Biscuit wrote:

Brockinfla wrote:

It's a simple residential 110 volt fridge. Not a magical cold box. Unplug your home fridge and watch and record how long it stays cold inside.

Now they you go confusing things with a 'voice of reason' :B


Residential fridges will work even when boondocking........just have to have the additional battery bank, the inverter, the solar for maintaining batteries and if not enough a generator.
Keep that battery bank charged and that residential will run and run and run.

Both types (absorption/compressor) have pros/cons.
What are your requirements....pick.

Poor choice of test.
The RV trailer running down the road in the summer with 100-110 degree heat will heat soak much faster than a fridge sitting in a air conditioned house.

We have a small fridge in the utility room at the house. I was surprised how quick the fridge cools off when the electricity goes off.

IMO many folks use a RV park with full services so a house type fridge may work best.

Currently I start mine up the day before to pre-cool it down at the storage yard. I have to wonder how long a residential fridge would last on 2 batteries or if pre-cooling it is not an option then it would not be practical for me.

pianotuna wrote:
Hi,

How are you measuring this wattage?

drfife wrote:
They are incredibly efficient. Especially if you turn off the ice maker. Draws about 1 watt. When the compressor kicks in it consumes 4 watts.

I measure it with a Kill-A-Watt meter. Very handy.

And sorry, I meant amps not watts. It draws around 1 amp and about 4 when the compressor starts up. The meter often reads 0. The amp rating in the manual must account for the ice maker, which we urn off when not on shore power.

We rarely camp off the grid for more than a couple of nights at a time.

Hi Paul,

Nice find! If I end up with a dead Dometic some day that will definitely be on the consideration list.

SWD wrote:
How about this one? http://www.truckfridge.com/tf2600.html

Watts ....Amps. It is all about the same!

BillyW wrote:

pianotuna wrote:
Hi,

How are you measuring this wattage?

drfife wrote:
They are incredibly efficient. Especially if you turn off the ice maker. Draws about 1 watt. When the compressor kicks in it consumes 4 watts.

Indeed! I want one of those fridges!!

Samsung 18 cu/ft French door draws 3.9 amps so that would be 400 watts.

How about this one? http://www.truckfridge.com/tf2600.html