Forum Discussion

FF286's avatar
FF286
Explorer
Jun 28, 2018

Residential fridge

I have noticed a lot of the new campers for sell around here have a Residential fridge instead of rv model around here. While the storage space would be nice how would it work for boondocking. We mostly stay at state parks but occasionally will go somewhere like Cade’s cove in the smokies that do not have power. I wouldn’t want to run a generator all day. I assume solar panels would be the best option but we’ve had over a week of rain here and I’m not really sure the suns still up there.
I’ve still got a few years before I retire but I hope to be able to travel more when that happens, and sounds like there’s a lot of free camping once you go west of the Mississippi.
  • pianotuna's avatar
    pianotuna
    Nomad III
    Jun 28, 2018
    Hi,

    When (not if) my absorption fridge dies it will be replaced with a residential model.

    I'll use the money I saved to beef up the solar installation.
  • azrving's avatar
    azrving
    Explorer
    Jun 28, 2018
    RV fridge for you. Residential is going to use from 70 to 140 amp hours a day give or take depending on fridge size. Residential is excellent for us but we are usually out west and have a 1000 watts of solar. If you are plugged in all the time they are a very cheap replacement for an RV fridge.
  • Johno02's avatar
    Johno02
    Explorer
    Jun 28, 2018
    Another question that is dependent on your own particular needs. Good reasons for either side, but to each his own.
  • Lwiddis's avatar
    Lwiddis
    Explorer II
    Jun 28, 2018
    If you have the roof real estate for the panels, room for six to eight batteries and a backup generator...
  • pulsar's avatar
    pulsar
    Explorer
    Jun 29, 2018
    We've RV'ed for more years than we will admit to. For the last three years, we have had our first residential refrigerator in our rig. We would not want to go back to the absorption style refrigerators.

    We have gone 16 consecutive days with hook-ups and limited generator hours allowed. (Glacier National Park, Banff, and Jasper.)

    We have six 12-volt group 31 AGM coach batteries. So a large battery bank is one way to do it.

    Tom
  • RobWNY's avatar
    RobWNY
    Explorer
    Jun 29, 2018
    When we ordered our 5th wheel, it came standard with a 10.7 cu. ft. refrigerator. We had them swap it out with an 8 cu. ft. RV fridge so we could boondock without having to worry about our batteries being drained too quickly. We saved a few $'s too
  • rkassl's avatar
    rkassl
    Explorer
    Jun 29, 2018
    RV refrig for me all the way. I don't want to depend on a battery pack to keep my milk cold.
  • Keithk3628's avatar
    Keithk3628
    Explorer
    Jun 29, 2018
    How do you make a residential fridge work between campsites, I guess I am assuming it is not in any kind of cool mode except without 120 volt power. I know my RV fridge is using propane and 12 volt battery pwr before arriving at campground to keep cold.

    This post just made me wonder now that a lot of manufacturers are including residential refer's.

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