Standard vs Residential Refrigerator
We are considering a new 5th wheel Rv and the one we are looking has the big residential refrigerator with ice maker and water in the door. I have many questions that I can't seem to get answere...
Forum Discussion
CA Traveler wrote:
John,
Impressive numbers but I'm not sure we're speaking the same language. Firgidare lists a 22.6 cu ft side by side refer as 8.5A/120V. A cool down in 40 minutes with 35 minutes of running seems impossible to me unless the refer is already cold. The freezer drops from say 70F (typical temp) to 0F in 40 minutes at startup? I'm confused.
I'm guessing the 8.5 amps would be startup current. My meter is able to capture instantaneous as well and I get around 9 amps plus or minus on start up. The Samlex and my meter concurs with around 95 to 110 watts or around 1 amp. The other couple of residentials I have helped install were around the same. The defrost cycle pulls more but I haven't been able to nail down how long it runs for as the couple times I have caught it I got distracted and wasn't able to follow it through. We are in year three with ours and are happy with it. Dry camping hasn't changed much for us but we have always run our genny during meal prep times so figure in a total of 1 hour to 90 minutes per day of run time. We did this before we got the residential to so life hasn't changed much for us. There have been a couple times where we couldn't run the genny in the morning but the supper time session seemed to take care of things. We had a robust solar system before we got the residential so that helps. I have always advocated a 400 watt solar array if installing a residential. Our friends have 4 x 6 volt and 2 x 160 watt panels and they seem to fine for 3 or 4 days....if it's sunny. :). I think he is adding another 160 watt this year. Solar is cheap and big rigs have lots of roof. :).
