UPDATE on page 2 after two month trip this summer.See below for rotated pictures by Executive and the start of the install.

For power I created a separate system by adding four AGM batteries (we boondock often) and separate transfer switch, 1000W PSW Inverter, and a seperate 100 Amp charger at the rear of the MH. Found a sealed area on the side of the engine compartment that I was able to get into and put the three power items inside it. I'm using the block heater outlet as my shore power supply and I had to run a 120V line under the MH up to the basement bay under the refer. Getting it to the refer was easy as there are all kinds of wires in this area as you can see. Also you can see the two 110V outlets (one from my MSW inverter) that powered the 1200, which will be my backup if something goes wrong with my new system or when snowbirding on shore power.I hate to admit how many hour I spent making platforms to hold the batteries, even having to take out my back up lights to make room for two of them and then sealing the holes from the lights and putting new lights on the outside.Added a volt/amp meter so I can keep track of the new system which is accessed through the trap door in the floor for the engine. Two of the new batteries are at the bottom of the picture and you can see the inverter in the unused area I found under the floor.

That was quite a project. Good job.

Ivylog wrote:I bought a Whirlpool WRT771RWYB 21 cu ft refer as I hoped it was short enough to fit in the hole of my NoCold 1200. Cutting out the board at the top that holds the 1200 in still left me 1/2" short on the needed height of 65 1/2". The DW did not want to give up the large drawer under the 1200... So I cut out the 3/4" plywood floor and put in side rails for the edge of the refer to sit on. Sorry but I do not know how to rotae pictures on my Iphone. Filled in the bottom with 2 pieces of 1/2" foil faced insulation that I had behind the 1200. Added four steel angle brackets at the front cross piece to help hold the weight of the refer that cantilevers 6" out from it. Not shown in this picture.I've had my 1200 out so many times it's something I do by myself using a platform to slide it out on to and then I can slide it to the floor and then walk it out of the way or in this case, up front. Was able to get the 1200 out the side window without the four doors on and putting two boards over the coils/fins so I could slide it out on it's back. Used the 3/4' scrap plywood on top of the steering wheel to help slide it out. With some help from my John Deere skid steer I was able to get it out by myself.Getting the new on in took some help from the DW to get it to slide in without hurting the driver's chair. Getting it into the hole took some effort as it's a tight fit, but we got it to go.Without the passenger's side LR slide out the bottom door will not open all the way. The driver's side slide comes in the same amount as this new refer stick into the hallway so other than the door not opening all the way when traveling, I'm happy with how it's turned out and I did not have to modify the drawer under it.Welcome to the "Formerly known as Norcold Owner's Club"...Dennis

Installing a residential refer...DIY...UPDATE 11/16

34 Replies

Ivylog
Explorer III
May 29, 2016
Making it move to the current Class A posts.
Ivylog
Explorer III
Feb 15, 2016
Had to replace my POWERMAX PM3-100 12 VOLT DC 100 AMP charger with very few hours on it.
Ivylog
Explorer III
Dec 29, 2015
Merry Christmas Yall!
Ivylog
Explorer III
Nov 03, 2015
Delete
Ivylog
Explorer III
Oct 17, 2015
Delete.
Ivylog
Explorer III
Jul 28, 2015
:S Only took me a month to realize I had all the information to figure the duty cycle of this refer as I posted this above:
"This EnergyStar Whirpool 21 CuFt Refer has a energy guide of $44/year and 410,000 kWh/year or 1,123 W/day or 94 Amps/day... So out of my 500 AH battery bank I should be able to go two days before getting to 50% and needing to recharge. $44/year is 12 cents a day... It's amazing how energy efficient they have gotten these things."
1,123W/day divided by 100W running equals 11.2 hours/day or a 47% duty cycle.
Ivylog
Explorer III
Jul 19, 2015
I've added a 120V outlet from my 1000W inverter next to the V/amp meter in the bedroom so I can power the DVR Sat receiver and TV 24/7. This will stop the 10 minute powering up of the Sat receiver and will let it record favorite programs while boondocking. When out of the coach I turn off the main converter/inverter to save on it's 2amp standby draw.

Last week I saw that HomeD has a newer model:# WRT311FZDB which is the same size for $800.
Ivylog
Explorer III
Jul 07, 2015
In another post there was a question about how to charge the refer batteries while traveling. I ran a cable with a 200 amp switch on it from the house batteries to the refer's battery bank. By turning it on the alternator will be providing the 8 amps of power necessary to run the refrigerator. After Boondocking and before getting on the road I run my generator to charge the batteries up instead of using the alternator. Having it put out 100+ amps for several hours cannot be very good on it even though I carry a spare alternator.
Ivylog
Explorer III
Jul 02, 2015
It depends on where your condensing coils are located. If they are on the back then yes you need the roof vent to let the hot air out or 2" at the top. On this refrigerator the coils are at the bottom and I have decided to leave the outside vent open in the summertime to let the 90° air out. I'll probably close it in the winter so the heat stays inside. The refer blocks the roof vent opening so it is only 1 inch deep by 30 inches wide and I'll probably leave it open that small amount.
Jim
Explorer
Jul 02, 2015
Interesting.

I'm curious what your refer users guide says about airflow around the new refer. I was looking for a residential two years ago for a friend and all the models I looked at required 2" open space above the refer for the most efficiency. And then some open space in the back, and underneath, but zero clearance on the sides.

But it looks like the OP has 0" clearance on the top? Does it vent out the original roof venting?

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Installing a residential refer...DIY...UPDATE 11/16

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