First off, I don't know if I have a pure or modified sine wave inverter. Yes, I will find out. However, for now, lets assume I have a modified 2000 watt inverter in my motorhome.1. If I install a residential frig that needs a pure syn wave, can I install a second invertor that is devoted to just the frig? I ask this, because I'm assuming buying a smaller invertor would be much cheaper then replacing my 2000 watt invertor which runs fine.2. If you can run a second inverter, can you run it off the same battery bank that runs the 2000 watt existing inverter? I have 4-6 volt batteries.3. What size invertor would I need to run a residential frig?ThanksBrian

Personally, I would not run off an inverter. Only on generator or shore power. Suspect would drain the batteries faster than I would want. Stick with LP if boon docking a lot.

Impossible to answer questions without knowing what residential fridge your talking about. Differing sizes and models will require wildly different power resources.

The compressor in a 197 is DC so it's better for running on a MSW inverter. A 1200 watt inverter should start most refers.

I run a 10cu-ft fridge off a Xantrex X-power modified sine wave converter. It is 1000 watts (2000 watts peak). There is a 6 foot run of 2 gauge wiring to the batteries. I have them hooked to the two Trojan T-125 batteries (10yrs-old) that supply the whole coach. I've had them run all day and all night without a problem. I had my doubts, but it all seems to work just fine.

Ivylog wrote:The compressor in a 197 is DC so it's better for running on a MSW inverter. Could you please explain this? To answer the OPs question, you can run a small 1000 watt inverter to power a residential refer and a lot of people do. I know for a fact that the Samsung 197 will run on a MSW inverter with no problems.The residential refers can go all night without power and in the morning, the ice cream will still be like a rock and the beer still cold.

Inverter for Residential Frig ???? | Good Sam Community

Mandalay_Parr
Explorer
Jul 07, 2014
Personally, I would not run off an inverter. Only on generator or shore power.
Suspect would drain the batteries faster than I would want.
Stick with LP if boon docking a lot.
ScottG
Nomad
Jul 07, 2014
Impossible to answer questions without knowing what residential fridge your talking about. Differing sizes and models will require wildly different power resources.
Ivylog
Explorer III
Jul 07, 2014
The compressor in a 197 is DC so it's better for running on a MSW inverter. A 1200 watt inverter should start most refers.
bob_b1
Explorer
Jul 07, 2014
I run a 10cu-ft fridge off a Xantrex X-power modified sine wave converter. It is 1000 watts (2000 watts peak). There is a 6 foot run of 2 gauge wiring to the batteries. I have them hooked to the two Trojan T-125 batteries (10yrs-old) that supply the whole coach. I've had them run all day and all night without a problem. I had my doubts, but it all seems to work just fine.
dons2346
Explorer
Jul 07, 2014
Ivylog wrote:
The compressor in a 197 is DC so it's better for running on a MSW inverter.

Could you please explain this?

To answer the OPs question, you can run a small 1000 watt inverter to power a residential refer and a lot of people do. I know for a fact that the Samsung 197 will run on a MSW inverter with no problems.

The residential refers can go all night without power and in the morning, the ice cream will still be like a rock and the beer still cold.
wa8yxm
Explorer III
Jul 07, 2014
I have read, here on the forums, that motors need a pure sine wave, I have operated several motors off MSW inverters many times and have thus not been able to confirm that you got have a true sine for motors.

Electronics, on the other hand, are another issue.... SO...

Refrigerators come in two types for this chat.. ONE is basic, has a mechanical thermostat and usually a timer motor for the defroster, and other mechanical sensors, Not so much as a single Transistor or Integrated circuit.

Others are computer controlled. Some of these may need TSW

Some (And these are the ones I recommend) actually do not run on 120vac at all, they may run on 48 volt or some other voltage but from the user's point of view they are 120/12 volt devices. (They convert as needed internally) These puppies draw around 35-50 watts, That's compares to a standard double lamp light fixture, NOT what you'd call a lot of power. No inverter needed (Built in) they are a bit more expensive, but well worth it. These come in both Upright and "Chest" models. I have a small chest freezer of this type used it in the house and now use it in the motor home.. Very nice, saves $$$ on power bills.
supercub
Explorer
Jul 07, 2014
How bout if I was to use this model, what would be the answers to questions 1,2 and 3 above.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Whirlpool-14-4-cu-ft-Top-Freezer-Refrigerator-in-White-W4TXNWFWQ/203487910?MERCH=REC-_-PIPHorizontal1-5-_-NA-_-203487910-_-N#specifications

Thanks again.
Brian
harold1946
Explorer
Jul 07, 2014
supercub wrote:
First off, I don't know if I have a pure or modified sine wave inverter. Yes, I will find out. However, for now, lets assume I have a modified 2000 watt inverter in my motorhome.
1. If I install a residential frig that needs a pure syn wave, can I install a second invertor that is devoted to just the frig? Yes a dedicated inverter can be used. Your 2000 watt inverter should handle the load quite easily though without the need fro an additional one. I ask this, because I'm assuming buying a smaller invertor would be much cheaper then replacing my 2000 watt invertor which runs fine.
2. If you can run a second inverter, can you run it off the same battery bank that runs the 2000 watt existing inverter? I have 4-6 volt batteries. [COLOR=]Yes
3. What size invertor would I need to run a residential frig? [COLOR=]That would depend on the wattage required by the particular refrigerator. As was stated in a previous post, some compressors use a rectifier which converts the power to DC for the compressor motor.
Thanks
Brian
Ivylog
Explorer III
Jul 09, 2014
dons2346 wrote:
Ivylog wrote:
The compressor in a 197 is DC so it's better for running on a MSW inverter.

Could you please explain this?

You loose about 15% efficiency running a AC (alternating current) motor on a MSW inverter. Since the compressors in a 197 are a DC (direct current) motors you do not loose this 15%. I do not what % of lose there is (if any) in converting the AC to DC for the compressors. Yes, compressors as my memory says there are two... one for the refer and one for the freezer section.
DSDP_Don
Explorer
Jul 09, 2014
The OP decided against a residential refer so this post is moot, but I wanted to add info for others thinking about adding an inverter.

My Diplomat came with a 2000 watt MSW inverter (Magnum). When I added a residential refer, Samsung RF197, I wanted to run it off of it's own inverter. For my situation, I felt that I didn't want my main inverter on all the time since there were so many things connected to it. I didn't want to have to turn things off like the DirecTV box, antenna, microwave and other items while travelling or boon docking.

I purchased a Magnum 600 watt MSW inverter with a pass thru switch. I mounted it above my 2000 watt Magnum, added a large buss fuse and wired it directly to my batteries alongside my 2000 watt unit. I ordered the remote with the inverter that I mounted on the side of the refer cabinet. From the driver's seat, I could see if the inverter was on/off or even working.

The Samsung RF197 worked great with this 600 watt unit. The 600 Magnum had a higher rating for startups, if necessary.