Replacing refrigerator.

Latyj wrote:
Driving a Monaco Diplomat 40', 4 slide, full time RVer. Looking to replace Dometic MED1402 with a residential fridge. Anyone else done this? Can it be done and how easily? Where would I go? Thanks.

I think the fact that you're a full-time RVer makes all the difference. I am too, and about a year ago replaced my old Dometic NDR1292 with a residential Whirlpool because my Dometic could no longer stay cold.

Since I was on the road, I couldn't do the install myself (and probably would not have done it myself anyway), so I had the replacement done by Master Tech RV in Elkhart, IN. (If I had to do it again, I think I would have used Bradd and Hall.) A "standard" Master Tech RV residential install was $2000 + fridge cost.

If your Dometic is the "sidewise" model, then you should have plenty of space for a number of residential fridge brands.

We also replaced our Norcold with a residential refrigerator a Samsung RF197 in stainless. The RF197 is still on the Samsung Website, but it appears the Stainless model is not there. The platnum however is still in production http://www.samsung.com/us/appliances/refrigerators/RF197ACPN/XAA

Good luck in which ever way you decide. It sure works great for us.

"Latyj"....I would guess that as many as one or two a week are being converted across the country. With all the new coaches coming with a residential refer and all the bad Norcolds being swapped out, it's now a common occurrence. If you do a search, you'll find posts that detail how to do it.

I changed mine out in my Diploma and did one in my sisters Itasca Meridian. It's a pretty easy process. The biggest stumbling block is some minor finish work when done.

Samsung made a refrigerator (RF197) that is about 6" taller than the refer you have now and fit into the same hole with the addition of the extra 6" in height. It didn't require you to do anything else, but turn it on. It worked well with your battery bank and modified sine wave inverter (MSW).

For some reason, Samsung discontinued this refer and replaced it with something a little larger. There are still some around. There are other refers that will work, but aren't as close of a fit. Many of the others require you to change to a pure sine wave inverter (PSW).

Whirlpool – WRF560SEYB00 - 19.6 Cu. Ft. French Door Refrigerator with Thru-the-Door Water

Link to my Photos

Also other refrigerators that I have seen installed.
Samsung - 19.7 Cu. Ft. French Door Refrigerator - Stainless Platinum

LG - 19.7 Cu. Ft. French Door Refrigerator - Stainless-Steel

Kitchen Aid - 19.6 Cu. Ft. French Door Refrigerator

I have also seen a Samsung 25CuFt Refrig

When the Dometic fridge in our MH died, we considered a residential one. After a great deal of research, we concluded that, for us, it would be better to go with another Dometic. The amount of modifications to the MH really weren't worth the time and effort and you end up being totally dependent on having 115V ac power. There was also the hassle of modifying the fridge to have latching or lockable doors.

There was also the unknown of the effect on resale value.

The issues would be different on a bigger rig like yours, but my honest opinion is that if the one you have is working, stay with it, but do the research into changing to a residential unit now so you're prepared to make the decision quickly if it dies.

Moved to Class A from Forum Help and Support

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Naw, it's never been done.

Have you tried searching for answers using the search function at the top of the page?
BTW moderator has been notified to move this to the appropriate forum