Residentail refrigerators in motorhomes

Let it go!!!! If you love your absorption refrigerator and it works well...Great! Why do so many have to complain about something they don't have or worry about what others have.

TechWriter wrote:

RayChez wrote:

If you are going to have full hook up's all your life, THEN! I can see a residential refrigerator.

If memory serves, Full Hook ups = Electricity, Sewer, and Water. You only need the first one for a residential fridge.

RayChez wrote:

But if I was to dry camp a lot . . .

Do you dry camp a lot? I'll bet not.

RayChez wrote:

I guess I have been one of the lucky persons with the Norcold 1200LRIM because it has been a very good refrigerator for the last ten years . . .

I don't think you're lucky at all. My Dometic NDR1292 is 12 years old and has performed admirably. I think the same is true of all absorption fridges. However, I'll bet that few if any residential fridges will last that long in an RV.

The fire issue has been overblown (no pun intended). Blaming all models of Dometic & Norcold absorption fridges for the bad design of a few models is like never driving a car again because of the Ford Pinto.

RayChez wrote:

The freezer has always kept the ice cream frozen solid and the steaks solid like a rock. So like I said, I must be one lucky guy.

However, the reason I'm going with a residential is because of the fridge, not freezer, temperature. The temperature in a refrigerator should always be 40 degrees or below. Otherwise, you're endangering your health. It's as simple as that to me.

After trying numerous ways (fans and an adjustable thermistor) to keep the temp down in my old Dometic, the fridge temp climbs -- and stays -- past 40 degrees all too often.

I'd suggest buying a good fridge thermometer like the Taylor Classic 5924 and keep track of your Norcold.

Thank you for your imput but I use thermometers in freezer and refer and keep close eye on the temps in this summer weather. The rig sits with the refer sun side and maintains 0-3 degrees and 36-39 with the temp control on 3 to conserve propane. My fridge compartment thermometer show history of high/temps. Good luck!

chili's trip wrote:

John S. wrote:
I am goingto run my genset for the coffee maker and the microwave anyway so it will bulk charge the batteries then. I have friends who have put up soar and do not need to run the genset much at all. It is there and simple so I run it when it needs to be run. This coach does not have the same soar setup I ad on my last coach but my next coach will be designed with it in mind and will not require any real genset run time other tan baking in the microwave or the washing machine.

I run my gen sometimes for coffee and microwave. Maybe 15 min max. Doesn't seem be enough enough time to bring batteries to full charge. I have using dometic reefers for 8 years with no problems and complete independence from the grid and no p o neighbors. I don't get it?

I'm not sure what you don't get. Are you referring to the length of time the gen runs. For us 30 minutes plus is just force of habit as I am a believer of letting a generator run for at least 30 minutes before shutting down. Is this what you are referring to?

No. All is well. I have an 18.2 cuft Frigidaire and I'm glad I made the switch.

RayChez wrote:

If you are going to have full hook up's all your life, THEN! I can see a residential refrigerator.

If memory serves, Full Hook ups = Electricity, Sewer, and Water. You only need the first one for a residential fridge.

RayChez wrote:

But if I was to dry camp a lot . . .

Do you dry camp a lot? I'll bet not.

RayChez wrote:

I guess I have been one of the lucky persons with the Norcold 1200LRIM because it has been a very good refrigerator for the last ten years . . .

I don't think you're lucky at all. My Dometic NDR1292 is 12 years old and has performed admirably. I think the same is true of all absorption fridges. However, I'll bet that few if any residential fridges will last that long in an RV.

The fire issue has been overblown (no pun intended). Blaming all models of Dometic & Norcold absorption fridges for the bad design of a few models is like never driving a car again because of the Ford Pinto.

RayChez wrote:

The freezer has always kept the ice cream frozen solid and the steaks solid like a rock. So like I said, I must be one lucky guy.

However, the reason I'm going with a residential is because of the fridge, not freezer, temperature. The temperature in a refrigerator should always be 40 degrees or below. Otherwise, you're endangering your health. It's as simple as that to me.

After trying numerous ways (fans and an adjustable thermistor) to keep the temp down in my old Dometic, the fridge temp climbs -- and stays -- past 40 degrees all too often.

I'd suggest buying a good fridge thermometer like the Taylor Classic 5924 and keep track of your Norcold.

Diplomat Don wrote:
"ClassAGeek".....No offense, but you're missing a huge point when you talk about the need for a residential refrigerator. The people on here who have one are generally in diesel pushers with a lot of other amenities and constant power draws. I did the Class A gas for several years and was content with it until the kids finally left and bought their own rigs. Then it was time for us to buy a bigger, more comfortable coach.

There will always be the guy with a Class A gasser asking why someone would need a diesel pusher and all of those goodies, but at the same time, there is someone in a tent trailer asking why you need a Class A gasser. To each his own. I doubt that few of the DP's on here with residential refers camp where you camp. Even if we did, it would take three of our diesel generators running to equal the noise of your gas generator!

And 15 times the fumes and particles.

"ClassAGeek".....No offense, but you're missing a huge point when you talk about the need for a residential refrigerator. The people on here who have one are generally in diesel pushers with a lot of other amenities and constant power draws. I did the Class A gas for several years and was content with it until the kids finally left and bought their own rigs. Then it was time for us to buy a bigger, more comfortable coach.

There will always be the guy with a Class A gasser asking why someone would need a diesel pusher and all of those goodies, but at the same time, there is someone in a tent trailer asking why you need a Class A gasser. To each his own. I doubt that few of the DP's on here with residential refers camp where you camp. Even if we did, it would take three of our diesel generators running to equal the noise of your gas generator!

RayChez wrote:

John & Angela wrote:

RayChez wrote:
Warranty?

Good question Ray. No idea. Hope to not find out. Been almost two years though. I wonder how good my warranty is for.

Thanks for your honest answer. I have been wondering because I have had my Norcold 1200 now for ten years, and just in case I have to replace it I would want some kind of warranty.

I'll bet your Norcold 1200 didn't come with a 10-year warranty. It's just lasted 10 years.

Typically residential fridge warranty is 1 year w/90-day labor.

You could probably install one upside down in an RV at it would last at least a year. To me a 1-year warranty ranks with toilet paper. You can, however, buy extended (3 - 5 year) warranties which might be a good idea.

RVER wrote:
YOU will not be able to run on propane so hard time dry camping etc.

My guess is that MOST Class A RVers (this forum) rarely if ever dry camp (that is, w/o electricity).

I'm sure we'll hear from Class A folks who do, but I still think they're in the minority.

Susan said I want one. I said you find it and I will install it. She located a Whirlpool 20 Cu Ft French door with water in the door.
424KW a year. = 4 amps DC when on. Current goes up when in the defrost / ice dropping mode.

Link to all Photos

Now you have to understand, this was my best chance to upgrade my Xantrex and add an additional 280 watts panel. This is that give and take.

So see my signature. I did not want to go thru the hassle of front window. A side window was really easy.

We love the refrig. really cold beer, rock hard ice cream. LOTS of ROOM.