Forum Discussion

2Bargos's avatar
2Bargos
Explorer
Dec 06, 2013

Residental refer

Hope this has not been covered.My wife and I are Sometimers when it comes to our coach.we usually manage three to four days per month in warmer weather.
I am considering replacing my existing refer with a residental type and was wondering will it hold up to my type of use.
I generally leave my coach unplugged from shore power( battery switches turned of also) until a few days before or trip.will this affect the new refer or is it recommended to keep coach plugged up at all times and then use an inverter when traveling.
Class A
  • tropical36's avatar
    tropical36
    Explorer
    Dec 06, 2013
    crasster wrote:
    Yes we use a residential fridge in one of our coaches. The only thing that stinks is that they do not use propane or 12v. HOWEVER, I personally believe that the residential fridge out preforms typical RV fridges... There is just the trade off for propane/12v that stinks. But it will work to answer your question.

    Oh yes, we also use a dorm fridge in another coach (pictured below). There is no 12v/propane, but it really works great!

    What's the diff between running a fridge on 12vdc or running it with an inverter, except that running it on 12v would require a run of #8awg wire from the batteries and would much rather wire up and use an inverter for this purpose, if I didn't already have one installed.
    Fact is, we run our RV unit with an inverter when going down the road and like that a lot better than using propane. Don't use it a lot when sitting still for long periods, as we only have two 6v batteries.
    If and when a fridge is needed, I saw one that will fit at HD for less than $300 and give me room to build a slide out pantry alongside it.
  • robsouth's avatar
    robsouth
    Explorer II
    Dec 06, 2013
    I know that propane has a smell "stinks", but I did not know that 12V also did. HMMMM
  • John___Angela's avatar
    John___Angela
    Explorer
    Dec 06, 2013
    Can't see why it would hurt it. We occasionally do this with ours when we switch to the little coach. Other than that it is plugged in 7 and 24 either by shore power or inverter. You will love the extra room. If you intend to dry camp with it insure you plan on 400 watts of solar power as part of a proper install.

    Good luck.
  • MrWizard's avatar
    MrWizard
    Moderator
    Dec 06, 2013
    no power will Not hurt the 120v residential fridge
    when not in use
  • crasster's avatar
    crasster
    Explorer II
    Dec 06, 2013
    Yes we use a residential fridge in one of our coaches. The only thing that stinks is that they do not use propane or 12v. HOWEVER, I personally believe that the residential fridge out preforms typical RV fridges... There is just the trade off for propane/12v that stinks. But it will work to answer your question.

    Oh yes, we also use a dorm fridge in another coach (pictured below). There is no 12v/propane, but it really works great!
  • MountainAir05's avatar
    MountainAir05
    Explorer II
    Dec 06, 2013
    It can be left off with the door open, just like the one you are using now. We have a lot of summer homes here up mountains and they have no power during the winter. They work fine when summer comes and the power is turn back on to the building. This may not be a just drop in and plug. Some wood work might be required.

    is the one you have not not working or just looking.

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