Sorry if this is an old topic. I didn't find too much on a search. With the big push (it seems) for residential refrigerators in new Class A's, I wonder what some are experiencing when camping without electric hook-ups.It was such an issue for us, we opted to special order a dual power traditional (gas/electric) unit. I say "issue", but really a potential issue I wasn't willing to take a gamble on. Our dealer said Winnebago was one of the few manufacturer's remaining who would offer the dual power fridge as an option. Not sure if I was being fed a line.

So few MH owners actually dry camp I guess the Mfgs feel its a non issue. It should be up to the buyer to make the decision just like you did. As for a residental refer, it does take power when running, but how often does it need to cool on a typical day?

Try these posts. If you want more, search 'residential.'Surprised you haven't seen discussions on this in 15 years.

Thanks 2oldman, I just realized I limited my search to class a only. Oh, and although I have been on the forum for 15 years, to be honest, I haven't visited it much in the last 5 or 10.

Just fire up the genny and recharge the batteries periodically

steved28 wrote:Sorry if this is an old topic. I didn't find too much on a search. With the big push (it seems) for residential refrigerators in new Class A's, I wonder what some are experiencing when camping without electric hook-ups.It was such an issue for us, we opted to special order a dual power traditional (gas/electric) unit. I say "issue", but really a potential issue I wasn't willing to take a gamble on. Our dealer said Winnebago was one of the few manufacturer's remaining who would offer the dual power fridge as an option. Not sure if I was being fed a line.RV fridges are still found in lower end units and especially in cheap TT's. I imagine with a new special order, you can have most anything you want, except that many Coaches are without propane these days, as well.Longevity of use on an inverter, depends on battery bank size, so depends, but there's always the genset for charging them up on a daily basis and even two batteries should last all night. Not with an RV fridge though and even though we run ours on the inverter, when traveling without the gen running, we use propane for extended periods.

Residential fridge and dry camping | Good Sam Community

azrving
Explorer
Sep 22, 2018
I just posted This on an older thread but I'll post here too since it seems like a good explanation.
steved28
Explorer
Sep 22, 2018
Ivylog wrote:
" It is a Winnebago Sunstar LX 35F model, it will hopefully be delivered in about a week." A little late to be asking and I doubt Winny is the only one that has them as an option. My 21 cuft uses 96W when running less than half the time. Two batteries will run it 36+ hours before needing to recharge.

Fact is the unit was held up. But good detective work. So I am back to asking if you must know. Some of you have way too much time on your hands. I'm beginning to remember why I took the 10 year break from this site.
2gypsies1
Explorer III
Sep 22, 2018
donn0128 wrote:
So few MH owners actually dry camp I guess the Mfgs feel its a non issue.

Have you ever been to Quartzsite? The desert is packed with motorhomes boondocking. :)
theoldwizard1
Explorer II
Sep 22, 2018
First, very few people "dry camp", or they have a generator or only do it for a few days. (Quartzsite is an exception.)

Second, people with large RVs (5ers or Class A) usually want consistent performance regardless of the outside temperature. And lots of ice !

There are a few DC powered refrigerators and freezer but they are smaller than your typical residential refrigerator and usually rquire 24V DC.

The only issue is how much solar and many batteries.
midnightsadie
Explorer II
Sep 22, 2018
let us know when you get your rv. never heard of one being delivered in a week from ordering, more like three months. hope your frig works out well for you.
Happytraveler
Explorer
Sep 22, 2018
We could never have a residential refrigerator because 50% of our trips is dry camping. I guess if we were in one spot for a long time I would have one.
pianotuna
Nomad III
Sep 22, 2018
I totally disagree with the video. It is entirely possible to run a residential fridge from an inverter and to keep the battery bank up with the harvest from solar panels.

azrving wrote:
I just posted This on an older thread but I'll post here too since it seems like a good explanation.
tropical36
Explorer
Sep 22, 2018
pianotuna wrote:
I totally disagree with the video. It is entirely possible to run a residential fridge from an inverter and to keep the battery bank up with the harvest from solar panels.

azrving wrote:
I just posted This on an older thread but I'll post here too since it seems like a good explanation.

Well of course, with enough battery power and solar cells.
Might even be able to run more than one fridge, with this SOLAR ROOFTOP
Dutch_12078
Explorer II
Sep 22, 2018
We don't boondock very often, and usually only for a week at most. Our two Group 29 MAXX marine batteries will run our residential fridge for about 3 days if nothing else is drawing power, which of course it is. We typically run the generator for a couple of hours daily, sometimes twice a day, mainly when we also want to run the microwave and coffeemaker. If we boondocked more often, I would invest in a couple more batteries and 3 or 4 solar panels.
Community Alumni
Sep 23, 2018
I would think twice before getting an electric fridge if dry camping more than just occasionally. Speaking from personal experience, generator use is restricted in many campgrounds to only a few hours a day (some only allow 2 hour periods at a time). And in some places they are not allowed at all. And let's face it, even the most quiet built-in generator can be annoying.