Residential fridge upgrade?
It's looking like our Dometic NDR1402 "Z-Door" side by side may not be long for this world. What started as "it doesn't cool when we are moving" has turned into "the fridge cools fine but the freez...
Forum Discussion
I have purchased a residential refrigerator for my RV, but do not yet have it mounted in place. Here are some of my thoughts on the subject.
The Maytag unit that I purchased has shelves have have to be lifted before they will slide; reducing the chance of things moving around inside.
I purchased a 2 door side by side because the doors do not have to swing as wide; with the slides in, like at a rest stop, getting into the refrigerator would be a little tricker I think.
Very important to consider that residential refrigerator hinges are NOT the same as RV refrigerators. My Dometic hinges allowed the doors to open in the same space as the width of the refrigerator up to 90 degrees open. Most residential refrigerators open wider right from the start and simply require extra space to the sides.
My replacement refrigerator is bigger in every dimension; especially on the inside!
I'm fairly certain that I will have to remove the wheels because of two issues. The bottom floor material of the cabinet rework won't support both the static PSI let alone the bounce PSI loading. Also, with the wheels off the unit is about 1/5" shorter (to just about exactly 65"). Yes, this matters in my RV.
I should have removed the old refer before purchasing the new one. The manufacture did some goofy wiring over the refrigerator that I was unaware of. Fortunately, I can rework the wiring to my accommodate the refrigerator I purchased. However, if something else more difficult was encountered it may have meant trying to find some way to sell the refrigerator just to buy a different one with other dimensions.
With my floorplan, the extra bit that the refrigerator will stick out is not an issue; the handles on the refrigerator may be a slight issue. What I am saying here is that while most residential refrigerators may "stick out" further then before, it may, or may not be, any issue if it works with your floorplan. Don't disregard a unit just because the older unit was smaller in any one dimension; do the measurements and determine if a larger size will work with your floorplan.
I like to boondock. I don't always know how great my water will be. I am going to alter the ice maker water lines to source from my kitchen sink cold water line which is filtered.
I am leaving the propane supply line in the general area; and capped. I may some day find a way to use this line as a "quick connect" to an outside grill.
I know one poster said it took 2 full days to do. For me, it has taken several, and I'm still not done.
I do not have the tools to cut the new floor square. I went to Home Depot and the guy screwed up the cut on the first piece I bought. Short story is, I went back to a different Home Depot, took a tape measure off the shelf, and marked with a red Sharpie where I wanted the single cut made. I told them to cut the material "on the mark". This sorta gets around their "No precision cuts" rule.
So, I'm actively working this in progress and hope to be done in a couple of days. I've been taking photos to show the slow progress.
Hope this helps others think about what it takes for this upgrade.
The Maytag unit that I purchased has shelves have have to be lifted before they will slide; reducing the chance of things moving around inside.
I purchased a 2 door side by side because the doors do not have to swing as wide; with the slides in, like at a rest stop, getting into the refrigerator would be a little tricker I think.
Very important to consider that residential refrigerator hinges are NOT the same as RV refrigerators. My Dometic hinges allowed the doors to open in the same space as the width of the refrigerator up to 90 degrees open. Most residential refrigerators open wider right from the start and simply require extra space to the sides.
My replacement refrigerator is bigger in every dimension; especially on the inside!
I'm fairly certain that I will have to remove the wheels because of two issues. The bottom floor material of the cabinet rework won't support both the static PSI let alone the bounce PSI loading. Also, with the wheels off the unit is about 1/5" shorter (to just about exactly 65"). Yes, this matters in my RV.
I should have removed the old refer before purchasing the new one. The manufacture did some goofy wiring over the refrigerator that I was unaware of. Fortunately, I can rework the wiring to my accommodate the refrigerator I purchased. However, if something else more difficult was encountered it may have meant trying to find some way to sell the refrigerator just to buy a different one with other dimensions.
With my floorplan, the extra bit that the refrigerator will stick out is not an issue; the handles on the refrigerator may be a slight issue. What I am saying here is that while most residential refrigerators may "stick out" further then before, it may, or may not be, any issue if it works with your floorplan. Don't disregard a unit just because the older unit was smaller in any one dimension; do the measurements and determine if a larger size will work with your floorplan.
I like to boondock. I don't always know how great my water will be. I am going to alter the ice maker water lines to source from my kitchen sink cold water line which is filtered.
I am leaving the propane supply line in the general area; and capped. I may some day find a way to use this line as a "quick connect" to an outside grill.
I know one poster said it took 2 full days to do. For me, it has taken several, and I'm still not done.
I do not have the tools to cut the new floor square. I went to Home Depot and the guy screwed up the cut on the first piece I bought. Short story is, I went back to a different Home Depot, took a tape measure off the shelf, and marked with a red Sharpie where I wanted the single cut made. I told them to cut the material "on the mark". This sorta gets around their "No precision cuts" rule.
So, I'm actively working this in progress and hope to be done in a couple of days. I've been taking photos to show the slow progress.
Hope this helps others think about what it takes for this upgrade.
