I have a 2004 Fleetwood Revolution 38B, has a 2000 watt invertor, 4 house batteries.I'm considering installing a residential refrig. I know there's no definitive answer because of variables.I don't do a lot of dry camping, and obviously I have a generator that I can run from time to time when I do dry camp.My electrical use I would generally say is on the low side. I usually have the TV going, plus adequate lighting, and maybe a laptop. I have propane for heat, I know there's some power draw for fans etc. I only cook when dry camping with gas, or run the gen for micro. Of course if I have a residential Refrig, that would be drawing AC power also.So here's my questions.Are my 4 batteries plus the 2000 watt invertor, sufficient for what I want to run?Also, thinking of some solar power. What would be a good wattage size to use. Would 100 watts? 200 watts or ? without going over the top money wise. Just looking for something help out the batteries, again, I don't think I use much AC power. Any suggestions on solar panels, where to buy, what kind etc?

Manufactures who install residential fridge's only install two batteries. I don't know what size of inverter they use but whatever Heartland installs in their units is not big enough. I don't think it is a 2000 watt one however.

I think you would be fine. I run one on two batteries. If you are going to dry camp for more than a day or two you would have to run the genny now and then.

You should be fine if your batteries are good. Remember that while running down the road, your engine alternator will be keeping the house batteries charged so you can leave the inverter on to keep the fridge running while traveling.If you don't plan to boondock a lot and are willing to run the generator at times, you should be fine.I ran a residential fridge in my previous coach with a 2000 watt PSW inverter with 3 12V deep cycle house batteries.

I have 4 batteries and can go all day and night if I am careful and definitely all night if i am not.

Just installed a resid fridge but have not had enough time with it to be much help. I do run with (6) 6 volt batteries and a MSW 2500 watt inverter. I'm also looking to add some solar and with you being in CA as I am, I'll be taking a trip down to Solar Blvd....its about 100 miles for me but it will save over shipping charges.

Residential Refrig install questions? | Good Sam Community

11 Replies

supercub
Explorer
Jul 04, 2014
I'll have to do some measuring. In my 04 Rev, I have a 79" ceiling, so I'm loosing 5" off newer motorhomes. There's a vent underneath the norcold frig, I'll have to take the grill off and see what's in there.
I was watching one of the "Gone with the Wynns" videos the other day and they just installed some solar panels that are flexible, 1/8 inch thick, can walk on them, and they stick to the roof.........but what I've been able to find out so far, is they're expensive.
DSDP_Don
Explorer
Jul 04, 2014
Brian.....I've done two Samsung installs. If you have space 6" of extra space either above or below your Norcold/Dometic, it's an easy install.

You'll have plenty of battery power with your four batteries. The Samsung in stainless sells for about $1200.00. If you're handy, you can do the install yourself.

If you find that you need more battery power or solar, you can add that later. There is a place here in Ventura that sells solar panels directly from their warehouse. They charge $129.00 for a 100 watt panel. I just bought 3 panels and a Xantrex controller for $520.00. You can also add batteries later on if you have an issue. If you do very little boondocking, your four batteries will be fine.

You can put together quite a nice system, including the refer, solar and batteries for less than the price of a new absorption refer.
dons2346
Explorer
Jul 04, 2014
The number of batteries doesn't mean a thing. It is the amp hours that you need to be concerned with.

The residential refers are better insulated than the old absorption ones. I can go all night without power on my 197 and still maintain temps. This is as long as you don't keep opening the doors to "surf" you midnight snack. Beer still cold as all get out and the ice cream still rock solid.
bob_b1
Explorer
Jul 04, 2014
I run my 10 cubic foot residential fridge all day and all night using a pair of 10 year old Trojan batteries. I just run the generator the next morning to charge them up. No problems here.
Bill_Satellite
Explorer II
Jul 04, 2014
You say you don't dry camp much so I would first see how much you send running your generator a hours a day vs. the cost of solar. You don't mention what size / type batteries you have but I suspect 2 pairs of 6-volt deep cycle. These should handle the fridge without issue but as mentioned above you will want to run the generator in the morning to top things up. You will likely be making coffee and running the water heater (on elec. to save propane) so it's a win win anyway.
kdk
Explorer
Jul 04, 2014
I installed a Samsung 23.5 cu ft counter depth refer in place of a 12 cu ft Norcold. Old one out and new one in thru the entrance door after removing the refer doors and passenger seat. I have 4 deep cycle 6 volt batteries and can run all day driving and all night boon docking. But when dry camping I run the gen about 2 hrs in the morning and night usually while preparing a meal to also use micro and coffee pot. I chose Samsung as they will run on a modified sine wave inverter without any problems. Counter depth refers have a box depth 24 in with the doors off which makes getting in and out much easier. PM me if you have any questions or would like photos.
Blessings; KDK
Acampingwewillg
Explorer II
Jul 04, 2014
Just installed a resid fridge but have not had enough time with it to be much help. I do run with (6) 6 volt batteries and a MSW 2500 watt inverter. I'm also looking to add some solar and with you being in CA as I am, I'll be taking a trip down to Solar Blvd....its about 100 miles for me but it will save over shipping charges.
John_S_
Explorer II
Jul 04, 2014
I have 4 batteries and can go all day and night if I am careful and definitely all night if i am not.
smlranger
Explorer
Jul 04, 2014
You should be fine if your batteries are good. Remember that while running down the road, your engine alternator will be keeping the house batteries charged so you can leave the inverter on to keep the fridge running while traveling.

If you don't plan to boondock a lot and are willing to run the generator at times, you should be fine.

I ran a residential fridge in my previous coach with a 2000 watt PSW inverter with 3 12V deep cycle house batteries.
dave17352
Explorer
Jul 04, 2014
I think you would be fine. I run one on two batteries. If you are going to dry camp for more than a day or two you would have to run the genny now and then.