House Refrigerator VS RV Refrigerator
Been looking at new 5th wheel trailers about half coming with house refrigerator (110 volt only) and the other half coming with large RV refrigerator (propane, 110 volt). Not sure if going with a h...
Forum Discussion
I see two different types of compressor fridges. The first is a residential fridge adapted to be used in a RV. The second are fridges made by companies like Nova-Kool, Dometic, and Isotherm, which are marine or RV fridges and are made to stand up to being in a vehicle.
Oddly enough, I have not come across a single complaint about someone having their compressor fridge die in their RV. Absorption fridges, there are plenty of items about that, but I don't read about many compression fridges. I would guess this is because absorption fridges are relatively rare in RVs, but definitely growing. Does this mean a cheapie will last forever? Likely not, but a compressor fridge is a lot cheaper to replace than an absorption model.
As for what is best to use? There are three scenarios:
1: If one is mainly touring and has at least electric, no doubt about it, go with a compressor fridge.
2: If one boondocks, but has a larger rig, a decent battery bank that charges from a generator, solar to offset the fridges's use, and other items, again, an absorption fridge is ideal.
3: If one has a smaller rig (class "B", small trailer, or truck camper), it may not have enough solar to compensate for the amp draw of a compressor fridge. In this case, it is wise to consider going with an absorption fridge. Lichtsinn RV recently did a video about how long the compressor fridge would last on a class "B" (Winnebago Travato 59K)... took about four days until the battery was at 1/4 charge, with clear skies. So, for longer trips, it might be wise to go with an absorption fridge with rigs that have smaller battery banks and not much space for solar setups.
Pretty much, if one has a class "B" or truck camper and boondocks often, it is better to go with an absorption fridge, preferably an absorption fridge that can work without requiring battery access, even if some fridge features (thermostat, auto ignition) are inoperable.
Oddly enough, I have not come across a single complaint about someone having their compressor fridge die in their RV. Absorption fridges, there are plenty of items about that, but I don't read about many compression fridges. I would guess this is because absorption fridges are relatively rare in RVs, but definitely growing. Does this mean a cheapie will last forever? Likely not, but a compressor fridge is a lot cheaper to replace than an absorption model.
As for what is best to use? There are three scenarios:
1: If one is mainly touring and has at least electric, no doubt about it, go with a compressor fridge.
2: If one boondocks, but has a larger rig, a decent battery bank that charges from a generator, solar to offset the fridges's use, and other items, again, an absorption fridge is ideal.
3: If one has a smaller rig (class "B", small trailer, or truck camper), it may not have enough solar to compensate for the amp draw of a compressor fridge. In this case, it is wise to consider going with an absorption fridge. Lichtsinn RV recently did a video about how long the compressor fridge would last on a class "B" (Winnebago Travato 59K)... took about four days until the battery was at 1/4 charge, with clear skies. So, for longer trips, it might be wise to go with an absorption fridge with rigs that have smaller battery banks and not much space for solar setups.
Pretty much, if one has a class "B" or truck camper and boondocks often, it is better to go with an absorption fridge, preferably an absorption fridge that can work without requiring battery access, even if some fridge features (thermostat, auto ignition) are inoperable.
