"Residential fridge" and boondocking...

I would opt for the propane model

Gdetrailer wrote:

toedtoes wrote:
I have a single group 31 optima AGM battery and a 42+ year old 3-way dometic fridge. I can go 9 days with the fridge and water heater on propane and the water pump "on" the entire time and still have a full charge on the battery. No solar, no generator, no hookups.

I don't use the furnace - the fan will eat up your battery power. I have good bedding that keeps me warm at night and a little buddy to take the chill off when needed.

I like the simplicity of my setup. It works well for dry camping and I don't have to deal with the expense of the generator, generator fuel, and/or solar setup.

For the price of a honda generator, you've paid for a propane fridge.

I don't "do" a "Honda" generator..

I won't pay that much for a gen that is way over priced.

Instead, I do have a 4Kw Chinese clone gen which takes care of high wattage items like microwave or A/C when traveling, cost me a rich $200 nearly 15 yrs ago.. And no, I have zero plans to use it in any organized campground..

I do "overnight" by Wallydocking or at rest stops while traveling to my destinations so yes, I do depend on my battery and inverter to run my fridge/heat/lights..

My destinations do have shore power but I am not afraid to use my setup longer if needed without shore power.. But why oh why does anyone wish to pretend to "rough it" in a hard sided RV with propane fridge, propane heat, battery, running water, cell phones, internet, PCs, TVs, DVDs, Tablets and call it "camping"..

If you truly wish to "camp", sell the RV, buy a tent and go camping the real way with a ice chest, sleeping bag and perhaps a couple of matches..

Otherwise you are nothing more than "glamping" and no better than folks like me that do have a residential fridge in my TT.

What does roughing it have to do with anything I wrote? Seems you're putting a whole lotta judgment out there for nothing.

SidecarFlip wrote:
I wouldn't have a residential fridge in my RV. Never. You want efficient use of power and something that will stay cold, get a Danfoss or WAECO compressor fridge. Draws little power, no gas. West Marine sells them. Boat people been using them for years. European RV's come standard with them. My next one will be one...

We have 6 years experience with Danfoss compressor 7.5cuft NovaKool fridge/freezer.

1) Uses 1/3 the energy of the absorbtion fridge.

2) Cools quickly and has a more even cooling climate in hot weather.

3) 1/3rd more volume for the same outside dimensions.

4) Can operate out of level without serious damage.

5) Similar price to the absorbtion fridge.

**** Important issue: Must upgrade electrical storage and AH input system for long term benefits.

Judging by the type of boondock camping the OP are planning to do and the resources they plan to have with them, even the simplest electric draws let alone a "fancy" residential fridge, are going to be a problem for up to 5 days. I really don't understand the question regarding a residential fridge as it is so far from their intended camping experience.

Dave.

I wouldn't have a residential fridge in my RV. Never. You want efficient use of power and something that will stay cold, get a Danfoss or WAECO compressor fridge. Draws little power, no gas. West Marine sells them. Boat people been using them for years. European RV's come standard with them. My next one will be one...

K3WE wrote:
To us, "boondocking" is 2 to 5 days with no generator or solar and maybe even wimpy old batteries.

That will come to an end with a residential fridge.

DutchmenSport wrote:
If you boomdock you need a way to recharge your batteries. It's just that simple. If you cannot or do not want to recharge batteries, then don't get anything that depends upon AC power only!

What he said.

If you boomdock you need a way to recharge your batteries. It's just that simple. If you cannot or do not want to recharge batteries, then don't get anything that depends upon AC power only!

Boon docking and residential fridges don't go well together unless you have solar or a generator that you want to run on a daily basis to charge the battery(s).

toedtoes wrote:
I have a single group 31 optima AGM battery and a 42+ year old 3-way dometic fridge. I can go 9 days with the fridge and water heater on propane and the water pump "on" the entire time and still have a full charge on the battery. No solar, no generator, no hookups.

I don't use the furnace - the fan will eat up your battery power. I have good bedding that keeps me warm at night and a little buddy to take the chill off when needed.

I like the simplicity of my setup. It works well for dry camping and I don't have to deal with the expense of the generator, generator fuel, and/or solar setup.

For the price of a honda generator, you've paid for a propane fridge.

I don't "do" a "Honda" generator..

I won't pay that much for a gen that is way over priced.

Instead, I do have a 4Kw Chinese clone gen which takes care of high wattage items like microwave or A/C when traveling, cost me a rich $200 nearly 15 yrs ago.. And no, I have zero plans to use it in any organized campground..

I do "overnight" by Wallydocking or at rest stops while traveling to my destinations so yes, I do depend on my battery and inverter to run my fridge/heat/lights..

My destinations do have shore power but I am not afraid to use my setup longer if needed without shore power.. But why oh why does anyone wish to pretend to "rough it" in a hard sided RV with propane fridge, propane heat, battery, running water, cell phones, internet, PCs, TVs, DVDs, Tablets and call it "camping"..

If you truly wish to "camp", sell the RV, buy a tent and go camping the real way with a ice chest, sleeping bag and perhaps a couple of matches..

Otherwise you are nothing more than "glamping" and no better than folks like me that do have a residential fridge in my TT.

We have a 2015 Tuscany all electric coach. Fridge is great a side by side that works wonderful. The Kill A Watt reads a pretty constant 108 watts. I added 3 series pairs of GC-2 230 AH 6 volt batteries and can go 24 hours usually. The biggest culprit is the Induction stove top. At 80-85 amps draw to heat up two cups of water for tea 3 times a day just kills the batteries. Brings the voltage down to around 11.5 volts. Hello generator? Must keep the wife happy!