My current rig - a 2017 Newmar Ventana LE - has a 12 c.f. 4-door refrigerator/freezer. Runs on 120 or propane, and simply does not keep the ice cream cold enough, and even at the highest setting, previously frozen foods begin to thaw, though only slightly. Temporary solution to this was the acquisition of a Dometic portable cooler (75DZ) that does a much better job of keep the ice cream in an acceptable state.The issue for me is this: I'm considering trading up to a new MH, and my research suggests most if not all new coach's come with residential all-electric fridge. Since I boondock often, and will continue to do so, I also plan to move my current Battle Born Lithiums to the new coach (100Ah each, 4 total). I currently also have about 600 total watts of solar, and have room for another 600 watts (3 panels), and it's a given that I'll probably have an equivalent wattage output for solar on the new rig.I'm attempting to learn as much as I can about the differences between Residential vs. Absorption fridge's, and why I would want one over the other. Capacity isn't a big issue for me, but I wouldn't want to go smaller than what I already have... To be sure, I'll be spending time at traditional RV parks with shore power, but again, there's the ice cream thing... I'd very much appreciate your insight and experience in guiding me toward the knowledge level I seek to make an informed decision - TIA! Michael

I'll never go back to absorption and primarily boondock. Usable space and cooling are superior in all conditions and at all elevations. You don't have to worry about being even remotely level and they're far more dependable/ less finicky.I replaced the 7.5cu. ft absorption fridge in our truck camper with a 9.8cu. ft. apartment fridge and it uses 1.0-1.3kWh/day.I replaced the 13cu. ft. absorption fridge in our fifth wheel with a 17.5cu. ft. counter-depth residential. It uses 1.6-1.9kWh/day, and we use the ice maker extensively as well.I'd consider more solar and a larger battery bank... but don't like having to depend on a generator. 600W of panels might yield 3kWh if you're extremely lucky in the winter. Probably under 2kWh. Each Battleborn is roughly 1.2kWh, so not accounting for any charging, your fridge will deplete 1-2 batteries each day. Assuming you don't want to deplete your batteries each night and you want to be able to sustain through at least some inclement weather, you probably want a bank of 6+ batteries and triple the array.

I'm thinking cause it's such a large absorption fridge that there is some reason it won't keep up? My set up, which is a smaller 6 c.f. Norcold with a separate freezer compartment has no issue keeping everything cold in the fridge and frozen hard in the freezer. Actually we occasionally freeze the lettuce in the fridge if we're not watching things.....that would be our biggest grump about our Norcold. For this reason, I hope to never go to a compressor fridge, though I do see that it is the way things are going. I like using my 12v power for other things and not thinking about my batteries at all. Does seem like most who make the jump to compressor fridges say they'd never go back, so there must be something to it.

We spent our first 4-1/2 years full-time with an Norcold absorption refrigerator... nothing but problems with it including replacing the complete cooling unit once. Our new rig has an 18 cu. ft. counter-depth residential refrigerator. We only have two BB 100AH LiFePO4 batteries and 300 watts of solar. We don't boondock, but even on long, overcast travel days, we arrive at our destination with the batteries at 13.4V or above. We couldn't be more pleased with the setup. Oh - 38 deg. in the frig and -2 in the freezer... never varies.Rob

When my absorption fridge dies, I will replace it with an electric unit.See if the maker uses a Danfoss compressor in their unit.

pianotuna wrote:See if the maker uses a Danfoss compressor in their unit.Danfoss has been bought and sold a couple of time in the past 15 years of so. I don't know if they still use that brand name or not.

Absorption vs. Residential refrigerator | Good Sam Community

cptqueeg
Explorer II
Aug 25, 2021
theoldwizard1 wrote:
Thinking about getting back into Raving. Two things I don't want in a new RV are propane and a black water tank. There are much better alternatives that provide the same functionality at lower cost or at least less maintenance.

I'll bite. Give us the lowdown pls. Thanks.
Sandia_Man
Explorer II
Aug 25, 2021
I guess we have been lucky over several decades of utilizing absorption fridges as we have always had good success with all our RV fridges, properly installed they work quite well and there in lies the number one reason they operate poorly. A mobile RV Tech who knows their stuff will easily identify issues pertinent to improper installation and should be able to improve or correct situation. Nothing wrong if you decide to go the compressor fridge route, certainly the cheaper more economical solution although adding costs of batteries and solar array will eat up any savings. Class A rigs and 5ers have been offering compressor fridges well before 2017, although I would stay with absorption style due to their ease of use while off the grid.
2oldman
Explorer II
Aug 25, 2021
Ice cream is not something I keep around because it's not good for me. My gas Dometic keeps things just fine, maybe not as cold as a resi but good enough. Uses very little fuel and hopefully will outlast me.

cptqueeg wrote:
theoldwizard1 wrote:
g. Two things I don't want in a new RV are propane and a black water tank.
I'll bite. Give us the lowdown pls. Thanks.
Yeah I'd like to hear that too.
2oldman
Explorer II
Aug 25, 2021
..
CA_Traveler
Explorer III
Aug 25, 2021
Alternates to propane are heat pumps, electric and diesel. That may imply a large gen possibly 120/240V, solar, larger batteries. MW can do some cooking. But electric oven/cooktop seems like the best alternative to propane while diesel might be possible. Composite toilet?

Apparently propane BBQ, campfires etc with portable tanks would not be accepted.
Sagebrush
Explorer
Aug 25, 2021
We had one 5th wheel with a big residential unit and it was okay as long as it was parked near power. Haven't tried solar, we use generators still. But that fridge pulled lots of power using the inverter. Two group 31's didn't last long. Adding lots of batteries takes up too much room IMO. Propane fridge keeps my ice cream frozen solid in 100 degree heat, haven't had one fail yet. Had three RV's over many years with two Norcolds and one Dometic RV fridges. They all cooled fine.

I prefer the regular size fridges, never had a huge one. If I need more room I rather use a 12 volt powered portable unit stored in the basement. The portable 12 volt coolers can go in the car or truck for grocery runs too.

Opening the doors often will warm one up in a hurry.
CA_Traveler
Explorer III
Aug 25, 2021
Sagebrush wrote:
We had one 5th wheel with a big residential unit and it was okay as long as it was parked near power. Haven't tried solar, we use generators still. But that fridge pulled lots of power using the inverter. Two group 31's didn't last long. Adding lots of batteries takes up too much room IMO. Propane fridge keeps my ice cream frozen solid in 100 degree heat, haven't had one fail yet. Had three RV's over many years with two Norcolds and one Dometic RV fridges. They all cooled fine.

I prefer the regular size fridges, never had a huge one. If I need more room I rather use a 12 volt powered portable unit stored in the basement. The portable 12 volt coolers can go in the car or truck for grocery runs too.

Opening the doors often will warm one up in a hurry.
The trend seems to be larger RVs more along the lines of a smaller house that is used pedestal to pedestal. There are very efficient 12V and 120V refers available of various sizes so no need to wait very long for one to cool down. But the electric power has to be provided.
JimK-NY
Explorer II
Aug 25, 2021
If you want to switch to a compressor refrigerator, spend the money and get a compressor refrigerator made for 12v use. You will need way less solar, or way less generator when the sun does not shine. I would recommend Nova Kool.
RLS7201
Explorer II
Aug 25, 2021
Sandia Man wrote:
I guess we have been lucky over several decades of utilizing absorption fridges as we have always had good success with all our RV fridges, properly installed they work quite well and there in lies the number one reason they operate poorly. A mobile RV Tech who knows their stuff will easily identify issues pertinent to improper installation and should be able to improve or correct situation. Nothing wrong if you decide to go the compressor fridge route, certainly the cheaper more economical solution although adding costs of batteries and solar array will eat up any savings. Class A rigs and 5ers have been offering compressor fridges well before 2017, although I would stay with absorption style due to their ease of use while off the grid.

EXACTLY!

Richard
dougrainer
Nomad
Aug 26, 2021
theoldwizard1 wrote:
Thinking about getting back into Raving. Two things I don't want in a new RV are propane and a black water tank. There are much better alternatives that provide the same functionality at lower cost or at least less maintenance.

He actually has 3 things from a previous post. He forgot to add. He also will never have a Diesel Motorhome. But, I would really like to know what the Alternative is to a BLACK TANK:h Doug