Advice-Replacing Norcold With Residential Fridge

Bill.Satellite wrote:

Your Cummings engine is nice....

There's no such thing as a "Cummings" engine.

Now THIS, is a Cummins diesel engine. Note the 400 amp 28 volt Niehoff alternator.

I must have missed something

I have an 8.1, never had any problems with it. Not sure how that relates to running a refrigerator on an inverter.

Old history
Something on the highway took out his oil pan, few minutes later the engine was a goner


It doesn't relate

We finally got rid of our RV fridge a few years ago. We measured where the residential would go - height, width AND depth. Then measured the doorway to the RV without a door or hinges on it. We then went to Lowe's and Home Depot and took measurements of the fridges without doors or hinges on them. Found one that would fit all the dimensions. Ordered it to have Lowe's deliver it with the understanding that they will take the old RV one away.
My other half then did all the prep work with pulling the old one out and capping the propane line and moving the outlet for the plug for the new fridge. When Lowe's delivery got there all they had to do was help bring the new one in, which they complained about cause the door just fit the fridge going in. And then to take the old one away which they tried to refuse to do but we had our paperwork which specifically said they would take the RV absorption one away. Abbey then moved everything into position, hooked up the water for the ice machine and plugged it all in and no problems since with it.

So yes there is quite a bit of work to change them out but so worth it in my opinion.

From experience
Inverters and residential fridge are less prone to failure than absorption RV fridges
And if one fails and is warm inside when you open the fridge
Then you should have enough sense to not eat the food
That engine cost a lot more than some food and a new inverter
The comparison is not valid

You did not have much option regarding engine replacement, unless you were willing to replace other parts of the drive train

Putting in a residential fridge does require additional items, inverter batteries, that may not be pre-existing

But the comparison is just not the same

And a failed inverter is not going to be leaving you stranded on the side of road, oil all over the ground,

Totally different circumstances

Coincidentally I have had both fridge failure and engine failure
The Fridge was remedied in a matter of hours, the engine
Took weeks both times

wa8yxm wrote:

Bill.Satellite wrote:


Doesn't that apply to everything? Your Cummings engine is nice....provided it works! Things fail. However, an inverter failing is not an indication that all inverters fail or are unreliable.
My residential fridge was installed in 1999 and is still running just fine. First on a MSW inverter and now on a TSW inverter. With 20 years fulltiming and 17 year of traveling full time I can tell you that there's really no reason to believe that inverters or household fridges in are RV are anything less than awesome!

Well yes, It does, and in fact my Chevy 8.1L Vortec did fail about 3 years ago Just got back on the road this month.

But when the Chevy failed.. The food in the fridge did NOT spoil as secondary damage.. I did not get sick from food poisoning as a reslut.

I must have missed something :h

I have an 8.1, never had any problems with it. Not sure how that relates to running a refrigerator on an inverter.

All things will fail, eventually. Every stop, I check to make sure the refrigerator is humming. I also carry a generator for longer trips for "just in case" scenarios. However, My 2 coach batteries will run the refrigerator for about 16 hours before the inverter will trip on low voltage. That's usually enough time to get where I'm going.

Many go with a Samsung 18 French door counter depth refer that will go in a MH door. It also does not need a PSW inverter because the compressors are DC.

It is not that hard of a install BUT you need 6" more height than a 1200.

How do you plan on getting the fridges in/out of the rig? Going to have to pop a window or windshield?

It's like me saying "All tires are rags because my Douglas Wal-Mart toad tires last 7,000 miles".

I got those Michelins and a thousand miles later I looked in a mirror and said to myself You had no one to blame but yourself".

When Xantrax bought Trace it was exactly as if "Douglas" bought Michelin. Like Douglas I will never again touch a Xantex product.

I would suggest using a DEDICATED Samlex or Meanwell inverter sized appropriately and the ensure the integrity of battery recharging electrical

Bill.Satellite wrote:


Doesn't that apply to everything? Your Cummings engine is nice....provided it works! Things fail. However, an inverter failing is not an indication that all inverters fail or are unreliable.
My residential fridge was installed in 1999 and is still running just fine. First on a MSW inverter and now on a TSW inverter. With 20 years fulltiming and 17 year of traveling full time I can tell you that there's really no reason to believe that inverters or household fridges in are RV are anything less than awesome!

Well yes, It does, and in fact my Chevy 8.1L Vortec did fail about 3 years ago Just got back on the road this month.

But when the Chevy failed.. The food in the fridge did NOT spoil as secondary damage.. I did not get sick from food poisoning as a reslut.