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SGTJOE's avatar
SGTJOE
Explorer II
Sep 08, 2019

Looking for Fridge Suggestions

I just had my old Dometic NDR1292 removed and had a Magic Chef installed. I was really happy until I found the User's Manual and read "not designed to be installed in an rv or used with an inverter" Now if this wasn't enough it also stated "ambient Temperature below 50"F or above 85 F will hinder the performance of the appliance. Working with dealer for not telling me.

So I'm looking for suggestions as to what residential fridge would work I need to be able to have a counter depth one where I can open the door to a max of 50 inches. Width 32 inches and height not to exceed 62 inches.

For those of you who have residential fridges in your RV can you send me the make and model number. I might be able to work with the height.
My MH is a 2001 National Tradewinds model 7390.
  • After a lot of suggestions and me searching I found a fridge that will be installed (by ME). It is a Haier 9.8cf. I emailed the mfg and asked if it would work in a RV and would it be covered by the factory warranty. Loved the response--"it will work in a rv, house, garage and even a straw house" and the warranty will cover it". Gonna keep that response on file and also in a plastic bag in the freezer. Just found out that Haier owns GE, they even sent me info on two GE fridges that would fit except for the depth.
  • I installed a Magic Chef about a year and a half ago in our class a and it is still going strong. Hands down the best mod I ever did. I did install a 2000w psw inverter but only because I didn't have one already.
  • Folks I have a Freedom 458 series combi inverter/charger, it is a 2000 watt, is this good for running the residential fridge down the road?
    Is this a sine?
  • Ivylog's avatar
    Ivylog
    Explorer III
    I would invest in a 1000w PSW inverter to power it if you dry camp often. Otherwise I would not worry about doing anything different.
  • Matt, thanks for all the positive info, I sure can use that about now. Where I am at home in Saint George, Utah we are at around 100-103 degrees for now until winter sets in. I turned the Magic Chef back on today and set the freezer and fridge at the coldest setting, will check it out later tonight. The MH sits beside my house with 50amp hook up.
  • SGTJOE wrote:
    I just had my old Dometic NDR1292 removed and had a Magic Chef installed. I was really happy until I found the User's Manual and read " Now if this wasn't enough it also stated "ambient Temperature below 50"F or above 85 F will hinder the performance of the appliance. Working with dealer for not telling me.

    So I'm looking for suggestions as to what residential fridge would work I need to be able to have a counter depth one where I can open the door to a max of 50 inches. Width 32 inches and height not to exceed 62 inches.

    For those of you who have residential fridges in your RV can you send me the make and model number. I might be able to work with the height.
    My MH is a 2001 National Tradewinds model 7390.


    Sgt Joe,

    Were I you, I would leave what you have right where it is....
    Because: (Let's tackle that first paragraph)
    "not designed to be installed in an rv or used with an inverter"
    It is not designed to be installed in a RV because 5ers and TT bounce down the road and they never included vibration in their testing. The back of some Cs can get rough, but if your Tradewinds got that rough, you would have to plan to collect the dishes at every stop.
    Or used with an inverter....
    If you have enough inverter to get the pump (compressor) started as fast as line power, you have no problem. If you are wondering, open the back side panel and have someone shift the temperature control until it starts. If it starts right up, you are good. You probably have enough house bank (2*GC2 is good) and a 1500+VA inverter. You are good there.
    The 50° and 85° are another issue that won't matter much. The 50° is probably where the automatic defrost won't work and the 85° just means it will have to work harder and maybe the ice cream will be soft.

    Now, there is a little Gotcha here....
    RV reefers are all cooled by a rear coil system and outside air that comes in the back panel and goes out the roof vent. No residential is made that way these days. The cooling is done on the sides of the unit, so you can't build it in tight. It will want an inch or more of clear space on both sides that is open to the living space. This also means that the outside air can come around the sides of the installed unit. That, you have to figure out on your own because I can't see what you have there.

    You may also have to invent some way to keep the door(s) closed.

    I have had good success with three installations (after the first that was not so good, but still worked).

    Matt
  • i agree but the "murphy" in me suggests you continue to plan to replace it when and if failure occurs. pre-planning now will save grief and anxiety later. purchasing anything in a hurry is never a good idea.

    we have a Westinghouse french door/lower freezer but it is too big for your space.
  • 2oldman wrote:
    I'd leave it, and take those warnings as lawyer-speak. That refer doesn't know the difference between shore power and inverter, unless it's a really crappy inverter.


    X2. They write that stuff simply because they have not evaluated it and just want to CYA.
    No way I would just replace it.
  • I'd leave it, and take those warnings as lawyer-speak. That refer doesn't know the difference between shore power and inverter, unless it's a really crappy inverter.