Forum Discussion

Canadian_Rainbi's avatar
Dec 19, 2015

Residential fridge replacement for Norcold LRIM

I know I saw on here perhaps a year or so ago mention of a residential fridge that was a good fit for the Norcold 1201 LRIM space. I have done a bunch of searches and can't find it. I thought I had made a note of it and can't find where I put the note.

I am trying to prepare ahead of time for the death of my now 14 year old Norcold. Checking fridge specs--current draw, dimensions etc, planning extra solar, charger, inverter etc. Oh yea, and a recommended fridge :h

And if by chance anyone had done one on a 32' Itasca Horizon with the fridge in the slide. . .

Thanks

20 Replies

  • The 100F day I see 39F on the door shelf of a gas refrigerator is the day I'll change my mind. More important is to CLAD the new reefer with stiff foam insulation board to lower daily kWh consumption.
  • jrp wrote:
    If you're remembering this from an older post, its probably the Samsung 197 model which many used and reported on here. that model may be discontinued now, but there are several posts here and elsewhere about using it for the conversion.
    As mentioned above, unless you're always in full hookup sites, you'll need a generator and/or sizable solar & battery sys to power any residential frig in extended boondocking situations.


    That's the one. Yes, I think it is discontinued.
  • jrp wrote:
    If you're remembering this from an older post, its probably the Samsung 197 model which many used and reported on here. that model may be discontinued now, but there are several posts here and elsewhere about using it for the conversion.
    As mentioned above, unless you're always in full hookup sites, you'll need a generator and/or sizable solar & battery sys to power any residential frig in extended boondocking situations.


    The rig has a Onan 7.5 KW generator, 420 Watts of solar and 480 AH of GCs and a Xantrex Prosine 2.0. Considering adding another panel or two and separate AGM, Inverter and charger for the fridge.

    We winter in southern Mexico and some days the heatpump is drawing most of the available 30 Amp service.
  • Nova Cool with a 12 volt option may be the best non propane solution. One would save at least 12% of the energy from inverter use.

    When the three way fridge fails in mine, I'll be replacing it with an electric, or retro fitting the Nova cool system to the existing box.

    I do have the ARP overheating protection unit, so that day may be in the far future.
  • If you're remembering this from an older post, its probably the Samsung 197 model which many used and reported on here. that model may be discontinued now, but there are several posts here and elsewhere about using it for the conversion.
    As mentioned above, unless you're always in full hookup sites, you'll need a generator and/or sizable solar & battery sys to power any residential frig in extended boondocking situations.
  • neilnbe wrote:
    Probably the Samsung RF18HFENBSR ?
    I think that part # is for the stainless but they have other options.
    I did the black...got rid of our Norcold (even had done the Amish upgrade to it)the residential refrig is well worth it.
    I wouldn't go back to the old RV style if they paid us. By far one of the best upgrades we've ever done.


    That's not the one, but it would fit. The one I remember I think had quite a low power use and relatively low current draw on compressor start.
  • Probably the Samsung RF18HFENBSR ?
    I think that part # is for the stainless but they have other options.
    I did the black...got rid of our Norcold (even had done the Amish upgrade to it)the residential refrig is well worth it.
    I wouldn't go back to the old RV style if they paid us. By far one of the best upgrades we've ever done.
  • Mr Wiz was looking at some fridges that were sort of half way between his 120v only fridge and a regular Rv fridge, but they turned out to be quite expensive.

    I gather Mr Wiz now wishes he still had a propane option after going all 120v.

    I can say my new 120v only fridge in the 1981 TC as a replacement for the ancient 3-way fridge it had, is a problem when off grid. Needs big solar and sunny days plus big battery bank. (Don't have a generator along with the TC like Mr Wiz has with his MH)

    Cloudy days in a row means shut off the fridge. :(

    I am not now big on the whole idea of a fridge without a propane option to it for off-grid.