Replacing a Norcold fridge

[jayarsenault]

Has anyone replaced their Norcold fridge with a residential type? If so what are some things that need to be considered or upgraded first?

[MrWizard]

Inverters (like dc fluorescent light ballasts) are complicated electronics (they have to create oscillations from no oscillations). Always asking for trouble if you rely on them too much no matter what AC appliance you plug into them. To make them handle LRA surges (high amps at compressor start up, etc) is asking a lot.

actually you just need the Correct inverter, one designed to run induction motors, one with a heavy transformer in it
you need one with a excellent inductor aka transformer to absorb the in rush and supplied the needed LRA, you need one designed for day in and day out use, industrial quality, not something that weighs 4.5# and is designed only for temporary intermittent use
there are many good brands, but you won't find them at the auto parts store, or the big box store

Tripp lite can be had as MSW or PSW with or without built in converter charger

my Tripp lite PV1250 is 4.5 yrs old and has been in continuous daily use
the residential fridge is 3 months older than the inverter
neither has given me one IOTA of trouble
it weighs 22# and has an excellent transformer and filtering and was designed to run power tools and compressors in work trucks,
i have No qualms i have recommended the same model to many people
i bought mine on Amazon

[westend]

I have a residential replacement. Run it off-grid with solar and inverter. If you only camp at facilities with electrical available, you won't need an inverter or bigger battery banks. Plug in before travels to cool the fridge and contents, drive to destination without opening the door, and connect to power.

What JPeyton references regarding inversion and appliances is apt. Get a quality inverter and size it above the operating draw. My original inverter was not up to the task but the Xantrex Prowatt 1000 handles the startup and operating draw without a hiccup. I also have two banks of batteries, solar, and all is installed with large wire.

[John___Angela]

Grandpere wrote:

John & Angela wrote:

For what its worth I don't know anyone that doesn't wish they did the upgrade years ago.

Happy trails.

We have a residential fridge and we hate it. It has not worked right since the warranty ran out. We are going back to an RV fridge as soon as we can afford it. That miserable residential fridge has burned up 2 1000 watt inverters and 1 1500 watt. Never again for us.

Sorry to hear that. Hope your replacement works out for you. Curious though, what was the make of the fridge and inverter.

Thanks for sharing.

[JPeyton]

Grandpere wrote:

John & Angela wrote:

For what its worth I don't know anyone that doesn't wish they did the upgrade years ago.

Happy trails.

We have a residential fridge and we hate it. It has not worked right since the warranty ran out. We are going back to an RV fridge as soon as we can afford it. That miserable residential fridge has burned up 2 1000 watt inverters and 1 1500 watt. Never again for us.

Inverters (like dc fluorescent light ballasts) are complicated electronics (they have to create oscillations from no oscillations). Always asking for trouble if you rely on them too much no matter what AC appliance you plug into them. To make them handle LRA surges (high amps at compressor start up, etc) is asking a lot.

[Grandpere]

John & Angela wrote:

For what its worth I don't know anyone that doesn't wish they did the upgrade years ago.

Happy trails.

We have a residential fridge and we hate it. It has not worked right since the warranty ran out. We are going back to an RV fridge as soon as we can afford it. That miserable residential fridge has burned up 2 1000 watt inverters and 1 1500 watt. Never again for us.

[John___Angela]

jayarsenault wrote:
Has anyone replaced their Norcold fridge with a residential type? If so what are some things that need to be considered or upgraded first?

Yep. Common upgrade. some of the things to consider are,

1, If you don't already have one consider adding a 1000 watt inverter so you can run the fridge on the road. I recommend a sine wave inverter just from the efficiency point of view but others have succesfully done it on modified sine wave unit.

2. If you intend to dry camp consider adding 400 to 500 watts of solar to offset the fridge usage. In bad weather you will need an alternate source of power and a robust battery charge which you may already have.

3. Consider adding additional battery capacity. This may or not be necessary depending on what your camping style is.

For what its worth I don't know anyone that doesn't wish they did the upgrade years ago.

Happy trails.

[pianotuna]

Hi,

Many folks have replaced their dead absorption fridges with residential units. Most are happy with the results.

[lj2654]

google it or search on youtube...there are some there that have been done

[JPeyton]

Well you'll have to cap off the propane line somehow as a residential won't have one. Other than that I wouldn't think there's much to it assuming it will fit.