2018 Thor ACE refrigerator question

[BeaverCamper]

We just purchased a 2018 Thor ACE 27.2 but the dealership had a horrible walk through. The tech did not know much about our coach....
So we are getting ready to take our first trip and turned on the 12V system. The refrigerator did not come on until we turned on the inverter.
We did notice that some of these coaches the refrigerator had wood panels and some were stainless steel. Ours was stainless steel.
Some brochures stated only double door fridge and some stated electric/propane.
I am suspecting the stainless steel fridges might be electric only?
Can anyone who has a similar coach give us some insights as to why the inverter has to be on to activate the fridge?
Possibly it is electric only?
Thanks!

[Lwiddis]

"I am suspecting the stainless steel fridges might be electric only?"

You should have screamed your head off about the walk through.

[wa8yxm]

I too confirmed it is a "Dorm/Apartment" size 120 volt (A/C) or Residential type fridge. No 12 volt or propane .

As to the door panels... My Dometic if I want I can get new panels. wood grain (Simulated) real wood. Stainless. Black White..

Same for yours but might be harder to find

NOTE: I'm speaking of apanel insert. no need to change the fridge to change the "look".

Many folks prefer the residential fridges.. I'm not one of 'em

[BeaverCamper]

Good call on looking for outside vent for fridge. I did not find one, only one for heater and water heater so must be electric only. I turned the fridge on yesterday around 1:30 PM and this morning at 9:50 the batteries were still at 3/4 so at least it does not draw a lot of power. (Propane was turned on).
The RV is pre-wired for solar so I will probably put up 1-2 solar panels for the times we go boondocking.
Kind of dis-appointing that they don't specify some rigs come with electric/propane and some with just electric (like this one)!
Equally dis-appointing that our walk through was poor and this was not pointed out (along with several other items...).
I did send a note to Thor customer service just to be 100% sure it is electric only but at this point that appears to be the case.
Thanks again for the advice.

[Jim]

BeaverCamper wrote:
We just purchased a 2018 Thor ACE 27.2 but the dealership had a horrible walk through. The tech did not know much about our coach....
So we are getting ready to take our first trip and turned on the 12V system. The refrigerator did not come on until we turned on the inverter.
We did notice that some of these coaches the refrigerator had wood panels and some were stainless steel. Ours was stainless steel.
Some brochures stated only double door fridge and some stated electric/propane.
I am suspecting the stainless steel fridges might be electric only?
Can anyone who has a similar coach give us some insights as to why the inverter has to be on to activate the fridge?
Possibly it is electric only?
Thanks!

You might check for the traditional outside venting required by propane type (or propane/electric) refers. If it's not there, or empty, than you have a residential refer that requires there be an inverter to run it, along with extra batteries (usually).

It could be that you didn't turn on the gas valve on the tank, they usually are delivered turned 'Off'. Could also be that the dealer didn't bother to provide you with a full tank. Than after it's filled and/or the valve is turned on, it takes quite a while for gas to get up to the refer. Usually people turn on the gas at the stove top and keep trying to light it until they get flame as the propane pushes out the air. This is normal for an empty gas system. That charges those lines so it won't take so long for gas to get to the refer. There's also a valve inside the outside refer vent compartment. Small thing about 1/2" that's obvious and needs to be turned so that the arrow aligns along the pipe (indicates 'on').

I don't know why they wired it onto the inverter, usually the electric heater is just straight 120Vac and can be wired to the shore power system. Maybe to make the wiring easier. Make sure you check outside the vent cover to be sure you actually have an electric/propane rather than just a residential refer. But the specs for your unit says it comes with a propane/electric.

[donn0128]

OK thats a Chinese brand residental refer. It must have 120VAC to work. It can be supplied hy either house power or inverter power.

[BeaverCamper]

danby designer model DPF073C1BSLDD

[dougrainer]

What is the Brand/Make of the refer? Doug

[donn0128]

Brand name? Model number?
Without that at the very least all you will get is guesses.

[sch911]

You most likely have a residential refrigerator. Compressor based and runs on 120v shore power or inverter only. It is the latest 'thing' in refrigerators for RV`s