Dometic, Norcold or Atwood

Hi Buster52,

Lots of folks successfully use residential fridges.

I get enough from my solar panels in the shade to run a 50 watt fridge.

While traveling the engine alternator recharges the battery bank and provides power for a residential fridge.

There are baby proof "locks" for fridges, so they won't fly open when traveling.

It is far cheaper in Canada to switch to a residential including solar and extra batteries.

wa8yxm wrote:
Both Doemtic and Norcold make some very nice high effiency compressor fridges, Like 50 watts or less running (Compares with some of the lights in this rig).

I did not know Atwood had an entry in the field.. But I also thought Atwood and Dometic were... shall we say the same company or at least divisions of same company.

I know there are many here who are scared of absorption cooling, My major complaint is that it takes 350 watts or the propane equivlant to do a 50 watt job,,,, But then standard residential fridges are goign to suck between 100 and 500 watts to do that same job too.

Atwood and Dometic are completely separate companies. Doug

Just thought of why a home frig and solar panels will not work. First, I like camping in the mountains. Under the beautiful trees. The trees block the sun. No sun no free electricity from the panels. Two, I like to travel. When traveling you turn corners. Turning corners will make the door fly open. Home frigs don't have door locks. Also the shelves are designed to hold items in place. I would have to start my generator and run it several hours to charge up the batteries to run the converter.
If I was a person who lived in my RV year round and didn't move a home frig would make sense. I plan on using my RV camping in the mountains in the summer. In the winter I will,be at home. Spring and fall I plan on traveling. So I will have to stick with conventional RV Frig. But thanks for the idea. They are good one, but not practical for what I plan on doing. If I am wrong please let me know why.

Thanks You

Buster

Both Doemtic and Norcold make some very nice high effiency compressor fridges, Like 50 watts or less running (Compares with some of the lights in this rig).

I did not know Atwood had an entry in the field.. But I also thought Atwood and Dometic were... shall we say the same company or at least divisions of same company.

I know there are many here who are scared of absorption cooling, My major complaint is that it takes 350 watts or the propane equivlant to do a 50 watt job,,,, But then standard residential fridges are goign to suck between 100 and 500 watts to do that same job too.

moisheh wrote:
Mr. Ford may have a lot of knowledge but he babbles incessantly! Most of what he said could be told in 5 minutes. BORING! His test is not accurate as a fridge sitting in an open environment is not the same as in a fridge compartment in an RV.

Moisheh

CORRECT. Doug

Mr. Ford may have a lot of knowledge but he babbles incessantly! Most of what he said could be told in 5 minutes. BORING! His test is not accurate as a fridge sitting in an open environment is not the same as in a fridge compartment in an RV.

Moisheh

residential fridge, even the smaller units

I had to build a small platform and cut a bit of the cabinet to get the height I needed.

I have watched the two video before. The guy doing the demo is selling Dometic frigs, so he is bias in fever of Dometic. He maybe right about on his assessment of the Atwood. I has looking at buying a Hybrid car and watched on YouTube car dealers slamming cars they do not sell and over stating cars they were selling. That is why I am asking people here what their opinion on the different frigs.

On 2nd thought, you may want to give Fords RV a call regarding you present refer. They have a pretty good reputation, and will give good advice if you even need to replace your present refer.