OhhWell wrote:
Five2o wrote:
Bill.Satellite wrote:
It does draw some amps (mine is about 3 AC amps while the compressor is running but it does not run all the time or even most of the time).
I have not defrosted my freezer in the last 14 years. Anyone full-timing with a RV fridge able to say that? I even have super filtered ice and water through the door so I don't have to buy bottled drinking/cooking/coffee water.
My Dometic Sidewise draws 4 amps if on ac mode. I have never defrosted in over 4 years...it is self defrosting.I also have filtered water & a choice of cubed or crushed ice thru the door.
Your point is?
The point is, the compressor driven residential fridge doesn't pull that 3 amps constantly like the absorption fridge can when it is hot outside. The residential fridge gets to temperature quicker and keeps the temperature solid. Even with your Mac-Daddy self defrosting Dometic, the residential has benefits and is a cheaper unit.
Also, not everyone has that model Dometic and as someone else pointed out, we are talking about the 1200 Norcold.
Two things. Power consumption has dropped a lot with refrigerators in the last 7 or 8 years. None of three residentials I have put in have drawn anywhere close to 3 amps. Ours is right around 95 to 105 watts according to the Samlex readout in my rig or my clamp on ammeter. And even that is usually for no more than 20 minutes out of an hour.
I always tell folks to consider the switch to a residential a feature improvement as opposed to any kind of cost savings as any fridge unit savings are usually offset by the cost of solar and or battery install. A properly installed residential will have little or no effect on ones ability to dry camp. IMHO
