12 volt refrigerator

[epcolumbus]

Looking at a new trailer that has a 12 volt only Norcold refrigerator. There is an option for a 110 volt/propane one. Looking for anyone who has the 12 volt model and what do you think of it?

[goducks10]

I have a GE 9.8 cu.ft 12V only fridge and while it has some pro's it also has some cons.
Pro's are 25% more interior space, fits in the same cutout as a Norcold 8cu.ft fridge, doesn't need propane, cools down faster sometimes.
Con's doesn't hold the temp as well in really hot weather, makes a slight humming sound vs zero noise form a Norcold, will drain the batteries faaster.

My 12V fridge sucks power pretty good. It will take down my 4 6V GC batts in 2 days or less without solar. I have 400W of solar and when the TT is left at home on solar only in full sun all day and the fridge running my Victron app shows a low of 12.5V and a high of 14.4-5V for a full day/nights usage.

However when camping and under normal use without full sun everyday all day I need to run the gen for 3-4 hours.

When hooked to shore power it's all good of course.

Would I get another? Yes but not a GE. I would get a Vitrifrigo fridge. More money but less amp draw and better track record than all the China stuff.

[mr_andyj]

Pros and Cons for both types, but for me the 12V compressor fridge wins out. It has a low draw and a low power surge on start-up. It will cool at high ambient temps and is not as fussy as propane.
Propane needs no power (some need power for just the circuit board - minimal minimal draw) so works when no power is available for long periods (weeks.months) at a time.
Add solar panels to your roof and some sun and you never need shore power to run the DC fridge.
DC fridge can run off-level up to 30 degrees where the propane is 3-6 degrees only, and will ruin if run off-level too much.

You have to decide, but some more details on how you camp would help.

No matter your response I vote for DC fridge.

[valhalla360]

We were hesitant when we bought last fall and it had a 12v but so far it's gone well:
- I cools much quicker and has better control of temp.
- For the same size hole, you get probably 50% more interior space. It's massive compared to equivalent propane units we've had.

We have only done a couple overnights off grid, so the jury is still out. Ours came with a single battery and a 50w solar panel. Next year when we do Alaska, the plan is to pick up a second battery and 150w panel that can run thru the existing charge controller. The fridge pulls 40w in operation (assumes it's already cooled down). 200w solar should generate about 800whr per day or about 20hr of run time. In practice, the compressor doesn't run 24/7 but there are other electrical loads, so should work OK in theory.

12v fridges have been common for years in cruising boats where propane isn't an option.

[JRscooby]

A friend had a 12 fridge factory installed in his new '99 Pete. His son inherited the truck. In about '08 the son had to leave the truck, take the bird home.
The truck sat in a Texas truckstop for 4 days before I got there. I knew he only had normal starting batteries, so I expected to need to jumpstart the truck. When it started, I grabbed a trash bag, to clean all the spoiled food out. (Must of shut off to save batteries) I stole 1 of his ice cream bars, and headed out.
What has this got to do with RVs? Well, in over 2 decades I'm sure the fridge technology has improved. And I can't think of many places a RV fridge is likely to be stressed anymore than in a truckstop. And the truck rolls more in 6 months than most RVs over their lifetime.

[Community Alumni]

W had a Norcold 12 volt compressor fridge in a Winnebago Navion we recently sold, and we loved it. I was a bit apprehensive when we bought the coach since I knew nothing about 12 volt compressor fridges. The fridge gets cold faster than absorption fridges, it doesn't have to be leveled and outside temps don't affect the fridge temp. The motorhome came from factory with 200 watts of solar to help the batteries when parked. We boondocked often and never had a problem with the batteries.

[dccamper]

I have a 12 volt fridge and am pleased with it. I will say if you are going to dry camp much, the 175 amp hours per day it uses will require a larger battery bank.

[Vintage465]

I'm of the understanding that the new 12v fridges are really getting good. But, I'm still in the 120v and propane camp. I never want to fire my generator up unless it's an emergency and my solar is to keep the batteries hot for my C-Pap and the furnace when it's cold. Propane literally lasts forever with a fridge. I hear you get a fair amount of space more with the compressor fridges, but I'd still have just as little space cause I'd fill up the new space with more food!

[Taxman2436]

I have one and I like it. Refrigerator and freezer work very well. Remember to disconnect battery when disconnected if you have a trailer or it will continue to draw on the battery.

-Lenny