12v refrigerator /freezer

[JCR-1]

The gas /electric refrigerators that come equipped with most RV just does not cut it in summer heat. I have used fans , that help some but in high heat it seems to struggle. I am thinking of a refrigerator /freezer with a compressor. Suggestions and recommendations are appreciated. Thx

[crosscheck]

JCR-1 wrote:
The gas /electric refrigerators that come equipped with most RV just does not cut it in summer heat. I have used fans , that help some but in high heat it seems to struggle. I am thinking of a refrigerator /freezer with a compressor. Suggestions and recommendations are appreciated. Thx

12V Danfoss compressor style fridge or 120V residential fridge which 99.9% of us have in their homes? There is a difference in efficiency and cost.

Dave

[CharlesinGA]

Norcold makes six different AC/DC fridges for RV's. The compressors run on DC and if you plug them into 120V ac, they simply take that and invert it to 12v dc internally to run the compressor. They are quite efficient and Winnebago is now installing them as standard equipment on many models.

http://www.thetford.com/products/refrigerators/acdc-refrigerators/

The largest of these is 7 cf and draws 3.2 amps on 12v, and the smallest is 1.7 cf and actually draws more, 3.6 amps at 12v.

Charles

[hussbuss]

Lowe's has an exact fit unit to replace the 8 cubic foot fridges. My son has done 2 of them in the past 3 years in two motorhomes. Slide right in and bolt down with screws and fender washers on back side. you just need to figure a way to latch the doors shut when traveling. If I recall right I think around $400.00.

[beemerphile1]

Gas/electric RV refrigerators work fine if installed correctly. I would insure correct installation before replacing.

If you do replace it with a compressor refrigerator, just put in whatever fits.

[tinstartrvlr]

X2 on the installation issue. I had that problem and finally found a dealer willing to do the warranty work.

The install has been corrected and the fridge cools much more efficiently in warmer weather and the fans don't need to run constantly.

But I also have a problem with little to no cooling in cold weather, but Dometic has agreed to replace the control board under warranty, now that the install has been corrected (they repeatedly blamed the cold weather issue on the install which seems to be their standard answer to everything) so hopefully that will solve the problem.

[Old-Biscuit]

Absorption fridges have been in commercial use since the 1920's

Folks blame cooling issues on the fridges when in fact majority of 'lack of cooling' problems are due to RV Mfgs NOT properly installing them USING the Fridge Mfgs 'Installation' requirements IE: Clearances/draft-airflow/dead air spaces etc.

Typically 'ZERO' inch clearances on sides/top/bottom and MAX of 2" on backside.
Baffles/fans are used to improve air flow/draft.
Air MUST flow up thru absorber tubes, across condenser fins and then exit out top area W/O any obstructions or dead air spaces.

Norcold and Dometic provide 'Installation' manuals for their various models.


Course if 'cooling unit' has already been damaged due to overheating issues from lack of airflow and/or off level operations then replacement is only cure at this point.

[Lwiddis]

"The gas /electric refrigerators that come equipped with most RV just does not cut it in summer heat"

I disagree. Mine have worked great and only one repair over the years. I do try to park the TT to avoid direct sun on the fridge and my awning helps too. I also use a battery operated interior fan.

[donn0128]

Yea, I think you need to figure out exactly why your refer is not working correctly. Heck, my refer has worked perfectly even though it is in a slide out and the vents are both on the side wall. Which is not suppose to work. There has to be some basic reason for it not cooling correctly.

[jeomelia]

if you do no have the install manual for your fridge it can be down loaded from bryantrv.Com, a proper install makes a difference

[ScottG]

wlstroud wrote:
We had trouble with our refrig cooling. We discovered that it was installed by the trailer manufacturer and did not meet the specs required by the refrig manufacturer. I removed the obstruction (a metal flap of siding folded into refrig compartment) to expose the heat exchanger fins to airflow. WOW! What a difference. Unit cooled and the freezer excelled in all types of hot weather. Check for obstructions, it may not be the refrigerator at fault.

It was the same on our last TT. Roofing material was in the way and several other guidelines not adhered to.
After correcting all those issues we never had problems with it cooling even well into the triple digits. I never even added fans.

[wlstroud]

We had trouble with our refrig cooling. We discovered that it was installed by the trailer manufacturer and did not meet the specs required by the refrig manufacturer. I removed the obstruction (a metal flap of siding folded into refrig compartment) to expose the heat exchanger fins to airflow. WOW! What a difference. Unit cooled and the freezer excelled in all types of hot weather. Check for obstructions, it may not be the refrigerator at fault.

[prichardson]

Installed correctly? Temperature setting cold enough? Defective? Mine have always worked fine even in south Louisiana heat in mid summer.

[Chuck_thehammer]

what have you done to remove the heat faster from the RV-frg... a fan in its exhaust... inspection for restriction/blockage...

many work fine.. maybe yours is defective... heat exchanger is vented Well ??....

most RV's are assembled in a Great Rush... not for proper installation... and function.

my opinion..

my 2005 trailer RV frg works well in 100 degree Texas heat... and we do not use air conditioning inside trailer. just fans.

[rbpru]

I am curious, what are you going to do with the heat?

If you can vent the refrigerator heat that would be good. Otherwise it goes into the room.

Also, how do you power the frig while moving?