Residential refrigerators vs absorption

[erstanfo]

I have noticed all of the 2012 Winnebago units on various dealers web pages have residential refrigerators.
Is Winnebago phasing out the absorption due to recalls and fires?

I'm in the process of special ordering a 2012 Journey 36m

[TXiceman]

More than likely it is mostly based on cost.

ken

[Keith K]

I don't believe cost is a factor. Customers, disenchanted with the constant recalls and stories of RV refrigerator fires, are asking for the residential models. In addition, today's coaches with large inverters and battery banks are capable of supporting a residential refrigerator. I'm all for it - when my Norcold dies, I'm replacing it with a real refer.

[Perry White]

You price propane lately?

[smlranger]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith K I don't believe cost is a factor. Customers, disenchanted with the constant recalls and stories of RV refrigerator fires, are asking for the residential models. In addition, today's coaches with large inverters and battery banks are capable of supporting a residential refrigerator. I'm all for it - when my Norcold dies, I'm replacing it with a real refer.

Ditto. Residential units cool faster and better. Perhaps the most ardent boondocker will still need an absorption unit (maybe not with adequate solar power) but for many of us, a residential unit would work fine. When my Norcrap 1200 fails, a residential unit goes in its place. Until then, I keep my SS30 halon fire suppression unit in place behind the fridge.

[John Mo]

Most of the time we're on the road with the generator going or in a campground with shore power, but I still want the option to run my refrigerator on gas for those times when I'm parked somewhere in cooler weather and don't want to run the generator just to keep the refrigerator cold. I might feel differently if I had a huge battery pack, solar panels, and an big inverter, but that's not what I've got right now.

[DancinCampers]

I believe the house fridges are an option, the absorbtion is standard.

They add two extra batteries and increase the inverter size by 800 watts when you order the option.

It was mentioned by a Winnebago rep during an electrical seminar at GNR that the Maytag's they are installing use less power to run than an absorbtion type running on AC. The exception is when it goes thru a defrost cycle, which uses a lot of power.

It would be nice if you could manually schedule the defrost cycle for when you have the power available.

[speaky]

So far the residential I have in my new 2012 Journey runs well and very quietly. When traveling I have the inverter on and there is no problem. My wife loves the room of the two doors with the pull out lower freezer. I like the water and ice in the door feature. I am usually plugged in at home so we keep it running and somewhat stocked for that emergency if we are forced to move into it.

[Journey39n]

Cost, super efficent 18cf Samsung refer - $1200 plus two extra 6v batteries $200. Or a Norcold, at $3500 that has its cooling unit go out at 14 months, that is, two months after the warranty! I think cost is a very big factor.

And for me, only a 12 month warranty from Norcold, is a real disappointment. Next time, I don't repair, I replace with a residential unit! Just remember to measure carefully on getting a new unit into the coach!

[Izzyblueye]

This some of the best news I have read for awhile. I hate absorption fridges. I don't trust them, they blow out on the highway, (yes I use my fridge on the highway), always have. None of mine ever had a defrost cycle, which for long stays can be a real pain. So I am all for the residential type. Now if you can just get them in the door.

[GPW]

Finally , they’re “getting it right ” ... Norcold is Junk !!! JMHO

[Outbumn]

Our new 2011 Journey came with a residential refrigerator and so far I have mixed feelings. Granted it has more capacity and cools faster, but there are draw backs. You have to remember to turn the inverter on when unplugging from shore power, and turn it off when plugging in. We also run a test on how long the batteries would power the coach on thier own and found with only the refrigerator and lights on that time frame was about 1.5 hours. It then took the generator about the same amount of time to recharge the batteries (that was impressive). Wife is cold on the residential refrigerator, I am still on the sidelines.

[DancinCampers]

Unless you were going thru defrost mode, 1.5 hrs seems way low. I was told at GNR by a Winnebago consultant, who evaluated the Journey, that it would run about 12 hrs.

I am unfamiliar with the invertor installed now in the Journey, but I thought it was automatic, switching to shore power when available.

We are seriously considering the Maytag when we order our Journey, this thread is very useful.

[sdennislee]

Quote:

Originally Posted by smlranger Ditto. Residential units cool faster and better. Perhaps the most ardent boondocker will still need an absorption unit (maybe not with adequate solar power) but for many of us, a residential unit would work fine. When my Norcrap 1200 fails, a residential unit goes in its place. Until then, I keep my SS30 halon fire suppression unit in place behind the fridge.

Did you do the install on the halon system? I am thinking of one for the refer area as well as the engine compartment. If you did the install how difficult was it?