Residential Fridge Conversion

[2 Stroker]

I just had mine installed last week and my coach has 4 batteries
Samsung 197 $1079
Magnum with remote $2000
Total install both $970
Total ------------------ $4049

2 stroker

[phredsee]

Originally Posted by SargeW

I haven't done it myself Fred, but several folks on a different forum have done it and love the residential refer. I just had not seen one retrofit in a Tiffin yet. We are buying a new Phaeton that has the residential refer already in it though.

Congratulations on the new Phaeton, it's a fantastic coach.

I'm a little leery on this type of installation as I talked to a guy at the FMCA rally this summer in Gillette, WY who had it done on a 2006 Allegro Bay and was not happy with the install. Windshield leaked (had to remove and reinstall for the fridge), inverter had to be replaced twice and supposedly the main battery cables were too small and couldn't handle the load. That's why I'm thinking of doing the electrical myself.

Anyway, good luck with the new coach!

[phredsee]

Originally Posted by 2 Stroker

I just had mine installed last week and my coach has 4 batteries
Samsung 197 $1079
Magnum with remote $2000
Total install both $970
Total ------------------ $4049

2 stroker

That sounds like a great price and seems to be fair.

My problem also is having a gas coach doesn't lend itself much room to add (2) more batteries. Most of the vendors have said it will take up an additional storage bay to add the batteries with a covered battery box, vented out the bottom. The inverter size presents another issue if going to a 2000W unit and replacing the 1000W inverter. These are just some of the issues with this install.

Another problem is the height of the new fridge for most models would peak at the ceiling due to the bottom furnace vent being high.

I'm sure I'll figure it out. My plan is to view the 2014 Allegro 36LA to see how TMH installed the RR.

[paz]

Originally Posted by phredsee

That sounds like a great price and seems to be fair.

My problem also is having a gas coach doesn't lend itself much room to add (2) more batteries. Most of the vendors have said it will take up an additional storage bay to add the batteries with a covered battery box, vented out the bottom. The inverter size presents another issue if going to a 2000W unit and replacing the 1000W inverter. These are just some of the issues with this install.

Another problem is the height of the new fridge for most models would peak at the ceiling due to the bottom furnace vent being high.

I'm sure I'll figure it out. My plan is to view the 2014 Allegro 36LA to see how TMH installed the RR.

We are currently running a Samsung RF197 on two 6-volt batteries and our original 1000W MSW inverter. The inverter has enough surge capacity to start the compressor of the fridge, and the Samsung runs fine on MSW.

Two batteries are enough to keep the fridge running for a couple of hours if everything else is off, but not enough for overnight. I did find a source for frame-mounted battery boxes that I could install under the slide to add a pair of batteries, but we never boondock so I haven't felt the need to do so. The MH alternator has no trouble keeping the batteries charged while on the road.

The height of the Samsung is a problem with a furnace or electrical panel under the fridge. There are other makes that aren't as tall, but most will require PSW. There are also numerous models of 2-door residential refrigerators that have a 10 to 14 cu. ft. capacity that have considerably smaller exterior dimensions than the 4-door Norcold. If you would decide to go with another make fridge, rather than go to a bigger PSW inverter/charger, you could save money by installing a smaller, dedicated PSW inverter w/o charger for the fridge.

[SargeW]

Originally Posted by paz

If you would decide to go with another make fridge, rather than go to a bigger PSW inverter/charger, you could save money by installing a smaller, dedicated PSW inverter w/o charger for the fridge.

That is what several other folks have done on their retro fit of the new refer. The smaller inverter uses much less power and doesn't power a bunch of stuff you don't need. I think most have installed a MSW inverter with no issues with the refer motors.

[HD4Mark]

We also have had no problem running our Samsung with a MSW inverter. I think this will be our third winter with it. Battery and inverter wise we never did a thing different than the original three 12Vs and Dimensions 2000W MSW. We do not use the ice maker when not connected to city water and don't drink the water from the tank either so I can't comment on running it. Samsung is nice enough to provide an "ice off" button on top to shut it off without standing on your head.

If you are like us and only need to run off the inverter or generator while running down the road I'm not sure more batteries are necessary. If we are over night while between CGs we just keep the doors closed and leave the fridge off.

There are times when an RV type fridge would have been handy but so far they have not outweighed the many pluses of the residential unit for how we travel.

Cost wise since we did all of the work ourselves the only cost was for the fridge.

[paz]

Originally Posted by SargeW

That is what several other folks have done on their retro fit of the new refer. The smaller inverter uses much less power and doesn't power a bunch of stuff you don't need. I think most have installed a MSW inverter with no issues with the refer motors.

MSW is not a problem for the Samsung, but it's the electronic controls of some makes that cause a problem.

[docj]

Originally Posted by paz

MSW is not a problem for the Samsung, but it's the electronic controls of some makes that cause a problem.

The Samsung also has electronic controls but it can cope with an MSW inverter because it rectifies the AC current into DC and all the internal components run on DC. For a company that sells products globally this makes a lot of sense because its products don't have to worry about whether they are plugged into 120 V 60 Hz, 240 V 50 Hz, or 100 V 50 Hz (in parts of Japan). All they have to do is convert to DC.

[SargeW]

A very good point, thanks.