Residential fridge... love or hate it???

[az bound]

I thought the topic was about residential refrigerators, not absorbtion.

[PDR John]

It will turn one direction or the other.

But the myth of "you can't boondock with a residential frig" got crushed early on. So the thread needed to go somewhere.😃

[Waiter21]

Yes,

You can boondock with a residential frig. If your MH has the resources required to keep that 110 volt outlet happy.

You can boondock with an absorption frig, if your MH has an adequate supply of propane.

No myths, reality...

[twinboat]

And some 12 volt power

[Waiter21]

Twinboat;

On my ole Dometic, I didn't need any power. Simply select LP on the little knob, click the little ignite button (piezo igniter) until I seen the flame in the little view window, and that frig would run for years.

[twinboat]

So the reality is, most folks, with newer units will need 12 volts.

[Dr4Film]

Since this thread has evolved into a discussion about absorption fridges I am posting a LINK to an excellent post made by an owner of a NotSoCold Norcold fridge who is involved in a Class Action Suit against Norcold.

People may find it interesting how Norcold attempts to undermine the law suit brought against them BUT the judge won't allow them to maneuver and weasel out of their responsibility.

Once you have read through the entire post come back and tell me once again how "wonderful' these Norcold fridges are and that they are the greatest things since sliced bread.

I wonder where Muddypaws has been hiding since in the past he has been one of the most vocal members when it comes to the Norcold.

Dr4Film ----- Rchard

[nothermark]

FWIW none of the can't boondock myths were "crushed". All that was shown was that if one wanted to throw enough money at the problem it became sort of manageable. That is assuming they had enough roof for the solar and weigh/space capacity for the extra batteries. I'd venture to guess that leaves out a lot of folks as in anyone who have anything in the 30 ft or smaller category. Auto gen start and a second 12 V marine/deep cycle battery does not really cut it.


As far as that goes a secondary issue seems to be the Norcold problem was with one model used in the bigger units. We will probably buy one more unit in the 30-35 ft range. No four door refrigerator as we do not need it for 2 people and a small dog. So far what we have had over the last 10 or so years has been adequate for space and more than capable of keeping food cold. We translate that to filling the propane tank once or twice a year and only needing two deep cycle batteries saves us a lot of money and space on electrical stuff we would not otherwise use. That does leave me somewhat amused at all the insistence of the folks who spent the money now justifying it to the rest of us.

[az bound]

Originally Posted by nothermark

FWIW none of the can't boondock myths were "crushed". All that was shown was that if one wanted to throw enough money at the problem it became sort of manageable. That is assuming they had enough roof for the solar and weigh/space capacity for the extra batteries. I'd venture to guess that leaves out a lot of folks as in anyone who have anything in the 30 ft or smaller category. Auto gen start and a second 12 V marine/deep cycle battery does not really cut it.


As far as that goes a secondary issue seems to be the Norcold problem was with one model used in the bigger units. We will probably buy one more unit in the 30-35 ft range. No four door refrigerator as we do not need it for 2 people and a small dog. So far what we have had over the last 10 or so years has been adequate for space and more than capable of keeping food cold. We translate that to filling the propane tank once or twice a year and only needing two deep cycle batteries saves us a lot of money and space on electrical stuff we would not otherwise use. That does leave me somewhat amused at all the insistence of the folks who spent the money now justifying it to the rest of us.

It amuses me that you feel anyone has to justify what they do and why they do it.

[nothermark]

It amuses me when folks double post. ;-))

The only reason I can see for all the furor over changing over to Residential Electric instead of dual fuel is self justification. From a technology point of view I see it as something that can be done but at a greater cost and with less convenience. YMMV.

I buy into the idea that Norcold screwed the pooch with some of their units. That does not negate the technology. It also does not justify the claims that all dual fuel refrigerators are somehow bad.

[docj]

Originally Posted by Waiter21

Twinboat;

On my ole Dometic, I didn't need any power. Simply select LP on the little knob, click the little ignite button (piezo igniter) until I seen the flame in the little view window, and that frig would run for years.

Actually your so-called propane powered fridge requires quite a few amp-hours of 12V power in order to operate its controls. If you don't believe this try disconnecting you batteries; I can assure you that your fridge won't work.

[Davdeb1]

Why bicker about this? I don't think anyone removes a perfectly good RV fridge and installs a residential. Mine broke, I put in a 15.5 2 door energy efficient GE. Cost $581, installation $600.
This by gives me way more room for food. This being a worrywart about fires is ridiculous, not one person on here can say how many Norcolds caught on fire.
People are just using the fire thing to justify their purchase. All you need to do is look at the replacement costs.

[docj]

Originally Posted by Davdeb1

I don't think anyone removes a perfectly good RV fridge and installs a residential.

Our Norcold LRIM1200 was functioning as well as it could, but we replaced it because we wanted more space and better performance. That shouldn't be so hard to understand. We're not rich, but we don't have to wait until something is broken in order to upgrade it.

[az bound]

Originally Posted by nothermark

It amuses me when folks double post. ;-))

The only reason I can see for all the furor over changing over to Residential Electric instead of dual fuel is self justification. From a technology point of view I see it as something that can be done but at a greater cost and with less convenience. YMMV.

I buy into the idea that Norcold screwed the pooch with some of their units. That does not negate the technology. It also does not justify the claims that all dual fuel refrigerators are somehow bad.

FYI; Some RVs have a residential as standard equipment, with absorbtion as an option and some do not even have an absorbtion as an option.

A rasidential is about 1/3 the cost of an absorbtion unit; has a larger storage capacity, (with the same footprint) and is better insulated.

We have a residential refrigerator. A full size LP 4 burner stove and oven, garbage disposal, 645 watts of solar. An AGS system and 750 AH of batteries and thats the way we like it.
We bought what we wanted and I'm sure you did also.
There are more absorbtion units in use than I care to count and I dare say a very small percentage have had problems. Those that are converting want to do so and have no need to justify it to anyone.