Community Forums

Lobstah · 03-12-2018, 05:16 AM

The Dometic NDR 1292 in our 2005 Pace Arrow finally gave up the ghost, so have been reseaching which way to go regarding repair or replace.
To replace the cooling unit, it's $1,000 plus freight. To go residential, I can get a Samsung french door bottom freezer, 17cuft, for $1200.

I've decided I'll go with the Samsung. It will require a bit of cabinet modification to the cabinet over the Dometic, which frankly we didn't use anyway, so pretty much dead space.

Biggest issue regarding replacement was depth as the entry door is 24.5" wide. That dictates a "counter depth" fridge, so limits the options a bit.

Not doing anything with batteries just yet...we don't do a lot of dry camping, so generally have electric available.

Will post pics when done...

Lob

marjoa · 03-12-2018, 05:42 AM

OK thanks for the update.

BTW...if you do decide to boon dock in the future (even an overnighter at Wally World) and then have to address your battery capacity, you'll need a lot more capacity than you do now and you may also have to address your inverter's output capacity too. And then you'll have to figure out how you're going to charge your bigger batteries back up. Running the generator a lot to do this poses it's own issues IMO. If you always have hooks up, then no problem as you know. But this is why we will always have a 2 way fridge. Propane uses a whole lot less power. But I do understand your desire for a residential fridge. Just make sure you have weighed all the pro's & con's.

Lobstah · 03-12-2018, 05:52 AM

I don't currently have an inverter installed. I already upgraded my converter.
I have plenty of space for 2 more batteries...I just replaced my golf cart batteries with Dekas, they were $90/ea so would go that same route.

I want some experience with the fridge before I move forward with anything else.

tmw188 · 03-12-2018, 06:03 AM

My RF18 has run 10hrs before I turned it off on just a two battery house set up using a msw inverter. You can buy a 5yr extended warranty for that unit for $159.

Lobstah · 03-12-2018, 06:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tmw188

My RF18 has run 10hrs before I turned it off on just a two battery house set up using a msw inverter. You can buy a 5yr extended warranty for that unit for $159.

That's my plan...

With our current style of camping, my biggest concern would be keeping things cold while driving, as sometimes we put in 12hr days, but running the genset for an hour every now and then should keep things plenty cold until we plug in.

Lob

funjnt · 03-12-2018, 07:04 AM

I would be interested in some spare parts if you still have fridge. Pm me on here the email thingy. I do believe ours is an ndr 1292 double door large fridge. Ours works really well and I am installing the ARP. May upgrade the cooling unit to the Amish or one of the well built units. We like our fridge.

On a side note do you have a heater or things under yours? I haven't looked to see if our coach has room for a fridge on top of the hydronic heater and wires etc, also a toe kick heater...

tmw188 · 03-12-2018, 07:08 AM

Alternator while driving will keep the batteries up. In the summer or when needed most run their gen with House ac running while driving keeps coach cooler and it’s already cool when you stop

Darwin · 03-12-2018, 08:24 AM

I replaced my 10 cu ft dometic approx. 4 years ago with a 10 cu residential refrigerator and a PSW inverter with 2 batteries. I have had zero problems, we do not dry camp only on batteries while traveling. Coach alternator charged batteries while traveling. I would not go back to and RV Refrigerator.

Lobstah · 03-12-2018, 09:37 AM

I also have a driver's door, so if I wanted to pull the steering wheel and unbolt the driver's seat, I could get a bigger unit in...just not sure the payoff's there.

Lob

MSHappyCampers · 03-12-2018, 10:59 AM

If you are not in a hurry, they put the Samsung RF18's on sale from time to time for about $995.

BigBillSD · 03-12-2018, 11:05 AM

You might want to check and see if the 120v plug for the old fridge was on the Inverter. Mine isn't, so you might need to plan for some wiring changes to move a residential fridge there. -Bill

Elwood58 · 03-12-2018, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigBillSD

You might want to check and see if the 120v plug for the old fridge was on the Inverter. Mine isn't, so you might need to plan for some wiring changes to move a residential fridge there. -Bill

The OP does not have an inverter.

Lobstah · 03-12-2018, 12:08 PM

Just bought a GE GTE16DTHBB for $509 at Lowes (after Military discount).

Will have to mod cabinet that was on top of the old fridge, but we're ok with that, especially at that price, and it was rated 4.5 out of 5 by owners.

Lob

Waiter21 · 03-12-2018, 12:22 PM

Lobstah;

We're in the same boat. I'm in the process of replacing my old Dometic 3862 (two door 10 cu ft).

I bought a small residential, Croterian from Menards for $320 (I think its made by Haier) that will slide directly into the hole.

Initially I plan on just plugging it into 110, but in the future I'll probably buy a 1500 watt pure sine wave inverter to power it and other small appliances while traveling / boondocking..

I have the Dometic disconnected and pulled out a little. I don't think it will fit out the door, it about 1/2 inch to wide, so will probably take it out through the bedroom emergency window..