Community Forums

McRod · 07-27-2015, 10:30 AM

Just wondering if there is a consensus on using an all Electric Refrigerator vs. using the LP/Electric.

We notice that the Montana line actually splits it's models specifically by this option. The all electric models do not have the noticeable outside vents like the LP/Electric. Spouse really likes the looks of the all electric, and I like the flexibility of the LP/Electric.

What's the consensus?

girlydogs · 07-27-2015, 11:17 AM

Hello

This is a little different, we have a class A Total electric but had a gas/electrc fridge with a 50 gal tank, we changed it to reg fridge and took the tank out.
Love it cools alot better and keeps everything cold & frozen. Just make sure you have enought battery & a large inverter. It should run 4 to 6 hrs on your batteries without charge.

Ben

Waiter21 · 07-27-2015, 11:40 AM

Greatly discussed, almost to a cult following.

You'll need to weigh your preferences with how you use it. the Residential needs 120 volts. If you spend the majority of time plugged into shore power this probably isn't an issue. For If you boon dock a lot, you'll need to run the genny now and then and/or have other ways to keep the batteries charged.

The Residential is a little nicer than the absorption.

The absorption can run weeks (months) with nothing more than LP and a light charge on the battery. (the control board for the frig runs on 12 volts)

My personal preference is absorption, we do a lot of boondocking and I don't have the necessary inverters or solar or any of that stuff that would be required to keep the 120 volt out let happy.

McRod · 07-27-2015, 12:38 PM

In the cult discussions, has anyone done a test to see how much LP a generator uses to power an all electric fridge vs using the LP tanks directly to power an LP fridge?

UncleBilly · 07-27-2015, 12:39 PM

You can buy a 12v compressor fridge from NovaKool or Vitrifrigo. Just installed the NK 9000 and it works great! 😜👍🏻

1996 Country Coach Intrigue 😜

Selah · 07-27-2015, 01:48 PM

The convenience of all electric if terrific. If the rig is properly set up for all electric you won't have any problems boon docking. I don't know how long ours can go but we have gone 12 hours without starting the generator and the batteries were not below 60%. We do shut the fridge off at night and it retains its temp just fine.
I like the ice through the door, heated floors, the AquaHot for hot water, etc.
my opinion; there are far more advantages to all electric than disadvantages.

nothermark · 07-27-2015, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by McRod

In the cult discussions, has anyone done a test to see how much LP a generator uses to power an all electric fridge vs using the LP tanks directly to power an LP fridge?

Not even in the same league let alone the same ball park. The two big issues seem to be some people are afraid of LP and some want the slight improvement in capacity. The rest of us are quite content with absorption and having gas appliances. There is also something if a size matters issue. If you have a 40 ft unit that can handle 4 big batteries you have one discussion. If you have a 30 ft where 2 smaller batteries are a squeeze it is a very different discussion.

Ramets · 07-28-2015, 07:01 AM

My Dometic was starting to give us fits, so 1 1/2yrs. ago we put in a Whirlpool residential. Would NEVER go back to an absorption. However I already had plenty of solar, AGM's, and a Magnum PSW. So it was a no brainer.

McRod · 07-29-2015, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ramets

My Dometic was starting to give us fits, so 1 1/2yrs. ago we put in a Whirlpool residential. Would NEVER go back to an absorption. However I already had plenty of solar, AGM's, and a Magnum PSW. So it was a no brainer.

That's the direction we are thinking to move in, but I was thinking it would be too much to put on the electrical system alone, and maybe the LP would alleviate some of the electrical burden.

Thanks for the response.

**CountryFit** · 07-29-2015, 04:13 PM

my standing is - if my lp fridge is working as it should, i will continue using it (i like the quietness and efficiency). if someday it does not work well, no doubt i will put a residential unit in, because it's 1/3 of the cost.

nothermark · 07-29-2015, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by McRod

That's the direction we are thinking to move in, but I was thinking it would be too much to put on the electrical system alone, and maybe the LP would alleviate some of the electrical burden.

Thanks for the response.

How much battery capacity can you manage? How much do you dry camp?

Davdeb1 · 07-29-2015, 05:23 PM

If you have to replace it, you can buy more batteries and an inverter and a 15-16 cu ft residential all for about $1000. A replacement absorption will cost $3500.

Mr_D · 07-29-2015, 07:31 PM

The only propane in our rig is the 5.5 gal bottle for the cooktop, everything else is electric. But it came that way and we have a 12.5Kw gen, 400 watts of solar and 4 8D batteries so no shortage of power. Right now I'm replacing all the halogen lights (some 60 of them) with LED's. So far I've got about 30 done with more LED's on order.
Thinking about replacing the gas cooktop with an induction unit too. Not sure how the DW will take that though as she has had gas since she lived at home and we still have it here.