Residential fridge

[G.G.]

Okay, we need help. We are in the process of doing research to change from a Dometic refer to a residential fridge. I did a search and am as confused as ever (or more so) so I need a "Refer for Dummies" lesson.
And, I do not use the term dummies loosely.....It's true. I'm technically challenged.

I've read more than once that for most refers a MSW inverter needs to be changed to a PSW. Since we do no boondocking and most likely never will, is this still necessary? Am I correct that the inverter would only come into play if we're not on shore power?

I've read several comments from those that say they turn off their refer for several hours while traveling down the road, and their food and freezer aren't affected. Is this true? I'm having a hard time getting DH to believe it.

Thanks for any help you can give. Aside from the fact the Dometic is a piece of cr#@p, I'm petrified about a fire. I want this thing gone!!

[gatorcq]

Photos of our install. Susan and I removed a window to bring in the refrig. We installed a 20 Cu Ft Whirlpool.


https://picasaweb.google.com/1031785...eat=directlink

["007"]

Have you checked this thread also.
Food will keep for a period of time if door openings are cut down to the minimum, what happens when you have power outage at home same would apply as long as doors are closed food would be OK until the power comes back on.
You can always use your Gen if its really hot.

[G.G.]

Thanks 007. The link you gave me made for some interesting reading and answered my questions. Again, thanks!

[TXiceman]

One thing to note in the installation...NEVER use teflon tape on a flare fitting. Never use a compression fitting on a gas line...only flare fittings. The yellow tape is for use on gas line with national pipe thread joints, not flare fittings.

Ken

[Dutch Star Don]

Dance Chick......MANY of us are using the Samsung RF197 refer. It fits the opening of a Norcold 4 door with a little enlargement height wise. The Samsung is a good choice because it looks nice, (it's a French door that comes in black, white and Stainless steel) and it converts 110 power to 12 volt internally. For this reason, it doesn't mind being powered by a msw inverter.

I installed one three weeks ago. I have a 2000 watt msw inverter that runs the coach and most people just use this inverter to power the refer. I wanted a separate/smaller inverter for just the refer. I bought a Magnum 800 watt msw inverter to power mine. It has an internal transfer switch which means that when I plug into shore power (just like the larger inverters) it will allow 110 volt power to pass through the inverter and power my refer and not draw off of my batteries.

With all that said, you can buy whatever type of residential refer you would like and then just add a small PSW inverter if that's what's needed.

You can add another inverter to your current battery bank without causing issues to your current inverter.

[bruceisla]

Originally Posted by Dance Chick

Okay, we need help. We are in the process of doing research to change from a Dometic refer to a residential fridge. I did a search and am as confused as ever (or more so) so I need a "Refer for Dummies" lesson.
And, I do not use the term dummies loosely.....It's true. I'm technically challenged.

I've read more than once that for most refers a MSW inverter needs to be changed to a PSW. Since we do no boondocking and most likely never will, is this still necessary? Am I correct that the inverter would only come into play if we're not on shore power?

I've read several comments from those that say they turn off their refer for several hours while traveling down the road, and their food and freezer aren't affected. Is this true? I'm having a hard time getting DH to believe it.

Thanks for any help you can give. Aside from the fact the Dometic is a piece of cr#@p, I'm petrified about a fire. I want this thing gone!!

What are the dimensions of your current reefer?

[paz]

Originally Posted by Dance Chick

Okay, we need help. We are in the process of doing research to change from a Dometic refer to a residential fridge. I did a search and am as confused as ever (or more so) so I need a "Refer for Dummies" lesson.
And, I do not use the term dummies loosely.....It's true. I'm technically challenged.

I've read more than once that for most refers a MSW inverter needs to be changed to a PSW. Since we do no boondocking and most likely never will, is this still necessary? Am I correct that the inverter would only come into play if we're not on shore power?

I've read several comments from those that say they turn off their refer for several hours while traveling down the road, and their food and freezer aren't affected. Is this true? I'm having a hard time getting DH to believe it.

Thanks for any help you can give. Aside from the fact the Dometic is a piece of cr#@p, I'm petrified about a fire. I want this thing gone!!

It is not absolutely necessary to change your inverter to PSW. You are correct that the only time your fridge will be operating on the inverter is when you are not connected to shore power. Some people who have installed a residential refrigerator simply turn it off when they are driving. Since you don't boondock and if you don't normally drive long distances and you keep the door closed, this will work because the fridge will not gain that much heat over a few hours. If you are occasionally driving a longer distance, run the genset for part of the time.

Another way to avoid having to change out your inverter is to install a residential refrigerator that will run on MSW. The Samsung RF197 and the RF217 will both operate on MSW with no problem. We have had an RF197 installed for over a year now. The downside to both these Samsungs is they are taller than most refrigerators in the 18 to 21 cu ft size range, and some RVs have a furnace or electrical panel below the fridge that would prevent having enough height. The RF197 and RF217 are both 69 3/4" tall with a minimum of 1/4" recommended vent space at the top.

[HD4Mark]

+1 for MSW is OK with a Samsung Ours is an RF217. Two seasons with it (winter home) and it has been fine. Honestly we run the generator most of the time while driving so it doesn't run off it much. If it is cool outdoors and we are not connected to shore power for one night we just turn everything off and leave the doors closed. Easy enough to get a few things out ahead of time and put them in a cooler then start up the genny in the morning.

We are parked and plugged in for over 3 months so the double storage space, the fact that it actually keeps food cold and peace of mind that it won't catch on fire made it the best mod we have made to the RV.

[G.G.]

Thanks everyone. My questions have been answered. We're putting in a smaller fridge than what I can find with Samsung. I knew the MSW inverter wouldn't be an issue with that brand. We'll do as suggested and run the genny part of the time while traveling, if needed. I think that'll work fine. Thanks again!!

[Winepress]

Originally Posted by Diplomat Don

Dance Chick......MANY of us are using the Samsung RF197 refer. It fits the opening of a Norcold 4 door with a little enlargement height wise. The Samsung is a good choice because it looks nice, (it's a French door that comes in black, white and Stainless steel) and it converts 110 power to 12 volt internally. For this reason, it doesn't mind being powered by a msw inverter.

I installed one three weeks ago. I have a 2000 watt msw inverter that runs the coach and most people just use this inverter to power the refer. I wanted a separate/smaller inverter for just the refer. I bought a Magnum 800 watt msw inverter to power mine. It has an internal transfer switch which means that when I plug into shore power (just like the larger inverters) it will allow 110 volt power to pass through the inverter and power my refer and not draw off of my batteries.

With all that said, you can buy whatever type of residential refer you would like and then just add a small PSW inverter if that's what's needed.

You can add another inverter to your current battery bank without causing issues to your current inverter.

Although the Samsung's run fine on the modified sine wave, they are not 12 volt. I thought the same after reading all the posts on the Samsung's. While installing mine, I removed the back cover to secure the unit to the floor. The compressor has a label that says 120VAC. The electronics may be 12 volt, but not the compressor.

[offshore]

Gene, we took our Dometic out and put in a Sears Kenmore, 18 CF for under $500.00, we don't have an inverter in our unit. We never dry camp and keep the doors closed while traveling.

[YC1]

Do a search for "residential refrigerator" or "samsung"

http://www.irv2.com/forums/search.php?searchid=4482682

Diplomat Don just did one. I watched my neighbor change his.

[G.G.]

Originally Posted by offshore

Gene, we took our Dometic out and put in a Sears Kenmore, 18 CF for under $500.00, we don't have an inverter in our unit. We never dry camp and keep the doors closed while traveling.

Perfect. Answers my question totally. Thanks.