Community Forums

KSDP_PA · 03-06-2013, 10:18 AM

DH thinking about a basement fridge instead of a cooler.
We only ever put sodas and beer (and ice) in the cooler.
He thinks that the fridge would be better than buying ice every few days.

How many people have basement fridge ?
Would you buy one again ?

powerboatr · 03-06-2013, 11:34 AM

yes and yes
we had a medical freezer in the basement it lasted about 6 years between two rv's, it had a positive lock device which made traveling easy. it would run at -20 F
compact appliance .com

a small fridge is also a great idea and allows a cold beverage without running back inside

Cat320 · 03-06-2013, 01:06 PM

No and no. Main refer is plenty big enough, and I like my basement storage.

BFlinn181 · 03-06-2013, 01:18 PM

To put a refrigerator in a closed, watertight compartment would require ventilation to remove the heat and an opening and/or fan to bring in fresh air.

powerboatr · 03-06-2013, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BFlinn181

To put a refrigerator in a closed, watertight compartment would require ventilation to remove the heat and an opening and/or fan to bring in fresh air.

i could see that as being a problem with some basement layouts like a bounder that has the basement not temp controlled like some

as for us
the basement is within a few degrees of the main salon,
summer or winter

calhyatt · 03-06-2013, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KSDP_PA

DH thinking about a basement fridge instead of a cooler.
We only ever put sodas and beer (and ice) in the cooler.
He thinks that the fridge would be better than buying ice every few days.

How many people have basement fridge ?
Would you buy one again ?

We have a basement combination refer/freezer ( one or the other) that operates on 12v or 120 volts. We love it. We load it with meats, cheeses and other things we buy before our trips and thaw stuff out in the refer in our galley while we are driving. It has been great. Trouble free and always works. You can even take it out and bring it with you. If it failed, I would buy another immediately..Very handy unit. Holds about 100 lbs of stuff.. It is the largest Norcold unit made. Compressor, not a solid state unit.

Itasca Birds · 05-27-2013, 08:19 AM

Calhyatt, we, too, have a Norcold basement refrigerator/freezer. Just bought our new coach and the Norcold 45 was in it. The Norcold worked beautifully for first week and now not working. Error code blinks 3 times. Have tried to reset but no luck. Any suggestions? Thanks!

Qwert66 · 05-27-2013, 08:28 AM

Yes and Yes
Compact Appliance 63qt frid/freez one.
We like it better than Nocold and Dometic because of the following;
Direction that the lids hinge from
Basket sizes and openings
Metal case construction vs plastic
2 yr +warranty
Carry handles used for strapping down to bay slide
Cost appx 2/3 the others
Free shipping

We use ours for beer bottles, extra gal of milk, water bottles and the occasional food stuffs. Never a problem in 3 yrs running 6mo at a time.
We run ours on 110v from the 2k PSW whole house inverter even when dry camping.

tncruiser · 05-27-2013, 08:29 AM

we have a portable ice maker about 100 bux from wally world = free ice and it make a small batch every 7 or so minutes
brianj

Ray,IN · 05-29-2013, 08:42 PM

The lower cost route is to buy a Coleman 12V refrigerator. We bought one at a yard sale for $18. New, they cost about $100.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BFlinn181

To put a refrigerator in a closed, watertight compartment would require ventilation to remove the heat and an opening and/or fan to bring in fresh air.

Our 2000 Winnebago Ultimate Freedom came with a Norcold belly freezer/refrigerator in a sealed compartment. It still works wonderfully well. It kept 8# of pork ribs, corn-on-the-cob, (and other stuff) frozen solid for several days, until we met-up with friends and had a BBQ.

It is in the same compartment as the outside stereo. DW also has her counter-top ice maker in there (door is open to use that).

Mr_D · 05-29-2013, 08:52 PM

We've had the Dometic 100# unit in two rigs now (not the same unit, but the same model). The one we have now has been running pretty much 24/7/365 for 11 years except for a few trips to the dealer for repairs on the rest of the rig, the refer/freezer has never needed anything. We use it as a freezer all the time.
Would I do it again? Well, that depends on the refer/freezer inside. If we got a new Dutch Star with the large household French door units then it might not be as big a deal. If I had to go back to the small Dometic refer like we now have inside then I'd definitely need it.
If you do decide to add it get the slideout tray as it really makes a difference.

Ray,IN · 06-01-2013, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray,IN

The lower cost route is to buy a Coleman
Igloo 12V refrigerator. We bought one at a yard sale for $18. New, they cost about $100.

Our 2000 Winnebago Ultimate Freedom came with a Norcold belly freezer/refrigerator in a sealed compartment. It still works wonderfully well. It kept 8# of pork ribs, corn-on-the-cob, (and other stuff) frozen solid for several days, until we met-up with friends and had a BBQ.

It is in the same compartment as the outside stereo. DW also has her counter-top ice maker in there (door is open to use that).

Sorry for the incorrect brand name. May I blame it on age?