Just purchased wrecked 2004 Camelot PDQ... big project

[winniman]

Originally Posted by TRH299

Where I camp with friends at the Annual Oshkosh flyin, I can't run a generator at night... Propane fridge seems like a must in this situation.

Im with you. I cant see myself not having a propane fridge. Having to run the generator constantly would get on my nerves.

[rmacdon61]

Originally Posted by TRH299

Where I camp with friends at the Annual Oshkosh flyin, I can't run a generator at night... Propane fridge seems like a must in this situation.

You can run a generator most any time, not only night time. 2 hrs in the morning if batteries need it will do. Most likely, if your systems are well maintained, batteries should be maintained by solar and gen used if batteries get down. Up to you, auntie google is your best friend for making good choices.

[hypoxia]

Originally Posted by TRH299

Where I camp with friends at the Annual Oshkosh flyin, I can't run a generator at night... Propane fridge seems like a must in this situation.

Camp Scholler quiet times are from 10:30 PM-6:30 AM, that shouldn't be a problem. I can dry camp for long time with a residential refrigerator within those guidelines.

[TRH299]

Originally Posted by hypoxia

Camp Scholler quiet times are from 10:30 PM-6:30 AM, that shouldn't be a problem. I can dry camp for long time with a residential refrigerator within those guidelines.

So the non propane fridge will run off inerter/house batteries overnight? I assumed the fridge would not run off inverter for that long without draining house bats.

[RamiDav]

Originally Posted by TRH299

So the non propane fridge will run off inerter/house batteries overnight? I assumed the fridge would not run off inverter for that long without draining house bats.

The fridges along with solar have been improved so much that the old school
thinking is fading away .

Safety ( fridge fires ) was first driving the move away from propane fridges
then it became evident that these new residential fridges were great .
Of course it take a little rethinking but the results are worth it .
Most of us run the gen for a few hrs each afternoon or evening to start
the night with fully charged batteries .
You can set up your auto gen start ( AGS ) to do that for you .
Over time the RV fridges prove to be erratic / problematic and dangerous,
the residentials are just like home , virtually fool proof .
Vast numbers of owners have moved to residential fridges but I haven't
heard of anyone moving back .
I installed a Samsung in our 03 Windsor about 7 yrs ago , best thing
we have done .

BTW I would incorporate batteries if you plan to plug into shore power .
The charger is designed to be kept on just watch the water level .
Ray

[Outbound]

Ditto on keeping propane fridge.

[JMonroe]

I'm with the "dump the propane" crowd. Saftey is just one reason. If you're going to do it now is the time rather than later after comparing notes with residential fridge users and deciding to make a change. If worried about power and a couple more batteries.

I forgot to flip the breaker on our home 50 amp power pedestal once a number of years ago. Walked into the coach for something three days later and the fridge was still running, my guess is a fourth day would have shut it down. A couple hours gen use each day and you should be good.

[veraken]

Here's a list of salvage yards/places where you might find what you need.

http://www.fivestarrvgroup.com
RV Salvage Sources
http://www.glen-l.com/campers/suppliers.html
Used RV Parts And Used RV Accessories | Visone RV Monaco Parts Dealer | rvparts.visonerv.com
http://msrheaters.com/defrost.html
Northwest RV Supply Northwest RV Supply
Veurinks RV (Sue) 616-965-9619
http://colawrvsalvage.com
https://bontragers.com/rv-supplies-accessories/
RV Misc
https://www.azrvsalvage.com/home.html
RV Surplus
singletonsrv.com
Sullivan RV Sales and Service
Alliance coach, Wildwood FL
http://www.factoryrvsurplus.com
RVers Corner - RV Repair for the do-it-yourselfer!
RV Salvage & RV Surplus Outlets - used RV parts

[hex nut]

Just a little personal testimony. I bought a '06 Beaver a couple years ago as a bit of a project. (Fridge had vented it's ammonia, tires were factory originals (11 years old), batteries were toast, etc...) After a little research, I chose the Samsung 18cf counter depth residential refrigerator. I replaced the batteries with 400 amp-hours of deep-cycle AGM's (they recharge in about half the time of flooded batteries, hence less generator time). The Samsung draws about 10 amps of 12 volt dc from my batteries while running (it doesn't run all the time). So, while boondocking during a 24 hour period, it takes about two hours of generator time to replace the power drawn from my battery bank. After a seasons use, I chose to add a small dedicated 750 watt inverter and automatic transfer switch just for the fridge. That way, I do not have to leave the large 2000 watt inverter/charger on all the time. After two years of use (mostly boondocking), It works great and I am very happy with it.



Richard

[JohnRR]

Subscribed to another interesting thread, good luck with it.

[rmacdon61]

Originally Posted by TRH299

So the non propane fridge will run off inerter/house batteries overnight? I assumed the fridge would not run off inverter for that long without draining house bats.

Besides the obvious benefit of size and safety, modern inverter fridge runs cheapest at night. The inverter tech, used in these new fridges is actually quite amazing. An inverter fridge is a real winner in the noise end of fridge noise. They use less current at start and reduce compressor speed at times when it sleeps (night time).

Saving the best for last.................wait for it.................. THE WIFE loves it!!!!

[BCam]

Some of us don't mind running generators for a few hours a day and some of us think it's the worst thing ever.

And we're never going to convince each other otherwise.

Personally, I'm in the quiet is bliss camp and don't want to hear mine or others' generators run for hours at a time.

[Ljwt330]

Welcome Tim, I wondered when you’d drop in over here. This is where I migrated once I bought my first motorhome, though, as you know, I still lurk around the Pelican forum (ossiblue, over there.). You will find every available kind of help here. Lots of Monaco owners, but more important, you’ll learn about all systems as well.

Your biggest problem is now you have two salivating audiences awaiting reports on your progress—one here and one at Pelican. And to my fellow irv2 members, you’re in for a real treat. Wait until Tim starts the restoration of his submarine. (Green font will be understood by our new member, THR299.)

[guardrail53]

Subscribed, sounds like this will be fun to watch! Rail!