Community Forums

Dutch Star Don · 03-25-2013, 11:07 PM

I finally got motivated to tackle my refrigerator replacement. I've waivered back and forth between the Samsung and rebuilding the Norcold with an Amish unit. I only have a MAX of 70" to squeeze the 69 3/4" Samsung in and there is still a chance it won't fit, but too late, I ordered a SS Samsung RF197 on Saturday.

My question.....is anyone running a stand alone inverter for the Samsung and if so, what size is needed. I want to run a separate inverter with an internal bypass so that I won't have to deal with refer power......it will all be automatic. I know that my 2000w Magnum unit will work, but I want a separate unit that I will leave on all the time. I intend to add two more batteries bringing my battery bank to six batteries.

Any suggestions.....I haven't been able to see what the power draw is on the Samsung, but I'm guessing a 1000w with higher surge of 1100-1300w will be sufficient. I wanted to go with a smaller Magnum, but I don't really see one that is appropriate.

I'm looking at this one AIMS PICOGLF10W12V120 1000W Low Frequency Inverter Charger | 12V, Inverter Supply , but it may be overkill.

All suggestions appreciated.

I've spent a ton of money on the MH in the last few months, so I guess we're keeping it for awhile.

nodine · 03-26-2013, 05:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diplomat Don

I finally got motivated to tackle my refrigerator replacement. I've waivered back and forth between the Samsung and rebuilding the Norcold with an Amish unit. I only have a MAX of 70" to squeeze the 69 3/4" Samsung in and there is still a chance it won't fit, but too late, I ordered a SS Samsung RF197 on Saturday.

My question.....is anyone running a stand alone inverter for the Samsung and if so, what size is needed. I want to run a separate inverter with an internal bypass so that I won't have to deal with refer power......it will all be automatic. I know that my 2000w Magnum unit will work, but I want a separate unit that I will leave on all the time. I intend to add two more batteries bringing my battery bank to six batteries.

Any suggestions.....I haven't been able to see what the power draw is on the Samsung, but I'm guessing a 1000w with higher surge of 1100-1300w will be sufficient. I wanted to go with a smaller Magnum, but I don't really see one that is appropriate.

I'm looking at this one AIMS PICOGLF10W12V120 1000W Low Frequency Inverter Charger | 12V, Inverter Supply , but it may be overkill.

All suggestions appreciated.

I've spent a ton of money on the MH in the last few months, so I guess we're keeping it for awhile.

Don,

You only need an inverter/charger if you plan to do a dedicated battery system for the Samsung. You could use a straight inverter such as this
Sunforce 11240 1000 Watt Pure Sine Wave Inverter with Remote Control : Amazon.com : Automotive
and connect it to the existing house battery system. The inverter/charger already installed in the motorhome will take care of the charging needs. I considered doing this on ours, but after using the Samsung for almost two years on the OEM inverter without any difficulty, I have lost motivation. As you know, I have installed two duplex outlets that connect to the pedestal for electric heaters and hair dryers.

Bob

JDT · 03-26-2013, 07:49 AM

Hi, Don. Still visit here and saw your post. When we ordered our new fifth wheel last year an option was the Samsung RF197, which we got. Excel uses a 1500 watt msw inverter that runs nothing but the fridge. The inverter is in the storage bay and has a 120V receptacle right next to it that goes directly to the fridge. All I have to do is plug it in to whichever is needed. Kind of simple but works. We have 2 6 volt batteries for the house and they will run the fridge all day with no problem.

We had the Samsung in the Ambassador for about a year before we sold it. It ran fine off the inverter and the house batteries. Buried in the Samsung website is a question and answer page. Several questions on power draw were asked about the 197, probably by rver's. It says the fridge is rated for 11.3 amps but will draw .8 to 4.3, depending on the cycle. I'm sure you know you get the watts by multiplying the amps times 120 so you can see a 1000 watt inverter is probably more than adequate, but I would not want anything less than 1500 just for a cushion.

Also, a question was asked about using a modified sine wave inverter to run the 197 and the answer was it would be fine since the fridge rectifies the voltage to dc. No idea how that works.

Good luck getting that thing in your coach and be sure you have a couple of strong, young backs to help you. It has to be muscled in the door and will barely fit, with doors off and hinges off the coach door. The Lowe's guys were not happy with me but were a little better after a nice tip. Be careful as a corner hit our dash and put a gouge in it.

DennisZ · 03-26-2013, 08:07 AM

Don
I just run mine off the standard inverter and all is good. I installed a small Xantrex transfer switch to switch between the inverter and shore power when I'm plugged in, this way the inverter circuit has no load except when I'm traveling or dry camping. With the standard 4 batteries, I have no problem going thru the night, just have to charge them up in the morning.

The refer really doesn't draw that much power that you need a separate inverter.

Dennis

Eaglesview · 03-26-2013, 08:15 AM

Installed a Samsung 197 last Fall. As near as I can tell from the Aladdin the 12 volt power draw is about 4 or 5 amps. Much lower than expected.

Works great.

Dakrism · 03-26-2013, 08:30 AM

Dennis

Must you install the transfer switch? I thought the coach would automatically detect shore power when plugged in and switch to inverter when on the road??? I was wanting to plug my residential fridge into the inverter plug meant for the old ice maker on the Dometic I replaced.The switches are behind the unit and I need to access the plugs from outside the coach.
At this time we have the refrigerator plugged into the AC plug and must run the Generator for power if not plugged into shore power.
How do you have yours plugged in and where is this switch you mention?
Appreciate any help!

Dan

YC1 · 03-26-2013, 09:44 AM

Hi Don. I'm trying to understand why you need a seperate inverter. I leave my Magnum on with the inverter button on at all times. If connected to shoreline it just bypasses the inverter section basically.

That said, my next door neighbor here in the park just installed the Samsung, I think he removed his screen door. He removed the passenger chair of course. The two men that carried it inside had a long wide strap that went under the refer and then over their shoulders. They slowly entered the rv with about a half inch on each side. Stopping a few times on the way in they readjusted their shoulder straps. Inside, the neighbor had built a roll around stand for temporary support. The doors of the refer had been removed of course. I didn't see them take the old one out so don't know if it was difficult. At least you can take the cooling stuff off and lighten it up a bit.
The neighbor has big smiles this week and spent time closing out the vent top and side vent. Not sure how this thing vents but apparently not from the back. There were no fins on the back. He also says he doesn't know what to do with the extra room inside. I suppose I could put some of my beer in there??

In any case they replaced theirs due to age and not failure. Take some pictures if you get a chance.

Galvanizd · 03-26-2013, 11:00 AM

Gonna be watching this one. My Norcold died last month and I am leaning heavily towards the Samsung. I took a hard look at our travel styles and figure my 4 house battery set up should be enough. I'm not sure how much I would run a fridge off of the inverter much but it would be an option. Nodine, I saved your write up and pictures posted cause it looked pretty good. Dipl Don, when you do yours, pictures would be nice!
Gonna tackle mine next month. We picked up a small residential refridge when ours died last month while we were in Mexico. It fit nice right in the slot next to the dining table and the window in the street side slide but not gonna work for us long term so the Samsung is looking good.

Geez, I hate projects piling up. Refrigerator died. Splendide died. No. #1 bathroom overhead fan needs a redo. Gotta get moving.

Thanks for the info, you guys are providing. I hate re inventing the wheel.

Dutch Star Don · 03-26-2013, 01:55 PM

Thanks guys, that was the info I was looking for. I know a lot of you are just using the house inverter, but some of you may know how anal I am and I want to do it a little differently. I want to install an inverter with a built in bypass so that the refer operates without anything being done by me. Everything will be autimatic.

Again, I know it's just me, but I'm not a fan of driving with the house inverter on. There are many things like my DirecTv box, microwave (panel power) and other small items that I don't want to have to switch on and off.

It looks like a small 1000 watt will do the trick, just need one with a bypass for shorepower/generator connection.

If I have to remove my front door, I'll probably opt to take out a window. I have a large floor level window on my model with a recliner next to it. It would accomodate the refer with the doors on. Plan on making the son-in-laws do some work for me for a change when it comes to lifiting it in.

Drifter · 03-26-2013, 04:38 PM

Don, The 197 model fits easily through the door if you disconnect upper door support. Tie the door to the mirror and remove the inside grab hand mounted to the dash, then take the doors off the new fridge and pull out the freezer. If you use the 217 model you have to go through the drivers side window. Now if your old fridge is a Norcold it may go out the side door, but the Dometic will not unless you destroy it like I did. That was very satisfying.

moisheh · 03-26-2013, 05:25 PM

Galvanizd: Although our Dynasty has a factory residential fridge our unit that we just bought for Mexico ( 05 Bounder) is still a Norcold. I pondered putting a residential unit in the Bounder but am going to install the Amish cooling unit. I thought of some of the places we have camped and the bad electricity. Sometimes the voltage is too high and some of the EMS systems will shut down your 120 power. In other spots the voltage is low and adding the small load from the fridge might just be enough to bring the voltage down to a dangerously low level. We have stayed in many places where I have had to unplug due to bad power. Especially when a caravan comes to the CG. I love our residential fridge and would never go back to a propane fridge under normal circumstances

ruffian · 03-26-2013, 05:40 PM

I don't understand a couple of your statements about Automatic operation.

I think you would be hard pressed to find any inverter which doesn't include an automatic by-pass.

If you plug into shore power, the shore power by-passes the inverter. The inverter will not invert 12V to 110V if it senses shore power. Immediately upon sensing loss of shore power the inverter will pick up the load. Just like an uninterpretable power supply for your home computer.

It doesn't get any more automatic than that.

Dupdyke · 03-26-2013, 06:19 PM

I just drove 800 miles from the Valley to I35 at windstar casino in OK I had all devices on the inverter turned on ran the aquahot to keep warm and the freezer kept the ice cream great and the Samsung 217 refer kept all the beer cold. I did not ever see more than 5 amps draw and listened to country oldies on direct tv all the way. I can not see any reason to add more batteries or a 2nd inverter as long as the two solar panels keep everything up and happy.

Might want to look at this

https://plus.google.com/photos/11379...345?banner=pwa

DennisZ · 03-26-2013, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dakrism

Dennis

Must you install the transfer switch? I thought the coach would automatically detect shore power when plugged in and switch to inverter when on the road??? I was wanting to plug my residential fridge into the inverter plug meant for the old ice maker on the Dometic I replaced.The switches are behind the unit and I need to access the plugs from outside the coach.
At this time we have the refrigerator plugged into the AC plug and must run the Generator for power if not plugged into shore power.
How do you have yours plugged in and where is this switch you mention?
Appreciate any help!

Dan

Dan
You really don't need to do that, but with everything on the inverter circuit, I just wanted to take some of the load off that circuit when I was on shore power or on the generator.
I had 2 outlets for my old Dometic, one from only shore power and one from the inverter (only used to run the ice maker. I installed my transfer switch to the back of my frig with double stick tape.