Compressor type refrigerator

[handyman1943]

I'm purchasing a 2013 Challenger that has a home style (compressor type) refrigerator. It comes equipped with and inverter (1000 Watt?) and runs of the cabin batteries. If the batteries get too low, the system is supposed to start the generator. Has anyone else had a similar setup or would care to comment about this?

[BFlinn181]

That's an almost standard set up in modern RVs, especially since the issues with the Norcold 12xx recall and fire problem. How many house batteries do you have? You could add batteries to that part of your system to extend time between charging. If you mostly stay in campgrounds with hook ups, your system is very efficient. The batteries also charge on the engine alternator when on the road, I assume.

[Scarab0088]

Bob's points are on-point. And if the Damon's BCC is working properly, the engine/alternator will charge the house batteries while driving


FYI, this post won't get seen by the crowd that has this set-up as standard equipment, being in the Damon Owners Forum...because it was a rather premium set-up a few years ago due to the cost of inverters and seen in RV's that are coming to be known as "All Electric".


The compressor (residential) fridge, inverter and generator auto-start are all tried and true systems. Putting them all together gives the RV the ability to run a fridge that is less impacted by level, is usually larger than the LP fridge offerings, and the fridge itself is less expensive for the builder to acquire (retail is over $1400 for the Dometic 2way vs. just over $400 for a similar sized apartment fridge).


BTW, if you look at the 2015-2016 Thor Motor Coach line-up, you will see that they are migrating to this set-up for most all their models. It is just good economics and the system works...just need to keep the house batteries in good order.


If you like to boondock (off grid camping) you might want to consider increasing the number of house batteries. If not the genie will kick-on in the wee hours of the night


Safe travels

[handyman1943]

Turns out that we have an 1800 watt inverter. The system powers the refrigerator and most electrical outlets but not the A/C or microwave. Seems to be acceptable. If we dry camp (overnight at a truck stop) we can always turn the system off and just let the frige stay cool by keeping the door shut if we don't want the generator to run.

[jrclark]

This winter while in Tucson our Dometic refrigerator got the dreaded disease and gave up the ghost. After considering the options, I decided it would be foolish to replace it with another Dometic or a Norcold. I put in home style refrigerator at one quarter the cost. I am very pleased with it and the additional cubic feet we now have. And, on start-up it quickly reached the proper temperature. I have a 3000 watt pure sine wave inverter/charger in my rig.