1000 watt inverter

[suebobby]

Picked up a used 2016 Winnebago Vista 35F with a 1000 watt inverter. Will this run the refrigerator while on the road? Dealer didn't have an answer. Thanks

[powercat_ras]

Originally Posted by suebobby

Picked up a used 2016 Winnebago Vista 35F with a 1000 watt inverter. Will this run the refrigerator while on the road? Dealer didn't have an answer. Thanks

No. The inverter only drives some of the 120 Volt convenience receptacles. It does not drive the refrigerator outlet.

When the OEM Norcold refrigerator is in AC mode, it draws up to about 350 Watts AC when the control board is calling for cooling. So it would be possible to connect the Refrigerator AC cord to inverter power and run the refrigerator while on the road. While cooling, it would add about 35 amps DC load from the inverter powering the refrigerator to the chassis' alternator, something it could easily handle.

If you forgot to disconnect it while not on the road and also not on shore power it would quickly drain your coach batteries, that is why Winnebago does not build it this way from the factory. Also the OEM Norcold refrigerator uses very little propane when not running on AC.

[suebobby]

Great, thank you for the information. Very helpful. I will continue to use propane as in the past.

[marjoa]

You're going to love your 35F. We do!

[Gary RVRoamer]

It probably could run the fridge outlet, but the factory wiring likely isn't set up that way. It probably does run the icemaker outlet, though, assuming it is separate. What fridge does it have? Separate power for the icemaker allows you to make ice while boondocking.

[suebobby]

Thanks, 12 cu ft Norcold 4 dr with ice maker. I think it's best if I stick to factory wireing and use the propane when traveling.

[suebobby]

Originally Posted by marjoa

You're going to love your 35F. We do!

Thank you. It's still in the driveway for now while we "make it our own." We have had several units over the years but this is the one that fits our current life circumstances (2 of us and 2 little rescues) Taking a local maiden voyage this weekend. ��.

[tropical36]

Originally Posted by suebobby

Picked up a used 2016 Winnebago Vista 35F with a 1000 watt inverter. Will this run the refrigerator while on the road? Dealer didn't have an answer. Thanks

Certainly, but do you have an outlet back there. If not run one like I did in our last coach and did so in a campground one day, when the propane mode was giving us some problems. It had a two door Dometic and ran fine on the 1KW, I installed.
Just don't forget to switch over to gas from the auto mode, if you're planning on shutting down for awhile.
Right now we're running a four door Norcold 1200 in the same way, but with the built in OEM 2K inverter. A 500 would probably run an RV fridge OK and since there's no inrush from a compressor during startup. Even at that, I have my doubts there would be a real problem and as long as the input wiring was short and adequate.