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Old 12-28-2018, 09:23 AM   #1
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Refrigerator Upgrade

2007 American Tradition 42V

We currently have a Dometic NDA 1402 refrigerator that does work. We are pondering if we should change it out for a Samsung RF18 residential unit. We are going full time. 10KW generator, 4 12volt house batteries, 2000w inverter and 300 watts in solar panels. It appears the old and new units could be exchanged w/o removing the windshield. I have enough height for Samsung clearance. Just wondering if its worth the trouble...…... for now. I don't see extensive boondocking in our future, only a occasional couple of days now and then between sites.

Opinions ?

Thanks
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Old 12-28-2018, 09:54 AM   #2
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Well, you are all setup for it and I would bet that going full time you would appreciate the added space in the Samsung vs the adsorption unit.

Besides, never uses any propane and much lower maintenance...and, if so inclined, hard ice cream.
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Old 12-28-2018, 02:22 PM   #3
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Can someone tell me if a Samsung RF18 is correct for the replacement for a 1200 series two door RV ref. and can the old unit and the new unit clear the door?
We have a 2015 Newmar Ventana 43 foot
Thanks, Hamp
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Old 12-28-2018, 03:42 PM   #4
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The best way to check if it fits your coach (they vary) is to get the refrigerator's measurements off the web and measure your door.
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Old 12-28-2018, 03:52 PM   #5
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OP, what amp hour rating are your batteries?
Depending on your usage you may want to install a small inverter just for the refer and add more batteries.
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Old 12-28-2018, 04:13 PM   #6
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I would recommend replacing it with RF18, although it works now; for a peace of mind.
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Old 12-29-2018, 06:29 AM   #7
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A little bit of a PITA, but when you get through with the job you will think it was the best thing you ever did to your rig.....promise.
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Old 12-29-2018, 07:57 AM   #8
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I replaced a working 4 door Norcold with a Samsung RF-18 and love it. When Norcold was removed noticed that the wall next to the burner was singed black from the heat. We really dodged the bullet...…. Fire is NOT nice....

Safe travels
Dave
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Old 12-29-2018, 09:31 AM   #9
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I'll add my two cents to the thread to say that the single best improvement we made to our 2000 Beaver was the installation of a Samsung RF179 (the predecessor to the RF18). As others have already noted--more space, frozen ice cream, etc.

Although so far all the responses to you question have been positive, I'll predict that you will get some strong negative ones in due course. The RV community seems to be bifurcated between those who think that residential fridges are great improvements and those who try hard to convince others not to go that route.

Lastly, having personally witnessed a neighboring RV be destroyed by a refrigerator fire, I never again entertained the idea that an RV fridge was an acceptable alternative. The fridge that burned up was even one that had had the so-called Norcold recall performed on it! I get a much better night's sleep knowing my Samsung is far less likely to burn up!
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Old 12-29-2018, 12:22 PM   #10
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I replaced our Norcold 1200 with the Samsung RF18 a few years ago. My wife loves it. Much more interior space and larger freezer. Mine fit through the passenger side slide window. Very close fit. I had to lower the floor a few inches for the new refrigerator - the Samsung is somewhat taller than the 4 door Samsung.
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Old 12-29-2018, 01:01 PM   #11
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Now for the confusion!

Looked at the RF 18 and it looked fine, BUT I started to reading the 2018 reviews from various non RV sites and it gets rated at a 1 out of 5 and most say that's even high.

Anyone using a different make counter depth residential unit in their motorhome? What are the new RV's getting from the factory?

Kinda scary reading about poor customer service, freeze ups and perpetual water leaks into the lower drawers. Could all be bunk...……..but better to have a plan B if they are accurate.

Thanks
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Old 12-29-2018, 01:15 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wanderer23 View Post
Now for the confusion!

Looked at the RF 18 and it looked fine, BUT I started to reading the 2018 reviews from various non RV sites and it gets rated at a 1 out of 5 and most say that's even high.
It all depends where you go to look for reviews. If you go to websites where people complain about products then you will see a preponderance of negative reviews. OTOH if you go to a merchant's site you often find a very different perspective. Here are links to Lowes and AJMadison (a major online retailer of appliances); on both of those sites the reviews of the Samsung are 3.5 out of 5). Are they perfect, of course not, but we've had our RF179 for ~8 years and haven't had any issues with it.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Samsung-17-...eel/1000005992

https://www.ajmadison.com/cgi-bin/aj...views-tab-pane

And, FWIW I don't work for Samsung, nor do I have stock in the company.

FWIW there is an equivalently priced counter depth GE model:
https://www.ajmadison.com/cgi-bin/ajmadison/GWE19J.html

but don't forget that GE is no longer made by GE. It's a Haier product these days.
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Old 12-29-2018, 01:28 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wanderer23 View Post
Now for the confusion!

Looked at the RF 18 and it looked fine, BUT I started to reading the 2018 reviews from various non RV sites and it gets rated at a 1 out of 5 and most say that's even high.

Anyone using a different make counter depth residential unit in their motorhome? What are the new RV's getting from the factory?

Kinda scary reading about poor customer service, freeze ups and perpetual water leaks into the lower drawers. Could all be bunk...……..but better to have a plan B if they are accurate.

Thanks
Ok here is my simple/low cost conversion
Replaced an RV Fridge with a Residential Unit - iRV2 Forums

Honestly RF18 looks much purdier.
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Old 12-29-2018, 01:55 PM   #14
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Sure, my 2015 has a 22 cuft Frigidaire! Love it but it is really BIG!
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