Community Forums

Homeby5 · 06-13-2022, 01:52 PM

As you may have seen in another thread, my Dometic Gas/120v fridge died after only 3 years. Coolant unit went bad. Cost to repair is almost as much as new unit and Dometic will not give me a discount.
Anyway...what type of fridge should I buy to replace this? I still want propane because I drycamp a lot. I also don't have solar panels.
Is there a compressor fridge that will do the job?
My model is a Dometic DM 2662.
Thanks

Rodg495 · 06-13-2022, 01:56 PM

I don't know what size you are looking for but the new 12v compressor RV refrigerators are really nice. Quick cool down, no propane to worry about, doesn't have the critical leveling requirements of propane and work well with solar and lithium battery setup. These usually fit into the same space as older propane combo units and have more room inside.

Old-Biscuit · 06-13-2022, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Homeby5

As you may have seen in another thread, my Dometic Gas/120v fridge died after only 3 years. Coolant unit went bad. Cost to repair is almost as much as new unit and Dometic will not give me a discount.
Anyway...what type of fridge should I buy to replace this? I still want propane because I drycamp a lot. I also don't have solar panels.
Is there a compressor fridge that will do the job?
My model is a Dometic DM 2662.
Thanks

Then Compressor fridge is not the answer nor is residential fridge

A New Cooling Unit...gas/electric can be bought for $750 you install
https://rvcoolingunit.com/Dometic-Co...6.aspx?sid=298

MSHappyCampers · 06-13-2022, 05:06 PM

What Old Biscuit said!

Homeby5 · 06-13-2022, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old-Biscuit

Then Compressor fridge is not the answer nor is residential fridge

Care to elaborate why? Just curious why a 12v compressor fridge isn't recommended.

xrated · 06-13-2022, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Homeby5

Care to elaborate why? Just curious why a 12v compressor fridge isn't recommended.

I'm not Old Biscuit, but I did stay in a Holiday Inn once or twice......so I'll offer up a reason or two..

Likely because the OP stated that he dry camped a lot and doesn't have solar. So the only way to recharge the battery or batteries would be running a generator. That is certainly doable, but it might depend on how big of a fridge and the power consumption it takes...vs. running an absorption fridge on propane and just using the 12VDC for the control power for the fridge.

Old-Biscuit · 06-13-2022, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Homeby5

Care to elaborate why? Just curious why a 12v compressor fridge isn't recommended.

Because of YOUR statement in initial post

I still want propane because I drycamp a lot.

Can't have propane with compressor unit.

Absorption fridge Gas/Electric or compressor fridge be it remod to your current fridge or new residential fridge

Propane is only available with the absorption fridge

TB673 · 06-13-2022, 08:59 PM

Here is another vendor of new cooling units:

https://jc-refrigeration.com/

If you are near Elkhart, they will do the install at their shop.

Tim

twogypsies · 06-13-2022, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TB673

Here is another vendor of new cooling units:

https://jc-refrigeration.com/

If you are near Elkhart, they will do the install at their shop.

From other posts he's on his way to Alaska.

Homeby5 · 06-14-2022, 09:16 PM

Tell me...without solar, is the 12v compressor fridge doable? I have two 24 series deep cycle batteries and I do have gensets when dry camping. I think the 12v fridges my size draw about 5 amps when running and 1 amp when standby.

I know its not ideal but if my current charging setup will get me through a few months on the road until the fall, drycamping half the time, I would rather invest the money on a 12v fridge than waste another 750 on a cooling unit when this one lasted all of three years.

When I get home I have 3 12v 50amphour lithium batteries that I will put on the camper.

I can always look at solar panels later if needed but hopefully I won't need them.

Anyway...thoughts?

redbaron73 · 06-14-2022, 09:35 PM

I just finished a conversion of my 2022 Grand design.

I replaced the dometic propane with a magic chef 120v.

Added a 1000 watt inverter and 230aH of lead acid batteries, along with a victron battery monitor shunt to measure usage.

I also upgraded the tow vehicle with a 4awg charge line to the trailer with an Anderson strike quick connect.

During testing, we get 24 hours of refrigerator run time with 65% SOC remaing.

The tow vehicle charges at a rate of +20amps.

I think this setup will be perfect for boon docking with minimal generator usage.

SteveJ. · 06-14-2022, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Homeby5

Tell me...without solar, is the 12v compressor fridge doable? I have two 24 series deep cycle batteries and I do have gensets when dry camping. I think the 12v fridges my size draw about 5 amps when running and 1 amp when standby.

I know its not ideal but if my current charging setup will get me through a few months on the road until the fall, drycamping half the time, I would rather invest the money on a 12v fridge than waste another 750 on a cooling unit when this one lasted all of three years.

When I get home I have 3 12v 50amphour lithium batteries that I will put on the camper.

I can always look at solar panels later if needed but hopefully I won't need them.

Anyway...thoughts?

You're gonna have a lot of genny run time with a compressor fridge if you have no solar when dry camping for more than an overnight.

I might suggest getting 150 to 200 watts of portable solar. If there is a Walmart on the way just order through their online site and pick a store for delivery. Back in '16 when I started with one set of 100 watt portable folding panels cuz my Onan crapped out I was also on the road. I was having tires installed on a motorcycle in a few days and I worked out a deal with the dealer to have Amazon ship it to them. I rigged up a cigarette lighter plug to charge the battery, this on our old Roadtrek van.

We do about 80 to 90% dry camping, though with an old Dometic DM2862. It is wonderful not having to start the genny and listen to it run for hours to charge up lead acid batteries.

Homeby5 · 06-15-2022, 06:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redbaron73

I just finished a conversion of my 2022 Grand design.

I replaced the dometic propane with a magic chef 120v.

Added a 1000 watt inverter and 230aH of lead acid batteries, along with a victron battery monitor shunt to measure usage.

I also upgraded the tow vehicle with a 4awg charge line to the trailer with an Anderson strike quick connect.

During testing, we get 24 hours of refrigerator run time with 65% SOC remaing.

The tow vehicle charges at a rate of +20amps.

I think this setup will be perfect for boon docking with minimal generator usage.

Tell me...why the inverter forbade DC fridge? How does that help?
Thanks

redbaron73 · 06-15-2022, 06:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Homeby5

Tell me...why the inverter forbade DC fridge? How does that help?

Thanks

We went with 120v to get a 10.4cu ft fridge and freezer that fit the hole exactly.

Readily available at Lowe's and home Depot and under $350

Nothing wrong with DC, and if they where readily available for same day pickup it would have been a break even at $550, saving need for the inverter.

Would still need to upgrade batteries, charging lines, and add a Battery monitor.

Most of the 12v fridges are over $900 for 10cuft, so going this route was faster, cheaper, and proven.