Advice on changing to a larger refrigerator

[Oz]

Sent: 4/18/2003 2:03 PM

I've noticed that you folks with the larger models and bath in the back seem to have pretty fair size fridges and freezers.  My '74 RM350 Indian's is little more than a beer cooler.  Would it be difficult to swap out for a bigger one?  The area above it is just a very small, very useless counter top with a mini-microwave above that which can be relocated. - Sob

[beach]

Sent: 4/18/2003 5:56 PM I would do the same as ours is the original in a 1975 small and our other motorhome has the house size fridge we know that we have to replace the winnie and always carry a 100 qt cooler to the beach full of ice dont load the fridge until it comes down to temp as why ruin the food I would like a bigger one and the other half says we cant do it oh well then I dont cook 

[1frMe_IR]

Sent: 4/19/2003 10:23 AM

It's just a guess, based on years of reading motorhome magazines including the tech pages, but I have always thought that just about any motorhome fridge would be alright as long as it fits right and will run off the propane gas. As for inverters, I have not read anything about using them while the engine is running. Normally they are used while parked and they drain the battery easily.

[Oz]

Sent: 4/19/2003 4:47 PM I guess the question is, if I am using electric to run it, will it be a considerable increase on the draw.  The one I was interested in was about 2/3 larger than my original.  Very good condition.  He only wants $200. - Sob

[mightybooboo]

Sent: 4/19/2003 8:27 PM hear an inverter sized to refer pulls about 60 amps while driving,many new MH with 160 amp alts do the run it while driving thing.Your needs may be different,i use the propane or just leave it off,the freezer has lotsa frozen stuff so it stays cold enough.Or we run the 12volt switch on while running most commonly.BooBoo

[Collyn down-under]

Sent: 4/19/2003 9:43 PM May I suggest its worth looking at the recently made Tropical Range Electrolux gas/electric fridges (I suspect they are marketed as 'Dometic' in the USA).These are rated to run up to 43 degrees Centigrade (about 111 degrees F) - which is quite a common temperature here. Tens of thousands of them are in use in this country particularly in what we call caravans and youse call travel trailers.Whilst running on propane they use about 1 lb a day (keep having to think about units - we use metric).They draw about 15 amps at 12 volts - too much for solar - but just fine whilst you are driving.You run them on 12 volts whilst driving - and gas at all other times. Do not use gas whilst driving.They work superbly as long as they are correctly installed - they must be adequately vented - preferably to a roof vent (the maker has a good kit for this).The ONLY way to pick the Tropical rated unit is via the rating/compliance plate. At the bottom where it says Climate Rating, the box next to it must have a letter T.Trust this may helpCollyn down-under

[HAL]

Sent: 4/20/2003 2:38 AM HAL HERE. YOU DIDN'T SAY IF THE REF. IS A 2 OR 3 WAY. WHEN I REPLACED MINE I INSTALLED A 3 WAY. WHILE I AM DRIVEING I USE THE DC POWER. WHILE PARKED I CAN USE AC OR PROPANE. THE ONLY THING IS IF YOU USE PROPANE YOU HAVE TO VENT IT TO THE OUT SIDE. MOST 2 WAY USE PROPANE OR AC. IF YOU HAVE A GENERATOR YOU HAVE TO RUN IT WHILE DRIVEING. 

[Collyn down-under]

From: Collyn down-under Sent: 4/20/2003 4:08 AM Good day HalSorry mate - this is one of the problems of our two countries being divided by a common language. Not all the nuances are obvious - and I've got heaps of long term American friends who live now in Sydney.Over here we rarely use the term two-way in reference to fridges. Almost all of ours are 'three-way'. They use 240 volt (that's single phase here), 12-volts or propane (which we call gas). What I think you call 'gas' we call petrol. In other words we use 'em just like you describe except that most places where you stop in this country (outside the few big cities) we don't have people - let alone AC.Most caravan (trailer) parks have AC power, but about half of all motorhome owners free camp (boondock??) at least 50% of the time. So we are far more reliant on solar etc. And it makes a lot of sense to use three-way fridges. I think it does generally.Collyn down under

[Oz]

From: Liv42dayOKSent: 4/20/2003 9:25 AM It's very close to Hanover, PA.  Much of the major items have been picked-out but, there are quite a bit of useful items left.  Especially rims.  The one thing I did notice... there were quite a number of burnt out hulks.  Some probrobly resulting from the accident that put them in the junk yard but, just as many from some other reason.  So, please, particularly for us new folks who know very little about mechanics, wiring, propane systems, etc.  Be very careful when addressing problems, upgrades or changes to your vehicle systems.  The experts in our group are undoubtedly one of the greatest resources we have and they have been overwhelmingly helpful and generous in sharing their knowledge.  I don't even want to think about one of us, or anybody for that matter, suffering what I saw in just this one junkyard.  Ask the pros.  It could save your rig, and maybe even your life. I got a vent from the original set up.  Don't know if it's 2 or 3 way but, I have a DC inverter so, I bet I can run a plug to it to use while driving.? - Sob

[chip]

Sent: 4/20/2003 1:08 PM

i'm not quite sure where this thread is going but, there is another option for refrigeration.Danfoss compressors are very efficient cooling units that run on 12-24 volt d.c. and use 134a as a refrigerant. with a solar panel on the roof and a 4D-8D battery you could have a "cool" fridge that doesn't need propane and the problems of an absorption system, or the power drain of a regular 110volt fridge. downside is that they are as pricey as an ammonia fridge. check out novakool.com if you are curious.

[Colin]

Sent: 4/23/2003 1:25 AM

Has anyone ever tried using a regular AC refrigerator (like a bar-size unit) with an inverter? It sure would be a lot less expensive refrigerator. I suppose it would run down the batteries very quickly.C.

[Collyn down-under]

Sent: 4/23/2003 1:58 AM

ColinDont even think about it!!These fridges use induction motors and these are horrendously inefficient. Most dc fridges use low voltage direct current Danfoss compressors - they typically use 30%-50% of the energy of domestic units.Collyn down under

[Oz]

Waaaay late update.  I did get another refrigerator.  It wasn't in the RV I had at the original time this topic was started, but it was the next one, the same year & model.


I found a '69 D22 with the roof totally rotted and caved in.  I bought the whole thing for $500 and parted it out but kept the fridge, which was the only thing on the interior that wasn't water damaged.  It was a newer, 1990's model, 3 way.  Much larger than the OEM one.  I loved it and it didn't make boo difference on using anything as far as I know.  It ran super on LP once I burped it (the rig had been sitting for 5 years).  It never did run on electric but, I never needed to use electric so, I was a very happy camper.

[Stripe]

Nice.  I don't use E on my refer either.  LP and it's nice n cool and it dun eat LP like a hog on slop..

[pvoth1111]

I ordered a new fridge...10 cubic  feet....its gonna fit in the  same hole the old one is in and way bigger.....full timing as we are....we are plugged in 99% of the time.....the old one works just not good enough for full timing... traveling we run the genny anyway....if anyone wants  the old one....well say so.....norcold...6xx something