The next round of upgrades is upon us... Including, but not Limited to, A new Magnum MSH3012M 3000W/125A Hybrid Pure Sine Wave Inverter, Midnight Solar Classic 150, 200, or 250? (still trying to work out my series/parallel configuration) charge controller, 836W of solar panels (3 UniSolar 12v 68w, 2 UniSolar 24v 136w, 4 Global Solar 12v 90w all of the flexible peel and stick variety but two different approaches), refrigerator, Sterling alternator to battery charger, etc.... There are ancillary bits like the Magnum ARC remote, battery monitor etc, but there will be more threads with details, questions, & opinions solicited when I get to the installs. This is a lot to tackle more or less all at once, but having the fridge out while doing the solar installs will facilitate running the cable and there will be some other dependencies involved with the inverter/solar install as well.
Now to reference title of this thread... after briefly toying with the idea of the residential, I had narrowed the refer down to 3 choices (well four actually with serious consideration given to the new Atwood Helium option as per Neal). The three possible choices given that our 36' U270 has some hard to overcome space limitations, especially as regards the width available (24" to 25" max), were the Novakool RFU9000 9.1 cu ft 2-door AC/DC refrigerator Nova Kool RFU9000 Marine and RV Refrigerator - AC / DC (http://baymarinesupply.com/store/nova-kool-rfu9000-marine-rv-refrigerator.html), the Vitrifrigo DP2600iAC AC/DC 8.1 cu ft Marine Refrigerator Vitrifrigo DP2600iAC refrigerator ? 8.1 cu ft AC / DC powered for marine and RV (http://baymarinesupply.com/store/refrigeration/marine-rv-refrigerators-icemakers/vitrifrigo-dp2600iac-marine-rv-refrigerator.html), and the Vitrifrigo DW250BTXAC 8.1 CU FT AC/DC S/S Refrigerator with Drawer Freezer http://www.suremarineservice.com/dw210-3-1-1-1-1.aspx (http://www.suremarineservice.com/dw210-3-1-1-1-1.aspx)
The third option was my favorite because I love the drawer freezer having had one in my house. I eliminated it for a few reasons; One, it cost about twice as much as my other two options. Two, not available to view this model locally. Three, it uses two of the Danfoss compressors which while it has its merits, adds complexity and potential failure points. Four, there is no easy way to swap out the stainless for a wood insert to match the inside of our coach. I would have been happy with the stainless, but the interior aesthetic commission was firmly opposed to the idea. Also, while I wasn't able to view this specific model, I did see a Vitrifrigo double drawer fridge and I wasn't as impressed with the build quality of the drawer mechanism as I would have to be to part with that much money. Finally, the availability was uncertain... perhaps a month or more out.
Okay, that leaves the last two options. I was initially leaning towards the Novakool, but we had the good fortune viewing the Novakool and the Vitrifrigo side by side. Though the Novakool specs indicate an extra cubic foot of capacity over the Vitrifrigo, the configuration of the cold plate in freezer of the Novakool seemed to make the space less usable. Also, the build quality of the Vitrifrigo seems a bit better as regards the latches, the hinges, and the mounting flange. Finally, the door of the Novakool is proud of the flange while the Vitrifrigo is flush. As regards the installation, the Novakool vents through the front at the bottom while the Vitrifrigo will seal off the space and vent out the back which should be even quieter. I guess I should also mention that the Novakool has a bottom freezer, which I ordinarily prefer. Since the fridge is mounted above the furnace in our coach, it doesn't really make a difference in our application.
So bottom line, we went with the Vitrifrigo DP2600. Certainly there are other options, but this is just the one we settled on. Bay Marine Supply had the best prices by far on the Inverter, fridge and some other bits and Alan (a full timer himself, who lives on his 32' sailboat) was a pleasure to work with. The fact that he was local and was able to take us to his supplier and show us the refer's was a big bonus. He has a warehouse, but not really a store front.
Don & Tys
Great write up on the variables and considerations of your choices. Will be watching for pics/info of the fridge install because we too have a furnace below the fridge in our U270. Same size space too. Nicely done. ^.^d
Dean & Dee
Right now, my dometic is working just fine. Hence, I am reluctant to change anything. However, when the time comes I like your choice. Thanks
Thanks guys, I meant to add that the original refrigerator is right at 60 inches tall. The replacement is a hair over 52 inches, so that gives me about 7 to 8 inches to play with for adding a drawer below, or the display for the battery monitor and solar controller above.
Don
OK Don I have a question.
Why would you consider a fridge that cost almost 3 times ours and no more space and our Whirlpool works fine on it's own inverter (using solar) To me it does not make sense. Sorry, but Ruth loves her camping Chef oven. you suggested though. She baked 4 loaves of bread today again and a Lasagna for supper.
JohnH
Oh, man! There are so many chefs out there with whom I think I would like to travel (DINE!).
Don
Please don't spend so much money getting your coach "perfect" that you feel you can't afford to full time. It has happened before…..need vs. want enters my mind…..
you and Tys rock, can't wait to meet you both
I looked at them John, but I have read of noise complaints regarding those fridges (read on forums, maybe not this one), while the Danfoss compressors are famous for being very quiet. Next, I prefer a mounting flange that holds the fridge securely and seals off the void from the inside of the coach. I also have my doubts about the longevity of fridges designed to a price point where the fridge is expected to be stationary. Time will tell on that, but I plan on doing this install just once. True, you could install two more if yours failed and not be worse off financially regarding the fridge, but time counts too. I also like the fact that I can put oak panels in the doors and keep the look that we like... different strokes for different folks ^.^d I believe that this fridge will be more frugal with energy and run time, though time will tell about that as well.
Also, while it is true that there are a number of solutions to the latch issue, I am not that fond of the ones I have seen... functional as they may be. I feel sure that I could engineer one that I would be happy with, but as slow as I seem to work, it could take me years ::) Finally, the build quality of the fridge that we are getting looks to be to be far superior to the typical residential models in this form factor. True, either will do the job, but in the end we choose what makes us happiest, no?
Don
P.S. Glad Ruth likes the oven! I am happy to haul ours with us as long as Tys keeps making cookies with it ;D
We could not be happier than with our 12cf fridge/freezer from http://www.seafreezeinc.com/
No inverter needed. It runs on DC when it doesn't sense AC. Restaurant quality latches.
Plus they make one to the size you want. 60 inches high would not have been a problem. Ours is 64 in.
best, paul
Paul, did I see "remote compressor"?
I my case I chose to have the Danfoss off the fridge to get more room in the freezer. In addition, the Danfoss is more accessible for maintenance/repair and I don't have to slide the fridge out to access the Danfoss. Remote compressor is pretty common in boats.
It's normal location for our model is at the back of the freezer at the top.
I think the neatest feature SeaFreeze offers for Foretravellers is custom sized cooling. In other words, "Have it your way and your size." Our fridge is stock size, width and height, but I had it made 26 in deep instead of 24 in. $3,000 installed for 12cf. No inverter needed. If the fridge senses AC it will use it instead of DC.
All fridges are made in Bellingham, WA by Dave and his helpers. They don't have a large inventory to my knowledge.
Years ago, Boeing was spending $25K per month in dry ice keeping built wings cool. A Boeing employee was a boater and he recommended Boeing have Dave make a 30ft long freezer, which he did.
best, paul
Agree Don with each to their own.
I sealed the front surround of our Residential with glossy black silicone so it matched fridge and is a thin line that is hard to see( no flange needed with this neat fit). I have now taken off the roof vents and insulated and sealed the roof with aluminum panel that will be painted to match roof. I did put a 1 1/2" pvc pipe section thru it with an elbow and screen to act as a vent and so far so good. No extra internal heat build up I can feel at rear and it will keep cold air out and any rain etc. The small inverter that operates the fridge is under bed and this system is proving perfect for power from solar+ we have the sliding pantry at side now with room saved.We are very happy with all this.
JohnH