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Foretravel Owners' Forum

Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: cucotx on September 25, 2021, 05:48:20 pm

Title: Replacement or upgrade for NDR1492 Dometic
Post by: cucotx on September 25, 2021, 05:48:20 pm
All,

I'm investigating replacing my 17 year old Dometic. I like the idea of having a propane/120V type of unit.

Since the NDR1492 is obsolete, does anyone know what is the form/fit replacement for it?

Is anyone here familiar with the Amish replacement units?

Anyone here familiar with the Fridge Defend accessory?
Title: Re: Replacement or upgrade for NDR1492 Dometic
Post by: John44 on September 25, 2021, 05:56:07 pm
Check out JC refrigeration in Indiana,they have propane/elec units and a 120volt compressor type conversion.
Title: Re: Replacement or upgrade for NDR1492 Dometic
Post by: craneman on September 25, 2021, 06:10:31 pm
With all your upgrades in the battery system why wouldn't you go residential. Many have with much less battery power than you have. Many advantages over propane electric.
Title: Re: Replacement or upgrade for NDR1492 Dometic
Post by: oldguy on September 25, 2021, 06:35:41 pm
One of the biggest advantage is the residential fridge will work when
the coach is off level.
Title: Re: Replacement or upgrade for NDR1492 Dometic
Post by: cucotx on September 25, 2021, 07:08:49 pm
Quote from: craneman –
Quote
why wouldn't you go residential.
Many advantages over propane electric.

True. Early next year I do plan to have about 350 amp-hours at 48V in batteries dedicated to 120Vac. My current fridge would pull about 9 amps from a 48V bank. That and the fact that I do plan to add plenty of solar would take care of the fridge and an AC while driving.

My biggest concern is finding a residential fridge that would fit into the hole made by the 1492. I have a huge compartnent of fuses sitting underneath the refrigerator. I don't want to relocate that.

So unless I find a residential fridge as a drop in replacement, I'm staying with a propane/AC unit. May be keep the fridge box that I have now but replace all the plumbing, as per Amish units. As I look into it some more, I may add one of those Fridge Defend units. For the way I plan to use the RV, a non-residential unit works fine. But, it has to be safe.

The Firefly Oasis batteries work fine with a discharge down to 30% SOC. So I could set aside 50 amps from the 48V bank to run the fridge for up to 5 hours while sailing down the road. Another 200 amps should take care of the front AC for up to 5 hours of driving. Then, at a boondocking spot, solar and the generator can restore the batteries. Propane, while the bus is sitting stationary could then be called to take care of the fridge. And if I land at a park, free shore power would take care of feeding the batteries and powering the ACs and fridge.

Title: Re: Replacement or upgrade for NDR1492 Dometic
Post by: Larry Rubin on September 25, 2021, 07:47:57 pm
On my 04, the area below the fridge has the controllers for the Intellitec lights and a storage area below that.  I remember someone posting that they moved the controllers down giving up most of the storage area to free up space for a replacement fridge. 

Would require some new woodwork and moving/building a new shelf capable of holding the weight of the fridge. 

Of course you give up the storage which we use for pots and miscellaneous cooking things.
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