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Topic: Samsung residential 'fridge (Read 1068 times) previous topic - next topic

Samsung residential 'fridge

Currently at MOT having some work done and later in the week, will have a Samsung 3-door 18cu ft refrigerator installed (model RF18HFE).  Since we're fulltiming, having a residential unit makes more sense in terms of safety and capacity...  (at least that's what I'm telling myself after the expense of it all...).

Question to all that have gone residential - how has that experience been for you?  What issues have come up as a result of the change in refrigerators? 

Bill Jackson & Kim Sweeney
2013 27' Lazy Daze RK
2002 U320 PBDS 36' Build 5941 (Sold)
1999 U320 40' (Sold)
2005 Country Coach Intrigue 40' (Sold)

Re: Samsung residential 'fridge

Reply #1 –
This subject has been covered many times in many different threads so, without rehashing to much of that, I would summarize my top 2 points as:

1) For our travel style, it's one of the best changes we've made.  We only dry camp for up to a week at a time, maybe once per year. Otherwise we're usually not longer than 1 - 2 days between power poles.  No regrets.
2) I highly recommend a dedicated inverter to avoid running the larger inverter full time.  That will stretch your battery capacity a lot, for a minimal investment.

Re: Samsung residential 'fridge

Reply #2 –
Good advice on the inverter, bdale, our boondocking so far is similar to yours.

Yeah, read through quite a few threads on the subject - some from over 5 years ago.  That being said, I was interested in how the change has been with that time under the belt. 
Bill Jackson & Kim Sweeney
2013 27' Lazy Daze RK
2002 U320 PBDS 36' Build 5941 (Sold)
1999 U320 40' (Sold)
2005 Country Coach Intrigue 40' (Sold)

Re: Samsung residential 'fridge

Reply #3 –
Several years now on our Samsung with no problems. We bought the + 4 yr warranty when we bought ours.  The biggest mistake installers make is not allowing clearance for the sliding door tracks on the ceiling.  This prevents the doors from opening all the way.  And they don't take the time to move wiring and plumbing as need to get the refrigerator all the way in.  The thicker doors use up some space so this is important.

It gets cold quickly, a few hours compared to a couple days before.  A great change for us.

Another Samsung installed

Stay minimalist on the door catches.
2003 Residential Refigerator suggestions

Keep the extra space along the side of the original opening.  It was only about 4" on ours but I made an extremely useful cabinet space there.

How you use your coach determines if an extra battery might be a good thing or is a small inverter might help.  Think this part through carefully before you do anything.  Ours uses an average of 71 watts per hour (over the last 5 weeks since I started measuring it.  (Almost as much as your OEM inverter does)

Have the installers move the plugin for the refrigerator underneath a cabinet next to the refrigerator bay.  There is no on/off switch on ours.  This makes it easier to unplug if needed.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Samsung residential 'fridge

Reply #4 –
Good advice -  Thank you, Roger!
Bill Jackson & Kim Sweeney
2013 27' Lazy Daze RK
2002 U320 PBDS 36' Build 5941 (Sold)
1999 U320 40' (Sold)
2005 Country Coach Intrigue 40' (Sold)

Re: Samsung residential 'fridge

Reply #5 –
Had our Samsung for 3.5 years.  It has been running 24/7 for the whole time, and never a single hiccup.  We would do it again without question.  Works great when we're traveling, AND provides valuable "overflow" fridge and freezer storage space when the coach is parked in our driveway at home.

Our door keeper is a big flat horse shoe shape cut out of 1/4" plywood and covered in the same wooly ceiling material as used in our coach.  Stole the idea from Forum members Bob (and Faith) Rozek.  Works perfect, quick to install and remove, and stores in the "we could never figure out what it is for" mystery cabinet in our hutch.  8)
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"
 

Re: Samsung residential 'fridge

Reply #6 –
Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie –
Our door keeper is a big flat horse shoe shape cut out of 1/4" plywood and covered in the same wooly ceiling material as used in our coach.  Stole the idea from Forum members Bob (and Faith) Rozek.  Works perfect, quick to install and remove, and stores in the "we could never figure out what it is for" mystery cabinet in our hutch.  8) 

Great idea, thanks!
Bill Jackson & Kim Sweeney
2013 27' Lazy Daze RK
2002 U320 PBDS 36' Build 5941 (Sold)
1999 U320 40' (Sold)
2005 Country Coach Intrigue 40' (Sold)