refrigerator woes

Topic: refrigerator woes (Read 3096 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: refrigerator woes

Reply #50 – June 14, 2014, 08:11:37 pm

I have looked and looked and thought and thought. I have come to the decision that I will be very happy with a smaller residential electric fridge rather than a full sized one. We will be in the coach for months at a time, but I tend to buy too much and then allow stuff to spoil when I have the room to store it. I would rather have another pull out pantry or a broom closet or whatever, and not lose the storage underneath the present fridge. From what I have seen of the actual smaller fridges (Dave Katsuki & Nancy Elkins, for example) they provide plenty of refrigerated space and a good sized freezer. FWIW.

Re: refrigerator woes

Reply #51 – June 14, 2014, 08:40:55 pm

We learned early in our cruising sailboat years to make do without refrigeration since we had nothing but an ice box until we bought two solar panels and an Adler Barbour 12vdc system. Even then it overwhelmed our little 33-watt panels until I built a wind generator to augment the panels. It produced enough ice for each of us to have one "sundowner" every evening.

The bonus for us in changing to a residential refrigerator (now that we have the panels on and working) is an actual increase in cooling space. Just like on the boat.*

Ain't technology great. And we won't have to abandon the RV if the solar panels break!

Craig

* This is assuming that the fridge that will fit into our space manages to get delivered properly and works... there are some issues with the Avanti model we need according to Propman who has not managed to get the right one - or a working one - yet.

Re: refrigerator woes

Reply #52 – June 14, 2014, 08:51:03 pm

Craig, the whirlpool one (Heir ??sp) will go in your 225 as it is the same size as the 240 I had.(which I took out and installed correctly)
JohnH

Re: refrigerator woes

Reply #53 – June 14, 2014, 08:57:49 pm

Quote from: John Haygarth – June 14, 2014, 08:51:03 pm

Craig, the whirlpool one (Heir ??sp) will go in your 225 as it is the same size as the 240 I had.(which I took out and installed correctly)

I would MUCH rather have the Whirlpool. Propman is having a real problem getting an Avanti installed. Can you tell me which model you have?

Craig

Re: refrigerator woes

Reply #54 – June 14, 2014, 09:05:25 pm

I will go check it and let you know. Why not bring your coach up here and we can do it together, then I can give you a special rate of ONLY $1500 labour--he he
JohnH

whirlpool ET0MSRXTB02

Re: refrigerator woes

Reply #55 – June 14, 2014, 11:28:53 pm

Quote from: John Haygarth – June 14, 2014, 09:05:25 pm

I will go check it and let you know. Why not bring your coach up here and we can do it together, then I can give you a special rate of ONLY $1500 labour--he he
JohnH

whirlpool ET0MSRXTB02

I can't find that model number. Wonder if it's Canadian. Your labour rate sounds terrific... I have a special checking account just for those sorts of deals.

Craig

Re: refrigerator woes

Reply #56 – June 15, 2014, 12:17:44 am

Quote

whirlpool ET0MSRXTB02

The above is the fridge we purchased 2 years ago from Lowes for about $350 and installed it ourselves

Lowes no longer has this model, but has an almost identical Haier brand, that several Forum members have also installed.

24" x 58"

Don't need a professional to install.

Replacing an Absorbsion Refrigerator with a Residential unit in a 1997 U270

Shop Whirlpool 9.6 cu ft Top-Freezer Refrigerator (White) at Lowes.com

Re: refrigerator woes

Reply #57 – June 15, 2014, 01:21:54 am

That model is no longer available at Lowes

Re: refrigerator woes

Reply #58 – June 15, 2014, 06:51:07 am

Sadly this Haier refrigerator is showing discontinued at Lowes and AJ Madison - also not available at Amazon.com

Re: refrigerator woes

Reply #59 – June 15, 2014, 08:07:31 am

Quote from: wa_desert_rat – June 14, 2014, 11:28:53 pm

I can't find that model number. Wonder if it's Canadian. Your labour rate sounds terrific... I have a special checking account just for those sorts of deals.

Craig

This website indicates its been replaced by a newer model: Whirlpool ET0MSRXTB 24" Freestanding Refrigerators Black
new model: Whirlpool WRT111SFAB 24" Freestanding Refrigerators Black
Good Luck, Dave A

Re: refrigerator woes

Reply #60 – June 15, 2014, 10:14:58 am

Quote from: Dave and Nancy Abel – June 15, 2014, 08:07:31 am

This website indicates its been replaced by a newer model: Whirlpool ET0MSRXTB 24" Freestanding Refrigerators Black
new model: Whirlpool WRT111SFAB 24" Freestanding Refrigerators Black

Thanks for that link, Dave. Unfortunately that refrigerator is 5" higher and 1" wider than our openeing. Unless they've mis-labeled it (which is always possible... these guys assume that the appliance is for a SnB not an RV and can exaggerate dimensions to make it look larger).

Propman has his Dometic out and his space - in a U225 - is 23" wide and shorter than the space that Whirlpool takes up.

On Edit: Propman reported his opening is: "H55 3/4 W 23 D 26". That model says it is:

Dimensions and Weights
Width:   24"
Depth with Door Open 90 Degrees:   48 5/16"
Height To Top Of Cabinet:   60 3/4"
Height:   61 1/2"
Shipping Weight:   143 lbs.

They don't specify the actual depth... but the depthwith the door open 90-deg.

Craig

Re: refrigerator woes

Reply #61 – June 15, 2014, 10:37:52 am

We got ours at Nac Lowes and all I had to do was take off about 3/4" from top framing and slice a touch off of one side( for a 225 & 240). This now would be an easy do with an osilating saw that a very handy tool.
As Barry said you do not need a cabinet maker just some brains and a few tools. If you want to go the pantry way as well (in a 295 or 320) then that does need a bit more than just "handyman" label unless your standards are not too great I guess.. In the 225 this would not be an issue as you do not have the room for it anyway. I would plan on doing the extra dedicated inverter at the same time rather than just depend on rv site power supply and gen' all the time.
JohnH

Re: refrigerator woes

Reply #62 – June 15, 2014, 05:59:43 pm

Does anyone make a residential refrig about 12 - 13 cu ft that is the same width (~36") and height and depth as the Dometic 12cu ft side by side that came in our 2001 U320?

We like the idea of a residential refrig. Refrigerator space now is good. A better freezer setup would be nice. And we do use the space under the existing refrig.

Hidden unused spaces...

We discovered a lot of space under the J shaped dinette in the 2001s. The face covers just pop off and there it is.

The drawer boxes (3) in the front part of the kitchen L in the 36' can be 10" deeper. There is nothing behind them. It is a pretty simple change. The Bose box consumes another place where a fourth drawer can go.

Roger

Re: refrigerator woes

Reply #63 – June 15, 2014, 06:15:56 pm

Width and depth are pretty standard (counter depth 35.xx wide, designed to fit in. 36" opening. Doubt you will find height thAt you need. Simple mode to remove current refridge and lower floor in cabinet to accommodate. Was 8 hours labor at Parliament coach, r and r refridge , do cabinet mods. Total $800 for that part of service. Using 3 batteries, factory pro-sine 2500 with no issues.

Re: refrigerator woes

Reply #64 – June 15, 2014, 06:23:51 pm

I have been scouring the internet for answers, and it appears nobody makes a refrigerator the same size as the Dometic New Dimensions (appropriately named) 1492. Depth and width are easy, height is the problem.

Unfortunately, my 38' coach doesn't have the pullout pantry seen in 40' coaches, so those two pullout shelves below the refrigerator are important to me.

If enough of us ask Dave at Sea Freeze to build a drop-in replacement, I bet they would add it to their standard sizes. Otherwise, they will custom build one for a ballpark guess of $3500-$4000. Not bad considering it would be big, need no inverter, and need no cabinet work.

Re: refrigerator woes

Reply #65 – June 16, 2014, 12:07:02 am

We do not have a pantry either but sacrificed our bottom shelf sand put the stuff either in the fridge or in a tote in the closet. Love the samsung and wish we did it years ago.

Re: refrigerator woes

Reply #66 – June 16, 2014, 11:55:50 am

Quote from: John S – June 16, 2014, 12:07:02 am

We do not have a pantry either but sacrificed our bottom shelf sand put the stuff either in the fridge or in a tote in the closet. Love the samsung and wish we did it years ago.

DW asked how the door is locked?

Re: refrigerator woes

Reply #67 – June 16, 2014, 02:07:43 pm

Bob,

I believe JohnH has made a very nice lock for his unit. We use two stripes of blue painters tape when traveling. Pull them loose, get ice tea and reseal. Works great.

Re: refrigerator woes

Reply #68 – June 16, 2014, 04:20:39 pm

Rudy showed me his "highly complex, and horribly expensive" locking mechanism last year. We've been using it ever since, with outstanding results :-)

Re: refrigerator woes

Reply #69 – June 16, 2014, 05:03:34 pm

Pictures have been posted a few times before but it is a simple fix and locks both doors tight while travelling. Takes about 1 hr to make out of Aluminum, black paint and a 3" long 1/4" bolt. Just need a band saw or hacksaw, drill, vise and a file.
JohnH

Re: refrigerator woes

Reply #70 – June 16, 2014, 05:14:38 pm

This red neck uses a highly complex short Bungee Cord, no marring or scratches

Re: refrigerator woes

Reply #71 – June 16, 2014, 08:54:13 pm

We used the the ever popular "two strips of blue painters tape" at first. Then DW says we had to get fancy so I upgraded to "two Velcro strips over 4 Velcro pads". Works very well and cheap to replace.

Re: refrigerator woes

Reply #72 – June 16, 2014, 10:40:55 pm

Hopefully, we'll have a replacement refrigerator on order soon. Just a few loose ends to tie up with the insurance company.

We like the idea of having Sea Freeze make a custom unit sized to fit the ndr1492 cutout. No slide out pantry, but nearly 16 cubic feet and no costly cabinet work. And it works'on 12 vdc, so no inverter wasting power when not needed.

And the latches look like they came off the 1949 Philco I grew up with, or the wooden ice box before that, so I won't need to stock up on blue tape.

The coach is at Temecula Valley RV Service, where the slide is being fixed, and then the refrigerator. Maybe even a front TV mod if I like their price.

Re: refrigerator woes

Reply #73 – June 16, 2014, 11:10:31 pm

Quote from: Tom Lang – June 16, 2014, 10:40:55 pm

Hopefully, we'll have a replacement refrigerator on order soon. Just a few loose ends to tie up with the insurance company.

That sounds like a great decision. Wish I had the space (and funds) for that sort of a move. The inverter draw isn't an enormous problem but is nice to avoid if possible. Cold plate systems are a little more efficient I think.

And, after all, you can always just add the blue tape if you feel left out.

Craig

Re: refrigerator woes

Reply #74 – June 24, 2014, 04:18:31 am

Well, the coach has been at Temecula Valley RV Service for a week. I found out today it takes a week before they can even start work. The service writer has been too overworked to return my calls, but I got through today for found they will have one of the two techs who know Foretravel slides working on the slide, a general-purpose tech working on the Girard awning (it will take three weeks to get the new wind sensor), someone else working with the insurance company, and Sea Freeze is working on a quote for the refrigerator.

Hopefully I'll have something substantial to report soon.

Affiliate Notice