2003 Residential Refigerator suggestions

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2003 Residential Refigerator suggestions

August 10, 2015, 07:38:52 am

Looks like my cooling unit just gave out.

Looking for ideas for residential units from 2003 owners that have done it and have real time experience on power usage and installation.

Re: 2003 Residential Refigerator suggestions

Reply #1 – August 10, 2015, 09:32:17 am

Barry - do you have a wall/pcket door immediately to the left or right of your fridge or a can-rack/pantry?

If the former, look at the 32" wide Samsung French Door (used to be RF197, RF18 now)

If the latter, look at the 36" wide Samsung side by side (used to be RS25, RS22 now)

If you have the wall, the 36" wide may have a problem with the doors not opening past 90 degrees so you can't get the bins out all the way.

The 32" wide is probably the most popular residential fridge being installed in RVs today.

We have the 36" in our coach and LOVE it! It is a huge improvement over the Dometic it replaced and we wish we'd done the ugrade sooner. Samsung 24 CF counter depth fridge in a 2003 U320

As to power consumption, I know ours ran off the inverter for more than 8-10 hours a couple of times and the auto genset never kicked in, but I don't know how many amp-hours it pulled in that time.

Re: 2003 Residential Refigerator suggestions

Reply #2 – August 10, 2015, 09:42:16 am

Barry, I learned just a short while ago that there is NOW a replacement cooling unit for our units in the 2003 coaches. It's a Canadian company, Artic Cool or something like that. Supposed to be superior to the original unit.
If you are interested in this option, I will look up the full information

Re: 2003 Residential Refigerator suggestions

Reply #3 – August 10, 2015, 10:01:16 am

Quote from: Michelle – August 10, 2015, 09:32:17 am

Barry - do you have a wall/pcket door immediately to the left or right of your fridge or a can-rack/pantry?
If the former, look at the 32" wide Samsung French Door (used to be RF197, RF18 now)
If you have the wall, the 36" wide may have a problem with the doors not opening past 90 degrees so you can't get the bins out all the way.
The 32" wide is probably the most popular residential fridge being installed in RVs today.
We have the 36" in our coach and LOVE it! It is a huge improvement over the Dometic it replaced and we wish we'd done the ugrade sooner. Samsung 24 CF counter depth fridge in a 2003 U320

I do have the pocket door to the left of the refer.

Quote from: Horace B. Cupp – August 10, 2015, 09:42:16 am

Barry, I learned just a short while ago that there is NOW a replacement cooling unit for our units in the 2003 coaches. It's a Canadian company, Artic Cool or something like that. Supposed to be superior to the original unit.
If you are interested in this option, I will look up the full information

I will look at any option right now. Thanks

Re: 2003 Residential Refigerator suggestions

Reply #4 – August 10, 2015, 10:06:40 am

Bob and Faith's installation of the 32" wide French door model

New Residential Refrigerator

Gayle and Jim's of the same model

Residential fridge

And Roger and Susan's (post linked shows actual energy usage)

Another Samsung installed

Re: 2003 Residential Refigerator suggestions

Reply #5 – August 10, 2015, 10:43:42 am

Single best upgrade we have made (from the "pink" viewpoint).

I hated the RV frig (we also had upgraded the '96's frig to a residential before we got rid of it). In hot weather I always had to worry if it was keeping things cold, often having to freeze ice to rotate into the frig to keep things at a food safe temp. The Samsung keeps the temperature constant no matter the outside temperature. The ice maker makes lots of ice. We did have a problem with the defrost pipe freezing up resulting in water in the veg drawers. Plenty of youTube videos on this issue. It resolved itself before Jim got around to doing anything about it.

We had Oregon Motorcoach Company do the install. To be honest, we were disappointed in them. They just fooled around with the removal and prep. Jim ended up doing the prep work in the evening to make it like he wanted it. Yes, there was some cabinet work. Jim did the deconstruct; OMCC did new woodwork which looks really nice.

When we travel, I put nonskid rubber stuff on the shelves so things don't slide around. We have a Velcro strap to keep the refrigerator doors closed. OMCC installed a screen door latch (see Michelle's post for reference to thread) to keep the freezer door shut.

We do little to no dry camping so can't address that issue. Maybe an overnight while traveling but that is all.

Make the change!

Gayle McNeece

Re: 2003 Residential Refigerator suggestions

Reply #6 – August 10, 2015, 11:07:58 am

Hi Barry,

I think almost everyone who has done a residential refrig swap will tell you they are great. Our 32" 19 cu ft Samsung is fabulous. It gets cold fast and stays just were it is set all the time.

I did this myself with some help getting the gas refrig out and the Samsung in. Not very hard at all.

For us the extra 4" is very useful space. It provides a 3-1/2" x 66" x 22" deep cabinet with four shelves. We measured many things to determine shelf spacing and now have a place for trays, our jig saw puzzle board, can goods, beverage cans, long boxes of aluminium foil and parchment paper and much more. Each shelf has a bottom piece that slides out so nothing gets trapped. This covered most of the odd stuff we have that is hard to find a place to store.

There is a lot of space in our FT coaches to store stuff. I am always looking for easy ways to improve that in our coach. Not so that we can carry more but to make it easier to organize and retrieve.

Like Michelle has said we have no problem going 10-12 hrs on the inverter alone when the batteries are charged up to begin with. We did discover that the generator autostart does work on a cold January morning in Kansa City. With the Aqua Hot on all night and the refirgerator we probably got 8 hrs.

I am thinking about removing the big LP tank (it only feed the two burner stove now) and adding two more 8D's on a a dedicated high efficiency inverter just for the refrigerator. They would get charged from the alternator when driving and a separate battery charger when using a land line or the generator. The stove can use a refillable 5 lb tank. Probably last a year.

This change will limit your boondocking. A good sized solar setup might keep up. How you travel and how much you plug in makes a difference.

Roger

Re: 2003 Residential Refigerator suggestions

Reply #7 – August 10, 2015, 11:39:35 am

Roger,

Where would you put the small propane tank? Does it need to be vented? Can you have batteries in same compartment as propane? Thinking induction inside and camp stove outside as an option. I like two extra batteries and small tank option better. Let me know if you figure it all out.

Re: 2003 Residential Refigerator suggestions

Reply #8 – August 10, 2015, 04:14:55 pm

I love my residential and can go overnight with no issues. My Samsung draws 3amps when it is on. I pulled the propane and added only one battery and put in an induction burner in a drawer.

Barry, it is a great change and just works.

Re: 2003 Residential Refigerator suggestions

Reply #9 – August 10, 2015, 05:26:14 pm

Barry, the place with the just released (last winter) replacement cooling unit for our fridge is Arcticold in New Brunswick. My contact was Steve Cormier, 1-888-782-6665 or 1-506-525-2550 or steve@arcticold.com. The price was $1250, I believe.
I have not yet had any trouble with mine but I see this as my next step as age and disability are going to force me to hang up my keys soon. AND, I do not want to give up any more kitchen storage (already have a dishwasher under the stove).

Re: 2003 Residential Refigerator suggestions

Reply #10 – August 10, 2015, 06:37:50 pm

Tim, I have been trying to answer all day. Verizon in Eastern OR upload speeds peak at 0.08 MPS if you can connect to anything at all. 30 miles from Portland, not much better.

Small refillable LP tanks come in 1, 2, 2-1/2 and 5 lb sizes. The 5 lb tank is 8" diameter x 12" tall. I do not know of any issues with LP and batteries in the same vented compartment but I am following up on that. I am also considering just using the green disposable bottles like the ones we use on our grill. I think two of those would last most of a year for the two burner stove. They could go in the existing LP space and use the existing plumbing.

We have an induction cooktop "burner" as well and use it often if we are plugged in. Another nice thing to have.

We have a LP gas fire ring that came from Lowes. These are very nice. On low burner, normal for us, a disposable bottle would last about two hours. That makes a small refillable attractive.

Shop Garden Treasures 18.5-in W 54,000-BTU Bronze Portable Steel Propane Gas...

I like the idea of separate batteries and a separate inverter that has much less overhead to power just the refrigerator. If you are not making ice or doing a warm starting up, 3 amps at 120 volts is a typical average, about 36 amps at 12 volts.

I really can't imagine going back to gas. Maybe 12v/120v compressor driven refrig but they are very pricy.

Roger

Re: 2003 Residential Refigerator suggestions

Reply #11 – August 10, 2015, 06:45:58 pm

Pictures, maybe

Freezer lock, no screws on the freezer door, a 1" velcro strap on the doors is perfect for travel, the skinny pantry adds a lot.

Roger

Re: 2003 Residential Refigerator suggestions

Reply #12 – August 10, 2015, 07:00:51 pm

Tim, our induction cooktop is not a built-in one. I have a 15' heavy duty extension cord along and we use it out doors at least as much as inside. There are lots of things we cook where I would rather do it outside. We use our OGrill frequently as well. It is nice to have options.

Roger

Re: 2003 Residential Refigerator suggestions

Reply #13 – August 10, 2015, 07:06:04 pm

You and I are about the same - I have the LP gas fireplace and have a 5 LB Propane for my grill on my deck at my Chicago condo - just not sure re Batteries and propane in same compartment. Know that Propane compartment must be vented and must be unlocked.

Let me know what you find out - I will do some digging too

Re: 2003 Residential Refigerator suggestions

Reply #14 – August 10, 2015, 07:18:34 pm

At least four all matching batteries in condition and equalizing the cable lengths to equalize the charge and draw issues and the refer cost plus install and the cost of the necessary solar to avoid constant gen run make this a very expensive item.

UNLESS, of course, you are hooked to a pedestal every night?

400 amp hours of battery consumption is 50% discharge and requires three hours of gen run time to get back to 90% charge.

Solar can lessen or eliminate the gen run time if the conditions allow it.

The posts here mention that the quiet gens are somewhat noisy in the coach itself.

My non quiet gen is actually quiet inside but noisier outside.

Devils choice I guess.

Plus a possible inverter replacement puts this roughly in the $10k range IMO.

Yes I understand the convenience totally.

Just hard for me to add that much amp hour draws. Aqua hot and normal camping uses overnight is 150 amp hours already for us.

Add another 150 easily for the refer is 50% discharging the three new 8g8d's I have.

I camp in places where the gen hours are restricted to late morning. No pedestal.

Two dollars an hour minimum to run the gen. Six bucks a day times 30 is fair amount of money to us.

Just saying.

Re: 2003 Residential Refigerator suggestions

Reply #15 – August 10, 2015, 07:39:22 pm

Last year when I was at MOT, they said I did not have a large enough battery bank for residential refrigerator. So we went with a new
norcold and have been happy so far.

Re: 2003 Residential Refigerator suggestions

Reply #16 – August 10, 2015, 07:46:32 pm

Bob, your $10k guess might be close if you had nothing to begin with. Not changing anything but the refrig and selling the LP take out and I am all in for less than $1000.

Everyone uses their coach in different ways as they choose. Your choices are yours and don,t make someone elses wrong or foolish. I certainly don't have to run my generator 100% of the time to use our residential refrigerator, neither does any one else.

DWMYH

Roger

Re: 2003 Residential Refigerator suggestions

Reply #17 – August 10, 2015, 08:15:35 pm

Talked with my guru buddy about this and he had several interesting technical things to pass on.

A household refer is designed to operate at 50-90 degrees in a temp controlled space. Not in an open to outdoor temps. While there are outdoor refers he doubts if any of the pretty samsungs were made for this.

He mentioned that the newest model refers have a cylinderical compressor mounted on it side to free up interior space in the refer.

Internal in the compressor housing is a motor hung on springs.

And designed to compress gas not liquid.

Applying the brakes he can hear the motor inside the housing trying to compress liquid oil that is in the system for lube and then the valves clatter trying to relieve the over pressure.

Older style compressors that look like a hat to use his words are not affected as much by the movement.

He suggests keeping the a/c on in the unit if the temp get hot inside the coach and the refer on.

Plus every time the refer cycles its heating the interior of the coach.

At extreme hot or cold the temp sensor can cause the freezer to thaw as the refer side governs it.

MUST be vented internally and the interior between 50-90 which is the manufacturers spec according to him on the new pretty stuff.

I assume the new refers are bottom coils? Not rear?

He had never mentioned in detail why he was not a residential fan before.

Not a good dry camp setup was his biggest point and the possible burnout of the compressor motors piston trying to compress liquid as it sloshes forward during travel while braking was the other issue in the newer designed refers .

Not made to in a non level moving vehicle. Very sensitive to level also he mentioned

Re: 2003 Residential Refigerator suggestions

Reply #18 – August 10, 2015, 08:21:51 pm

Quote from: Caflashbob – August 10, 2015, 08:15:35 pm

Talked with my guru buddy about this

Do what makes you happy, Bob.

We are some of those who are much happier with our residential fridge so we're doing the same

Many, many thousands of residential fridges in motorhomes out there so this isn't a new thing.

Re: 2003 Residential Refigerator suggestions

Reply #19 – August 10, 2015, 08:35:38 pm

I am sure they are. Just relaying hopefully helpful info on the installation of a household unit in a moving vehicle with a not necessarily correct interior temp if the refer is to be left on and no one in the coach and the a/c off.

He also mentioned high heat inverters trying to put out that much power all the time and charge batteries at the same time. M

Foretravel has fans I see pointed at the inverters as do other brands as obviously was an issue they were aware of at some time.

Re: 2003 Residential Refigerator suggestions

Reply #20 – August 10, 2015, 08:47:09 pm

Quote from: Caflashbob – August 10, 2015, 08:35:38 pm

I am sure they are. Just relaying hopefully helpful info on the installation of a household unit in a moving vehicle with a not necessarily correct interior temp if the refer is to be left on and no one in the coach and the a/c off.

He also mentioned high heat inverters trying to put out that much power all the time and charge batteries at the same time. M

Foretravel has fans I see pointed at the inverters as do other brands as obviously was an issue they were aware of at some time.

Bob,

Think we have gotten off track here. An inverter EITHER inverts or "passes through" and charges. The pass through feature produces little/no heat.

Re: 2003 Residential Refigerator suggestions

Reply #21 – August 10, 2015, 08:54:27 pm

Hmmmmm. Why (and how) would one charge and invert at the same time? I charge to 12 v when I have 110 (gent or shore power), and I invert 12v to 110 when I don't have 110.
Either me or your buddy doesn't understand my charger/inverter

Re: 2003 Residential Refigerator suggestions

Reply #22 – August 10, 2015, 08:55:37 pm

OK Brett thanks for being as usual the voice of reason. :-)!

Re: 2003 Residential Refigerator suggestions

Reply #23 – August 10, 2015, 08:57:18 pm

I knew I would mistate his words. Sorry.

After heavy use then charging was what he said

Re: 2003 Residential Refigerator suggestions

Reply #24 – August 10, 2015, 08:57:20 pm

Agree! Pellet smoker, Weber on the go grill, and Coleman two burner cookstove all are at the ready for outdoor use.
Like I said I think were pretty similar. By the way what induction unit do you currently own?

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