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Topic: Samsung residential refrigerator 21.8 instead of 17.5 (Read 4348 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Samsung residential refrigerator 21.8 instead of 17.5

Reply #20 –
Orig                                          Dometic 7832                    17.5 Samsung french 3 door                    221 21.8 Samsung french 3 door
  Width                                          32 11/16                                32.875                                                          29.76
  Depth, less door                          2 4                                        24.3125                                                        30.47
  Height                                        59 1/16                                  66.81                                                            66.75

My problem is the 30.47 depth with door removed to go thru the window (approx height of window is 27.5), the other choice is to remove the front window which I am not wanting to do.  Monday I will make up my mind. 

From other's post I will only loose a little space under the refrigerator.  Thank you all.  Mainly I wanted the "Energy Star" rating on the larger 21.8 Samsung.  Pretty sure installer will vote for 17.5 Samsung.

Specs came from:    http://w2.distone.com/bradstrailer/downloads/RefrigeratorReplacement.pdf
    Shop Samsung 17.5-cu ft Counter-Depth French Door Refrigerator with Ice...
 Shop Samsung 221 21.8-cu ft French Door Refrigerator with Ice Maker (Stainles...                       

Re: Samsung residential refrigerator 21.8 instead of 17.5

Reply #21 –
My RF197 uses just under 70 watt average to run.

The 17.5 cu ft RF18HFENBSR/US looks like it uses about the same energy.  You can use it without the ice maker, there is  setting on the control panel to shut it off.

We bought the extended warranty, it seemed like a good idea at the time. 

Re: Samsung residential refrigerator 21.8 instead of 17.5

Reply #22 –
Speaking of ice maker:
 
That is the only problem that I have had with my Samsung 17.5. Normally, it works fine, and makes a lot of good quality ice. Every once in a while, it does not start making ice again after I empty the tray (I like the cubes, so use it as my ice maker for my home fridge). It only seems to happen after I remove and reinsert the tray/bucket. It is almost like I am not reacquiring a sensor or something. Called Samsung and they told me about the reset button under the ice unit. Hold it for about eight seconds and you can hear the ice cubes falling out of the maker; sometimes I can hear the water flowing into the ice maker.
 
After my last ice bucket emptying, it did not start making ice again. Pushed the reset button and I can hear the sound of a screw drive turning, but not ice falling. I am beginning to think that I have some frozen ice that is blocking the emptying procedure. It is not easy to access the ice maker as it is mounted to the top of the freezer section. If you have the 17.5 unit, you can pull the freezer door open far enough to remove the freezer drawer (impossible with the deeper unit). You still have to get over the front freezer door to get at the ice maker unit. The only way I can see to thaw the freezer is to remove my shore power AND turn the inverter off.
 
I will try to reach Samsung tomorrow to see if they have any further suggestions. Meanwhile, have any of the rest of you been confronted with this problem? If so, and the reset button does not solve the problem, how would you proceed to start making ice cubes again?
 
It's still hot in Oklahoma,
 
Trent

Re: Samsung residential refrigerator 21.8 instead of 17.5

Reply #23 –
Trent, I've run across the same issue with not making ice after removing the tray also( at least 4 times). So far, all I've had to do is push the reset button and then it works. We shut it off after we get home from any trip and don't turn it on till we leave for our next trip.

Re: Samsung residential refrigerator 21.8 instead of 17.5

Reply #24 –
rbark,
 
How do you turn it off?

Thanks,
 
Trent

Re: Samsung residential refrigerator 21.8 instead of 17.5

Reply #25 –
There is a button on the top panel to shut it off.  When it is off a small no ice bucket symbol lights up.

We added a 120v switch to the power to the outlet where the refrigerator plugs in.  These refrigerators have no off switch.  You can set it to a no cooling display mode where the lights still work.  The only way to shut it off is to cut the power.

On sale now at Costco $949.

Re: Samsung residential refrigerator 21.8 instead of 17.5

Reply #26 –
My "it" may have been unclear. I want to shut off the whole system so the ice maker can thaw out, in case excess ice in the wrong place is the problem. We weren't smart enough to put a switch in the power line, but I could probably just turn off the circuit breaker. That should be a lot easier than removing shore power and turning off the inverter, which had been my first thought.
 
Trent

Re: Samsung residential refrigerator 21.8 instead of 17.5

Reply #27 –
As for a temp "stay put" for the fridge doors.
Use a rubber spoon for the french doors and commercial velcro for the freezer slide out..
Will make the "Horseshoe" when I get time.
The issue with using a "bungie cord" holding the freezer slide out closed is that when you lift the freezer handle there is little push pins that force the door open an eighth of an inch or so..therefore it is not fully closed ... think frost in the freezer.

Re: Samsung residential refrigerator 21.8 instead of 17.5

Reply #28 –
An old post of mine, re: "Demo Mode" on the smaller unit:
Quote from: Old Knucklehead –
The Samsung tech came by today to replace the spring loaded seal assembly on the left door of our new RF 18HFENBSR Fridge. Warranty "house call."

Discussed energy saving ideas and he showed me demo mode. This may be common knowledge but I was glad to learn you can induce "Demo Mode" by pressing and holding the  Power Freeze and Freezer buttons until it beeps and display shows OF on both sides.

The lights stay on but the electronics and compressors are OFF.

Re: Samsung residential refrigerator 21.8 instead of 17.5

Reply #29 –
Trent, the inverter circuit that the refrigerator is connected to also powers several other things.  That is the reason for a separate switch for the outlet.  In my coach I chased down the 120 v wiring and split that circut so that from the refrigerator  forward (overhead electronics, tv etc.) are powered by a small inverter of by use of a Double Pole Double Throw switch from the big inverter or land line or generator.  Running on the small inverter all of the electronics are like they are on a big uninteruptible power supply.  Never any issues with landling/generator/inverter switching.

Re: Samsung residential refrigerator 21.8 instead of 17.5

Reply #30 –
Decided on Item # 652269 Model # RF20HFENBSR from Lowes, $1079 with 10% military discount.  Samsung 19.43-cu ft French Door Refrigerator with Ice Maker (Stainless steel) will make it thru the side window with an inch to spare.  Pictures by October 5th.

Re: Samsung residential refrigerator 21.8 instead of 17.5

Reply #31 –
The door ajar alarm is nice. 

Re: Samsung residential refrigerator 21.8 instead of 17.5

Reply #32 –
To each his own but why would you need a fridge that big I wonder....
If the coach is only for 2 people.
If I needed bigger capacity I would get a Engel and put it in the basement for that occasional need.
At home with 2 kids and two full time jobs, we need the capacity, but on the road, just the two of us... don't need it or want it.
Plus those big residential fridges suck up the juice, and for boondocking, I like 12 volt refrigeration. We have a 12 volt marine refrig that works fine for us. At least at this point. Will get a 80 liter Engel at some point for additional freezer space.
Again not knocking your choice. To each his own.

Re: Samsung residential refrigerator 21.8 instead of 17.5

Reply #33 –
We have both the Samsung in the coach and the Engel in the basement.  DW keeps the Samsung full of food and I keep the Engel full of champagne and other adult beverages in support of the Samsung.  When we are on the road we eat just like at home.
John 

Re: Samsung residential refrigerator 21.8 instead of 17.5

Reply #34 –
We love to eat and cook.  Our original Dometic is large enough for us.  Before a trip we'll cook and vacuum pack and fill the freezer.  That will usually last us a month or 2, possibly more since I just removed the non-working ice maker.  I also have a 40 quart 12vdc Dometic freezer if we need more freezer space.
Now when we full timed we enjoyed having the much larger Amana sidexside.

Re: Samsung residential refrigerator 21.8 instead of 17.5

Reply #35 –
UPDATE:
 
I think I have "fixed" my icemaker "problem."
 
DW comes back from checking the freezer and says, does the water pump have to be on to make ice?"
 
DUH!!  She turned the water pump back on, and now we have lots of ice!
 
Hope this helps another frustrated owner,
 
Trent

Re: Samsung residential refrigerator 21.8 instead of 17.5

Reply #36 –
When FOT suggested a Samsung (R19 I think) I did reviews and they were not good, so I located a counter depth GE Fridge and matching Microwave that had better reviews, purchased from home depot and shipped to them. Plus for us it had 4 options for finishes. We chose slate black, which does not show fingerprints and has a matte finish. To each his own, but we're tired of S/S, been there done that. (a Few Times)

Now after 4 Months, no complaints!

GE® ENERGY STAR® 17.5 Cu. Ft. Counter-Depth French-Door Refrigerator
GYE18JEMDS

Re: Samsung residential refrigerator 21.8 instead of 17.5

Reply #37 –
Roger, yes the door ajar alarm will be nice.  I appreciate all the comments as I near the installation date next Tuesday.  I've learned a few things I didn't know when I started this post.  1) Best to block/close up at least the bottom outside vent to prevent freeze ups of the ice maker line in winter situations.  2) Several residential users have talked about turning off the inverter and refrigerator at night when they sleep and are not opening the doors similar to the following.  I like that he added the timer which will be so easy to do. 
"263 posts
SKP#:84860
Posted January 22, 2016
I did some extensive research into overnight power usage and temperature drop a few years back. I found that turning it off overnight saved a lot of power, but also that the temp rose too much for my liking. I solved that by putting the refer on a 24 hour timer that shuts it off around bedtime but turns it on again for a half hour during the middle of the night. It still reduced the power consumption significantly but kept the temperatures where I felt comfortable with them. I still use that same technique when boon docking."

The Samsung refrigerator I selected has "twin cooling".    What is the twin cooling system?
The Twin Cooling System controls the refrigerator and freezer independently with two separate
evaporators and precise electronic control. This brings: superior energy savings
An adequate amount of cool air is provided in each compartment independent of the other. Temperature
sensors and microcomputers detect which compartment needs cooling and enables the refrigerator
and freezer to use power only when their respective compartments need cool air.
ideal temperature and humidity preservation
Because cool air in the refrigerator does not travel to the freezer, the refrigerator compartment
maintains a high level of humidity. The separate evaporators allow each compartment to maintain its
ideal temperature.
no mixing of odors
Since cool air does not travel through the same duct to reach the two compartments, odors are
isolated.

So an occasional opening of the refrigerator at night along with the timed turn on for 30 min should "help me thru the night".  Others set the freezer at 0 degrees and said in the morning the freezer is still at 10 degrees, which would be fine for me till morning when either the solar kicks in or the proper reserve in my batteries is there, or my gen can to be cycled. 

My batteries are 3 8D AGMS for approx 750 AH of storage, my solar is two 60 cell 280 watt LG panels for 560 watts with a Morninstar PS-MPPT-40 controller, my inverter/charger is a Xantrex Freedom SW2000.  I'll weigh in on the future for my need for another approx 300 watt panel on the roof, which would necessitate updating to a TS-MPPT-60 after I start looking at my data for the current 12V system with the new Samsung residential refrigerator I purchased from Lowes, two weeks ago for $1079 with free delivery.  Shop Samsung 19.43-cu ft French Door Refrigerator with Ice Maker (Stainless...

I will be installing a battery monitor along with the refrigerator and so I plan to log my ah use and report in a future update. 

Re: Samsung residential refrigerator 21.8 instead of 17.5

Reply #38 –
Jack,

You have a good plan based on lots of research, which should lead to a successful installation.

We have the "twin cooling " feature on our Samsung.  It seems to be transparent in operation, but works as advertised.  Never had a odor problem or cooling problem in our 4 years of operation.  We always leave the temp settings at the recommended -2 degrees and 38 degrees, and it never varies, no matter if on shore power or running on inverter.

To help reduce energy consumption, we use two of the handy features on the control panel.  We let the ice maker fill up the ice bin, then we turn it "OFF" until the ice is used up.  We also never use the ice maker when dry comping - instead we just buy a bag of ice (as required) and pour it in the bin.  The ice maker uses a lot of power to heat the trays before it dumps, so having it off most of the time is supposedly a big power saver.  There is also a "Energy Saver" button, which as I understand it controls the power to a heating element in the door seals.  This heating element is supposed to keep condensation from forming around the door openings.  We have always had this feature turned "ON" since day one, and have never noticed any moisture around the doors.

We have never felt the need to use the "Power Freeze" or the "Power Cool" buttons.  Using them, I assume, would increase power draw.

Hope your installation goes smoothly!  Keep us updated with lots of photos!

Re: Samsung residential refrigerator 21.8 instead of 17.5

Reply #39 –

Hey Jack,  Chuck is doing what we do mostly.  We don't use the ice maker at all, be sure to figure out how to shut it off with the panel buttons.  It remembers to stay off even if the power is off for a while but not for a couple months.  We tried turning the refrig off over night but temps rose too much.  Try setting the freezer to it highest setting (+8° on ours) and 40° on the refrig section.  You will probably save the most energy by running the refrigerator on a small inverter and turning the big inverter off.  A Kill-A-Watt meter is a good way to measure actual use.  Total battery use is spread across lots of things in the coach and that makes isolating the refrigerator hard. 

I have one of these. You need wifi with it.
Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug w/Energy Monitoring by TP-Link - Control your Devices...
It does the same monitoring task that the Kill-A-Wall does but you can monitor it from you phone or tablet.  And you can shut off the refrigerator with it. And you can program over night on/off periods.

Our outside side vent hole has a slide up insulated panel that seals it up pretty well.  I removed the screen in the roof top vent and put in a vent that I can open and close.  Open when warm summer, closed in winter. 

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