12 volt refrigerator conversion

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12 volt refrigerator conversion

February 19, 2019, 08:43:34 pm

This is a follow up of replacing our Amish Cooling unit with the 12 volt compressor conversion from JC Refrigeration. Yesterday the unit was installed by Martin's Mobile RV Service here in Yuma. Martin specializes in RV refrigeration but this is the first conversion to 12 volt compressor unit he has done. I was with him the entire time and we worked through some questions together, but he did the heavy physical work . The new unit was installed, wired in as instructed by JC Refrigeration, and works. I have been experimenting with the settings on the refrigerator and currently the refrigerator is 35 and the freezer is 11 on setting number 3 out of 5. These are the same controls from our Dometic 2 door refrigerator/freezer, only the cooling unit has been changed. Now we have no ammonia, hydrogen, propane, etc. Just operating on a 12 volt compressor so no inverter.

We are plugged in at a campground until Saturday, then we will start testing boondocking with the new cooling unit. An initial test on the wires when we turned it on showed an amperage draw of a little over 3 amps. We shall see how this works and I will keep a close eye on things, but I am very optimistic about this being a good solution for us. We like to boondock, but will hook up in networks like Thousand Trails when it is available and convenient.

I am excited as I don't need to have my inverter on all night to run the refrigerator and if initial calculations are correct, this system will work well with my stock 2- 8G8D batteries providing 225 amp hours per night. My 500 watts of solar should power us for the daytime and I can run my generator for 1-2 hours per evening to keep batteries well charged on these long nights. As the days get longer, generator runs will probably decrease. I also don't need to worry about being perfectly level all the time as I did with the absorption refrigerator.

Perfect solution? Probably not but seems to fit my lifestyle now as a full timer living 11 years in our 2001 U-270.
I like having the propane stove, water heater, and furnace, but am happy to get away from the absorption refrigerator. Now I don't worry about possible refrigerator fires.

My conclusion thus far is to make the best decisions possible based on the information you have, your budget, mechanical expertise, etc. Then light the fire in your engine and head down the road to enjoy the journey in your Foretravel.

Cya down the road

Re: 12 volt refrigerator conversion

Reply #1 – February 19, 2019, 09:27:01 pm

Thanks for the update. Bruce told me on the phone yesterday you were doing that. I had MOT order an Amish unit today so it will be there when we are in Nach on the 4th (hopefully.). Wish you already had more experience with it. What is the difference in the price? I'm sure they could change our order if we did it quickly.

Come back to Oklahoma in that beautiful coach of your one of these days.

Re: 12 volt refrigerator conversion

Reply #2 – February 19, 2019, 11:15:42 pm

My conversion to the 12 volt HVAC was under warranty as my Amish Cooling unit failed for some reason under warranty. My only cost for this was the installation by Martin's Mobile RV Service. I believe the cost for the conversion unit is close to the same for the absorption unit, but you can contact JC Refrigeration for a quote. They have 2 HVAC conversion options- the 12 volt like I have and 120 volt a/c. Amanda and Douglas (Siren & Scuba Guy) have this option in their coach. Hope this helps.

Cya down the road

Re: 12 volt refrigerator conversion

Reply #3 – February 20, 2019, 01:11:33 am

Just curious. Do you have the Dometic RM3862 in your 2001 U270?

Re: 12 volt refrigerator conversion

Reply #4 – February 20, 2019, 07:58:39 am

Dave
I just removed my Dometic RM3862 and replaced it with a residential unit, although it worked perfectly. The extra space in the fridge is great and the conversion was really easy in my 2001 U270.

Re: 12 volt refrigerator conversion

Reply #5 – February 20, 2019, 10:31:19 am

Pleas keep us posted on it's performance.

Re: 12 volt refrigerator conversion

Reply #6 – February 20, 2019, 10:58:28 am

Thanks for the update Ted. I will be watching closely.

see ya
ken

Re: 12 volt refrigerator conversion

Reply #7 – February 20, 2019, 12:57:12 pm

Ted, glad you are back to chilling out. Please monitor 12v power use over time. It will help you understand what you are using and make good choices if you need to. It will also add to the collective understanding of the various refrigerator options power usage.

It would be interesting for somone to meter up (Kill-a-Watt meter) their LP refrig while plugged in for a couple weeks to know how much they actually use.

Re: 12 volt refrigerator conversion

Reply #8 – February 20, 2019, 01:25:01 pm

RM2862- is my model Dometic.

Important to remember that this conversion is due to the failure of my cooling unit under warranty, so no cost except installation to me. Plus I now have another 3 year warranty which I will extend to 6 years for $75.

There are always other options out there- this one makes the most sense to me with my lifestyle. Plus, I am still running a mostly stock house except for the refrigerator cooling unit. 2 8G8D batteries, propane furnace and stove, water heater, now 12 volt compressor refrigerator with my 500 watts of solar. Seems simple to me and I like KISS.

We shall see but this morning solid ice cubes in tray in the freezer @18 and fridge was 35. Karen is happy to have refrigerator working again.

Re: 12 volt refrigerator conversion

Reply #9 – February 20, 2019, 02:11:33 pm

MOT installed a full home Samsung my domestic was too slow to recover.
After one year best thing I ever did.

Re: 12 volt refrigerator conversion

Reply #10 – February 20, 2019, 08:24:33 pm

Ted and Karen I think it's possible the U320 battery racks will fit your coach.

Visone was long ago parting out a U320. Would not be suprised if the parts were still there.

That would allow a third 8d above the original two you have now.

Maybe the same size compartment?

https://rvexteriorbodypanels.visonerv.com/cgi-bin/md/M240177/s29.pl

No idea if it's still there as the picture is old

Re: 12 volt refrigerator conversion

Reply #11 – February 20, 2019, 08:39:39 pm

Bob- thanks for the idea of adding the rack for a third battery. Expanding battery capacity is an option but since my current batteries are 5.5 years old, I think I will try and see how this new system works first. Otherwise I would wind up getting 3 batteries or another configuration of the same age. Based on my recent experience at Quartzite, I believe my current batteries will serve me well overnight and then solar will take over during the day. We shall see......................

This is a great experiment for me as until 3 years ago I lived without solar and used my generator when we boondocked. That system worked well and my solar has significantly cut down on generator use, but was never intended to replace the generator, just help out. The things we do to amuse ourselves

Re: 12 volt refrigerator conversion

Reply #12 – February 20, 2019, 09:42:18 pm

4 L16 6 volt batteries will fit in the same footprint as 2 8Ds and will give you 830 amp hrs of capacity and room for switches, fuses, shunts and bus bars. And they will weight less than 3 8Ds with the OEM rack and the 3rd battery rack from the junk yard that will cost an arm and a leg and then you pay for shipping.

Re: 12 volt refrigerator conversion

Reply #13 – February 21, 2019, 12:17:04 am

We buy lots of L16 at work, some matainance involved on the coach.. But I would be able to go through all the suspect "cores" as once a piece of equipment has issues they just replace all 6 of them. Most could probably be revived with proper water levels, desulfurization, and equalization. Lots of room on my old ORED for L16. Coach had 1 new 8d, and 6 other 2014+ 12 v Costco deep cycle/marine start in three separate battery racks.. but wiring was a mess and a battery boiler charger. Arrived home and 3 were toast

Re: 12 volt refrigerator conversion

Reply #14 – February 21, 2019, 11:42:29 am

The lifeline ,made in USA , L16's are equalizable. I know of no others made in USA or equalizable L16 made.

Lifeline AGM L16 Deep Cycle Battery

I can find no gel L16's

Re: 12 volt refrigerator conversion

Reply #15 – February 24, 2019, 02:06:13 pm

Ok folks- here is the update you have been waiting for.

Yesterday we unplugged and headed out to public land, operating on my solar and 2 8G8D gell batteries that were installed June, 2013. I used our small inverter to charge up our jetpack, phones, MacBookPro, Karen's IPAD, etc during the day so when the sun went down, we operated all of our devices on their own batteries- No inverter on at all. In fact. other than using our LED lights when needed and the water pump ( bathroom breaks are a good thing), the only thing on was the 12 volt refrigerator. I checked my resting voltage after dark and the refrigerator was in between cycles ( off) and my voltage was 12.9 . At 6 AM after a bathroom break, I looked at my resting voltage after the refrigerator being on for almost 12 hours ( turned on but cycling as needed) and the resting voltage was 12.8 Yeah- a winner.

Do I know exactly how many amp hours I used? NO
Do I care how many amp hours I used? NO
Did the unit run fine all night on battery power? YES
Did I run the generator? NO
Did I have to add battery capacity? NO
Am I happy with this? YES
Is Karen happy with this? YES

We live full time in our coach and I want it to work and be as simple as possible. KISS is a good idea and it works in this case as the unit was replaced under warranty ( no cost to me other than installation), it works, it is a power sipper, I didn't have to do any modifications electrically or carpentry, etc. I now have a refrigerator that I do not have to be concerned about for a potential fire.
Life is good.

Re: 12 volt refrigerator conversion

Reply #16 – February 24, 2019, 02:32:57 pm

Quote from: Ted & Karen – February 24, 2019, 02:06:13 pm

Ok folks- here is the update you have been waiting for.

Is Karen happy with this? YES

That's all that really matters!

Re: 12 volt refrigerator conversion

Reply #17 – February 24, 2019, 02:53:03 pm

Great news Ted. Unfortunately JR. didn't make a 12V cooling replacement unit for my fridge and has no plans to do so.

Re: 12 volt refrigerator conversion

Reply #18 – February 24, 2019, 03:33:22 pm

Quote from: Ted & Karen – February 24, 2019, 02:06:13 pm

Ok folks- here is the update you have been waiting for.

Yesterday we unplugged and headed out to public land, operating on my solar and 2 8G8D gell batteries that were installed June, 2013. I used our small inverter to charge up our jetpack, phones, MacBookPro, Karen's IPAD, etc during the day so when the sun went down, we operated all of our devices on their own batteries- No inverter on at all. In fact. other than using our LED lights when needed and the water pump ( bathroom breaks are a good thing), the only thing on was the 12 volt refrigerator. I checked my resting voltage after dark and the refrigerator was in between cycles ( off) and my voltage was 12.9 . At 6 AM after a bathroom break, I looked at my resting voltage after the refrigerator being on for almost 12 hours ( turned on but cycling as needed) and the resting voltage was 12.8 Yeah- a winner.

Do I know exactly how many amp hours I used? NO
Do I care how many amp hours I used? NO
Did the unit run fine all night on battery power? YES
Did I run the generator? NO
Did I have to add battery capacity? NO
Am I happy with this? YES
Is Karen happy with this? YES

We live full time in our coach and I want it to work and be as simple as possible. KISS is a good idea and it works in this case as the unit was replaced under warranty ( no cost to me other than installation), it works, it is a power sipper, I didn't have to do any modifications electrically or carpentry, etc. I now have a refrigerator that I do not have to be concerned about for a potential fire.
Life is good.

Ted, not sure which fridge your unit came with that you did the upgrade on, but was wonder if you could tell us if yours is a single door with the top freezer or a side by side? All of the 2000 through 2005 U320's have the side by side and was wondering if JR Refrigeration has units for those?
I know we had a side by side in our '98, but can't remember the model number. We never had a problem, but with all the horror stories out there now, it will either be an upgrade on the stock like you just did or installing a residential if the unit we purchase doesn't have one already in place. We also will be full time again and going with some solar and more batteries if necessary.

Re: 12 volt refrigerator conversion

Reply #19 – February 24, 2019, 03:41:25 pm

Quote from: Ted & Karen – February 24, 2019, 02:06:13 pm

Ok folks- here is the update you have been waiting for.

Yesterday we unplugged and headed out to public land, operating on my solar and 2 8G8D gell batteries that were installed June, 2013. I used our small inverter to charge up our jetpack, phones, MacBookPro, Karen's IPAD, etc during the day so when the sun went down, we operated all of our devices on their own batteries- No inverter on at all. In fact. other than using our LED lights when needed and the water pump ( bathroom breaks are a good thing), the only thing on was the 12 volt refrigerator. I checked my resting voltage after dark and the refrigerator was in between cycles ( off) and my voltage was 12.9 . At 6 AM after a bathroom break, I looked at my resting voltage after the refrigerator being on for almost 12 hours ( turned on but cycling as needed) and the resting voltage was 12.8 Yeah- a winner.

Do I know exactly how many amp hours I used? NO
Do I care how many amp hours I used? NO
Did the unit run fine all night on battery power? YES
Did I run the generator? NO
Did I have to add battery capacity? NO
Am I happy with this? YES
Is Karen happy with this? YES

We live full time in our coach and I want it to work and be as simple as possible. KISS is a good idea and it works in this case as the unit was replaced under warranty ( no cost to me other than installation), it works, it is a power sipper, I didn't have to do any modifications electrically or carpentry, etc. I now have a refrigerator that I do not have to be concerned about for a potential fire.
Life is good.

Glad you are happy. Do you know what the inside temperatures are in the refrigerator and freezer?

Re: 12 volt refrigerator conversion

Reply #20 – February 24, 2019, 04:09:07 pm

Joe- my unit is the RM 2862 small unit with top freezer, bottom refrigerator. 36 ft coach came this way, at least mine did.

Temps vary as the compressor cycles- naturally
Refrigerator runs 33-35 is
Freezer 8-13, depends on where it is in the cycle.

Life is good

Re: 12 volt refrigerator conversion

Reply #21 – February 24, 2019, 04:55:58 pm

Winner, winner, chicken dinner.....Happy wife, happy life!
Good job, and thanks for updates
Chris

Re: 12 volt refrigerator conversion

Reply #22 – February 25, 2019, 10:09:25 am

We chose to keep our single pressure ammonia absorption cooling unit. Well, we bought a re-built one as the old one had leaked leaving only water inside to gurgle and percolate.

I finished the installation late yesterday and test ran it last night. Last night was also our first night in our new to us home. In the middle of the night, and thanks to 40° outside temperatures, the interior of the Dometic 4804 was down to 28°.

I'm 62 and I've been using this type of refrigerator off and on since I was 16. I like having an Einstein-Szilard refrigerator and I like the magic that goes on inside.

Having something magical is important in my world. That, and ice cream.

Re: 12 volt refrigerator conversion

Reply #23 – February 25, 2019, 08:35:04 pm

Quote from: Old Toolmaker – February 25, 2019, 10:09:25 am

We chose to keep our single pressure ammonia absorption cooling unit. Well, we bought a re-built one as the old one had leaked leaving only water inside to gurgle and percolate.

I finished the installation late yesterday and test ran it last night. Last night was also our first night in our new to us home. In the middle of the night, and thanks to 40° outside temperatures, the interior of the Dometic 4804 was down to 28°.

I'm 62 and I've been using this type of refrigerator off and on since I was 16. I like having an Einstein-Szilard refrigerator and I like the magic that goes on inside.

Having something magical is important in my world. That, and ice cream.

I am 71, been using them since I was 16 also.......replaced a few cooling units in my day. They still work fine.
Cheers

Re: 12 volt refrigerator conversion

Reply #24 – February 26, 2019, 01:08:03 pm

The only issue that comes up with ours happens in 100 degree temps. The fridge struggles to keep cold but the freezer still keeps food and ice just frozen.
Ice cream softens a little but that's somewhat common. After being in the icream business ( Schwans ) for years I learned that ice cream products are the very first thing to go if a freezer isn't gettin it done. Other food can be rock hard but ice cream could be softer , and still fine to eat.
Another piece of trivia,, ice cream doesn't go bad if sealed property. Had several customer that stocked up on Christmas flavors that were still perfect a year later.

Cheers.

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