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Topic: Replacing fridge (Read 2207 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Replacing fridge

Reply #25 –
Quote from: oldguy –
I pulled all the insulation that was around the old fridge to help the new fridge vent better and
closed up the roof vent and the side vent I put insulation in the side vent and bought a hatch cover
for the hole. I went with the side hatch for the side vent as it would give me access to the back of the
fridge. As you will experience colder weather than me you would have a huge draft coming
beside the fridge. Residential fridges are designed to run on room temperature.

^ Excellent points on insulating where needed and maintaining access to the back of the fridge - makes it much easier to plug in and unplug if needed (vs. pulling the fridge out of the cabinet to access the plug). ^

The Renovations board has some good tips

Residential Refrigerator Insulation and Venting

Our new residential fridge and other remods (split from What did you do to...

Residential Fridge
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Replacing fridge

Reply #26 –
If you are interested in the fridge vent cover type in fridge vent in search and the first thing
that come up will be a picture of Larry Town and 2 pictures of my vents. I don't know how to
move post from there to this post. The roof vent I fiberglass it in.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: Replacing fridge

Reply #27 –
When I installed the Samsung RF18 refrigerator I sealed the roof and side vents and used insulation that essentially matched the original roof and sidewall insulation. I used stainless steel panels from www.cut2sizemetals.com . The residential refrigerator is designed to opting an interior environment and so that's what I provided for it.
David and Carolyn Osborn
1995 U320C SE 40' Build 4726 Feb 1995
FMCA 147762
Motorcade 17186

Re: Replacing fridge

Reply #28 –
Peter
Can't seem to locate your post or picture...
Peter    Alberta Canada
'98 U320 40'  Build 5359 M11 450 HP, Aqua hot, Blu Ox

Re: Replacing fridge

Reply #29 –
If you completely seal the Samsung RF18 fridge (or any refrigerator) into an enclosed space, it WILL fail prematurely.  The laws of physics do not cease to exist just because you want an aesthetically pleasing appearance and feel it necessary to insulate your coach from the cold.  The heat removed from the cooled space in the fridge must be exhausted somewhere.  All failures of residential refrigerators into motorhomes are predominantly due to misguided and failed installations that cause overheating of the compressor and internal electronics.  Prove me wrong.
2001 4010 U320 build #5865 "Bluto-d-Bus" since 09/18
2006 Honda Element ESP Toad
Full timing since 2016 in Western MT
Copilot: Sitka
1975 GMC 260 Avion: sold

Re: Replacing fridge

Reply #30 –
I finally got the fridge vent replaced with a Challenger Door and it worked out great. Thanks to Larry Town
as he sent me his order form so it fit perfectly. The first picture is Larry's door.

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I hope this works Peter. It took me a few tries to find this.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: Replacing fridge

Reply #31 –
Sorry the pictures didn't work. I tool quite a few tries using fridge vent for me to find it again.

When installing the fridge there needs to be enough room around the fridge for proper venting.
The problem of leaving the venting as if it's -30 f the fridge won't be happy and when it's in high
outside temperatures the fridge will have to work extra hard to cool.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: Replacing fridge

Reply #32 –
Quote from: Woody & Sitka –
If you completely seal the Samsung RF18 fridge (or any refrigerator) into an enclosed space, it WILL fail prematurely.  The laws of physics do not cease to exist just because you want an aesthetically pleasing appearance and feel it necessary to insulate your coach from the cold.  The heat removed from the cooled space in the fridge must be exhausted somewhere.  All failures of residential refrigerators into motorhomes are predominantly due to misguided and failed installations that cause overheating of the compressor and internal electronics.  Prove me wrong.

It's easy to prove you wrong! A residential refrigerator is designed to operate in an indoor environment. Therefore it needs to be provided an indoor environment in our motorhomes! That does *not* mean sealing it in a box—and that's not what I did. There's plenty of open space below, beside and above the Samsung RF 18 in our U320 and it has been operating well since 2018. It is *not* vented to the outside and it doesn't need to be!
David and Carolyn Osborn
1995 U320C SE 40' Build 4726 Feb 1995
FMCA 147762
Motorcade 17186

Re: Replacing fridge

Reply #33 –
Quote from: oldguy –
If you are interested in the fridge vent cover type in fridge vent in search and the first thing
that come up will be a picture of Larry Town and 2 pictures of my vents. I don't know how to
move post from there to this post. The roof vent I fiberglass it in.

Fridge vent
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Replacing fridge

Reply #34 –
Hot air rises and needs an exit point. In your house the warm air simply moves up and away from the fridge .
In a confined area, the warm air needs a channel/ duct away and above the unit.  It also needs and channel feeding cool air into the bottom area.
Opening up the oe fridge ductwork allows the required btu exchange.  Is the stock vent system too large ?  I doubt it.  To make cold air you must also make the same btu warmer  . So , if the airflow is confined. You will overwork the unit .

Re: Replacing fridge

Reply #35 –
I recommend you download and carefully read the installation manual for your prospective fridge. The manual will specify the minimum airflow for top, sides, back and bottom. Look for the coils, they may be at the bottom, back or hidden in a side wall. The manual will stipulate operating temperature range. Don't recommend screwing into the cabinet to mount it unless you can see where that screw will go.

You may need to block off outside vents but provide airflow to inside of coach depending on your model. I removed insulation on each side of the enclosure to achieve recommended airflow for my make and model along with air gaps at top and bottom. Also feed it with a dedicated pure sine wave inverter if you don't have a pure sine wave inverter-charger.

Best practices for one make and model may not work for another. Hard to generalize. In my research I found considerable variation from model to model.
1998 36 foot U270 Build No. 5328 WTFE, 900 watts solar, Victron controller, B2B, bat monitor, 600 AMPH lithium with 2018 Chevy Colorado toad, SKP #110239, Motorcade #17781, 2021 Escape 17B for when Coach is broken down and campsites are too small, retired and full-timer since Dec. 2020. Part of RV family since 1963.

Re: Replacing fridge

Reply #36 –
Anyone have experience with the amount of time a residential fridge will run on 2 8D batteries without charging them?
Peter    Alberta Canada
'98 U320 40'  Build 5359 M11 450 HP, Aqua hot, Blu Ox

Re: Replacing fridge

Reply #37 –
Depend on the fridge, and batteries

I get 7-8 hours from my 6 year old 8D's, dedicated inverter and 10QF fridge.
1993 U300 40ft GV SE
Build # 4344

Re: Replacing fridge

Reply #38 –
Certainly 10 hours every night to run a residential fridge on 2 8D batteries without charging them. Would estimate about 24 hours if starting with a full battery. But getting a battery to 100% full is not simple and takes several days. As battery charge increases, battery resistance to accepting charge increases with maybe ff less than 10 amps being accepted for the last day or so. Solar is great for topping as they generally put out fewer amps than a 100-amp charger and do it quietly and at no on-going cost. Also, battery type comes into play as GEL charging requires a lower charge voltage then AGM & unsealed batteries. The higher the charge voltage, the faster the charge time to 100%. There is a general rule that we can only use 30 to 40% of a lead-acid battery because below 50% can shorten battery life, and we may not be able to charge it over 80-90% during the day. It is a balance as the more we discharge, the longer it takes to recover.

Re: Replacing fridge

Reply #39 –
Short answer, not overnight.
Richard & Betty Bark & Keiko our Golden Doodle
2003 U320T 3820 PBDS
Build # 6215
MC # 16926
2016 Chevrolet Colorado 4X4 diesel

Re: Replacing fridge

Reply #40 –
Hi, @Peter !  We're so glad you started this thread, as we, too, are preparing to install a residential fridge and are deciding between the LG (Model # LRMXC1803S), Samsung, and Fischer & Paykel (Model #RF170ADUSX4 N). 

Since you have already decided on the LG Model # LRMNC1803S (2 freezer drawers, no external water/ice, no handles) have you done the installation yet?  We are curious as to how it fits?  The Samsung is 32 1/8" wide and the LG is 32.87" wide.  It doesn't seem like that much of a difference, but the Foretravel manual says the hole for the RM 7832 is 32 11/16" wide.  I am thinking we will need to make the hole bigger for this fridge by literally millimeters, which seems like it might be a lot of extra work, but worth it if this is the fridge we want.     

I am so grateful you are a few weeks ahead of us on this project.  Perfect timing!  :)  The RM7832 fridge hole is very very specific, and a lot of these residential fridge install threads are people with Grand Villas or 1999/2000s and newer - not the same size fridge openings.  Very very specific measurements and I am suuuuuuuuper interested how the LG fits in the hole. 
The selected media item is not currently available.Amanda and Douglas
Lily *meow* (RIP 7/19/23) and B.T. *meow* (RIP 9/12/18)
1997 U320 40' - "Brawley"
Motorcade #17266
Escapee #113692

Re: Replacing fridge

Reply #41 –
You also need to know where the coils are and how much room you need for cooling.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: Replacing fridge

Reply #42 –
The vents for this fridge are in the bottom back.
As far as the hole goes, I have seen MANY post of fridges in the same width fit.
You are correct that the LG is 1.18 inches wider
Maybe someone can chime I here as to the actual hole they discovered when removing the rm7832
Peter    Alberta Canada
'98 U320 40'  Build 5359 M11 450 HP, Aqua hot, Blu Ox

Re: Replacing fridge

Reply #43 –
In checking with various others who have installed the RF 18 Samsung they have stated there is about an inch on each side of the new fridge, which, if correct, would mean the LG would fit with mm to spare...lol
I guess we will see when it is installed in couple of weeks!
PICS to follow.
Peter    Alberta Canada
'98 U320 40'  Build 5359 M11 450 HP, Aqua hot, Blu Ox

Re: Replacing fridge

Reply #44 –
I wanted to provide an update on the LG 1803 fridge install I was intending to do.
There was some concern that the fridge at larger than the Samsung RF18 would NOT fit in the "hole" the RM 7832 was in.
The LG fridge is about 3/4 inch wider.
I can tell you, the install of this fridge went without any complications or modifications. 
PICS to follow.

OH and the fridge looks amazing!
Peter    Alberta Canada
'98 U320 40'  Build 5359 M11 450 HP, Aqua hot, Blu Ox

Re: Replacing fridge

Reply #45 –
As far as powering a refer off of house batteries and an inverter it helps to know what exactly is your current setup?

Your 98 like mine came with a partial sine wave inverter. I extensively modified my sister 97's to make a house refer use easier.

None is inexpensive if you want to run a household device off batteries. Most run their excellent gen on plug the coach into a power pole.

I did mods first and still have my rm7832.  I have a chest refer/freezer which allows some flexibility in capacities.

How do you intend to use this new setup;? 
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: Replacing fridge

Reply #46 –
I changed out the original Heart invereter to a magnum 2812 simply because I wanted a pure sine wave inverter. I had recently installed all new smart TV's and did not want any of the electronics to be affected.
I am powering my fridge directly from that inverter.
I am only running two 8D coach batteries ( the PO did not get a third one installed when replaced because the shop said it would not fit.......[they had the batteries in the wrong way...sigh..I eventually will get a third one...] but 99 per cent of the time am shore power or generator running.
Whe I travel I turn on the inverter and let the coach charge up the batteries as I go so the fridge stays on, and when parked, just plug in to shore power
Peter    Alberta Canada
'98 U320 40'  Build 5359 M11 450 HP, Aqua hot, Blu Ox

Re: Replacing fridge

Reply #47 –
Quote from: Peter –
I changed out the original Heart invereter to a magnum 2812 simply because I wanted a pure sine wave inverter. I had recently installed all new smart TV's and did not want any of the electronics to be affected.
I am powering my fridge directly from that inverter.
I am only running two 8D coach batteries ( the PO did not get a third one installed when replaced because the shop said it would not fit.......[they had the batteries in the wrong way...sigh..I eventually will get a third one...] but 99 per cent of the time am shore power or generator running.
Whe I travel I turn on the inverter and let the coach charge up the batteries as I go so the fridge stays on, and when parked, just plug in to shore power

For your use seems like a good setup.  I also added the 2812.  Excellent unit.  The system is capable of being dual setback full auto gen start and stop and mix in solar. 
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: Replacing fridge

Reply #48 –
As promised attached are pics of the fridge installed. It fit like a glove. Some of the pics show the  Fridge  Fixer pieces to secure the door while travelling they too work fantastic and were literally 10 minutes to install
Peter    Alberta Canada
'98 U320 40'  Build 5359 M11 450 HP, Aqua hot, Blu Ox

Re: Replacing fridge

Reply #49 –
That looks factory to me. Well done.
1998 36 foot U270 Build No. 5328 WTFE, 900 watts solar, Victron controller, B2B, bat monitor, 600 AMPH lithium with 2018 Chevy Colorado toad, SKP #110239, Motorcade #17781, 2021 Escape 17B for when Coach is broken down and campsites are too small, retired and full-timer since Dec. 2020. Part of RV family since 1963.