RV Refrigerators - what is the current trend?
- Thread starter Martinjmpr
- Start date
Oka 374
Member
Here in Oz most are running domestic inverter 240v fridge freezers on a dedicated 300 or 350w PSW inverter, Victron seem to be the most popular.
As the inverter fridges are soft start you can get away with running such a small PSW inverter as even when running they don't use much power even when on the defrost cycle.
As the inverter fridges are soft start you can get away with running such a small PSW inverter as even when running they don't use much power even when on the defrost cycle.
Obsessed2findARuggedHybid
Well-known member
I purchased a Isotherm Cruise 130 with temp control. They make larger models. All reviews were very positive. I have not received my trailer yet so does anyone have any opinions on this model. I did look hard at Norcold but lots of negative reviews
Treefarmer
Active member
In case you didn't see my other comment, avoid Norcold like the plague.
Martinjmpr
Wiffleball Batter
It seems to me that a 12v fridge running through a 120vAC / 12vDC converter when on shore power would be more efficient than a 120vAC fridge running through an inverter when on battery. The biggest advantage to the 120vAC fridge, though, would be that if it failed or needed to be replaced, it could probably be replaced at a much lower cost. I kind of feel like there's a Sword of Damocles hanging over our R-Pod in terms of the 3 way fridge. Right now it works fine, but if it fails it's at least $1000 or more to replace it.
I'm pretty sure our next RV will not have a propane fridge. Nice as they are, a combination of batteries and solar panels seems to make a 12v fridge a more attractive option.
I'm pretty sure our next RV will not have a propane fridge. Nice as they are, a combination of batteries and solar panels seems to make a 12v fridge a more attractive option.
Good point regarding mounting placement of RV refrigerator. If one hangs onto an RV for a long time, one can almost guarantee that replacements of the same size could be very hard to find. I'm currently facing that with my '71 Airstream. In 2004 a previous owner rebuilt the interior and installed a new at the time Dometic 5 CF RM2510 in the original frig location. However, now 18 years later, the cooling unit died. Dometic no longer makes the refrigerator. Rebuilt ones are also no longer available nor are replacement parts. I contacted Dometic and they do not have replacement. They are either way smaller or a lot larger in all dimensions. Width and Depth are the key measurements. I did find that Dometic makes a "state of the art" 2 way 7 CF fridge that has the right width and depth, but it's 8" taller. The height issue has the potential to be addressed by rebuilding the cabinet. However, it was made for the European market and I've only found one online source that sells it in the USA. It also is corded for the European market which would likely have to be changed. Cost is $2,500 and is non returnable. An unpalatable option. At this point, not even sure if I can find a similar size 12V electric for the space. If I could, I'd likely have to upgrade the electrical. I currently have a modern converter, but only a single AGM, which has worked fine as our electrical demand is minimal. However, going with an electric fridge would change the equation. Anyway I look at it, it's not an easy solution.
