Residential versus propane electric frig

TheVoelkers · 02-23-2021, 07:40 AM

Comments on that please. We have only ever had the 2 way frig. We do a little bit of dry camping, however the unit we are looking at says it has an inverter from the battery to 110?

Stingray75 · 02-23-2021, 08:40 AM

Our residential fridge served us well during last weeks S Texas storms and power outage. The dual Group 27 batteries would supply power thru the 1200w inverter but I’d charge batteries 3-4 hours twice each day (7-10am & pm). I’m not as concerned about short term boondocking today as I was a couple weeks ago.

Kahoneys · 02-23-2021, 09:12 AM

We were told that 2 batteries will keep our residential fridge cold for 17 hours on a charge so if you can recharge them every day you should be ok.

AKRUEBBE · 02-23-2021, 09:41 AM

I vote for a residential fridge!

craigav · 02-23-2021, 09:46 AM

Both have their advantages, if you will not be w/o 120v power for extended periods of times then residential fridges are great, but if you RV camp at a lake (or similar) and especially if they have a ban (or time limits) for generator usage then being able to run the fridge on propane is a great thing as well. So all in all, the best choice is based on how you intend to use your RV. ~CA

TxLoser · 02-23-2021, 11:09 AM

Love the residential fridge. For the off time we’d be without power, 2 6v batts and champion gen do the trick.

deepsea5 · 02-23-2021, 02:18 PM

The 12 Volt Danfoss/SECOP compressor equipped refrigerators are interesting to me. If/when our propane absorption refrigerator dies (or it begins to really light my fuse) I will replace it with a compressor refrigerator.
A 12 Volt compressor refrigerator was an option on our pontoon boat. Sometimes I regret not buying it.

TheVoelkers · 02-23-2021, 03:04 PM

How are you liking your Pinnacle. We are looking at a new 2021.

Stingray75 · 02-23-2021, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheVoelkers

How are you liking your Pinnacle. We are looking at a new 2021.

Love ours! We’ve been full time four 4 years with the Pinnacle being our favorite for the last 2. The wide body makes it feel very comfortable.

SloPoke · 02-23-2021, 05:11 PM

Some other things to consider - beyond the "do I have enough batteries to keep my food cold" ... .. .

The typical 21cu-ft Residential Fridges take up more interior space than the Norcold 1210 series 4-door 2-way fridge. (about 11 cu-ft more). the Residential fridge also weighs about 25# more too.

We travel with our Norcold for 6-9 months and never have come close to running out of fridge space.

The residential fridge is great for those who spend the most time plugged in at the RV parks, we try not to - we like to camp like the pictures show!

mini4mw · 02-23-2021, 05:34 PM

The default 8cu 3 way Norcold is a little small for us and doesn't work well unless its exactly level. I was looking at one of the 1/2 height residential fridge/freezer combos. Something not too big that it pulls a bunch of power, but big enough. I was considering buying one that would fit dimensions of the opening in the greyhawk, testing power consumption and if it was too much letting a child take it to college.. Something like this RCA one (amazon URL)

TheVoelkers · 02-24-2021, 10:14 AM

That is the model we are looking at 2021 36FBTS.

billcf7 · 03-01-2021, 10:44 AM

The new Whirlpool 4 door res fridge in the 21's looks like a nice unit. It would get my vote. Dont care for the travel straps

Jagiven · 03-01-2021, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheVoelkers

Comments on that please. We have only ever had the 2 way frig. We do a little bit of dry camping, however the unit we are looking at says it has an inverter from the battery to 110?

Quote:

Originally Posted by SloPoke

Some other things to consider - beyond the "do I have enough batteries to keep my food cold" ... .. .

The typical 21cu-ft Residential Fridges take up more interior space than the Norcold 1210 series 4-door 2-way fridge. (about 11 cu-ft more). the Residential fridge also weighs about 25# more too.

We travel with our Norcold for 6-9 months and never have come close to running out of fridge space.

The residential fridge is great for those who spend the most time plugged in at the RV parks, we try not to - we like to camp like the pictures show!

We're in your boat too. Some aspects I like the residential refrigerators. Most of them look to big for us. We can go for about 1.5 weeks between grocery runs feeding our teenage son with our current 8 cu RV frig. We do not plan to ever go full time. However I can see when we retire in a few years, to travel locally for a couple weeks at a time, and periodically go out for a couple months at a time.

My biggest concern is the Boondocking aspect. We do not truly boondock as much as I would like. We do dry camp a few times a year right now. I also like the more remote locations, but we do not get there as often as I would like (work gets in the way

, & never have enough vacation time

).

I am with SloPoke, I like being out in more remote locations. I really do not want to be forced to run the generator for hours each day to top off the batteries. I suspect when it is time, if it is an option we will head towards the RV dual fuel frig, just so we have more traveling flexibility.

One thing I do wonder; Those who have residential refrigerators how often do they boondock?

Good Luck

Flashdman11 · 03-01-2021, 12:23 PM

The res also has an ice maker

SloPoke · 03-01-2021, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flashdman11

The res also has an ice maker

As does the Norcold AC/LP 4-door 12 cu/ft fridge in our Seneca.

Goweb · 03-06-2021, 01:19 PM

https://mortonsonthemove.com/avoid-r...ntial-fridges/

DrSmart · 03-06-2021, 01:24 PM

After many years of trailers with propane refridgerators, we have our 1st residential fridge with the North Point. We love having 21 cu ft and the ice maker. Very quick to cool down on start up. The propane unit required hours to get cold from start up. We also have had a Honda generator for many years that is available for any park power outages. Our single battery and 1200 watt inverter will carry the fridge for short periods, but I would pull the genny for longer.

mojo3150 · 03-06-2021, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheVoelkers

Comments on that please. We have only ever had the 2 way frig. We do a little bit of dry camping, however the unit we are looking at says it has an inverter from the battery to 110?

Before making a choice you also want to look at what you’re giving up. That being that the residential fridge is bigger and for that you’re giving up something else in its place. We bought a Jayco 317RLOK with the gas/elect. fridge. If we had opted for the res. fridge we would have to give up the 4 drawer base cabinet next to the stove. Be aware.

Johnynorthland · 03-06-2021, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deepsea5

The 12 Volt Danfoss/SECOP compressor equipped refrigerators are interesting to me. If/when our propane absorption refrigerator dies (or it begins to really light my fuse) I will replace it with a compressor refrigerator.
A 12 Volt compressor refrigerator was an option on our pontoon boat. Sometimes I regret not buying it.

X 2 for me! There is also an absorption to 12V conversion kit.

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