Changeover to Residential Fridge

[artfuldodger]

Last fall I finally pulled out our Norcold 2118 propane guzzling fridge and put in a residential one exactly the same dimensions. We wintered for our 5th time on a beach in Baja, Mx for 3 months and our solar had no problem keeping us in electric power for the trailer generally with the fridge. We watch TV every night for 2 or 3 hours, use an ice maker, an air fryer once in a while, and the microwave for short periods. Last year, with the propane fridge, we went through a 30 lb tank once a week. This year, with the residential fridge, we used a tank about once a month. I,m very pleased with our setup. This coming year I will try to heat our water with electric.Are there some out there that do heat water with solar?

[DutchmenSport]

Well, the only "water" we've heated with "solar" is when we make "sun tea!" No solar panels required though.

[AnArky]

Which model fridge? An AC or DC residential? We are full time and I see that day coming. Thanks!

[artfuldodger]

The fridge is 110 Ac and is a Hisense 4door 21 cubic feet. It has performed well over the winter on a trip first from Toronto area to Orlando area, then to Arizona and down the Baja to Loreto area and on its way now back to Toronto area.

[AnArky]

Originally Posted by artfuldodger

The fridge is 110 Ac and is a Hisense 4door 21 cubic feet. It has performed well over the winter on a trip first from Toronto area to Orlando area, then to Arizona and down the Baja to Loreto area and on its way now back to Toronto area.

Thanks! How did it fit in the same location? Did you have to install an inverter?

[artfuldodger]

It fit perfectly in the same spot.. It has no attached handles so fits when slides are in. I already have an inverter,a 3000 watt so the fridge is no challenge for it.Just plug and play.

[Route66Rambler]

Blaming the fridge on that much propane sounds strange. We boondock for a week and don't use that much propane even with the two of us taking showers every day and doing dishes. We would run our generator a few hours a day to watch TV. The fridges don't use that much propane.

[artfuldodger]

Mine did. We were boondocked on a beach in Mexico for 3months a year for 4 years and every week another tank emptied, another trip to Senior Propano. This year, we were gone 5 months and we only filled a tank 5 times. Hot water usage was not altered,and we seldom use the furnace. Others I have spoken to also report a tank per week with the Norcold 2118.

[AnArky]

Originally Posted by Route66Rambler

Blaming the fridge on that much propane sounds strange. We boondock for a week and don't use that much propane even with the two of us taking showers every day and doing dishes. We would run our generator a few hours a day to watch TV. The fridges don't use that much propane.

Norcold 2118 is a known energy hog, using gas or electric.

[Montana Man]

Originally Posted by Route66Rambler

Blaming the fridge on that much propane sounds strange. We boondock for a week and don't use that much propane even with the two of us taking showers every day and doing dishes. We would run our generator a few hours a day to watch TV. The fridges don't use that much propane.

Same here. In all fairness we increased the airflow behind the fridge and made sure the door seals are tight. That went a long way towards making it run cooler and efficiently.

[AnArky]

Originally Posted by Montana Man

Same here. In all fairness we increased the airflow behind the fridge and made sure the door seals are tight. That went a long way towards making it run cooler and efficiently.

Was this a Norcold 2118?

[mlh]

Originally Posted by DutchmenSport

Well, the only "water" we've heated with "solar" is when we make "sun tea!" No solar panels required though.

Sun tea. That is the best and what we do.
Lynwood

[Majorpolk]

You had a propane leak. A camper fridge can’t use that much propane in a week with the door open all week.

[AnArky]

Originally Posted by Majorpolk

You had a propane leak. A camper fridge can’t use that much propane in a week with the door open all week.

I have personal experience with this and a Norcold 2118. We are full time. We had 2 full 30 lb tanks. It was June in Texas. I left for a week long business trip. Not long after I left, the wife accidentally hit the button to switch to gas by mistake. About 5 to 6 days later I get home to discover it running on gas. One propane tank was empty and it had already auto switched to the second.

Just check online about the 2118 high electric and gas usage. It’s a common problem with that unit.

[Wmass camper]

How did you get the old out and new in? We would love to swap out.

[Majorpolk]

Here is a good article on RV fridge propane use.
https://mowgli-adventures.com/how-mu...e-consumption/

[jimc100]

Not trying to hijack the post, but has anyone performed the 12v compressor conversion on the Norcold 18ft unit. If so what are their experience and how difficult was the conversion?