Residential refrigerator

[kiltedpig]

These are becoming more and more common on option lists. I was wondering if anyone has had experience with them. My local dealer puts in 4 6v batteries and an inverter. One good thing is that I was told that you can keep the fridge on during travel and that the amp draw was manageable for boondocking, especially if you carry a 2000 generator to charge the batteries if they go down between RV parks.

[JandC]

My brother-in-law purchased a new Class A diesel pusher last year. Pretty expensive unit and it has a large residential frig. They have had it back to dealer several times in just over a year, three of those warranty visits were for that frig. It is back in and working now but he says it is really loud and it wasn't loud before. That being said, if my Norcold RV frig ever went out and I had to pay for a replacement I would probably seriously consider changing over due to cost factors.

[brenkco]

Yes, we have a residential refer with the same battery setup as you describe. Our inverter is a 1000w pure sine. I have had limited boon docking experience with it so far as we don't go again until January. I have tested it however.

During long tows 9+ hours in 100 heat, it ran fine with no issues. I have tested it a few times overnight with no significant battery draw.

For safety reasons, we used to shut off our propane refer at night when boon docking. With the residential refer, we don't have the same safety issues but if necessary to preserve batteries, I can shut it off at night. Temperature gain over night was insignificant and we felt it to be a non-issue.

Ken

[bigskyjimmy]

We have been shopping for new 5er's and that is one thing we have noticed ALOT of SOB's have them now and my Wife LOVES them they are 18-22 CU ft compared to 12 in the Montana IMHO They better start at least making it a option it is the way of the future for the big 5er's or they might lose sales (including Me)

[DQDick]

I think Keystone is planning on adding them, but boon docking was one of the issues. Using four batteries for just the frig doesn't leave a lot room to add the batteries necessary to go solar, if you want to run stuff like coffee pots, hair dryers etc.

[WaltBennett]

But I wonder how good those 4 batteries are. If the inverter is only 1kw, they likely wouldn't put really good ones in.

[brenkco]

Walt,
The rig came with 2-12 volt batteries with the residential refer package. I pulled them out and added the 4-6 volt batteries that I had in my old rig. This inverter is also a converter/battery charger with a built in transfer switch.

Ken

[richfaa]

we do not boondock. We know from experience that we can do a 8/10 hours travel day with no power to the fridge and it will still be cold. This one in the 13 Big Sky has already failed once and replaced under warranty. If it fails again we will go residential.

[DTIEDEMAN]

Keystone needs to get with the times. IE residential refrigerators with ice and water in the door..

[bigskyjimmy]

Boondocking???? what's that???? if I want to boondock I would of kept Tenting it and not dumped 60K on this rig ,I'm old and a fulltimer I want all the goodies I had at home

[DQDick]

Just remember folks, if a manufacturer puts anything in a rig it is low bidder and low price. If you want a top of the line residential frig and decent batteries you will have to put them in yourself.

[richfaa]

You got it DQDick. We are doing our homework so we will be ready when this Norcold fails again and I know it will. Taking measurements. Understanding what batteries we will need. as I said we do not boondock so enough to keep us good and cold while in route. Were to put the batteries and what modifications we will need to fit the fridge in the hole. Hope we can see some at the rally if not in a Montana we will tour one of the other brand plants.

[h2ojocky]

I know someone who replaced the broken propane fridge with a household fridge, inverter, and solar panels. Still cheaper than replacing the propane fridge!

[bigskyjimmy]

Sorry DQDick I have to disagree a little, Other SOB's are putting in Samsung frig's not junk by any means, if anybody looked at as many SOB's as I have recently you have you would see some are not putting cheap stuff in there and I am talking NOT DRV,Excel,New Horizons but Montana competitors about the same price range

[DQDick]

My problem is that I'm old enough to remember when Black and Decker was a top quality brand. Then they started making cheap versions for Kmart etc. We got a good deal and then found the the guts where cheap crap. As you well know, Keystone put quality name brand tires on their rigs for years Goodyear Marathons. Why do you think residential refrigerators would be different?

[JandC]

Well, like Richfaa says.....when your present frig fails it is time to do your homework before making the final decision on what to replace with. I don't know if you can look at any one brand appliance anymore and say they are higher quality. We had a original Norcold in our boat that took a beating for 14 years before it went out. Now I don't think the Norcold in our 2014 Montana will last the first year the way it is acting. I remember my Mom having a cheap frig in her house for 30 years with no issues. Anymore it seems like you are lucky to get 10 years out of some of these major appliances.

[bigskyjimmy]

Good point DQDick only time will tell if they hold up they just started putting them in these 5er's so we will see

[lunalonestar]

Gotta jump in here! Two years ago, our stock refrig went out on us. A replacement was going to cost $1600. We found a Whirlpool 11 cubic ft. resi fridge/freezer that fit perfectly into the cavity for $395. No brainer! We are fulltimers and boondock 75% of the time. We have a 1000W inverter and four 6V batteries. 480 watts of solar panels. The resi fridge has never been a problem anywhere. Best thing we ever did. We will never go back to a propane fridge/freezer. It's on 24/7 even when rolling down the road. Took it on the rough roads of Alaska last year. Fridge/freezer did just fine!

[Carl n Susan]

My EW just replaced my Norcold 1210 due to a crack in the plastic liner. The old one was perfectly functional and since the EW company didn't want it back, I grabbed it. If the replacement fails after my EW expires, I have spare parts to repair it.

[Larry-P]

I'M interested in what brand & model residential frig you use to replace the Norcold 4-door unit.
Also, must the inverter be changed out ? And are more batteries required ? Currently have 1 12 volt.
We never boondock & always keep our frig off when traveling with no problems.
Would the extended warrenty help defray the cost of the residential frig if the current Norcold need replacement ? We would be glad to pay the difference between the 2 units.
Any thoughts, ideas & just talking about this issue is appreciated.