Residential Fridge Advice

[masterdrago]

I posted this somewhere else in the past. Here is my take on the Samsung reefer running on only the pair of 12 volt batteries installed by the dealer when we picked up on Oct. 31, '17. I had several times the first trips noticed the reefer getting warm. So I tested it at home running only the ref, all else turned off (key in convenience center removed). No shore power but not charging through the truck. The input voltage dropped to 10.5 (the cut off point for the inverter) after between 36-40 hours. The ambient temperature was mostly below 65 degrees, inside and out. The wattage draw, shown on the inverter display, was between 40 and 120 watts depending on what part of the cycle the reefer was in - amazingly efficient refrigerators. I'm sure these numbers would be different if the truck was charging and the ambient temp was higher. It turns out that the inverter was never turned on by the dealer, hence the warming up of the freezer especially during 4-6 hour trips to campgrounds. I had also found one of the wires on one of the batteries very loose.So my test indicated that our Samsung might run well over 30 hours on the two marine deep cycle batteries installed by the dealer if conditions are right. It is not advised to let the wet cel batteries get down to 10.5 vdc.

[masterdrago]

Originally Posted by jcurtis934

Other threads have talked about how efficient the samsung fridge is with its inverter compressor technolgy. 3 amps max drain off of 120vac when it needs to go full throttle which translates to approx 30 amps off of the battery. BUT it almost never goes that extreme, mostly less than 1 amp, sometimes less than two. I believe 3 amps would be at startup from a totally warm unused fridge...ie, first time startup. So as stated above, as long as your truck is charging the monte as you aren't dry camping...all is well.

If a newer Samsung frig ever pulls 3 amps on the compressor, something is wrong. A 3amp pull would indicate that the unit is most likely in defrost.

[masterdrago]

Originally Posted by jimcol

I cannot add anything to the power conversation as I don't have a residential frig. Since this is your first extended trip I think you really under estimated your time. Based on your miles and hours you will have to average 65.625 miles per hour. We have never averaged anything near that. Once these things slow down it takes longer to get than back up to cruising speed. You'll probably have an additional fuel stop. We travel at 65mph and only stop for fuel and maybe one addition bathroom break. We average just over 50 mph in a days travel. Doesn't matter if we drive 6 hours or 12 hours. That hasn't varied very much in the last 12 years.

All of our 3 trips, we find we average very near 50mph as jimcol says.

[margerush]

We're still learning, but we put fridge on propane when we're driving. We just completed a 2200 mi trip & found several campgrounds fill up fast after 5 pm. We tried to get settled in camp by 3:00 or 4:00.

[Dallas47]

I have had trailer unplugged for over 10 hours an no problem with ice etc melting. My concern with a residential fridge going down road would be a residential fridge with compressor running being un level and moving around may not be good on compressor.

[richfaa]

Think we will stick with the Norcold Double door RV fridge.

[mhs4771]

We've got 30K plus miles on our Residential Fridge and not a single hicup.

[SmallTownFireman]

I am also new to Residential Refrigerators and this size 5’r. I had 2 installed batteries, but they would not keep up and my truck only sent a trickle charge to the batteries (2015 F350 dual alternators). So I rewired the connection adding 2 more 12v (should have gone with 6v & will on next upgrade). Along with a switch so I can isolate the batteries that power the inverter/fridge (I also used welding wire to run up to the truck batteries to charge the 2nd set of batteries). This new configuration allowed me a 3 day travel boondock window.

[Phabask]

I have installed a Samsung residential fridge in our 3700, don’t have a inverter have done several long trips it stayed frozen in freezer fridge side did warm up, started putting frozen water jugs in fridge, we also travel with less groceries in fridge, to prevent spoilage and waste of food, have used a generator on long stays

[CaptnJohn]

Originally Posted by DebNJim B

We travel that same distance twice a year back and forth North and South. We used to do it in three legs but due to more sciatica issues this spring we did it in four legs. We overnight sometimes in RV parks and sometimes in truck stops. We have not had any issues with our residential refer nor the truck battery retaining charge. We have the same 2017 F-350, 6.7. We are traveling in the spring and fall so it's usually not really hot and when we don't have shore power I unplug from the tow rig so as not to run down that battery. We also keep the refer closed as much as possible at these times.

Your truck batteries will not drain if the ignition is off. That is Ford, not true with GM or Dodge

[DebNJim B]

I wasn't aware of that, it's good to know.
Thanks

[mtlakejim]

Originally Posted by CaptnJohn

Your truck batteries will not drain if the ignition is off. That is Ford, not true with GM or Dodge

Is there a relay on the truck to trailer charge leg that shuts the circuit off when ignition is off on a Ram?

[routemaster]

Think about this, our Samsung was made over seas put on a fork lift then into a container trucked to the boat sailed the ocean then trucked to the store from store to me. So I reckon if the fridge has been though all that it should be ok for these roads!!
I installed a Samsung RF197 in my 06 Keystone in 2013 because the gas rv fridge in Bakersfield could not handel 110*+ heat.Had extra cooling fans as well. We live in the E in NM and have travelled back and forth to PCH.. sat on the beach. 4/6v batteries golf cart and 2 panels. My Dell Desk top draws more power than the fridge. As long as sun shine no prob battreries will be at 100% if not generator there to charge.This is my take on it. :-)