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Old 04-09-2020, 07:41 AM   #21
Dmcgrew
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How much does it cost to purchase batteries, inverters, and solar panels plus labor to keep a refrigerator running?
About the same as replacing one RV fridge, depending on how crazy you go on the battery bank.
 
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Old 04-09-2020, 08:14 AM   #22
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About the same as replacing one RV fridge, depending on how crazy you go on the battery bank.
Looks like either way it costs a lot to keep food cold these days. Didn't used to be that way.

I suppose that battery bank needs replacing once in a while. Thinking this through a little, boondocking in a nice shady spot by that stream becomes a problem. That's why I chose a portable satellite antenna instead of a roof mounted one.

There just isn't a perfect solution to anything.
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Old 04-09-2020, 12:22 PM   #23
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How much does it cost to purchase batteries, inverters, and solar panels plus labor to keep a refrigerator running?
Not as much as you think if you are handy and can do the work yourself. I didn’t use the rv panels as they are expensive, I used the same panels I installed on my house plus I get to use 30% on my federal taxes.

Also we only boondocks, we maybe go to a campground once or twice a year when we take the grandkids to the hot springs.
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Old 04-11-2020, 05:14 PM   #24
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Can panels be added I have 1 being installed at keystone do I have to keep the same or are the panels interchangeable ???
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Old 04-11-2020, 05:18 PM   #25
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Can panels be added I have 1 being installed at keystone do I have to keep the same or are the panels interchangeable ???
You should at least get the same wattage panel.
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Old 04-12-2020, 11:05 AM   #26
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As I shop around for a new fifth wheel, many dealers are telling me they have stopped stocking RV's with residential fridge. To much warranty issues.

I have a residential in my current RV and like it. No issues boondocking if you have enough power.
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Old 04-12-2020, 02:15 PM   #27
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As I shop around for a new fifth wheel, many dealers are telling me they have stopped stocking RV's with residential fridge. To much warranty issues.

I have a residential in my current RV and like it. No issues boondocking if you have enough power.

Funny here is Central TX all you see is residential refers
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Old 04-12-2020, 05:49 PM   #28
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Funny here is Central TX all you see is residential refers
In the Carolinas it is about 75% residential
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Old 04-15-2020, 01:53 PM   #29
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We’ve been full time 3 years and love our RV frig. The double door style holds plenty of food and the propane option is great when boondocking. Heard lots of folks on the road having trouble with res frig freezing up in sub 0 weather.

Just depends on type of camping you’ll be doing
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Old 04-15-2020, 02:05 PM   #30
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The one thing no one has mentioned is defrosting. When I sold my dutchstar motorhome It had a residential fridge and loved it. When I bought my 2019 montana 3930 fb it came with a rv fridge. I tried switching them but they wouldn't do it. My rv fridge is not as effective and I hate defrosting it. Just my 2 cents. P.s. I'm in hook ups most of the time.
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Old 04-15-2020, 02:37 PM   #31
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The only problem I've had with the RV refrigerator is the restricted air flow for the coils behind the refrigerator. The vent covers do not allow enough flow. It's beyond my understanding as to why the RV industry can't come up with a good ventilation system. I have removed the covers in the hot Texas heat and it helps a lot. Shade on the area also helps. Last year I added a thermostat controlled double vent fan to the top vent to push air out. Since then, no problems.
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Old 04-15-2020, 03:34 PM   #32
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Before I gave up on RV fridges my last 2 units I installed an awning over the vents. When the sun was on that side the awning was deployed. I also installed 3 extra fans on each. In southern temps/humidity that was the only way they were marginally efficient. With the res fridge there are no problems with keeping temps. Inverter/two group 31 deep cycle, I have not yet needed to run the genny. Much more efficient, much more room for food, and no chance of fridge fires! Google RV fridge fires may be enough to make up your mind.
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Old 04-17-2020, 10:44 AM   #33
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I set up an all electric camper 2 years ago and haven't regreated it at all. Run the truck for a little each day and have no problems.have run fridge for 4 days without recharging and still have plenty of reserve. Don't have any solar at all, so if you have solar. Recharging ,you should have no problems. Definitely outdoes propane 10 to one.even run air conditioner off it.just do your research on your needs and buy energy effeciant appliances, there is a difference.,example my 18 cu ft freezer refrige uses 1.1 amp. Good luck!!!!
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Old 04-18-2020, 03:51 PM   #34
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Residential fridge used in an RV consumes about 140 amphours per day from 12v battery bank. Figure on minimum 200Ah of batteries plus a way to charge them ....just to run the fridge.
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Old 04-18-2020, 04:11 PM   #35
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We have RV fridge and have replaced the main circuit board and rewired the fridge to a separate circuit so it wouldn't turn off when the fantastic fan in the kitchen was turned on. I will switch to residential if this one dies.
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Old 04-18-2020, 04:25 PM   #36
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Montana's new solar PKG is a $19500 option. Even discounted... That is a study sum. If you go from full hook up to full hook up... Get residential. If you boondock a lot consider RV fridge. If you have lots of batteries and solar, you might consider residential.

We plan on significant solar install... So we went with residential. YMMV as they say.
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Old 04-18-2020, 05:16 PM   #37
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Montana's new solar PKG is a $19500 option. Even discounted... That is a study sum. If you go from full hook up to full hook up... Get residential. If you boondock a lot consider RV fridge. If you have lots of batteries and solar, you might consider residential.

We plan on significant solar install... So we went with residential. YMMV as they say.
$19k for a solar package? I had no idea. That makes the cost of a couple rv fridges sound a lot less expensive.
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Old 04-18-2020, 06:59 PM   #38
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Montana's new solar PKG is a $19500 option. Even discounted... That is a study sum. If you go from full hook up to full hook up... Get residential. If you boondock a lot consider RV fridge. If you have lots of batteries and solar, you might consider residential.

We plan on significant solar install... So we went with residential. YMMV as they say.
Holy smoke that’s a big price tag on solar specially when they can’t put to much on a trailer. I did even pay that for the 24 panels I placed on my house. I just did 1200 Watts on my trailer with 3000 Watt inverter and didn’t pay anywhere close to 19,500. That’s ridiculous.
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Old 04-19-2020, 06:22 AM   #39
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$19,500 MSRP comes out to about $12,500 installed. That includes soft starts on the
ACs. pricey yes
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Old 04-19-2020, 07:52 AM   #40
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If you have adequate electric power, a residential refrigerator is really the way to go. How you get that power is the challenge you have to over come.

I've had both, RV gas/electric and now a residential, and really prefer the residential.

Why?
It operates exactly like one in your house. They cool faster, and you don't have the hassle of gas.

Case in point? You'll never need to be engaged in one of those forum discussions about leaving the refrigerator running on gas when fueling at a gas station. You are completely off the hook on that debate.

As far as traveling with a residential. Well, in spite of all the bouncing and bumping the trailer takes, the refrigerator continues to operate just fine, on shore power and on battery via the inverter.
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