Residential Refrigerators in 5ers

[Dean]

I have a 2017 38RSSA currently in the production process. I am beginning to second guess our decision to go with the residential fridge vs. the RV fridge. I have never had a residential fridge in an RV before and I'm looking for input from some of you who have one in your rig now. What kind of run-time between battery charges should I expect? I ordered our rig with four 6-volt batteries, 2,800 watt inverter, and an Onan propane generator. I appreciate hearing your experiences. Thanks - Dean

[wingnut60]

Don't have one yet, but doing paperwork on a '15 RSSA with the res fridge. With the 4 batteries I don't think you will have a lot of problems, especially with the gen on board.
Now, if you are going to do a lot of dry-camping, that changes things--but for driving from CG to CG, shouldn't have problem. I think you should have the 2 optional batteries dedicated to the fridge, and no other items on the inverter unless you want other 110volt items usuable without a hookup.
If you get the amp draw of the appliances you want to run, you can do the math on the amp-hours available from the 2 (4) batteries to get an idea of how much you can do off the inverter. Don't forget, the inverter itself takes some power.
Be interested in the answers you get--don't forget the Thor Owners forums to check for help there.
And welcome to the forum.
Joe

[Suite Sweets]

We're in much the same position as you two, but made a different choice, i.e., to go with gas/electric. Here was our thinking.
1. The added cost of the generator, particularly, struck me as consequential.
2. I felt we could easily travel in a day using the 4 batteries. But I did not feel we could travel 2 days without shore power overnight or the generator.
3. Too frequently, in the campgrounds we stay (lots in Canada), there is weak voltage - dropping below 106. DRV's can have an electric management system, but I like the option to switch the refrig to gas, leave the A/C's off, and not worry about it.
4. I've read articles about issues of defrosting gas/AC refrig's. We don't need to do it monthly - maybe 2X a year.
5. It seems also, that residential refrig's are larger. Cannot confirm nor deny that. I think most folks, will fill whatever refrig they own.
It's interesting to note that when the default was gas/AC, residential refrig was about a $1300 option. Now that the residential refrig is the default, the gas/AC is a $1300 option.

[Dapperdan]

We have a '15 RSSA with a residential fridge. We LOVE it! It's larger, cools faster and haven't had any trouble with it. We only have two six volt batteries with a 1,000 watt inverter but hadn't had any issues with cooling between CGs. I did add 300 watts of solar last year. In full sun I can run the the fridge indefinitely without shore power or generator use. We store our trailer at a facility without electricity and I wanted to be able to run the fridge as much as I needed.

I think you'll be very pleased with your choice of refrigerators.

Dan

[wingnut60]

We have had our '05 for 9 years with the side x side Dometic. It has performed very well, and I am amazed it is still functioning correctly. However, we plan on selling the house and living in the trailer to see if we can hack full-timing--we have traveled extensively and always have had too little fridge space, and the ice cream never got hard. Hopefully, the res fridge will solve both those problems, and the generator is there for when I inevitably run the batteries down with the fridge. I will have a pair of sealed batteries in the basement dedicated to the inverter, if I can set it up correctly.
We have gone over 10 days several times without hookups and without running the batteries down, so going to be interesting to see how it works dry-camping.
Joe

[wingnut60]

Dapperdan,
Sent you a private message, if you would be so kind to check for it?
Thanks,
Joe

[Cummins12V98]

Residential Kitchenmaid is FAR superior to the RV units!

I would highly recommend the Cummins/Onan 6500 Commercial 220V gen that will run your dryer.

http://i.imgur.com/2nOmJM3l.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/mVY71Afl.jpg

[oldbird]

Last summer we had Cross RV in Indiana put in a Samsung and so far we love it. We have four 12v batteries, a 3K invertor and also run an extra freezer and haven't had any problems at all so far. The Dometic side by side just wasn't keeping up in 100° heat and the Samsung keeps the ice cream solid, lol.

Congrats on the new 5er Joe!

[Dean]

There are times when we may be traveling for 3 - 4 days and will not have AC shore power available. If we spend 6-8 hours driving per day, should I expect my truck to keep my batteries charged up so the inverter keeps the fridge running?

[Cummins12V98]

We have traveled over 8 hours and the freezer is at 0 and frig is at 38 exactly where they normally are.

[Dapperdan]

Dapperdan,
Sent you a private message, if you would be so kind to check for it?
Thanks,
Joe
Got it Joe. :wink:

Dan

[wingnut60]

Thanks for your reply.
Joe

[Cummins12V98]

Secret Squirrels! ;)

[papaducky]

Dean, I am on my second unit with a residential fridge, and think they are great, have the same setup with 2 batteries, and generator. I have yet to use the generator because of the fridge, the truck keeps the batteries topped off during the day while traveling. I have set for 8 hours and still had good voltage.

Check your GVWR on your unit before you accept it, it should be 21,000, they have been sending out some 19,000. That is cutting down on your necessities, and only gives you 1780 lbs of cargo, and no water.

Happy travels.

[stanleyz]

Last summer we had Cross RV in Indiana put in a Samsung and so far we love it. We have four 12v batteries, a 3K invertor and also run an extra freezer and haven't had any problems at all so far. The Dometic side by side just wasn't keeping up in 100° heat and the Samsung keeps the ice cream solid, lol.

Congrats on the new 5er Joe!

hi, i'm going to diy the same thing. were there any issues with clearance between the fridge and the island with the slide closed. thanks for your reply stan

[oldbird]

Paul who put it in said he had to move the island, maybe he just meant the counter top, just a little bit. The way its setup now it clears by less then a inch.

[stanleyz]

hey thanks, thats not what i wanted to hear but thanks anyway.

[wingnut60]

Moving the island a small bit isn't too hard--it isn't held in place stoutly. There should be enough clearance around the drain/water lines to move it enough on the fridge end.