General Boards > Redecorating and Updating your Motorhome

Residential Refrigerator Info Requested

(1/2) > >>

Steve Huber:
We're looking to replace our Dometic with a residential unit. I checked to see if I could locate a Samsung RF19 unit but no joy as they are discontinued. They have an estimated energy usage of 445 KWhrs/yr which is really attractive for RV usage.

Our coach has 4 house batteries.
Does anyone (w/ a 4 battery coach)  have a different model, and if so would you recommend it or recommend an alternative reefer that is "battery friendly"? DW would like a French Door model. Samsung's current 18-20 CF offerings are rated at 594 KW hrs/yr.
THX! Steve

Bob Jae:
Steve
We put in a Samsung RF-18 last October.  We have 4 batteries but do not boondock and do not have it plugged into the inverter yet either.  The icemaker plug is on the inverter but the whole road side of the coach and the TV and electronics are on that same GFI breaker.  We normally drive only 6 or 7 hours a day.  The refrigerator is off and so far has stayed cool and the freezer has not gone above 5º. 

Steve Huber:
Bob,
Thx for the info. I will need to run it on the inverter so am a bit concerned about the higher current draw. IF I did my math right the 594 kwh/yr units equate to a draw of about .76a/hr (AC) or 7.7a DC  while the 445 KWH/yr units draws about .57a/hr AC (assuming a .8 pwr factor) or 5.8a DC.
Steve

Dick Simonis:
Steve, I'm going to have Fred install a Samsung 18 when we get home as a replacement for our Dometic.  I was told the current draw is 1.9 Amps AC so I had figured ~ 15 Amp DC at 12 VDC give or take.  I also figured a 60% duty cycle which would put me at only an extra 9 AH of discharge....not very significant.  I suspect if one wanted to really conserve juice the freezer temp could be raised to....say 15 or 20 and the the fridge to 40 ish and shut off the ice maker (optional) thereby extending the duty cycle.  Your Dometic probably doesn't even run that cold most of the time.

One other thing I might add is to measure carefully before you make the size decision.  The 20 is exactly the same size except the depth is 2" deeper.  When I spoke with Fred about the installation he said he needs 1 1/2" extra for access to the mounting brace and for the relocated electrical outlet.  With that info a 20 might fit in mine but there is a chance that the fridge may protrude a bit further into the living area and I want it recessed far enough so the cabinet frame is even with the door gasket.  Also, while the 20 might be nice in reality the 18 is so much larger than out 12 cu ft Dometic it's not worth potentially compromising the aesthetics.  I'm probably going to go with the black vs. SS as I think it will go better with our interior and existing black appliances.

George Morlan:
We installed an RF 18 late last year.  No extra batteries.  We do boondock some (for up to a week at a time), and have not noticed a significant increase in the need to run the generator.  We leave the inverter on while driving.  Very happy with it.  (Bev would underline "very".)

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[#] Next page