Terry:

Very nice job. The finished product looks “factory.”

While we don’t plan to make this change out anytime soon for a number of reasons, I do have an additional “rationalization” for any who may have fridge issues and are considering a residential unit replacement and for those who don’t have extended warranties to cover those costs.

I’ve haven’t done the fine math, but math in my head indicates that with the savings between the dollar cost of a reasonable residential unit and a like kind RV fridge you could make a nice dent in the cost to install a modest size (2K) inverter, a somewhat larger battery bank, and a modest size solar installation.  Jack commented on the size of his “mobile power station” equipment.  I not talking about that size. {Grin}  But for those who just want to keep the fridge running while traveling a modest size solar / inverter / battery system would be well within reach with the savings from the residential unit’s cost.  This assumes you can do the inverter / solar work yourself and a few other factors. But it is just another one of those, “Gee, maybe there's more than one way to skin this cat.”

Glad you can now have ice cream in the summer.

Bill

Jack Mayer wrote:

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Bill, IF I had more roof space I'd have another 400 watts of solar, for sure!! The panels are relatively cheap these days, and there is nothing like the feeling of freedom when you know you are "grid independent".

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Jack:

Well surely, with the Smart Car now going on the back of the HDT you could tow a solar bank behind the NH with an umbilical.  I am sure you could get another 800 watts of panels back there before the overall length exceeded 65 feet.  I’m thinking of a staggered two story unit with automatic solar tracking. Shouldn’t be a problem to whip that one up in a couple of weeks.  You’ll need a project once the new HDT and Smart carrier is completed to keep you occupied. {Grin} 

Seriously, I’d have 4 more panels if they hadn’t put the satellite antenna in the wrong place.  I know the feeling of independance.  Love it as well.

Bill

Jack Mayer wrote:

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Bill, it is simple to move the sat antenna....I've moved several. It takes all of an hour.... :)

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Touché, you’re quite correct.  Maybe I’ll just do that and just rerun the cables.

Seriously, I’ve considered that and if I find I need more watts that is an option.  So far, as long as I don’t turn on the air conditioning we’ve been OK.

Bill

ahoweth wrote:

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Okay. YOu have made the conversion to a residential refrigerator. I have seen a lot of pros, can you give an cons?

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If you don’t have an upgraded battery bank / solar it can be a problem when you travel  or boondock.  (Yes, some don’t run the refrigerator when they travel – we do.  That’s a choice either way.)  That, IMO, is the biggest drawback: they require 120 volts.  There are many ways to get around this – more batteries – quality inverter - solar – generators to charge the batteries, etc.  It depends on a lot of individual factors.

This is somewhat of a style thing IMO.  We have a residential fridge in a rig that never moves – or doesn’t move “much.”  When the LP / electric failed (after over 15 years I might add) we put in a residential unit.  In our traveling 5^th wheel, we travel a lot, don’t sit all that much, we prefer the LP / electric because I don’t have to deal with as large a battery bank and never have to worry about leaving the rig for somewhat extended periods.  The LP won’t run out and the solar is more than enough to power the 12 volts needed for the fridge control systems.  Also, when 120 volt shore power is limited, like a 15 amp outlet, we can run the fridge on LP and save those amps for other needs.  This was a significant advantage to us before we installed a larger battery bank and solar.  However, I still will use the LP when shore power is limited.  No need to “waste” the battery power.

Those who have relatively large battery banks, adequate solar, perhaps a generator off the engine in a motor home, etc., they can do the same thing as we do using the LP.  But for our style, as outlined above, the 120 volt unit doesn’t offer the same flexibility we want in the 5er that travels a great deal.  It does in the trailer that doesn’t move “much.”

IMO, either type is “correct” and neither type is “wrong.”  It depends on your style and how you want to manage your power requirements.  Oh, and I add as and edit, just how big a fridge you need.  That is a factor as well.  RV units are not made as large as residential.  12 cubic feet is large enough for the two of us.  Others may need more.

My 2 cents

Bill

ahoweth wrote:

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Okay. YOu have made the conversion to a residential refrigerator. I have seen a lot of pros, can you give an cons?

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Alan,

If your question was addressed to me, we've not really had ours long enough to evaluate any "cons."  However, we originally had our Mobile Suites ordered with a pure sine wave inverter with four batteries, and we already owned a Honda EU3000IS generator.  Thus, we are already prepared for those instances when we travel or are without shore power.  Also, since we have a fifth wheel that was ordered with generator prep, we will also add a generator "socket" to the front of the coach above and to the left of the front storage door.  With that socket, we could run a fairly short electrical cord from the generator in the back of the pickup to the "socket" in the front of the coach.  That way, we could power the refrigerator should our circumstances dictate that we travel for longer than a few hours at a time.

The other "con" would be cost if if one does NOT already have an inverter and extra batteries.  Someone on another forum (SOITC - Suites Owners International Travel Club) decided to get an estimate from a dealer in Indiana for their Mobile Suites.  Depending on whether one went with a modified sine wave inverter or a pure sine wave inverter, the price for modification for the fridge, installation of the fridge, installation of the inverter and two batteries would be from $4800 to $5800 dollars.  (In reality, four batteries would be better than two, so there would be an additional cost for that.)

We also fortunate that we had friends and family willing to help with our modification and installation.  So, we were only out the price of the refrigerator and a few other minor things.  The above quotes that were recieved by the SOITC member included $720 labor for modification and installation of the refrigerator and another $720 labor for installing and rewiring an inverter.

I'm sure that if we encounter any other "cons" in the futrue, I will be willing to point those out in forums and on my blog.

Terry

Oh, thanks, Bill.  Yes, even "I," the "challenged one" could make that one.  I showed it to Jo and her comment was, "Then we have to find a place to store that thing."

What Jo does is one of two things; one, take a couple of small, short bungee cords and wrap around the two upper door handles; two, use some velcro straps to do the same thing.  In our case, the freezer door won't come open because when we pull in the slides, the freezer door is close to the cabinet under the counter top.  A small sponge or piece of foam rubber between the drawer and the cabinet prevents any possibility of the drawer coming open.

I still kind of like the idea, though, so I may yet rig something up before we really begin to travel.  I'll bet I could find the "U-shaped" door lock easier than I could find the foam pad and the bungee cords.

Terry