picking a fridge

[Jackling54]

Norcold or dometic? any thpoughts on pro and cons...Is there a better way to go,while still in planing stages of a new conversion project?

[JohnEd]

I lean way over on the Dometic side.  The full manual ones are the most reliable cause that "main control board does fail.  Clifford and others have a third party source for the "main" board that is 1/4 the cost.

ONE THING I LEARNED and don't ask how is to never install a "cabin" model in anything but a fixed land install.  The cabin type requires more precise leveling and will burn up in a bus.  Fortunately they cast every bit as much as a RV model.  My cabin model lasted 20 minutes so that was a quick $800.

Clifford knows of a shop down in Ark that sells refurbished, like new, refers for $450 or so and that included shipping last time I looked.  Check with Clifford for a referral for thing you might need from dentistry to astrology.

John

[robertglines1]

Have been using apartment size refer for 15 yrs and no failure. 120 volt     under 400$ new      Bob

[Geoff]

Sanyo 10 cu ft stainless steel apartment 120v refer/freezer.  It works off the inverter or shore power.  Bus does not have to be level unlike RV units.  And, the door stays shut while driving without any locking devices. I've had mine for 8 years and 65,000 miles. 

[Jackling54]

Thanks guy..I am just finishing up a 13" roof rise on my 54 crown.Tons of room now,thinking of A house fridge ? any thoughts on that?

[robertglines1]

thats what I used on last 4 conversions and had excellent results.  Under 400$ and you can replace at any appliance shop. 15 yrs and no problems     Bob

[ruthi]

We have had a house fridge for 10 yrs, and gone several hundred thousand miles, and never an issue. We put a large french door fridge with bottom freezer in our new one, and I love it. The doors and drawer stay closed also. You get so much more room with a house fridge.

[Jackling54]

thats what I used on last 4 conversions and had excellent results.  Under 400$ and you can replace at any appliance shop. 15 yrs and no problems     Bob

How much power on the inverter due they draw,We do alot of week long boon-docking.I'm installing 8 gc battery's and some solar panels..

[robertglines1]

I'm not a boondocker so can't comment there. the energy efficennt models should be a low draw. If we keep door closed when traveling it doesn't melt the ice in freezer area for 8 hrs.  Bob

[Jackling54]

Thanks bob and all other for u helping me make up my mind....First Bus conversion,so i want to get it right...Been in factor built motorhome's,and currently pull a 39 ft' fifth wheel.So i no what i don't want !!! ALL thoughts tinny fridges such !!!!lol

[ruthi]

Same here, no boon docking. Gen runs all the time. Good luck.

[Seayfam]

thats what I used on last 4 conversions and had excellent results.  Under 400$ and you can replace at any appliance shop. 15 yrs and no problems     Bob

How much power on the inverter due they draw,We do alot of week long boon-docking.I'm installing 8 gc battery's and some solar panels..

I live in Alaska and most of my camping is boondocking. Also most state camp grounds don't allow generators to run after 10:00pm. If you do a lot of boondocking, and money isn't a big issue, I would suggest going with RV style propane/electric. I have the Dometic side by side with ice maker and it has been good so far. If you set your bus up to run on propane and electric you have the best of both worlds.
Good luck




Gary

[Dave5Cs]

Gary  don't you just hang your food outside up there, LOL

Dave

[Seayfam]

Outside the Igloo
About 7 months out of the year!!!

[TomC]

I've never liked the absorption type refrigerators that both Norcold and Dometic make-think propane with a flame.  Hence, I have a 6.3cu/ft Norcold Marine type refrigerator that uses a compressor that runs on either 12vdc or 120ac that automatically chooses 120vac first then goes back to 12vdc.  I also have the Norcold 2.1cu/ft chest freezer that can be either a refrigerator or a freezer.  Both work well since they are 15 years old and run on the old R12 freon.

On my truck, I'm still going to use the Norcold chest freezer, but am going to change to the NovaKool 9cu/ft two door refrigerator that runs on straight 12vdc and uses a Danfoss compressor. Granted they are expensive ($1,800) but if you're doing alot of boon docking and want the lowest battery draw (it uses 5 amps DC when running, or about 3 amp/hours) then the NovaKool is the one for you.  If you stay at the power pole for days or weeks on end, then the apartment type refrigerator will be the one for you.  Good Luck, TomC