Rant

luvrbus · June 08, 2018, 12:15:59 PM

Quote from: windtrader on June 08, 2018, 12:10:50 PM
Sure seems where installed can have affect on efficiency, reliability, and durability. Most likely a household unit is designed for placement in a kitchen against a wall with space for air to circulate on all sides. I'm certain it was not designed to be put in an enclosed bus, jammed in with little free air space.

Seems like with proper ventilation and vibration control, it should serve as well as if in a home kitchen.

Lol that fridge is not even recommend for use in your garage they want it in a dark cool corner away from everything

windtrader · June 08, 2018, 12:47:26 PM

Well, naturally the specific unit you select needs to meet your criteria. Whether one china made unit is better than one from mexico or with this or that feature, do your homework. But the general principle of ensuring proper and adequate air flow would apply in all situations. Swapping for a larger AC powered apt/house reefer is not even on my list now but I would certainly consider it and feel I could get one to satisfactorily work for us.

luvrbus · June 08, 2018, 12:58:12 PM

That is my point Don you pay for a product you shouldn't have to engineer a install to make their product work or dig through the fine print for the got you crap

eagle19952 · June 08, 2018, 02:20:01 PM

Quote from: luvrbus on June 08, 2018, 12:58:12 PM
That is my point Don you pay for a product you shouldn't have to engineer a install to make their product work or dig through the fine print for the got you crap

My 1999 GE 14 cu/ft. specs, clearance 1" back & top and 3/4" on the sides.
It has less.

Oonrahnjay · June 08, 2018, 02:43:08 PM

Quote from: eagle19952 on June 08, 2018, 02:20:01 PMMy 1999 GE 14 cu/ft. specs, ...

Gee, only 19 years? It must be about to roll over dead, right. They don't make stuff like they used to!

brmax · June 08, 2018, 04:11:59 PM

I have to admit there are some interesting articles about refrigerators and freezers that will be in a garage enviroment. Some should be listed that way on their energy labels. Even more of an interest would concern uninsulated spaces with these appliances being used.
I appreciate the tip or heads up, because this aspect is more likely to affect us.

Good day

Floyd

Geoff · June 09, 2018, 06:15:27 AM

I've had a Sanyo Stainless steel 10.3 apartment size refrigerator in my bus for over 15 years. It is always running. Never a problem. The cooling tubes are exposed on the back, and they are hot when it is cycling. Putting the cooling fins on the inside of the refrigerator walls seems to be a recent move on the part of manufacturers. You just have to allow space for the wall of the refer to cool.

It was 90f degrees here the last couple of days and the Magic Chef worked fine. I allowed 5" on each side of the refrigerator for air flow. I could feel the heat on the sides of the refer when it cycled.

luvrbus · June 09, 2018, 06:31:30 AM

I hope it works out for her Geoff,you may need to add a couple of muffin fans later like another guy I know did to keep his from 1/2 cycling,10 inches is a lot of space to give up in a 35 ft bus just cool a fridge IMO

oltrunt · June 09, 2018, 05:32:39 PM

My little under counter frig has the cooling tubes in the side walls and seemed to run all the time. I added a 2" computer fan which is directed at the compressor and a 5" computer fan on a thermostatic control which vents out the side of the bus via a dryer vent. Run time dropped in half. Jack

Dave5Cs · June 09, 2018, 06:03:50 PM

Jack can you still dry your clothes why you are on the internet uummmmm.

oltrunt · June 09, 2018, 08:24:16 PM

lol, yup, as long as I have enough rope and close pins! Jack

windtrader · June 09, 2018, 09:42:07 PM

Floyd raises a good point. Nearly all residential appliances are designed to live inside a temperature controlled space. They weren't designed to run at very low or high ambient temps. If some are designed to run in these conditions, then those are likely better candidates than standard house unit.

chessie4905 · June 10, 2018, 04:52:00 AM

Designed to run at average ambiant temperature's? These are still typical refrigerant systems. They aren't that fussy. They are designed to handle extremes so they are totally reliable at normal temps. I wouldn't worry about it. Just go with a brand with a good history of reliability.

brmax · June 10, 2018, 05:52:29 AM

Is anyone required to have an ice maker/ dispenser? Just curious

Good day

Floyd

luvrbus · June 10, 2018, 06:11:16 AM

They are having trouble with big 2 to 4 door fridges in 2 mil $ RV 's because of heat ,most are getting replaced with the Sub Zero with the compressor on top of the fridge.I don't see that happening with the average bus owner paying as much for a fridge as they do for a bus