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Old 01-15-2016, 02:07 PM   #1
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looking for refrigerator advice/experiance

looking into 3 way refrigerators for the bus. I dont know much about them, anyone have any opinions on a make or model? Anyone willing to share what you have experienced with whatever kind of fridge you went with?

Were looking to be able to go fully off-grid when we want to so i need something that will be able to run off LP and not drain the power from our solar panels and battery bank when not hooked up. was looking at 5-6.5cubic ft norcold units.

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Old 01-15-2016, 02:14 PM   #2
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I think its the Norcolds that had all the issues, but you should check around. I know there's one brand lots of folks avoid.
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Old 01-15-2016, 03:41 PM   #3
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I had a 3 way but never used the propane option. Unless they are just about perfectly level, the lines can turn solid. Not frozen...solid. As in forever. Also they are quite energy hungry.

There are some brand new units that employ a new type of 12v compressor that I have been reading up on that look very promising. Very low energy consumption and unlike the funky solid state toys can freeze as well as handle refrigeration. They recently came out with a dual zone model that combines fridge & freezer. All are the chest type which also conserves energy by not dumping all the cold out every time the door is opened.

Here is the one I am considering...will fit nicely on slides under a cabinet/sink area.

Whynter LLC

PS...Dometic now has similar units as well.
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Old 01-15-2016, 04:01 PM   #4
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Exactly the kind of information I was looking for Tango! Thank you.
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Old 01-15-2016, 04:20 PM   #5
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Norcold are called nevercold by many RV folks. They have a spotty rep.

Dometic have a better rep.
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Old 01-15-2016, 11:48 PM   #6
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We have a small (11 cu ft) 110 volt house type fridge. Runs off the inverter. Will run for days with 3 group 27 house batteries. Longer if I shut it off at night. Keeps the ice cream cold.
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Old 01-16-2016, 11:41 AM   #7
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Fridge info

I found a 2 door Dometic for $500 at a nearby RV fridge repair place just west of Effingham, IL. It was perfect for my little 4 window DWR Ford Skoolie. One post said propane mode used a lot of fuel but I would disagree. Mine would run literally for months on one 20# propane cylinder. If you plug into electric it would automatically switch over. Avoid using the 12 volt option. It will go through your batteries in just hours.
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Old 01-16-2016, 11:44 AM   #8
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One thing to keep in mind is that the gas fridges like Norcold and Dometic run on a temerature differential. If room temp is cool the fridge will be cooler. IF it is 100 in your bus the gas fridge will not get as cold. I've had no problem with mine keeping things frozen but if you are parked in the desert in summer you might have trouble.
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Old 01-16-2016, 04:02 PM   #9
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i found its easier to use rv fridge as opposed to a house fridge
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Old 01-16-2016, 04:57 PM   #10
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Unless I missed it you didn't say whether you are full timing or camping. We use our bus for camping (one night to one week) we use a ice box rather than a refrigerator. So depending on how you use your bus makes a difference in how you keep you food cold.
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Old 01-18-2016, 06:37 AM   #11
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we are full timing it once the build is complete.
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Old 01-18-2016, 06:55 AM   #12
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here ya go

http://www.skoolie.net/forums/f14/do...ale-12696.html
make me an offer
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Old 01-18-2016, 07:57 AM   #13
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Wish you were closer that's a nice looking fridge
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