Refrigerator recommendation?

[Sportsman Matt]

Howdy all, I'm looking to upgrade my camper refrigerator and wondering which to get.

Right now I have an Ice Box that requires filling once a day to keep the food cold in the fridge, the original refrigerator was a Dometic 2301 LP/110AC model that after 19 years the cooling system developed some serious rot to the pipes and leaked amonia all over the place. So at the time I could only afford an ice box that filled in 80% of the hole in the cobinetry where I pulled the fridge from. But I've got my tax return back and finally biting the bullet and looking for another fridge. But I need help on this. I need it to fit in the cabinetry similar to the old ice box and original fridge did. Space is roughly 29 1/2" high x 20 1/2" wide x 19" deep. The other thing is I'm not around electricity often, so I'll be running off 12VDC from the batteries and / or propane. I've got 1 20 lb Propane tank onboard to cover the refrigerator, furnace, and 3 burner stove top. Batteries are 2 Deep Cycle 125A Wet Acid 12V from Walmart, I ran off them for 5 days without recharging and isolated from the truck, mostly lights which are now LEDs.

I've looked at Dometic 2351 and 2354, Norcold N300 and N300.3 Dual and 3 way fridges.

Any other ideas? I'm planning on being out for 4 to 5 days at a time, no electricity so 110VAC isn't a priority but available at home where I keep it parked when not on the truck on the road. So propane and Batteries aren't an issue, although one thought is that if I'm running off propane, the flame going out while driving would be an issue.

Any help is very much appreciated. Thanks

Matt

 

[ScottBailey]

Some thoughts...

The [post=15193]auto re-lighter mod[/post] ($70) takes care of the pilot if you run propane down the road.

Here are some non-ammonia fridges to consider:

• Nova Kool and specs
• Norcold DE/DC-0051
• Dometic CR 1080 (see [thread=1768]here[/thread])

The Nova Kool 3800 (WOW! big) might fit as well as the 3000.

I think a 12v refer and solar panels may be in our future, but it's too much cash for now.

Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[Ted]

Check out the report about two new panthers on the ATC section. His fridge is a Dometic designed for marine use and the dimensions are near your limits.

 

[Sportsman Matt]

Thanks for the info. I just ordered a Norcold N300 2 way, LP and 110AC from PPL. They were the cheapest and most economical for right now. I'm still looking at the 12V compressor models, but the prices are far more than I can justify to spend this year. Plus with the igniter solution, I'll be in good shape on my trips as I tend to head off the beaten path in search for good trout waters.

I'm going to be looking at a Nova Kool and the Dometic / Norcold 12V compressor models later, as I'm in the beginning stages of building my own camper based on the 1955 Popular Mechanics Encyclopedia article "House trailer" If you want to see the pics of the article, check out www.sportsmanmattoutdoors.blogspot.com

I'm planning on that one being similar to the Alaskan Jr in a 8 or 10 foot length, only no pop up, just a box design that fits in and out of the truck. I'm also planning on possibly using it as an Ice Shanty, drive it out on the ice, drop it in place on the ice, have 1 or 2 cut outs in the floor for the holes, heater, fridge, lights, stove, a dinette that turns into a bed.... plenty of ideas.

Thanks for the info.

Matt

 

[Sportsman Matt]

Norcold has arrived

The new Norcold N300 was delivered Monday, as I was notified today by my father on the phone. So now as soon as the Ice and Snow melts off, i can get the camper out and get the new fridge in.

Still working on the camper project, lots of notes, planning, and even more notes. The nice part is when I'm done I'll have the setup I want, and have fun with it.

 

[Sportsman Matt]

Update on the Refrigerator Install

Here's an update on the installation of the new Norcold N300 refrigerator.

Pulled the door of the camper, way too many screws (actually 50 total) and surprisingly the 20 year old putty tape still holds strong.

Removed the ice box and the spacer that it was sitting on,

And carefully slid the new refrigerator into place after removing the front door because of clearance issues.

Reinstalled the door with new putty tape and longer screws (the old ones just spin in place and don't grab anything)

Screwed the refrigerator flange to the cabinet wall, and hooked up the propane.

Now all that's left is to hook up the 110AC and 12V DC before I can fire it up.

Hopefully I'll have it done by the weekend.

 

[sjv]

The Norcold N300's are a good choice for absortion type. They are pretty simple and old school. This means that they practically use no electricity when running on propane. The fancy Dometic I used to have in my old Elkhorn camper would drain the battery in a few days due to the electronics! Outfitter also likes the N300's as the pilot tends to stay lit while on the road.

-steve

 

[JaSAn]

Thought I'd resurrect this thread instead of starting a new one (since this one is nicely tucked into a sticky thread).

I need to replace my refrigerator. I've narrowed it down to three choices (all 3.0 cu ft):

Nova Kool R3100 DC
Virtifrigo C90IBD4
Isotherm Cruise 85 Elegance

Anyone that has one of these refrigerators could you please tell what you like/dislike about them and also how many watts or amps it uses in 24 hours. Also if you think AC/DC is worth an extra $50 - $80.

Anyone know where I can get the best price on any of these?

Thanks, jim

 

[hebegebe]

I have a nova kook that I’m happy with. Not 1 problem in 5 yrs mine is 12v only. Got it from outfitter in San Diego who picked up the shipping from Canada

 

[Bluedog]

I replaced my older three way fridge with an Engel unit. SR70f is the model number. It runs great on my battery and solar.

 

[Beach]

I run my fridge on propane most always but like to use the A/C option for cool down at home before we load it up. Also the occasional park stay where electric is avail. I'll save the propane

 

[Smokecreek1]

Owning one of these things is a learning experience and WTWing will provide you with many opportunities to play with and adapt to different situations. I did the 3 way for years and despite occasional starting and cooling problems, it served me well. However, my long range plan was always to go solar one day. So, over the years, when money, opportunity or breakdown forced me to, I have added solar panels (200wts worth), an extra house battery, a comptroller, some other neat things and few years ago (due to a forced field break down), a compression frig/freezer (CR-110) that even fit in the hole where the old Norcold 3 way was-can't beat that! Now, I just have to remember to sweep off the roof when it snows and to check the comptroller/battery to make sure the things are still working! Just remember, nothing is forever, so what ever you do get, enjoy it and have fun.

Smoke

 

[Bigfoot]

Thought I'd resurrect this thread instead of starting a new one (since this one is nicely tucked into a sticky thread).

I need to replace my refrigerator. I've narrowed it down to three choices (all 3.0 cu ft):

Nova Kool R3100 DC
Virtifrigo C90IBD4
Isotherm Cruise 85 Elegance

Anyone that has one of these refrigerators could you please tell what you like/dislike about them and also how many watts or amps it uses in 24 hours. Also if you think AC/DC is worth an extra $50 - $80.

Anyone know where I can get the best price on any of these?

Thanks, jim

The Nova Kool is rated at 2.2A. We have the slightly smaller R3000 AC-DC. The AC is handy for reaching operating temp more quickly when the unit has been off and we are preparing for a trip, and for those rare occasions when we can plug in (visiting a friend, stopping at a full-service campground, etc.).

The downside of a compressor refrigerator is when it needs service. Infrequent, perhaps, but when it happens as it did recently to us there is a dilemma: few RV shops will service them because of the refrigerant, and few refrigerator repairmen will work on them because they are made for an RV. I contacted 6 places and even tried a Marine & RV dealer that advertised full service on all brands--they wouldn't touch it. The repair is potentially simple but the only thing these places will do is replace the old unit with a new one.

I also called Nova Kool and they said to bring it to the factory in BC where they would take a look at it. My choices seem to be to have a new one installed or to pull the old one, ship it to the factory ($100 both ways) and hope for the best. Something to consider.

 

[ckent323]

We have an OEM Norcold model 300.3, 3-way 2.7 cu ft refrigerator/freezer in the camper and we now also use a Dometic CFX-35 in the extended cab portion of the truck. The Dometic is easily reachable from the passenger seat while underway. No more messing with buying ice and dumping melted ice. We keep drinks, snacks and sandwiches in the Dometic when we are underway. Otherwise we keep all the food in the Norcold refrigerator/freezer.

We just completed 45 day 7900 mile driving trip to/from Anchorage Alaska. The pilot for the Norcold blew out only once on the whole trip (at highway speed on a windy day).

We did a 16 day trip in our railroad speeder motorcar as part of a group excursion of 22 cars running the entire length of the Alaska railroad round trip. While we were gone we left food in the Norcold refrigerator and freezer with a full tank of propane.

When we returned 16 days later there was still a 1/4 tank of propane and both the freezer and refrigerator were still operating as we left them. Admittedly temps only got into the low 60s while we were gone but the camper was parked closed up in a sunny un-shaded parking area (yes, it was mostly clear skies and sunny - we got very lucky to have that during our excursion).

Bottom line the Norcold 3-way works well and uses little propane. It is great for the camper. However, it is a power hog on 12V so we seldom use it on 12V. It works great on 110/115 V shore power. The Dometic works great on 12V in the truck, keeps things plenty cold and sips power. We generally turn it off overnight to ensure we do not run down the truck battery and it stays cold overnight in a moderate climate.

Based on my experience if I were going to use a 12V compressor refrigerator in the Camper I would want lots of solar as in 240 W or more and plenty of battery capability (at least 80 Ah of usable capacity) to ensure power availability over consecutive days of poor solar charging due to clouds.

Craig

 

[Vic Harder]

I like the TruckFridge brand. Heavily used in the trucking industry so parts/maintenance should be a breeze. Haven't needed any service yet so can't verify that!

 

[BillTheHiker]

Vic,

I had great service from Truckfridge this summer. Last May I bought the tiny 18 liter and about two weeks into my cross country trip to the East Coast I hit some rainy and cloudy weather in MN. The fridge kept quitting during the night but would run again as soon as I drove or got sun on the solar panel. I read the manual and it has 3 settings for "battery protection" which I had not heard of. I was familiar with the term low voltage cutoff, but dummy me failed to connect those terms. Anyway, Truckfridge shipped under warranty a new unit to closest town, but same thing happened. When I called again they realized what was going on. the default setting is for maximum battery protection so it cuts off at too high a voltage. they had me change the setting to least battery protective and now it runs fine.