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02-23-2017, 09:30 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Central Oregon
Posts: 120
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What fridge to get?
Thinking of going full time RV. The 5th wheel we are looking at has the option of either an 18 cu ft RV fridge or the same size residential fridge. Is there an advantage of one over the other?
We will be hooked up to shore power most of the time but we are thinking that we might boon dock it at times. The residential fridge does run off an inverter and we do have a generator but I’m not sure that the batteries would hold up long enough to make that a workable option. What do you all think?
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2016 Ram CTD 4x4 CC
2016 Forest River Surveyor
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02-24-2017, 04:40 AM
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#2
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Site Team
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Modesto
Posts: 20,350
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Just my opinion- I would stay with the RV refer. Two options for operation, and repair parts are more readily available.
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2012 Copper Canyon 273FWRET being towed by a 1994 Ford F350 CC,LB,Dually diesel.
Airlift 5000 bags, Prodigy brake control, 5 gauges on the pillar.Used to tow a '97 Jayco 323RKS.
Now an RVIA registered tech. Retired from Law enforcement in 2008 after 25+ yrs.
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02-24-2017, 07:28 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Kamiah
Posts: 276
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x2 on what chuckster57 says. But get the one you want.
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Ron&Sue
2017 Montana 3720RL Legacy
14' Ram 3500 DRW
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02-24-2017, 03:32 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Germantown, TN
Posts: 6,333
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We both x3 what Chuckster said. Our 4-door has worked faithfully for almost four years, shore power, generator and propane. We have no complaints.
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Jim in Memphis, Wife of 51 years is Brenda
2019 F450 6.7 Powerstroke
2018 Mobile Suites 40RSSA
2021 40' Jayco Eagle
2001 Road king w/matching Harley sidecar
2021 Yamaha X2 Wolverine 1000
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02-24-2017, 08:15 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: SE Michigan
Posts: 1,659
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Much of your decision should depend on your time ratio of shore power hookup to boondocking. If, like you say, you'll be mostly connected to an AC power supply while fulltiming, a residential fridge would have distinct advantages. Less components, larger capacities, feature packed, no maintenance frost free units, and relatively cheap to replace.
On the other, if boondocking adventures are weekly or monthly routines, a two way RV fridge may be more appropriate. RV fridges are relatively economical on propane and your batteries will just power the ignition and temp control electronic components. Compressors for refrigerants is what eats juice.
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2017 Keystone Bullet 308BHS in Saddle.
2017 RAM 2500 Laramie Mega Cab 4x4 Hemi 6.4L
2008 GMC Yukon XL Denali (SOLD)
Hensley SwiftArrow Control Hitch with 1000 lb Spring Bars
Me, DW, (3) little DS's, and 1 rambunctious Boston Terrier
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03-03-2017, 07:48 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Central Oregon
Posts: 120
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Sounds like the versatility of a RV fridge might be the best way to go. Thanks for the input.
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2016 Ram CTD 4x4 CC
2016 Forest River Surveyor
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03-05-2017, 10:44 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 117
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i'd stay with what you have now. though my wife loves her 4 door model. i would not go for a 'real' refrig.
why would you want to change out something that is already there? if a little too small just go to the store more often.
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03-05-2017, 10:53 AM
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#8
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Site Team
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Modesto
Posts: 20,350
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mazboy
i'd stay with what you have now. though my wife loves her 4 door model. i would not go for a 'real' refrig.
why would you want to change out something that is already there? if a little too small just go to the store more often.
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Welcome to the forum!
O.P. isn't looking to swap, the unit they are looking at has the option of either RV or Household refer.
__________________
2012 Copper Canyon 273FWRET being towed by a 1994 Ford F350 CC,LB,Dually diesel.
Airlift 5000 bags, Prodigy brake control, 5 gauges on the pillar.Used to tow a '97 Jayco 323RKS.
Now an RVIA registered tech. Retired from Law enforcement in 2008 after 25+ yrs.
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09-08-2017, 03:09 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Lafayette
Posts: 1,068
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Just read a horror story the other day about an RVer that had a res frig that went bad, still under warranty but couldn't find anyone to work on it unless it was removed from the RV. Dealer can't work on it because of component warranty so your pretty much on your own if you have problems. When I purchased mine I asked about the res frig, not that it was available in my model, and the dealer advised that they are trying to turn people away from them because of similar issues.
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2015 Ram,3500,Dually,B&W,4.10s,Aisin,Limited,Silver
2018 Raptor,428SP w/full body paint
2012 Harley, Ultra Limited
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09-08-2017, 04:06 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Las Cruces
Posts: 4,665
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With the new 18 cu ft RV refers the advantages of the residential fridge have pretty much been eliminated. I'd stay with a system that has multiple options for power. If your 110v electrical system ever goes out in the RV, many times the 12v and LP are still working and therefore so is your refer
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Brent
2013 Alpine 3500RE
2019 Silverado 2500HD Duramax
U.S. Air Force Retired (25 yrs)
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09-08-2017, 04:56 AM
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#11
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Site Team | Emeritus
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Kansas City
Posts: 3,878
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bsmith0404
With the new 18 cu ft RV refers the advantages of the residential fridge have pretty much been eliminated. I'd stay with a system that has multiple options for power. If your 110v electrical system ever goes out in the RV, many times the 12v and LP are still working and therefore so is your refer
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I'd stay away, far away, from a residential fridge. Too many things to go wrong.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using Tapatalk
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Chip Bruce, RPh
Kansas City, MO
2016 Impact 312
2017 Silverado 3500HD SRW
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09-09-2017, 05:42 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 4,223
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The absorption units work well, I will not change
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Russ & Paula and Belle the Beagle.
2016 Ram Laramie 3500 DRW 14,000# GVWR (New TV)
2005 Copper Canyon 293 FWSLS 32’ GVWR 12,360
Visit and enjoy Oregon State Parks
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09-09-2017, 07:30 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Sussex, NJ
Posts: 471
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My last RV style Dometic fridge lasted 16 years with only a burner cleaning. It had gotten to the point where the freezer worked perfectly but the fridge wouldn't cool below 40 to 50 degrees. The only other negative was the amount of time to cool down any absorption unit and the cringe every time someone opened the door for longer than I felt was necessary since I know it had to cool the interior back down again.
Now we have the residential fridge and the 1000W inverter. The plusses are its huge, it cools down fast, its huge, it has an icemaker, its huge, and its side by side with bottom freezer. There are many negatives and mostly you will hear about the power consumption. However, I think the biggest may be the fact the manual says my Samsung must not be operated in temperatures over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. This might be one of the biggest reasons for all the premature failures we read about. Bouncing down the road could be the other reason.
After one season, it works for my camping needs but I did have to run 50 amp power to the trailer at the house so I could set the AC to run during the day and keep it cool enough inside. I guess I'll update this post in 16 years(less if I have problems like others have).
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2016 Fuzion 414 Chrome
2016 Ford F450 Super Duty King Ranch
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09-10-2017, 05:58 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Liberty, Texas
Posts: 5,034
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^^Sounds like you're wanting to keep the fridge running while you have it in storage at home? If I didn't do that and only plugged in to a 20amp 110volt household circuit to cool it down immediately before a trip, what do you think the odds of survival would be? Does the residential fridge always pull off the inverter, even when the trailer is hooked up to 110volt AC? I assume a 20amp circuit is big enough to charge the dedicated refrigerator batteries through its inverter, with nothing else running.
I have no confidence in our Dometic RV refrigerator. The residential unit sounds appealing but....
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2018 Ram 3500 Laramie CC DRW LWB 4X4 Cummins Aisin 3.73
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2018 Heartland Landmark 365 Oshkosh
2008 Bigfoot 25C9.4 LB Cabover
2023 CanAm Defender SXS
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09-10-2017, 06:00 AM
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#15
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Site Team
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Modesto
Posts: 20,350
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What fridge to get?
If his inverter is like most used it should be a "pass through" style meaning it will allow 110VAC "through" it while plugged into shore power.
IMO residential fridges belong in a permanent residence. RV fridges belong in RV's. Yeah maybe a residential refer gets cold faster and is bigger, but you'll never convince me it was built to bounce down the road, and the doors won't stay closed without adding some type of travel lock.
I have used RV refers since my first fiver in '89 and haven't ever had a failure. Am I lucky or is it the fact that they are made for RV application. BTW all my refers have been Dometic.
__________________
2012 Copper Canyon 273FWRET being towed by a 1994 Ford F350 CC,LB,Dually diesel.
Airlift 5000 bags, Prodigy brake control, 5 gauges on the pillar.Used to tow a '97 Jayco 323RKS.
Now an RVIA registered tech. Retired from Law enforcement in 2008 after 25+ yrs.
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12-13-2020, 06:50 AM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Tucson
Posts: 822
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chuckster57
If his inverter is like most used it should be a "pass through" style meaning it will allow 110VAC "through" it while plugged into shore power.
IMO residential fridges belong in a permanent residence. RV fridges belong in RV's. Yeah maybe a residential refer gets cold faster and is bigger, but you'll never convince me it was built to bounce down the road, and the doors won't stay closed without adding some type of travel lock.
I have used RV refers since my first fiver in '89 and haven't ever had a failure. Am I lucky or is it the fact that they are made for RV application. BTW all my refers have been Dometic.
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I agree whole heartedly with Chuck! Just my personal opinion, but never had a problem with RV refrigerators. We have a big 18cf model now and love it. Someone mentioned ice: we freeze our own pre-trip and during the trip, the 18cf unit has tons of freezer space. I would not want the pressure of having to maintain a separate battery system and converter running every day to keep the fridge going! Each to his own of course, but I wouldn't want a residential in my RV.
Had to chuckle at John's post: here's a photo of our first rig and "refrigerator". Amazing how our "expectations" have changed in the last 50 years! We were poor collage students back then (about 1971):
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09-10-2017, 06:26 AM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Liberty, Texas
Posts: 5,034
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My Dometic 1350 has been trouble from day 1. It may go back to the shop this winter. I don't know if it's flaming out or what. One morning it will be 34 degrees, next morning 46. We haven't used it this summer but hoping for a trip or 2 this fall. I'll refresh my memory of what it's doing. May be changing out 5th's in 18-36 months and debating what to do.
__________________
2018 Ram 3500 Laramie CC DRW LWB 4X4 Cummins Aisin 3.73
Reese Goosebox 20K
2018 Heartland Landmark 365 Oshkosh
2008 Bigfoot 25C9.4 LB Cabover
2023 CanAm Defender SXS
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09-10-2017, 06:56 AM
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#18
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Gaylord
Posts: 26,997
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For those who remember "ice boxes" and the first refrigerators with the compressor mounted on top, domestic refrigeration has come a long way. Back in the 40's and early 50's the concept of refrigeration in homes was in its infancy. Absorption refrigeration was also an "up and coming" technology, but didn't catch on in S&B homes. It did, however become the "industry standard" for RV use. Through the years absorption refrigeration has evolved into a very reliable and efficient means to travel with food that requires being stored cold.
Just as absorption refrigeration has "evolved" for RV's, compressor refrigeration has "evolved" for the S&B home. There are some significant differences between the two and frankly, compressor refrigeration for RV's is in its infancy. There are some problems that so far have not been solved. Ambient temperature, vibration, power source, ice maker technology (extra power for the heating part to release the cubes) and reliability are significant "hurdles" that have not yet been conquered. In years to come, I'd suspect that S&B technology (the current level of domestic refrigerator in RV's) will evolve into "built for RV use" models. Right now, that's not the situation and RV manufacturers are using the "lowest bid" models that will fit the available space in the kitchen. It's pretty much a "you get what you pay for" situation in which there isn't a specific model suited for the environment, so Keystone (and others) are installing the cheapest brand that will meet most of the requirements and they're adding "don't do's" to the owner's manual warning RV'ers about the limitations, some of which are "impossible to overcome" types of limits, such as towing in Arizona during July with a Samsung refrigerator..... Ain't happening on a regular basis, if even the first time.....
This kind of evolution will continue to give RV'ers a better product, but just as "grandma's refrigerator" is a relic, in years to come, the Samsung domestic refrigerator will be a "relic" and newer models will be much improved.
Until then, absorption refrigeration is "already there" in terms of reliability and convenience, even if you can't stand in front of the refrigerator, door open and "graze the food choices"...... For me, I'll let someone else suffer through the "growing pains" of trying to adapt a S&B technology to RV use.....
__________________
John
2015 F250 6.7l 4x4
2014 Cougar X Lite 27RKS
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09-10-2017, 08:36 AM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Central San Joaguin Valley, CA
Posts: 2,117
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JRTJH
For those who remember "ice boxes" and the first refrigerators with the compressor mounted on top, domestic refrigeration has come a long way. Back in the 40's and early 50's the concept of refrigeration in homes was in its infancy. Absorption refrigeration was also an "up and coming" technology, but didn't catch on in S&B homes. It did, however become the "industry standard" for RV use. Through the years absorption refrigeration has evolved into a very reliable and efficient means to travel with food that requires being stored cold.
Just as absorption refrigeration has "evolved" for RV's, compressor refrigeration has "evolved" for the S&B home. There are some significant differences between the two and frankly, compressor refrigeration for RV's is in its infancy. There are some problems that so far have not been solved. Ambient temperature, vibration, power source, ice maker technology (extra power for the heating part to release the cubes) and reliability are significant "hurdles" that have not yet been conquered. In years to come, I'd suspect that S&B technology (the current level of domestic refrigerator in RV's) will evolve into "built for RV use" models. Right now, that's not the situation and RV manufacturers are using the "lowest bid" models that will fit the available space in the kitchen. It's pretty much a "you get what you pay for" situation in which there isn't a specific model suited for the environment, so Keystone (and others) are installing the cheapest brand that will meet most of the requirements and they're adding "don't do's" to the owner's manual warning RV'ers about the limitations, some of which are "impossible to overcome" types of limits, such as towing in Arizona during July with a Samsung refrigerator..... Ain't happening on a regular basis, if even the first time.....
This kind of evolution will continue to give RV'ers a better product, but just as "grandma's refrigerator" is a relic, in years to come, the Samsung domestic refrigerator will be a "relic" and newer models will be much improved.
Until then, absorption refrigeration is "already there" in terms of reliability and convenience, even if you can't stand in front of the refrigerator, door open and "graze the food choices"...... For me, I'll let someone else suffer through the "growing pains" of trying to adapt a S&B technology to RV use.....
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The Dometic refer in our Cougar sure beats the tin lined, fiberglass insulated ice box (one compartment for food and an upper compartment for a 25# block of ice) that we had in our old cab over p/u camper. Happy to have it!!
Sent from my HTC6525LVW using Tapatalk
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Jack & Marty
2018 Laredo 298 SRL
2011 F-250 SB Crew Cab 4x4 6.7L
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09-10-2017, 10:01 AM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Sussex, NJ
Posts: 471
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Quote:
I assume a 20amp circuit is big enough to charge the dedicated refrigerator batteries through its inverter, with nothing else running.
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Yes 20 is enough to keep the batteries topped "and" run the samsung fridge. I did that with 15 amps. Just be sure any extension cord you use is higher than normal gauge wire to prevent voltage drops that could damage the compressor.
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2016 Fuzion 414 Chrome
2016 Ford F450 Super Duty King Ranch
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