Tom Warner
The type of refrigerator to purchase is a function of the planned use of
your coach. The Propane/electric (absorption type) is by far most
desirable if you plan for extensive dry camping (greater than two days)
or want the flexibility of dry camping. However, all Propane/Electric
Models are not the same in terms of DC power consumed while operating on
Propane. The control circuits for automatic switch over consumes a lot
of DC power on some models. The Norcold Model 461 (Two way: propane/AC
Electric) is a good choice from the DC power consumption point of view.
Wes Caughlan presented a nice write up on the Norcold Model 461
installation in his Cinnabar GMC Motorhome News, Issue September 1999,
Number 21.
If Dry camping is not of interest, then an all Electric Model (AD & DC)
is a preferred choice due to having a more efficient cooling system
(Compressor type). The Compressor type will cool down quicker & maintain
temperature better than the Absorption type refrigerator. The All
electric type should give you about 2 days of operation on DC with a set
of 6 volt Golf Cart Batteries w/o recharging.
Another consideration is the high & expensive maintenance cost of the
"Automatic" type refrigerators. The Mean Time Between Failure (MTBF)
seem to be very low with some of our local club members "Automatic
Models". They seem to have many problems keeping them operating w/o
failures. Always having to work on them to obtain cooling performance &
many Control Board replacements (high cost Boards $$$$$) after warranty
period.
My coach has an Early Model Norcold Absorption Type Refrigerator with
total manual operation (requires no DC while operating on Propane).
Maximum dry camping capability !!!! When it fails I will have it
restored to operation with a new Refrigeration Unit, rather than
purchasing a new Refrigerator since all current new models require DC
power consumption while operating on Propane.
Again, the best choice is a function of planned application.
Happy New Year
Duane Simmons
The type of refrigerator to purchase is a function of the planned use of
your coach. The Propane/electric (absorption type) is by far most
desirable if you plan for extensive dry camping (greater than two days)
or want the flexibility of dry camping. However, all Propane/Electric
Models are not the same in terms of DC power consumed while operating on
Propane. The control circuits for automatic switch over consumes a lot
of DC power on some models. The Norcold Model 461 (Two way: propane/AC
Electric) is a good choice from the DC power consumption point of view.
Wes Caughlan presented a nice write up on the Norcold Model 461
installation in his Cinnabar GMC Motorhome News, Issue September 1999,
Number 21.
If Dry camping is not of interest, then an all Electric Model (AD & DC)
is a preferred choice due to having a more efficient cooling system
(Compressor type). The Compressor type will cool down quicker & maintain
temperature better than the Absorption type refrigerator. The All
electric type should give you about 2 days of operation on DC with a set
of 6 volt Golf Cart Batteries w/o recharging.
Another consideration is the high & expensive maintenance cost of the
"Automatic" type refrigerators. The Mean Time Between Failure (MTBF)
seem to be very low with some of our local club members "Automatic
Models". They seem to have many problems keeping them operating w/o
failures. Always having to work on them to obtain cooling performance &
many Control Board replacements (high cost Boards $$$$$) after warranty
period.
My coach has an Early Model Norcold Absorption Type Refrigerator with
total manual operation (requires no DC while operating on Propane).
Maximum dry camping capability !!!! When it fails I will have it
restored to operation with a new Refrigeration Unit, rather than
purchasing a new Refrigerator since all current new models require DC
power consumption while operating on Propane.
Again, the best choice is a function of planned application.
Happy New Year
Duane Simmons
