Installing a home type fridge

[john szalay]

>Any thoughts, pros and cons of such an installation in the GMC?
>
>Many boats are using home style fridges and I thought with an inverter
>one could run them on ac all the time. I don't think the leveling issue
>is any better in a marine application so what are the limitations to
>installing one in the available space in a GMC?
>
>

FWIW:

Pro: much less costly, the 9 cubic ft GE fits in the existing GMC
opening, with minor work. at 1/4 the price of a new RV model.

More room in the cabinet. larger freezer area.
no need to be picky with leveling.

CON: needs to have 110VAC available.. so that means running the Genset
(but no real problem since we use the roof AC more than the dash air
anyway) and we never go boondocking, not really an option in this
part of the country.

door travel locks need to be made, since mag door strips do not hold
during turns.

 

[donald w. miller]

David,

The 120v U line icemaker on our boat has seen thousands of trouble free sea
miles while powered by a 1991 vintage Trace inverter. Over the years it has
kept us iced in all kinds of weather including large seas. Awhile back we
put large 12v alternators on both main engines, added a second inverter and
removed the 15kw genset. Now we are more careful about turning on too many
appliances at the same time but we are happy with this system.

Our GMC has a ULine Model 75A icemaker/ fridge combo because they work well,
are much quieter than the Norcold it replaces, and most important we wanted
a good icemaker (a non fattening food, you know). A small built in fan
removes the heat so the roof top refrigerator vent was closed off.

The 75A has less interior space than the Norcold but my chef helped pick it
out and says it will be more than adequate. On the other hand there is a
large space above it for more equipment or storage.

Have you noticed any improvement in handling after you removed the aft AC
and roof box?

The genset, propane tank, aft AC, spare tire, and house battery are all
located aft of the rear wheels and this 700+ pounds of weight would seem to
contribute "heavily" to the swinging and swaying back there.

An all electric, inverter powered, GMC with a 1000+ pound weight reduction
is our goal. Too easy.

Maybe, just maybe, this weight reduction will reduce the need to buy so many
after market parts to improve handling, performance, braking, etc.

BTW, care to comment on how many flat tires you have had in 500,000+ GMC
miles?

Don

 

[donald w. miller]

- -----Original Message-----
From: LNelson208
To: gmcmotorhome
Date: Thursday, July 09, 1998 02:41
Subject: Re: GMC: Installing a home type fridge

>Don...I would like to know what your battery bank consists of?? Larry
Nelson

>

Larry,

Not sure which you are asking about, but the boat has two Prevailer 8d's and
the GMC has two golf cart house batteries. If this sounds insufficient, the
ULine is only 6 cu ft and has a tiny 1/6 hp 500 watt compressor. We cram as
much extra insulation around the box as we can fit in. Also add a layer of
aluminum foil to reduce radiant heating. On the boat, we can turn it off at
bedtime and the ice is still frozen next morning.
The Norcold runs on 12v overnight but adding insulation around it has
reduced its electrical consumption.

Don