What refrigerators fit?

[CGeils]

I’ve heard too many horror stories of fires and LPG refrigerators. I installed one of these Norcold DE0061 12V / 110V units 5 years ago. It’s great, it will make ice in a couple hours on 12 V and only draws 5 amps.

Norcold DE-0061/ EV-0061 – Top-of-the-line AC/ DC/ EV refrigerator

Self-ventilated, 7.0 cubic feet refrigerator. DE-0061/ EV-0061 is the top-of-the-line refrigerator designed for vans, trailers, and RVs. The two-door unit holds a freezer section of 1.7 cubic feet and a refrigeration section of 5.3 cubic feet. Model 0061 runs on 12-24V/ DC, on 120V/ AC and 220V/ EV.

norcold.com

 

[boybach]

Update on my Atwood Helium fridge ...my HVAC expert pal, Jayson, repaired the board but unfortunately the same diode blew again -so he connected to the fuse directly, by-passing the diode overvoltage circuit.
Now I have a working refrigerator ..Yay!!

I still intend to pick up a new board and keep it as a spare.

Larry

 

[Erv Troyer]

Here is what we did. I was working for Dometic Service Dept., so I was familiar with their reefers, especially all the negatives. When we bought our GMC it had a Dometic RM 763 3 way. Before we started home with the GMC I disconnected the tag wire which was connected to the ignition switch, as I did not want it to operate on 12 VDC. A few years later we were on the way to Missouri and Emma said there was an odd smell in the refrigerator. I opened the door and smelled ammonia, so I knew it was dying. We made the rest of our trip with a cooler and lots of ice.

I decided we were done with absorption refrigerators, and I gave the Dometic to Leon Herschberger (National Refrigeration, Shipshewana IN). I installed a Frigidaire apartment size unit, which fit in the compartment with room to spare. It cost $267, which was much less than a replacement cooling unit for the Dometic. This runs on 120 VAC only, but we have a 2000 watt Trace Engineering inverter/charger which keeps it operating when we are traveling. The Trace inverter has a modified sine wave output, so I did a lot of testing, and found that the amp draw running on the inverter was twice what it was on shore power. I assume that this excess amperage was creating heat, since the compressor was doing the same work on either power source. It seemed to be working OK, so I didn't change anything. PS: I posted pictures of the installation on the GMC photo site: http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showgallery.php?cat=5264.

That refrigerator lasted for 5 years before it died. I replaced it with another 120 VAC unit, which was still less cost than a cooling unit for an absorption unit, and a whole lot less than a new absorption refrigerator. However, this time I installed a separate true sine wave inverter which is for the refrigerator only, and the amp draws are same on either power source. That was in 2014, and it is still working OK. Our original battery was an 8D size AGM 250 AH unit, which did well for over 20 years. This spring I replaced this with a lithium/ion 100 AH battery, and will see how that works out.

This has worked out well for our use of the GMC. Your situation may not be the same. I have more details on the pros and cons of absorption vs. compressor models if you want that information.

 

[Matt Colie]

Erv,
That was a good summary.
This will sound stupid coming from me, but I never bothered to compare the difference in power load between the inverter and shore power. Our original swap was from a 12DC/120AC No(r)cold to the drom reefer we have now. That and an inverter (Cheap Chinese Version) was still way less expensive than any other replacement.
I did look at other DC reefers, but could not find one that was less than the coach's annual maintenance budget.
In about 5~7 years when the Trojans have lost capacity, Chinese LiFePos should be affordable. I may go to them and a DC-DC smart charger.
Matt

 

[Erv Troyer]

Matt, you said "I did look at other DC reefers, but could not find one that was less than the coach's annual maintenance budget.
In about 5~7 years when the Trojans have lost capacity, Chinese LiFePos should be affordable. I may go to them and a DC-DC smart charger."

I hear you. That battery I bought was the most expensive battery I have ever bought - $750 - and it was on sale!! But I had the money at the time, and I think that is the last battery I will ever buy for the GMC. If I should happen to sell the coach I will probably keep the battery.

 

[RF_Burns]

Matt, you said "I did look at other DC reefers, but could not find one that was less than the coach's annual maintenance budget.
In about 5~7 years when the Trojans have lost capacity, Chinese LiFePos should be affordable. I may go to them and a DC-DC smart charger."

I hear you. That battery I bought was the most expensive battery I have ever bought - $750 - and it was on sale!! But I had the money at the time, and I think that is the last battery I will ever buy for the GMC. If I should happen to sell the coach I will probably keep the battery.

Erv, I did the same as you, 120VAC apartment size 7.5 cu.ft. fridge by Avanti for less than $400Cdn 7 or 8 years ago. I've always run it on sine-wave inverters.

Just installed two 100Ahr LiFePO4 batteries and had the first dry camping last weekend. Between the solar panel and Onan we had no issues with battery life. The fridge consumes about 6Ahr of power per hour so running the generator for an hour at 40Amp charge rate will run the fridge for about 7 hrs.

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/g6634-all-electric-fridge-by-avanti.html

 

[PeteSr]

Larry I work for Dometic, years ago Dometic bought Atwood... the helium refrig was part of that purchase and all parts.. I just checked stock of the 14002 board and we show over 1600 in stock.. I would suggest contacting Dometic directly and this a part you should be able to order direct... We have very few parts available since we did not keep this helium refrig in our product line. Hope this helps..

Bill,
Although it still works, my wife wants to replace the Norcold 3-way refrigerator (I think it's a model 963) in our 78 Eleganza as part of the interior renovation. We have already pulled it out. I would like to replace it with another 3-way. Since you work for Dometic and seem to have the pulse of the market. Can you make a recommendation?

 

[WCB75]

Bill,
Although it still works, my wife wants to replace the Norcold 3-way refrigerator (I think it's a model 963) in our 78 Eleganza as part of the interior renovation. We have already pulled it out. I would like to replace it with another 3-way. Since you work for Dometic and seem to have the pulse of the market. Can you make a recommendation?

Peter
There have been some changes in rv refrigerators, now in absorption there are 2 ways in the market (gas/110v) predominately. Very few 3 ways, mostly in the smaller refrigerators. These all still require 12v but only to operate.. Based on your Norcold model and size there are several models of both Norcold and dometics that can be fitted to the opening you have now. Most of these will need slight cuts in the opening to fit. I would recommend using the forum and see what most of our GMC Owners are replacing these older units with.. Most all been replaced because of the age and that information will a good indication of what is best for you.. Also, there are the GMC dealers that can recommend whats available.
Of course for me it’s Dometic but I’ve been in the rv industry for over 43 years and know that what is good for me is not always a good fit for others. In Dometic the DM2672 is the closes fit for your opening but Norcold also has a model to fit..
By the way, I still have the original Dometic refrig in my 23’ from 1976 that looks and operates like new some 40+ years later. Hope this helps..

 

[boybach]

Larry I work for Dometic, years ago Dometic bought Atwood... the helium refrig was part of that purchase and all parts.. I just checked stock of the 14002 board and we show over 1600 in stock.. I would suggest contacting Dometic directly and this a part you should be able to order direct... We have very few parts available since we did not keep this helium refrig in our product line. Hope this helps..

Hi Bill, Thanks to you I called Dometic directly and was indeed able to purchase a new control board for my Atwood helium fridge. I put it into the spares cabinet for the time that our repaired board gives up the ghost.

Thanks again!

Larry