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Using a small apartment fridge instead of an RV Fridge [message #330079] Fri, 16 March 2018 18:23 Go to next message
quadracerx1 is currently offline  quadracerx1   United States
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Registered: April 2013
Location: Puyallup, Washington
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How many use an Apartment Small Fridge 120 Volt instead of a RV Fridge?

What is your experience?

What type, size and brand of invertor do you use?

Thanks,

Steve


75 26' GMC Glenbrook Puyallup, Washington
Re: Using a small apartment fridge instead of an RV Fridge [message #330080 is a reply to message #330079] Fri, 16 March 2018 18:38 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Matt Colie is currently offline  Matt Colie   United States
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Steve,

When the Nocold went inop, I first replaced it with a little Frigidaire single door that was not up to the task.
About a year later we found another Frigidaire that was a separate freezer above. That one has been great. Mary gave up 0.9 CUft for it, but loves it all the more. Current is 3.6ft**3 and it takes some planning, but it works. It keeps a frozen pizza, ice trays and lots of other stuff just fine. There is no way to fit a gallon jug in there.

It is powered by a 49$ 750/1500 modified square wave inverter from Hazard Fright. I carry on onboard as a spare because one lost some smoke one day. Other that that, the fans need to be replaced about every other year. It is fed right from the house bank through a 100 (IIRC) switchable breaker. That is suggested in case smoke leaks out again. Buy the service plan.

Matt


Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit
Re: Using a small apartment fridge instead of an RV Fridge [message #330083 is a reply to message #330079] Fri, 16 March 2018 18:45 Go to previous messageGo to next message
bwevers is currently offline  bwevers   United States
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Location: San Jose
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Off the grid I haven't had much luck making an electric refrigerator run for more than a couple of days.
I had two gold cart batteries and a pure sine convertor running an old refrigerator.
Then I bought a new 2 way, propane/120VAC. It runs a long time off of propane.



Bill Wevers GMC49ers, GMC Western States 1975 Glenbrook - Manny Powerdrive, OneTon 455 F Block, G heads San Jose
Re: Using a small apartment fridge instead of an RV Fridge [message #330086 is a reply to message #330080] Fri, 16 March 2018 19:10 Go to previous messageGo to next message
77Royale   United States
Messages: 461
Registered: June 2014
Location: Mid Michigan
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Senior Member
We have a 6 or 7 cubic foot apartment fridge in our rear bath Royale. Its a magic chef I think. Separate freezer up top. The original Dometic was non operable when we bought the coach. I had this fridge in our garage and took some measurements. Sure enough with a little wiggle room it fits in the same hole as the original fridge. As there was a power outlet already there no extra wiring was needed.

I do not run it on an inverter. Either shore power, or when the generator is running.

The highs. I bought the fridge from a neighbor for 50 bucks. New ones are usually 280 or so on sale. If it dies Im not really out much. It keeps icecream frozen. Holds 30 pounds of ice if needed. There is a ton of space for everything in the fridge. I dont have to be as concerned about being off level for it to run. I can open the door and instantly tell its working as the light comes on. I can hear the fan run as well when its quiet, so again I can tell its working. With little ones constantly in and out of the fridge, it does not take that long to recover and keep things cold. No pilot light to worry about and the potential hazards associated with that.


The lows. Its sticks out about 2 inches farther than the original. Since we are all fairly slim people its not an issue, but it also is a somewhat tight squeeze around the dinette just due to the rear twin configuration of the coach. Unless your on shore power or running the generator you have no fridge. Just like your house fridge, as long as the door is closed things stay pretty frozen / cold for several hours before I feel the need to power it up and cool it down again.

Once this fridge dies, I will probably go back to a propane unit. But at the time I could not spare +/- 500 for a used unit, or 1K for a new one, knowing I had several thousand in maintenance that was higher priority.

Bottom line, if your mostly at campgrounds with power, or dont have issues with running a generator a while its a good way to go.





77 Royale, Rear Dry Bath. 403, 3.55 Final Drive, Lenzi goodies, Patterson carb and dizzy. Mid Michigan
Re: Using a small apartment fridge instead of an RV Fridge [message #330092 is a reply to message #330079] Fri, 16 March 2018 21:41 Go to previous messageGo to next message
RF_Burns is currently offline  RF_Burns   Mexico
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Location: S. Ontario, Canada
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We replaced ours with an apartment fridge after the norcold finally died.

We are happy with it, cools fast from empty.

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



Bruce Hislop
ON Canada
77PB, 455 Dick P. rebuilt, DynamicEFI EBL EFI & ESC.
1 ton front end
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=29001
My Staff says I never listen to them, or something like that
Re: Using a small apartment fridge instead of an RV Fridge [message #330121 is a reply to message #330092] Sun, 18 March 2018 09:57 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Justin Brady is currently offline  Justin Brady   United States
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The only drawback is for boondocking. I'd love a residential fridge propane sucks in comparison for cool down times and cold holding ability, but for what we do we don't always have electricity so a residential fridge is out.

Justin Brady http://www.thegmcrv.com/ 1976 Palm Beach 455
Re: Using a small apartment fridge instead of an RV Fridge [message #330122 is a reply to message #330079] Sun, 18 March 2018 09:58 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Brian K is currently offline  Brian K   United States
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So to preface, I rarely if ever Boondock or go off the grid. The few times I've had to go that way was when I had breakdowns, and had to either hole up in Walmart or a parking lot. So from my experience, I'll never be going several days without land power.

When I bought my coach it had a 40 year old fridge that didn't work. So for the first several months I used an ice chest and stored things in the broken fridge with ice too. This last fall I pulled out the fridge, pulled out the non functioning water heater, and went tank less (as laid out in a few posts on the forum). When I did that, I decided to convert the refrigerator space to shelving on top, and then I went to Home Depot and bought a $100 dorm fridge. So far it's been great. It cools up really quickly once I get to my destination, and I never need much more food storage than that. And I just got some extra shelving storage! But that's me. I'm a semi-single, 56 year old man too.

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/member-galleries/p64059-water-heater-install.html

(Once again, sorry for the non-rotated pictures).


Brian K 1977 Eleganza II, TZE167V100261 Sherman Oaks, CA Rebuilt 455, New brake system, a lot of Original Equipment ready to fall apart (discovering more as I go along....)

[Updated on: Sun, 18 March 2018 10:03]

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Re: [GMCnet] Using a small apartment fridge instead of an RV Fridge [message #330125 is a reply to message #330122] Sun, 18 March 2018 11:13 Go to previous messageGo to next message
James Hupy is currently offline  James Hupy   United States
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Ah Brian? Just what is "semi single" Some new gender description I am
unaware of? I know I am kind of out of touch, but.....WTH?
Jim Hupy
Salem, Or
78 GMC ROYALE 403

On Sun, Mar 18, 2018, 8:02 AM Brian Krikorian wrote:

> So to preface, I rarely if ever Boondock or go off the grid. The few
> times I've had to go that way was when I had breakdowns, and had to either
> hole
> up in Walmart or a parking lot. So from my experience, I'll never be
> going several days without land power.
>
> When I bought my coach it had a 40 year old fridge that didn't work. So
> for the first several months I used an ice chest and stored things in the
> broken fridge with ice too. This last fall I pulled out the fridge,
> pulled out the non functioning water heater, and went tank less (as laid
> out in a
> few posts on the forum). When I did that, I decided to convert the
> refrigerator space to shelving on top, and then I went to Home Depot and
> bought a
> $100 dorm fridge. So far it's been great. It cools up really quickly
> once I get to my destination, and I never need much more storage than that.
> And I just got some extra storage! But that's me. I'm a semi-single, 56
> year old man too.
> --
> Brian K
> 1977 Eleganza II, TZE167V100261
> Bellevue, WA
> Rebuilt 455, New brake system, a lot of Original Equipment ready to fall
> apart (discovering more as I go along....)
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
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Re: [GMCnet] Using a small apartment fridge instead of an RV Fridge [message #330127 is a reply to message #330125] Sun, 18 March 2018 13:42 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Jimmy_Bonez is currently offline  Jimmy_Bonez   United States
Messages: 105
Registered: September 2017
Location: NH
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Senior Member
Justin are you guys still out on the road? Or back up north?

Sent from my iPhone

> On Mar 18, 2018, at 9:13 AM, James Hupy wrote:
>
> Ah Brian? Just what is "semi single" Some new gender description I am
> unaware of? I know I am kind of out of touch, but.....WTH?
> Jim Hupy
> Salem, Or
> 78 GMC ROYALE 403
>
>> On Sun, Mar 18, 2018, 8:02 AM Brian Krikorian wrote:
>>
>> So to preface, I rarely if ever Boondock or go off the grid. The few
>> times I've had to go that way was when I had breakdowns, and had to either
>> hole
>> up in Walmart or a parking lot. So from my experience, I'll never be
>> going several days without land power.
>>
>> When I bought my coach it had a 40 year old fridge that didn't work. So
>> for the first several months I used an ice chest and stored things in the
>> broken fridge with ice too. This last fall I pulled out the fridge,
>> pulled out the non functioning water heater, and went tank less (as laid
>> out in a
>> few posts on the forum). When I did that, I decided to convert the
>> refrigerator space to shelving on top, and then I went to Home Depot and
>> bought a
>> $100 dorm fridge. So far it's been great. It cools up really quickly
>> once I get to my destination, and I never need much more storage than that.
>> And I just got some extra storage! But that's me. I'm a semi-single, 56
>> year old man too.
>> --
>> Brian K
>> 1977 Eleganza II, TZE167V100261
>> Bellevue, WA
>> Rebuilt 455, New brake system, a lot of Original Equipment ready to fall
>> apart (discovering more as I go along....)
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
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Jim DeMellia and Jen Radefeld and our cat Ickis NH natives 1975 GMC “Palm Beach” ,455, her names Linda Full time RVers exploring the beautiful and unusual parts of the country.
Re: Using a small apartment fridge instead of an RV Fridge [message #330129 is a reply to message #330079] Sun, 18 March 2018 15:30 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Scott Nutter is currently offline  Scott Nutter   United States
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Jim H,
I can't believe how semi out of touch with the new lingo you have become...
Now that I have decided to not care what my semi friends may think about me being semi hard to be around and being semi over weight, it just semi bothers me now..
BTW Brian, I'm joking!!


Scott Nutter 1978 Royale Center Kitchen, Patterson 455, switch pitch tranny, 3.21 final drive, Quad bags, Dave Lenzi super duty mid axle disc brakes, tankless water heater, everything Lenzi. Alex Ferrera installed MSD Atomic EFI Houston, Texas
Re: [GMCnet] Using a small apartment fridge instead of an RV Fridge [message #330130 is a reply to message #330129] Sun, 18 March 2018 15:34 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Sammy Williams is currently offline  Sammy Williams   United States
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Senior Member
I saw a portable (smaller) fridge on sears website, it was just a bit over
400. :)



On Sun, Mar 18, 2018 at 3:30 PM, Scott Nutter wrote:

> Jim H,
> I can't believe how semi out of touch with the new lingo you have become...
> Now that I have decided to not care what my semi friends may think about
> me being semi hard to be around and being semi over weight, it just semi
> bothers me now..
> BTW Brian, I'm joking!!
> --
> Scott Nutter
> 1978 Royale Center Kitchen, Patterson 455, switch pitch tranny, 3.21 final
> drive, Quad bags, tankless water heater, everything Lenzi.
> Houston, Texas
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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>
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Re: [GMCnet] Using a small apartment fridge instead of an RV Fridge [message #330131 is a reply to message #330130] Sun, 18 March 2018 16:52 Go to previous messageGo to next message
James Hupy is currently offline  James Hupy   United States
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Registered: May 2010
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O.K, yesterday, I just got a new cell phone. It still has SIRI, but in
addition, it has Bixby, and I consulted he/she/It? about "semi single" To
put it simply, I ain't the only one who is out of touch. Whoa Mama, talk
about TMI. Not going back there for a while! (Grin)
Jim Hupy
Salem, Or

On Sun, Mar 18, 2018, 1:34 PM Sammy Williams wrote:

> I saw a portable (smaller) fridge on sears website, it was just a bit over
> 400. :)
>
>
>
> On Sun, Mar 18, 2018 at 3:30 PM, Scott Nutter
> wrote:
>
>> Jim H,
>> I can't believe how semi out of touch with the new lingo you have
> become...
>> Now that I have decided to not care what my semi friends may think about
>> me being semi hard to be around and being semi over weight, it just semi
>> bothers me now..
>> BTW Brian, I'm joking!!
>> --
>> Scott Nutter
>> 1978 Royale Center Kitchen, Patterson 455, switch pitch tranny, 3.21
> final
>> drive, Quad bags, tankless water heater, everything Lenzi.
>> Houston, Texas
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>>
> _______________________________________________
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Re: [GMCnet] Using a small apartment fridge instead of an RV Fridge [message #330132 is a reply to message #330125] Sun, 18 March 2018 17:16 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Brian K is currently offline  Brian K   United States
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Registered: May 2017
Location: Sherman Oaks, CA
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Member
Well...divorced for 10 years, 2 dogs, and a girlfriend. That's how I define "semi-single"!

Brian K 1977 Eleganza II, TZE167V100261 Sherman Oaks, CA Rebuilt 455, New brake system, a lot of Original Equipment ready to fall apart (discovering more as I go along....)
Re: [GMCnet] Using a small apartment fridge instead of an RV Fridge [message #330134 is a reply to message #330132] Sun, 18 March 2018 17:38 Go to previous messageGo to next message
James Hupy is currently offline  James Hupy   United States
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Senior Member
Yeah, when I get it, I finally get it. I didn't mean to get personal. Some
people have different interpretations of that term. No reason or blame for
it, really. Just the way it turns out after all is said and done. At least
you have a couple of faithful 4 legged companions. They don't judge, they
just give love unconditionally, no matter what.
Glad you are part of the GMC mix.
Jim Hupy
Salem, Or

On Sun, Mar 18, 2018, 3:22 PM Brian Krikorian wrote:

> Well...divorced for 10 years, 2 dogs, and a girlfriend. That's how I
> define "semi-single"!
> --
> Brian K
> 1977 Eleganza II, TZE167V100261
> Bellevue, WA
> Rebuilt 455, New brake system, a lot of Original Equipment ready to fall
> apart (discovering more as I go along....)
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
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Re: Using a small apartment fridge instead of an RV Fridge [message #330138 is a reply to message #330079] Sun, 18 March 2018 20:58 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Scott Nutter is currently offline  Scott Nutter   United States
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Just to hear Jim say " Whoa Mama" was so outta sigh. No, better than that. It was Groovy!!!
But glad to hear he finally got rid of his flip phone!!


Scott Nutter 1978 Royale Center Kitchen, Patterson 455, switch pitch tranny, 3.21 final drive, Quad bags, Dave Lenzi super duty mid axle disc brakes, tankless water heater, everything Lenzi. Alex Ferrera installed MSD Atomic EFI Houston, Texas
Re: [GMCnet] Using a small apartment fridge instead of an RV Fridge [message #330146 is a reply to message #330138] Mon, 19 March 2018 00:06 Go to previous message
James Hupy is currently offline  James Hupy   United States
Messages: 6806
Registered: May 2010
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Senior Member
Flip fone went the way of pagers. You remember them I am sure. Had one on
my hip for longer than I like to remember. My flipper went away for a
Galaxy Note 3 in 2012. Now it is a Galaxy 8. Another bell curve to ascend.
Love it.
Jim Hupy

On Sun, Mar 18, 2018, 7:22 PM Scott Nutter wrote:

> Just to hear Jim say " Whoa Mama" was so outta sigh. No, better than that.
> It was Groovy!!!
> But glad to hear he finally got rid of his flip phone!!
> --
> Scott Nutter
> 1978 Royale Center Kitchen, Patterson 455, switch pitch tranny, 3.21 final
> drive, Quad bags, tankless water heater, everything Lenzi.
> Houston, Texas
>
> _______________________________________________
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