refrigerator problems

[Tom Warner]

Tim its difficult to understand where you are coming from since you
use numbers like 750 watts and 1/3 of the time etc but don't say
where you got this information from. But to set the record straight
I did not accuse you of disseminating false information. So lets
discuss just 2 facts.

1. The energy guide numbers noted on appliances are seldom
accurate. Where do I get that? http://tinyurl.com/8fd8z

Understand the Energy Guide and Energy Star labels. The Energy
Guide tag you'll see on dishwashers is meant to show how much water
and energy a particular model is likely to use. However, Consumer
Reports tests have found that those numbers tend to underestimate
real-life consumption. Likely reason for this discrepancy: The
government tests with cleaner dishes than we do and assumes that
consumers run fewer than 322 loads per year. The Energy Star labeling
program cites dishwashers that are 25 percent more energy efficient
than the minimum government standards. Consumer Reports doesn't
highlight which models carry the Energy Star label but bases its
dishwasher ratings on its own, more rigorous testing. See the
<http://www.eco-labels.org/greenconsumers...dishwasher>Green
Ratings section.

2. Almost all refrigerators manufactured today ARE energy star rated.
Where did I get that from? http://tinyurl.com/bn2qx

Energy Star
According to the government, As of January 1, 2004, all refrigerators
and refrigerator-freezers 7.75 cubic feet or greater in volume must
be 15% more efficient than required by the minimum federal standard
in order to meet the Energy Star criteria. Residential freezers 7.75
cubic feet or greater must be 10% more efficient than required by the
minimum federal standard in order to meet the Energy Star criteria.
All refrigerators and/or freezers less than 7.75 cubic feet in volume
and 36 inches or less in height must be 20% more efficient than
required by the minimum federal standard in order to meet the Energy
Star criteria .

Now the bottom line and this is my opinion. If I were
contemplating buying a motorhome such as a Bluebird I would
immediately shy away from anyone that had a regular household
refrigerator installed, for two reasons.

1. I would figure that the person who had installed it, is attempting
to save money and if they saved money on a refrigerator they might be
doing the same thing on the coaches maintenance.

2, I want a refrigerator that is economical and efficient to operate
when boon docking. In other words I want one that can be operated on
propane, battery or 120VAC without running my generator for long
periods of time. And the addition of large expensive battery banks
with associated chargers/inverters is not economical or desirous in
my opinion. But then this is my personal preference and it may differ
from yours.

Tom Warner
1982 FC35
Vernon Center,NY


At 10:47 AM 10/8/2005, you wrote:
>--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, Tom Warner
>wrote:
> >
> > Tim that would be nice if it were true but its not. You are
>quoting
> > the energy star propoganda. It actually pulls over 1800 watts when
> > the compressor starts. The hotter it got the more the compressor
> > would run and it would quickly run your batteries down if you were
> > not connected to a power source or on generator. The RV models are
> > much more efficient having better insulation and more efficient
> > methods of cooling.
>
>Please don't accuse me of disseminating false information unless you
>have something besides your own opinion to back up your statement.
>
>Yes, a refrigerator uses a large amount of starting current but the
>average 18 cu ft frost-free fridge uses 750-watts when running and
>it runs approximately 1/3 of the time it is plugged in.
>
>Information on the power usage of appliances is available all over
>the internet from government sources, power utilities and appliance
>manufacturers, so take your pick and do your own research.
>
> > By the way how do you secure a regular refrigerator so it does not
> > come flying out in a hard maneuver?
>
>The same way an RV refrigerator is secured. Install a piece of angle
>channel to the top and sides of the fridge and screw it to the
>opening. I would also add additional rigid insulation to the walls
>of the refrigerator compartment to fill in the gap between the sides
>of the fridge and the compartment walls.
>
>Good luck
>
>Tim Hannink
>Winter Park, FL
>1981 FC-33SB
>
>
>
>
>
>
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