Class-A RV Residential Refrigerator Exposition

[davidbrady]

I visited my local Camping World to quickly chronicle the use of residential refrigerators. My conclusions:

1) Judging from the ampere draw of the units, manufacturers aren't particularly picky about refrigerator energy requirements,
2) Door locks were ad-hoc and monster garage-ish (and that's putting it kindly). I actually cut my finger while trying to engage one of the locks,
3) Fit and finish are what you'd expect from the likes of Winnebago, Fleetwood, and Thor,
4) The fridges all looked like wall warts to me. The built-in look with matching cabinet grade paneled doors is gone.

My LXi deserves better...

[Arcticdude]

I'm thinking you make the electric solenoids like the Newell's have, to have the least obtrusive.

[gondolaguy]

(07-09-2013 18:35)davidmbrady Wrote:  I visited my local Camping World to quickly chronicle the use of residential refrigerators. My conclusions:

1) Judging from the ampere draw of the units, manufacturers aren't particularly picky about refrigerator energy requirements,
2) Door locks were ad-hoc and monster garage-ish (and that's putting it kindly). I actually cut my finger while trying to engage one of the locks,
3) Fit and finish are what you'd expect from the likes of Winnebago, Fleetwood, and Thor,
4) The fridges all looked like wall warts to me. The built-in look with matching cabinet grade paneled doors is gone.

My LXi deserves better...

Since I looked at the same units, you really can't compare the junk they sell to what should be done in our LXis. You would need to see how Newell or the P brand convertors go about it.

[Arcticdude]

Corey,

That's exactly how we should be doing it.

[davidbrady]

I don't think these RV manufacturers are using residential fridges because they're safer, I think they're using them because they're cheaper. I don't think these manufacturers give a hoot about safety, and from what I saw of their installation, it's definitely cheaper to do than to install a gas fridge. Cheaper to install and cheaper for the appliance.

[pgchin]

Yeah,
We "play" regularly at RV places when OTR for a couple of hours of entertainment! Salesmen come to you, you tell them you have a bird, they shake their head and nod, yes, nothing on the lot compares to a bird for quality and build, except a P-bus or Newell!I did notice the refers as well in quote High end class A's(not P-buses or Newells)................what is even more amazing is one of these things with a residential refer, 2 house batteries and ONE charge/inverter......... I've NEVER seen more than 2 house batteries......... So what do you do for power for these refers when not on the grid?

[patticake]

So what do you do for power for these refers when not on the grid?

Have you asked the salesperson that? I bet, most of the salespeople at these places have never used an RV. Even for a weekend.

[pgchin]

I did once 10 years ago! He "lied" to me! You could tell by his explanations he never used an RV! So I don't ask anymore, but you are 100 percent Correct, most have not!!!!!!!!