Residential Fridge

[Phil57]

Originally Posted by lefaivre

Just curious ... what year did FR start putting residential refrigerators in the 390BH. Our 2012 has a dometic side by side.

What is the advantage of residential other than cost?

I believe it was the 2014 model.

[dalford]

Originally Posted by lefaivre

Just curious ... what year did FR start putting residential refrigerators in the 390BH. Our 2012 has a dometic side by side.

What is the advantage of residential other than cost?

I just posted this yesterday to another thread...

I have had a 12v/gas unit in my earlier RV's and now a residential unit in my 33IK... My observations..

1) heavy, probably but so are 5th wheels
2) can use on 120v or 12v (via a "good inverter")
3) have used one battery with no issues ( i do not typically dry camp)
4) always use while traveling, not sure why I would not? TV charging battery. Also no question about operating fridge with gas while traveling or going thru some tunnels with my fridge on.
5) more capacity than gas/120v unit
6) gets cold fast, do not have to worry about turning on way ahead of use and then making sure all the food I put in is already cold or frozen.
7) does not ice up or constantly drain water outside
8) I can stand in front of the open door and wonder what I want without worrying about letting all the cold out :
9) I can have my vanilla ice cream that is actually frozen

I think the biggest trade off is how you camp. If you do a lot of dry camping then a residential is probably not your best choice but if not, you will love the residential unit imho...

[BigJohnD]

What dalford said. I ditched an almost new Norcold out of ours and put my own residential in. I will never own anything but a residential from here on. Wish I'd have done the swap earlier. Cost of residential and inverter is less than a Norcold or Dometic of lesser size, in a lot of cases.

[Texas Realtor]

No comparison since I added my French door whirlpool vs the erratic dometic that I had to throw out most of my food from temps too warm!! Best upgrade I made to my 39bh 2011! It was tight fit but holds twice the food and freezer I had and never any issues of temp problems!! Could never understand why my dometic would not work consistently.

[BamaBob]

One additionial advantage: Getting rid of a propane/electric/ammonia-exchange appliance is one less fire hazard in the RV. Absorption Refrigerators are one of the primary causes of RV fires.

AEGI: Applications Engineering Group, Inc.

[tmmar]

I mentioned this in my earlier post in this thread but it was embedded in the thread and may have been overlooked. I was wondering if anyone else had this issue. Since the refrigerator in the 390bh is elevated, I noticed one day when I was doing some work in the coach that when I pushed on the top edge of the refrigerator that it rocked back and forth. It wasn't a hard push at all. Very gentle in fact. So I was curious if anyone else had this rocking issue and if so, did you get it repaired and what did they do to eliminate the rocking?
Thanks

[fredhardy]

When I pulled the fridge in my 2014 390BH-60, the only thing holding it in place were three (3) screws located under the plastic wheel cover. The top of the fridge was unsecured and I cam move it little bit front to rear. But it wont be sliding out due to the previously mentioned screws.

Regards,
Fred

[Texas Realtor]

No with the whirlpool frenchdoor I added and changed out old dometic, mine fits into my raised spot very snug up to top. It does have 3/4 inch space on each side but mine does not move

[tmmar]

Originally Posted by fredhardy

When I pulled the fridge in my 2014 390BH-60, the only thing holding it in place were three (3) screws located under the plastic wheel cover. The top of the fridge was unsecured and I cam move it little bit front to rear. But it wont be sliding out due to the previously mentioned screws.

Regards,
Fred

Fred,
Not as much concerned that it would slideout but that it may tip out from the top. MMNSC had an issue where his Dometic fell out of the cabinet it was in when he went around a curve. I was more concerned about this happening than anything else.
Tom

[fredhardy]

Thanks Tom! I'll figure out a way to secure the top and share it to the forum.

[Paulie Boy]

Fred, we have the same model coach and fridge, 25k miles and not issues. We full time and the only mod we've made is the installation of the door lock.


Paul
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[5456Mich]

Originally Posted by Paulie Boy

Fred, we have the same model coach and fridge, 25k miles and not issues. We full time and the only mod we've made is the installation of the door lock.Attachment 95392


Paul
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Paul have you ever posted a picture of your installation of that lock on your refrigerator? I need to do something for to address that problem just not sure if I want to drill into it or just use something through the handles.

[Phil57]

This isn't mine but I took these at the Tampa RV show last year.

[Paulie Boy]

I installed mine high for a couple of reasons. The first being grandchildren, the second so clothes can't catch the lever. I also think it is less noticeable there. P.S. It's not stainless steel.


Paul
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[5456Mich]

Is there a position to lock the button in the unlock position for when you're stationary or do you always have to lift the button ?

[gasman94]

Originally Posted by 5456Mich

Paul have you ever posted a picture of your installation of that lock on your refrigerator? I need to do something for to address that problem just not sure if I want to drill into it or just use something through the handles.

Joe, some pics of my install. I applied the lock first, about midway between top and bottom of handles. Then I taped striker after lining it up with the lock to make sure position for locking was correct. Drilled holes, screwed and pulled tspe. Alos, lock can remain unlatched when you're using the fridge.

Rich

[fredhardy]

Thanks Paul! I had been using a bungie cord! I'll order the latch today!

[5456Mich]

The few trips that I've made I used a plastic shopping bag. Worked great !! As my wife pointed out once we stop somewhere we already have a bag ready for trash. But I may spring for the catch, it'll give me something to do.

[Paulie Boy]

Hey Joe; do you know the difference between a canoe and a Canuck?


Paul
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[5456Mich]

Originally Posted by Paulie Boy

Hey Joe; do you know the difference between a canoe and a Canuck?


Paul
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Uhhh, no. LOL ( I was born in Ct. )

I'm curious to find out though Paul.