Refrig Option Question

[BandJCarm]

Close to ordering the 36CKTS. Down to trying to decide about refrigerator.

I admit I'm confused............ (eyes rolling allowed)....... Apparently there are THREE refrigerator options:
18 cubic foot elec
20 cubic foot elec
13 cubic foot gas/elec with wood panels

I really want the gas/electric, but I can't find a single picture of what they look like. Also, sometimes the actual cabinetry in kitchen is slightly diff depending on refrig model. Anyone have one?

And why an 18 AND a 20 c.ft. model? Neither are gas. I assume both have an inverter (?)....... why two models so close together.

I'm concerned about keeping food cold while in transit. In a campground, no question the electric ones with big freezers would be nice. But best I can figure, they really don't work well on an inverter going down the road.

Any advice, pictures, information, etc...........is appreciated.
Bill

[SeaDog]

I can only address on of the questions you asked. 2 cubic feet in a fridge is allot of room even tho the numbers are close.

[ttanous]

We have the 20 cubic foot electric will never go back to gas/electric. Cools quicker and living in the south we have had no issues with cooling like the gas/electric. We have the inverter with 4 - 6 volts batteries. The best investment we have made in our 40 years of camping.

[BandJCarm]

Originally Posted by ttanous

We have the 20 cubic foot electric will never go back to gas/electric. Cools quicker and living in the south we have had no issues with cooling like the gas/electric. We have the inverter with 4 - 6 volts batteries. The best investment we have made in our 40 years of camping.

But how does it go while driving down the road???

I did find out the 18 cu ft is a regular two door with top freezer. The 20 cu foot is 3 door side by side with bottom freezer.

[ttanous]

Ours is 2 door top and freezer bottom with ice maker in freezer and water dispenser in the refrigerator on the left side.

As for down the road the inverter takes care of power till we arrive to our location. Even makes ice while going down the road. We have been on inverter for over 14 hours and no problems / issues.

[BandJCarm]

This is what I was needing to know.

I love this place.

[ttanous]

👍.

[Jim34RL]

The 18 CU FT refrigerator is standard with an inverter, this is what we have in our 34RL. The gas/electric refrigerator is a $2,000+ option is this really worth it? I think not, so we stayed with the 18 CU FT refrigerator and never have regretted this decision.
We normally tow between 6 and 8 hours a day and the ice cream has never melted when towing. If we where buying again I would get the residential refrigerator, but if you do a lot of boondocking than I would get the gas/electric or a good solar system.

[BandJCarm]

Side issue.....

did you know that ice cream consistency is the BEST indicator of freezer temp settings? Some freezer manufacturers even list it as a method of checking your settings. If ice cream is the right consistency, the freezer is set right.

Now THERE is a rule I can enjoy utilizing!!!!

(and sherbert??? really????? man. That is worth WWIII ain't it? LOL)

[dieselguy]

BandJCarm ... note that ttanous has four 6 volt batteries to draw power from ... a single 12 volt or even two twelve volts may not supply the stated 14+ hours of service.

[dmdrj5]

And you will never fit an entire pizza box into that 13 cu. ft. model.......

Go BIG.

Good luck,
Don

[ttanous]

Good catch dieselguy!


Tom
2016 Ford Power Stroke F350 Lariat Crew Cab Long Bed Dual Wheel
2015 Cedar Creek 38RD Hathaway Edition

[Kenny kustom]

Originally Posted by dmdrj5

And you will never fit an entire pizza box into that 13 cu. ft. model.......



Go BIG.



Good luck,

Don

No need after I'm done!! Lol!!


2016 Sabre 36QBOK
2015 Ram 3500 CUMMINS

[georgew48]

I not sure how many times this has to be posted but your residential refer will do fine while running down the road. The refer is being powered thru the converter and you vehicle engines alternator is keeping the battery charged. My Cardinal only had one 12 volt battery and it would keep the refer running for 48 hours if not plugged into the truck or the campground. My new motorhome has 4 12 volt batteries and it will run for four days off just the batteries. Again while you are driving it is running off the engines alternator.

[keith52]

Originally Posted by dmdrj5

And you will never fit an entire pizza box into that 13 cu. ft. model.......

Go BIG.

Good luck,
Don

If you fold the box in half and secure it with duct tape, it fits just fine in a 13 cu. ft. model.

[btritschler1437]

"The refer is being powered thru the converter and you vehicle engines alternator is keeping the battery charged." Our 20 cu ft fridge runs off the inverter, which is powered by four 6 volt batteries (connected in series and parallel), which is recharged by the truck alternator as we go down the highway. In two hours the fridge goes from room temp to 38 degrees in the fridge, 0 degrees in the freezer and stays that way till turned off. The four best things on our CC is the bed, bathroom, A/C's and the fridge.

[BandJCarm]

Originally Posted by dieselguy

BandJCarm ... note that ttanous has four 6 volt batteries to draw power from ... a single 12 volt or even two twelve volts
may not supply the stated 14+ hours of service.

Four sixes would have to be two in series, and the coupling in parallel, to get 12 v.

Why not four 12v full size batteries all in parallel?

[The_Rhino]

btritschler1437, what brand/model of refrigerator & inverter do you have?

[Sterlingsilver]

Regarding battery configurations, the more batteries in series the better for the batteries. 6 volt batteries have more watt hours than 12 volt batteries for the same size. Check the battery labels. It would be best to have 4 3-volt batteries in series.

[Kenny kustom]

Lifeline has 2volt batteries.
900ah


2016 Sabre 36QBOK
2015 Ram 3500 CUMMINS