12 volt Everchill 10.7 refrigerator boondock/dry camp verdict.

Disanddat1 · 10-18-2020, 04:38 PM

Our family boondocked or dry camp(as we call it) for 5 days. We have a 2021 Wildwood Heritage Glen 271rl. A little insight, This is not our first time RVing, we had a class C and Class A before this with dometic and norcold propane/electric refrigerators. We’ve been RVers for over 25 years of experience before my husband had health problems for a bit.
I’m very impressed with this 12 volt refrigerator(battery only) it kept our freezer at 0 degrees and refrigerator at 40 degrees without losing temperature. The daytime average temperature was 89 degrees and we were parked in the sun with the hottest part of the day on the refrigerator side at 4500 foot elevation. With the absorption fridge this would never happen. We had the dinosaur board and extra fans in the other absorption fridges. Anything over 75 degrees outside they never would hold and we’ve done it all. I didn’t want to own another one ever(just my personal opinion).
We put duel champion batteries and have a 3500 watt generator propane/gas. We ran the generator about 2 hours a day on propane, it’s normal we watch a movie after dinner anyway also using lights etc as normal, we ran the central heat 3 nights because the temperature dipped into the high 40s, no problem holding the batteries till the next evening to watch a movie.
So in all would I buy a rig with a 12 volt refrigerator again, YES in a heartbeat! Just set it up correctly. On this TT we didn’t get solar although we’ve had the roof mounts with inverter on our other rigs.
Please take this post into account of our experience only.

GL1800Rider · 10-18-2020, 05:13 PM

Nice review

Disanddat1 · 10-18-2020, 05:48 PM

I truly appreciate the positivity! Thank you.

Adogbmw · 10-18-2020, 06:16 PM

Glad to gear of your positive experience. I believe that with real world experience people will come to realize a DC refrigerator is not a bad thing. The typical reaction to new technology is to question and doubt it's capabilities. Many posts reflect this. I initially had dismissed DC also but from experiences like yours, others and friends as well as research I have come to believe it will be effective. Particularly with the right equipment including solar.

5picker · 10-18-2020, 06:23 PM

Unfortunately, the trouble prone Dometic 12v has put a sour taste in folks mouth as there are posts in every R/V forum across the internet filled with negativity.

Glad to see some positivity being passed around.

**bikendan** · 10-18-2020, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5picker

Unfortunately, the trouble prone Dometic 12v has put a sour taste in folks mouth as there are posts in every R/V forum across the internet filled with negativity.

Glad to see some positivity being passed around.

I think you mean the Furrion 12v only fridges. Apparently many FR divisions are dropping them from their lines.

**Mr. Dan** · 10-18-2020, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Disanddat1

No sir, this is definitely an Everchill 10.7 12 volt refrigerator in my 2021 TT

bikendan was responding to 5picker, not you.

5picker · 10-19-2020, 06:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bikendan

I think you mean the Furrion 12v only fridges. Apparently many FR divisions are dropping them from their lines.

You are absolutely correct. I did mean Furrion.
My apologies for the confusion.

markb422 · 10-19-2020, 05:38 PM

My daughter and son-in-law have a new TT with the Everchill 10 cuft and they love it except for when they do a long drive and warm day. The frig kills the house battery to the point that they cannot put out the slide without hooking up to electric. The truck does not seem to be able to recharge the battery as fast as the frig can draw it down. I told them that they should get a second battery and make sure they are fully charged before leaving. One thing for sure is I sure like the extra space in their frig vs our 7 cuft. and it seems to keep its temp no matter how hot it is outside.

Mark Romeo · 10-19-2020, 05:46 PM

We have a '21 FR Salem 26DBUD with the Everchill 12v fridge. We picked it up on August 2nd, we have not turned off the refrigerator yet. We leave it plugged in when its parked here at the house, but it has gone 12+ unplugged, its gone 24+ sitting plugged into my truck. We have 2 interstate deep cycles, for reference, no solar.

Dsimes · 10-19-2020, 06:09 PM

I am so glad you have had a good experience with the Everchill. We have the Furrion in our 2021 Wolf Pup and i wish we could be as positive however we are one of those with a sour taste concerning the 12V fridge. We are making due however until the pup goes in for some warranty service, one of which is concerning the Furrion refrigerator.

I might also add that we have the solar package (trickle charger at best) and the pup came with only one deep cycle battery. We have to carry our 3500W generator with us at all times because other wise the battery would discharge to the point nothing in the pup will work... awning, slide out, furnace etc..

**bikendan** · 10-19-2020, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dsimes

I might also add that we have the solar package (trickle charger at best) and the pup came with only one deep cycle battery.

The batteries on trailers are dealer-installed items. They usually only install the cheapest 12v Group 24 dual purpose marine battery they can find.
It's up to the customer to negotiate for a better battery setup before purchasing. Many of us ask for credit for the cheap battery and install our own dual battery setup.

Mark Romeo · 10-19-2020, 07:54 PM

That was one of selling points for our dealer, they installed the dual interstate deep cycles before pickup. Standard 26DBUD's that we found come with just one.

Disanddat1 · 10-19-2020, 09:05 PM

Just an FYI, my husband will be installing a third battery. He said we’re used to running a 4 battery system in our class A. This way we never have to look at the batteries as we camp. Our front A frame on the TT has space for another one. So 3 batteries it shall be.

TitanMike · 10-20-2020, 09:58 AM

If tow vehicle can't keep up with the refrigerator current draw it might be a good idea to upgrade the 12 volt wiring in the tow vehicle.

Best way is to install a heavy gauge wire pair directly from starting battery to hitch, use andersen connectors to connect with heavy gauge wire going into trailer. Install a DC-DC charger like one of the Renogy units for both battery charge AND supplying power to the refrigerator.

This will keep refrigerator from depleting batteries in TT while driving AND charge the batteries.

Problem is that the factory wiring in the Tow vehicle is too small a gauge and too long for the current needed. This results in a voltage drop that reduces the current available to a mere trickle charge. Not enough to run the refrigerator so the batteries have to make up the difference.

A Renogy DC-DC charger starts at $127 and produces a full 20 amp supply at the trailer if installed as instructions call for. I installed one in my TT and it runs a freezer as well as charging my batteries (LiFePo4). When I arrive at my campsite I have a cold freezer and fully charged batteries.

Dsimes · 10-21-2020, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bikendan

The batteries on trailers are dealer-installed items. They usually only install the cheapest 12v Group 24 dual purpose marine battery they can find.
It's up to the customer to negotiate for a better battery setup before purchasing. Many of us ask for credit for the cheap battery and install our own dual battery setup.

This is the first “new” trailer I have ever bought so this was definitely a learning experience. All the previous trailers, fifth wheels and truck campers I’ve owned were purchased used. Thank you though!

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