Refrigerator door latch-WARNING

[Mandog]

Hey all,
Our refrigerator door latch is junk. It’s a 12v unit this latch is on. The latch is just a swing lever that has 2- ends one for the freezer one for the fridge door. We left for the first trip and when we got there everything was on the floor, eggs broken everywhere and a big mess. A dent in the refrigerator door by hitting the dining room table. When the slide is in the table is close. So I tried peening the rivet on the latch tighter but that didn’t last. So I made a lanyard out of a long boot lace fastened on one end to the side fridge bracket. Tie a loop in the other end just place it over the latch to keep it in the proper position. If yours has the same style latch do it. I hope this helps.....

[youroo]

What make and Model is the Frig? Youroo!!

[Mandog]

Ever Chill model WD-282FWDC 12volt unit. I like the unit except the latch.

[RGrimm]

Originally Posted by Mandog

Ever Chill model WD-282FWDC 12volt unit. I like the unit except the latch.

Thanks for the heads up on the Latch issue. We are purchasing a 2021 Vibe 21BH with the same refrig. I will address the latch before our first type.

Glad to hear you like the 12v residential style refrig though. It was this residential style refrig that made me make the decision to go with the Vibe over a similar but different brand coach.
Russ

[Yillbs]

Originally Posted by RGrimm

Thanks for the heads up on the Latch issue. We are purchasing a 2021 Vibe 21BH with the same refrig. I will address the latch before our first type.

Glad to hear you like the 12v residential style refrig though. It was this residential style refrig that made me make the decision to go with the Vibe over a similar but different brand coach.
Russ

I'm sorry to hear that. I did the same thing, chose the better frige over slam latch doors. Horrible mistake, you get more room, but it literally takes a full 24 hours to cool down, its ridiculous.

[RockDodger]

I have a new trailer with this fridge and have not experienced this condition at all. Seems to work fine so far. Had a gallon of milk in there and drove maybe 50 miles without incident. Sorry you are having this trouble. I like the fridge a lot.

[RGrimm]

Originally Posted by Yillbs

I'm sorry to hear that. I did the same thing, chose the better frige over slam latch doors. Horrible mistake, you get more room, but it literally takes a full 24 hours to cool down, its ridiculous.

When I brought the Vibe home from the dealer (May 15th) the refrig was already on and down to temp and it has been running ever since. I have 50 amp service at home where I store it and always leave the coach plugged in, refrig running and AC set to 78. So I can not talk to how long it took/takes to get cold. But for me it isn't a problem since it will always be on even when not traveling. So my Everchill has been running for almost a month at home while we load and customize the camper and I have had no problems with the refrig. Shortly after I brought it home and had my digital thermometers in the refrig box and freezer I noticed the temps rise from the normal of 38 and -2 to 45 and 25 (freezer) for about an hour which concerned me so I started to keep an eye on it. This same type of increase seemed to occur every 3 to 5 days. I assume at this point it is the refrig going into its auto defrost cycle. Since we are not traveling the refrig is basically empty inside other than 2 - 12 packs of root beer. I suspect if the refrig box and freezer were loaded for travel that the cool and frozen contents would prevent the refrig temps from hitting the 45 and 25 degrees I saw, as the refrig/freezer contents would help maintain the temps during defrost cycles.

So, I am very happy with my decision. Before my Vibe I had a Class A DP that had a Norcold refrig, now that refrig took 24 hours plus to cool down and because of the Norcold's Fin defrost cycle every 49 hours and its slow recovery we lost a lot of food. During a defrost cycle the Norcold would ecentually be OFF for about 4-5 hours. I removed the Norcold and replaced it with a Whirlpool Residental refrig and never had any problems with it for the remaining 4 years (30,000 miles) that I owned the Coach. It was the best DYI I had done.

So I am use to residential style refrigs in RVs, they work great for my style of travel.

Russ

[Mike72]

I just bought a 2017 Vibe and I can’t find out if the household refrigerator will also work while it’s hooked up to my truck . Any replies would be appreciated.

[Rjmfire682]

If it's the Everchill 12V, it will run off your TT 12 V system.

[Mike72]

Thanks for the reply . I’m not sure if it’s the Everchill . I will check today .

[Flybob]

If it is a residential fridge, it will not run on 12V. It will run from an inverter, however the 12V current required by the inverter is significant and the normal 12V supply from the TV will not be adequate.

[RockDodger]

You could always tighten the nut on the latch, but that is not foolproof. I ran a small bungi cord from the door hinge to the latch handle and have never had a problem with the door opening unexpectedly. My friend has the same fridge and experienced the same problem with the door opening while in travel. He tied a string on his and , viola!, no more problem. It doesn't have to be tight, just snug enough to prevent the handle from moving. Works.

[Mike72]

Thank you for the reply . My trailer battery was mostly dead when I picked it up . Do you know if the inverter needs to be charged before it will be able to work ?

[Mandog]

Look at the data plate inside the refrigerator. It will tell you if it’s 12V or 110V. If 12 V your truck will keep up with it to run continuously.

[Mandog]

I now use a lanyard I made from a decorative cord. Just place it over the latch safety and no problem. It just pees me off seeing a dent from the door hitting the dinning table.

[Mandog]

Yes get an adapter dog bone to use a standard 20 amp circuit at your house. Do not run the AC units though.

[Mandog]

The latch has a pop rivet an I peened it a couple times but wouldn’t stay tight.

[SlowrideHD]

Originally Posted by Mike72

Thank you for the reply . My trailer battery was mostly dead when I picked it up . Do you know if the inverter needs to be charged before it will be able to work ?

Inverters that power residential refrigerators require 12 volt battery(s) to supply power. A residential fridge requires quite a bit of power to run for 12 hours. If you only have a single 12 volt battery, it usually will not power the fridge overnight. Even a pair of 12 volt batteries, if they aren't true deep cycle, will struggle to power a fridge overnight. You will know that your batteries are NOT true deep cycle if they have any sort of CCA rating on the data plate. A lot of folks on here that require that amount of 12 volt power opt for at least one pair of golf cart sized 6 volt batteries, wired in series for 12 v. For instance, the Trojan T-105 golf cart battery, in pairs, is a suitable choice.

Also realize that if your voltage has dropped below 12.05-12.10 volts, you are permanently damaging the battery and it will become less and less useful. 12.7 volts is approximately 100% state of charge and 12.1 volts is only about 50% state of charge. It is generally recommended to never drop below this for any length of time as battery degradation will result.

[SlowrideHD]

Originally Posted by Mandog

Yes get an adapter dog bone to use a standard 20 amp circuit at your house. Do not run the AC units though.

It is helpful to quote the post that you are replying to. It's less confusing to others. Sometimes it is difficult to sort which comment is directed where.

[RGrimm]

Originally Posted by SlowrideHD

It is helpful to quote the post that you are replying to. It's less confusing to others. Sometimes it is difficult to sort which comment is directed where.

I agree, especially on a thread like this one that has moved in a different direction from Mandog's original post/subject about the door latch issue on the Everchill 12V (residential style) refrigerator.

To the original thread subject (refrig door latch), I attached a black 1/2" wide elastic strap. The strap has a loop on the latch end that slides over the upper latch handle and stretches to the hindge side of the refrig. When at our day's destination I unhook the strap and it just hangs down out of the way. I'll post a photo soon.
-Russ