| 2-Way Refrigerator Recommendations [message #121681] |
Wed, 13 April 2011 11:52  |
Jon payne
Messages: 495
Registered: May 2008
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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The cooling unit in my Sears 3-Way Refrigerator gave up the ghost last year. Tried all the tricks like turning it upside down but no luck. I know there is a place in Indiana that can rebuild the cooling unit for around $500 but this one is a bit beat up and I rather not spend the cash to rebuild it.
So, I am looking for some recommendations on 2-Way refrigerators. I have been doing some research and they all see pretty nice so not sure which one to choose. Any suggestions would be appreciated!
Jon
Jon Payne
76 Palm Beach
Westfield,IN
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| Re: 2-Way Refrigerator Recommendations [message #121684 is a reply to message #121681] |
Wed, 13 April 2011 12:44  |
idrob
Messages: 645
Registered: January 2005
Location: Central Idaho
Karma: 0
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| Jon Payne wrote on Wed, 13 April 2011 09:52 |
The cooling unit in my Sears 3-Way Refrigerator gave up the ghost last year. Tried all the tricks like turning it upside down but no luck. I know there is a place in Indiana that can rebuild the cooling unit for around $500 but this one is a bit beat up and I rather not spend the cash to rebuild it.
So, I am looking for some recommendations on 2-Way refrigerators. I have been doing some research and they all see pretty nice so not sure which one to choose. Any suggestions would be appreciated!
Jon
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Jon: Refrigerators may be like tires, lots of opinions, no real conclusions. But, here are my thoughts. By 2 way you mean propane and 120 volts right? The original Norcold refrigerator in most factory built GMC's was a compressor system which operated on 12 or 120 volts. It could be called a 2 way also, but I think you are probably talking about a propane/120 volt 2 way. A 12 volt option on a propane unit makes it a 3 way refrigerator, about useless in my opinion, due to the huge amount of 12 volt power needed.
Most RV refrigerators today are electronic ignition ones, that is they have no standing pilot flame system. Electronic ignitions are fairly reliable, but do take 12 volts to have them operate. I am old school, and still like the High Flame, Low Flame systems used in the past, no 12 volt at all, but few are still made.
I have always liked Dometic refrigerators. The Norcold units have had many recall issues in recent years, and fewer on the Dometic's. I am not sure if there are many other brands around. You generally have to fit a specific space available, so the one from either brand which will fit in your available space kind of limits your choice.
Since you live in Indiana, you might look at the RV surplus outlets around the RV manufacturing area of the state. Sometimes they can have some good deals from what I understand, especially from inventory from a bankrupt manufacturer who had refrigerators in stock when they went belly up.
Good hunting.
Rob Allen
former owner of '76 x-PB
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| Re: [GMCnet] 2-Way Refrigerator Recommendations [message #121685 is a reply to message #121684] |
Wed, 13 April 2011 13:01 |
k2gkk
Messages: 4452
Registered: November 2009
Karma: -8
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Senior Member |
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More modern 12vdc/120vac refrigerators use a highly efficient
Danfoss compressor that should be far easier on your battery
than those of earlier vintage such as the OEM.
An 8 cu ft Vitrifrigo or Tundra draws just 4.5 Amps on 12vdc
when it is running! They are also quite well insulated and
probably run less.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~~ ~ D C "Mac" Macdonald ~ ~~
~ ~ Amateur Radio - K2GKK ~ ~
~ ~ USAF and FAA, Retired ~ ~
~ ~ ~ Oklahoma City, OK ~ ~ ~
~~ ~ ~ "The Money Pit" ~ ~ ~~
~ ~ ~ ex-Palm Beach, 76 ~ ~ ~
~ www.gmcmhphotos.com/okclb ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
> To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
> From: profmail@wildblue.net
> Date: Wed, 13 Apr 2011 12:44:21 -0500
> Subject: Re: [GMCnet] 2-Way Refrigerator Recommendations
>
> Jon Payne wrote on Wed, 13 April 2011 09:52
> > The cooling unit in my Sears 3-Way Refrigerator gave up the ghost last year. Tried all the tricks like turning it upside down but no luck. I know there is a place in Indiana that can rebuild the cooling unit for around $500 but this one is a bit beat up and I rather not spend the cash to rebuild it.
> >
> > So, I am looking for some recommendations on 2-Way refrigerators. I have been doing some research and they all see pretty nice so not sure which one to choose. Any suggestions would be appreciated!
> >
> > Jon
>
>
> Jon: Refrigerators may be like tires, lots of opinions, no real conclusions. But, here are my thoughts. By 2 way you mean propane and 120 volts right? The original Norcold refrigerator in most factory built GMC's was a compressor system which operated on 12 or 120 volts. It could be called a 2 way also, but I think you are probably talking about a propane/120 volt 2 way. A 12 volt option on a propane unit makes it a 3 way refrigerator, about useless in my opinion, due to the huge amount of 12 volt power needed.
>
> Most RV refrigerators today are electronic ignition ones, that is they have no standing pilot flame system. Electronic ignitions are fairly reliable, but do take 12 volts to have them operate. I am old school, and still like the High Flame, Low Flame systems used in the past, no 12 volt at all, but few are still made.
>
> I have always liked Dometic refrigerators. The Norcold units have had many recall issues in recent years, and fewer on the Dometic's. I am not sure if there are many other brands around. You generally have to fit a specific space available, so the one from either brand which will fit in your available space kind of limits your choice.
>
> Since you live in Indiana, you might look at the RV surplus outlets around the RV manufacturing area of the state. Sometimes they can have some good deals from what I understand, especially from inventory from a bankrupt manufacturer who had refrigerators in stock when they went belly up.
>
> Good hunting.
>
>
> --
> Rob Allen
> former owner of '76 x-PB
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| Re: 2-Way Refrigerator Recommendations [message #121712 is a reply to message #121681] |
Wed, 13 April 2011 18:25 |
Rick Williams
Messages: 256
Registered: July 2004
Karma: 0
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Jon
I have a Norcold N641 in my coach and a Dometic RM2652 in my travel trailer. Either one should fit in your coach but be sure to check dimensions. Both brands have had their share of recalls but I think that either one is fine. Sort of like Ford vs Chevy. I like the Norcold better from a looks standpoint. The door handles are recessed into the door and therefore do not stick out into the hallway of the coach. It is not a big deal but it is about three inches. I was able to get real wood raised door panels for the Norcold from Bontragers RV salvage in White Pigeon, Michigan . http://bontragers.com/
Rick
Rick Williams
Bliss, Michigan
1978 Eleganza II
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| Re: 2-Way Refrigerator Recommendations [message #121782 is a reply to message #121712] |
Thu, 14 April 2011 11:57 |
Jon payne
Messages: 495
Registered: May 2008
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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Thanks Rick.
I found a store on the web, www.factoryrvsurplus.com that sells both models. They are located in Elkhart IN. I contacted them and they do have them in stock. And since we live just a few hours away I will save on shipping costs. Heck they even offered to install it in place, but not hook up. Pricing seem good too. They sell DM2652 for $995 and the N641 for $1050.I compared to Camping World since there is a store about 35 miles from me, and the sell the Dometic $1300 and the Norcold for $1500. Yikes!
Jon
Jon Payne
76 Palm Beach
Westfield,IN
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