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| What kind of fridge now a-days [message #298291] |
Tue, 29 March 2016 12:23  |
tgeiger
Messages: 518
Registered: February 2006
Location: kansas city
Karma: -1
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Been wondering if I should replace my fridge (all electric) with a propane and 120v setup. My fridge in there now works great. Never has any issue except I can't boondock with it. I'm in Missouri and have a few places to go fishing and would like to go off grid if needed for a few days to a week if necessary, (depending on how good their biting). So I didn't know if one specific Refrig maker is better than the others, and then what model? I think I have all the other requirements to put in a propane setup. Venting on backside of fridge, venting above fridge, the only items I would have to do is open a hole through the floor of the compartment behind the fridge for the propane to escape through and then also run the propane line to the fridge area. Any suggestions?
Tom Geiger
76 Eleganza II
KCMO
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| Re: [GMCnet] What kind of fridge now a-days [message #298293 is a reply to message #298291] |
Tue, 29 March 2016 12:38  |
James Hupy
Messages: 6806
Registered: May 2010
Karma: -62
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Most Royale coaches were fitted with Dometic refrigerators. Some were 2
way and some were 3 way. Most of them were made in Sweden. They were a high
quality product. My original 3 way lasted until last year, and I replaced
it with a 2 way as the 12 volt options are no longer available. The new one
does not say made in Sweden on it, so I assume that it is no longer made
there. Seems to work really well. New one fit where the old one was, and
has 1 cubic foot more space inside. I'm happy with it.
I have installed a Norcold replacement fridge for a customer. It also
replaced a Norcold. It failed shortly after installation, and Norcold would
not honor the warranty. Owner was not pleased. Vendor was in Texas. They
didn't help much either. I will not install another Norcold.
Jim Hupy
Salem, Or
78 GMC ROYALE 403
On Mar 29, 2016 10:24 AM, "tom geiger" wrote:
> Been wondering if I should replace my fridge (all electric) with a propane
> and 120v setup. My fridge in there now works great. Never has any issue
> except I can't boondock with it. I'm in Missouri and have a few places to
> go fishing and would like to go off grid if needed for a few days to a week
> if necessary, (depending on how good their biting). So I didn't know if
> one specific Refrig maker is better than the others, and then what model?
> I
> think I have all the other requirements to put in a propane setup. Venting
> on backside of fridge, venting above fridge, the only items I would have
> to do is open a hole through the floor of the compartment behind the
> fridge for the propane to escape through and then also run the propane line
> to
> the fridge area. Any suggestions?
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
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| Re: What kind of fridge now a-days [message #298298 is a reply to message #298291] |
Tue, 29 March 2016 15:08 |
lqqkatjon
Messages: 2324
Registered: October 2010
Location: St. Cloud, MN
Karma: 5
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I am partial to Dometic fridges now. Mainly because of some installation criteria that you are able to maintain that is listed in the dometic manuals. If I remember correctly....(been a year).
you can do as stated above and try to keep up with battery charging with solar, or generator. $600 in solar later, I personally could still not keep up with the battery drain, just made it take a little bit longer to drain the batteries dead.
You can buy a new fridge, for over $1000, and have it nice and shiny.
you can find a bad used fridge and have it reconditioned, and you can do that for $450-$600(probably closer to $600).
or you can keep your eye out and find a nice used fridge, but that takes time and perseverance. I passed on one years ago for $250, and bought the one I have now for $300.
The particular fridge I looked for was a Dometic rm2652. the 53 and some " tall is about all you can go in height. width and depth was not the issue getting the fridge to fit between the wheel well, and the curved roof. If you have ability to move the fridge away from the seam(rain gutter), you could maybe get a taller fridge, but I needed it as close to the outside wall as possible, and the 53" tall fridge was all that would fit.
read the manuals, there is some items to keep in mind to make sure you have it installed properly. I just quickly tossed up some pictures of my fridge changeover I did last june in my palm beach.
now the only thing hampering how long I can go boondocking is my black water capacity...
http://www.lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
Jon Roche
75 palm beach
EBL EFI, manny headers, Micro Level, rebuilt most of coach now.
St. Cloud, MN
http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
[Updated on: Tue, 29 March 2016 15:11] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: What kind of fridge now a-days [message #298299 is a reply to message #298291] |
Tue, 29 March 2016 15:18 |
lqqkatjon
Messages: 2324
Registered: October 2010
Location: St. Cloud, MN
Karma: 5
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http://loz.craigslist.org/rvs/5458827321.html
http://kansascity.craigslist.org/rvs/5493679762.html
I am not positive if either of the above would fit, but gives you an idea what might be available used. as long as the coils are clean(not rusted out), and you know kinda where it came from, I would not be afraid of a used fridge. worst case you have to put in $400 to referbish it, still cheaper then new. As long as they work to begin with, I think anything could die at anytime or run forever.
Jon Roche
75 palm beach
EBL EFI, manny headers, Micro Level, rebuilt most of coach now.
St. Cloud, MN
http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
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| Re: What kind of fridge now a-days [message #298304 is a reply to message #298299] |
Tue, 29 March 2016 16:12 |
Carl S.
Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.
Karma: 13
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Tom,
As a frequent boondocker, I found that the all electric Norcold was a really bad option. Unless you have a LOT of solar (I have a 140 watt system - not nearly enough) you will barely keep up with the electrical consumption during a bright sunny day (with no shadows on your panels), but will NOT have enough power to recharge your batteries from night time use. A small generator, like a Honda or Yamaha, that is reliable, will cost you as much as a 2-way or 3-way fridge.
I installed a Norcold 641-3 a number of years ago and couldn't be happier with it. As Jim H said, your mileage may vary. The one he had that failed must have been a lemon.
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/g5863-norcold-refrigerator-installation.html
Carl Stouffer
'75 ex Palm Beach
Tucson, AZ.
Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles, Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
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| Re: What kind of fridge now a-days [message #298305 is a reply to message #298304] |
Tue, 29 March 2016 16:18 |
Carl S.
Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.
Karma: 13
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Oh, I forgot to mention - generators are noisy, even the little inverter generators, and will bother your fellow boondockers.
Carl Stouffer
'75 ex Palm Beach
Tucson, AZ.
Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles, Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
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| Re: [GMCnet] What kind of fridge now a-days [message #298307 is a reply to message #298306] |
Tue, 29 March 2016 16:54 |
lqqkatjon
Messages: 2324
Registered: October 2010
Location: St. Cloud, MN
Karma: 5
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I think this is what i found. That there instructions do not allow for that.
The dometic instructions do have a way to install it per their specs in there instructions in our motorhomes.
<rallymaster wrote on Tue, 29 March 2016 16:42Ok , so it was a lemon. But they still didn't stand behind their
warranty. It failed at about 10 months.
The problem is that Norcold will not warranty any installation which does
not meet their installation instructions, which cannot be done in a stock
GMC motorhome, due to the location of the lower vent opening not being at
or below the bottom of the fridge compartment floor.
RonC
On Tue, 29 Mar 2016 15:12:26 -0600 Carl Stouffer
writes:
> Tom,
> I installed a Norcold 641-3 a number of years ago and couldn't be
> happier with it. As Jim H said, your mileage may vary. The one he
> had that failed
> must have been a lemon.
>
>
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/g5863-norcold-refrigerator-installation
.html
> --
> Carl Stouffer
> '75 ex Palm Beach
> Tucson, AZ.
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
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Ron & Linda Clark
North Plains, ORYGUN
78 Eleganza II
_______________________________________________
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Jon Roche
75 palm beach
EBL EFI, manny headers, Micro Level, rebuilt most of coach now.
St. Cloud, MN
http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
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| Re: [GMCnet] What kind of fridge now a-days [message #298308 is a reply to message #298306] |
Tue, 29 March 2016 17:24 |
jimk
Messages: 6734
Registered: July 2006
Location: Belmont, CA
Karma: 9
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Senior Member |
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Should you be interested on a Norcold , let me know as we can quote a
delivered price on a new one.
On Tue, Mar 29, 2016 at 2:42 PM, wrote:
> Ok , so it was a lemon. But they still didn't stand behind their
> warranty. It failed at about 10 months.
> The problem is that Norcold will not warranty any installation which does
> not meet their installation instructions, which cannot be done in a stock
> GMC motorhome, due to the location of the lower vent opening not being at
> or below the bottom of the fridge compartment floor.
>
> RonC
>
> On Tue, 29 Mar 2016 15:12:26 -0600 Carl Stouffer
> writes:
>> Tom,
>
>> I installed a Norcold 641-3 a number of years ago and couldn't be
>> happier with it. As Jim H said, your mileage may vary. The one he
>> had that failed
>> must have been a lemon.
>>
>>
> http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/g5863-norcold-refrigerator-installation
> .html
>> --
>> Carl Stouffer
>> '75 ex Palm Beach
>> Tucson, AZ.
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>>
>
>
> Ron & Linda Clark
> North Plains, ORYGUN
> 78 Eleganza II
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
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--
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Fremont,CA
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
http://www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
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Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
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| Re: [GMCnet] What kind of fridge now a-days [message #298316 is a reply to message #298311] |
Tue, 29 March 2016 23:43 |
jimk
Messages: 6734
Registered: July 2006
Location: Belmont, CA
Karma: 9
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Senior Member |
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I understand your concern, but with good vent at the top, which is not good
on most, it becomes a concern.
We move the top vent toward the wall and update with the newer streamlined
vent which has larger area, it helps to reduce the stagnant air at the
bottom.
We have done over 40 units with Norcoid and Dometic for several years and
have not seen problems in high temperature in the 90's.
I discourage people from storing in that area as it will develope a very
warm area there.
On Tue, Mar 29, 2016 at 4:20 PM, wrote:
> Just don't put it in a GMC with a lower vent opening that doesn't extend
> at least to the floor of the fridge compartment and expect a warranty.
> Coach with a 2 door fridge mounted over the wheel has that opening 8"
> above the floor of the compartment.
>
> ronc
>
> On Tue, 29 Mar 2016 15:24:50 -0700 Jim Kanomata
> writes:
>> ?Should you be interested on a Norcold , let me know as we can
>> quote a
>> delivered price on a new one.?
>>
>> On Tue, Mar 29, 2016 at 2:42 PM, wrote:
>>
>>> Ok , so it was a lemon. But they still didn't stand behind their
>>> warranty. It failed at about 10 months.
>>> The problem is that Norcold will not warranty any installation
>> which does
>>> not meet their installation instructions, which cannot be done in
>> a stock
>>> GMC motorhome, due to the location of the lower vent opening not
>> being at
>>> or below the bottom of the fridge compartment floor.
>>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
--
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Fremont,CA
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
http://www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
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Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
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| Re: What kind of fridge now a-days [message #298320 is a reply to message #298291] |
Wed, 30 March 2016 06:37 |
tgeiger
Messages: 518
Registered: February 2006
Location: kansas city
Karma: -1
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Thanks guys. As of now I'm sure I have the stock venting behind and above the fridge. I will look into this further. If I do, am I understanding correctly that there will have to be some vent relocation done? Yikes, not liking that too much. Hope I'm wrong on that. Anyhow, thanks for the information. I have some reading to do this weekend if I am to pursue this further.
Tom
Tom Geiger
76 Eleganza II
KCMO
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| Re: What kind of fridge now a-days [message #298322 is a reply to message #298320] |
Wed, 30 March 2016 07:13 |
rvanwin
Messages: 325
Registered: April 2007
Location: Battlefield, MO
Karma: 6
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tgeiger wrote on Wed, 30 March 2016 06:37Thanks guys. As of now I'm sure I have the stock venting behind and above the fridge. I will look into this further. If I do, am I understanding correctly that there will have to be some vent relocation done? Yikes, not liking that too much. Hope I'm wrong on that. Anyhow, thanks for the information. I have some reading to do this weekend if I am to pursue this further.
Tom, If you are up to a little road trip, give Leon a call (http://www.fixyourfridge.com/) in Shipshewana, IN. He can usually locate a relatively new fridge that has failed and rebuilds them to better than new. He knows the GMC and will install. Can't say what he currently charges but 3 years ago it was less than $700 to install one in my coach. If you don't want to make the trip, he will also ship.
Randy & Margie
'77 Eleganza II '403'
Battlefield, MO
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| Re: [GMCnet] What kind of fridge now a-days [message #298324 is a reply to message #298304] |
Wed, 30 March 2016 08:15 |
Emery Stora
Messages: 959
Registered: January 2011
Karma: 4
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I also have the Norcold 641-3. It has worked great for several years now.
When installing a refrigerator the most important thing to do is to make sure you have the original factory installed baffle that directs air from the side vent down to the edge of the cooling tubes. It also helps the efficiency of your refrigerator to have a properly insulated cabinet.
Here are some pictures of my installation.
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/refrigerator-compartment-insulation-26amp-3b-baffle/p22306-p10100111.html
Emery Stora
77 Kingsley
Frederick, CO
> On Mar 29, 2016, at 3:12 PM, Carl Stouffer wrote:
>
> Tom,
>
> As a frequent boondocker, I found that the all electric Norcold was a really bad option. Unless you have a LOT of solar (I have a 140 watt system -
> not nearly enough) you will barely keep up with the electrical consumption during a bright sunny day (with no shadows on your panels), but will NOT
> have enough power to recharge your batteries from night time use. A small generator, like a Honda or Yamaha, that is reliable, will cost you as much
> as a 2-way or 3-way fridge.
>
> I installed a Norcold 641-3 a number of years ago and couldn't be happier with it. As Jim H said, your mileage may vary. The one he had that failed
> must have been a lemon.
>
> http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/g5863-norcold-refrigerator-installation.html
> --
> Carl Stouffer
> '75 ex Palm Beach
> Tucson, AZ.
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
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| Re: What kind of fridge now a-days [message #298328 is a reply to message #298326] |
Wed, 30 March 2016 09:39 |
Carl S.
Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.
Karma: 13
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Senior Member |
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lqqkatjon wrote on Wed, 30 March 2016 07:29look at my pictures. If you have a vent on the roof, you do not need to do any vent relocation.
http://www.lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/2016/03/installing-propane-fride.html
here is another propane fridge line install:
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/g6456-adding-propane-line-for-new-fridge.html
I didn't move any vents either. I DID build a baffle and insulate the fridge compartment. I also installed a couple of solar powered fans at the top vent. My installation is not exactly per the Norcold installation guide, but I got as close as I could. It has been trouble free for almost five years.
Carl Stouffer
'75 ex Palm Beach
Tucson, AZ.
Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles, Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
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| Re: [GMCnet] What kind of fridge now a-days [message #298332 is a reply to message #298292] |
Wed, 30 March 2016 11:43 |
<rallymaster
Messages: 361
Registered: May 2014
Karma: 2
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Senior Member |
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Jim, I'm not saying that Norcold refrigerators are no good, The Norcold I
replaced with the one that failed lasted over 20 years before it gave up.
I'm just saying, "Don't expect a Norcold factory warranty on the one you
install if they find out the installation didn't follow their
instructions." A warranty replacement has to come from through a factory
authorized Norcold agency.
RonC
On Tue, 29 Mar 2016 21:43:29 -0700 Jim Kanomata
writes:
> I understand your concern, but with good vent at the top, which is
> not good
> on most, it becomes a concern.
> We move the top vent toward the wall and update with the newer
> streamlined
> vent which has larger area, it helps to reduce the stagnant air at
> the
> bottom.
> We have done over 40 units with Norcoid and Dometic for several
> years and
> have not seen problems in high temperature in the 90's.
> I discourage people from storing in that area as it will develope a
> very
> warm area there.
>
>
> On Tue, Mar 29, 2016 at 4:20 PM, wrote:
>
>> Just don't put it in a GMC with a lower vent opening that doesn't
> extend
>> at least to the floor of the fridge compartment and expect a
> warranty.
>> Coach with a 2 door fridge mounted over the wheel has that opening
> 8"
>> above the floor of the compartment.
>>
>> ronc
>>
>> On Tue, 29 Mar 2016 15:24:50 -0700 Jim Kanomata
>
>> writes:
>>> ?Should you be interested on a Norcold , let me know as we can
>>> quote a
>>> delivered price on a new one.?
>>>
>>> On Tue, Mar 29, 2016 at 2:42 PM, wrote:
>>>
>>>> Ok , so it was a lemon. But they still didn't stand behind
> their
>>>> warranty. It failed at about 10 months.
>>>> The problem is that Norcold will not warranty any
> installation
>>> which does
>>>> not meet their installation instructions, which cannot be done
> in
>>> a stock
>>>> GMC motorhome, due to the location of the lower vent opening
> not
>>> being at
>>>> or below the bottom of the fridge compartment floor.
>>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>>
>
>
>
> --
> Jim Kanomata
> Applied/GMC, Fremont,CA
> lters.com
> http://www.appliedgmc.com
> 1-800-752-7502
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
Ron & Linda Clark
North Plains, ORYGUN
78 Eleganza II
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