Residential Refrigerators

Hi,

We have been researching and researching – and researching some more, and Carriage/Lifestyle is at the very top of our list.
Ideally we’d like to have an inverter and a residential refrigerator.

Was a residential refrigerator available in any Carriage branded models or is that only available in the Lifestyle brand?

Thanks!

When I was looking at Carriage I did not see it as an option for any of the units. I have a 2012 Cameo.

The residential frig was not a Cameo option. However, several forum members have swapped out the 12 cu.ft. Norcold for a residential unit. You will probably find information and photos if you start a search.

At the Quartzsite RV show, La Mesa RV had 4 new Lifestyles on display and most had the residential fridge option. In addition,they also have a few on display in Yuma and again, most have the residential fridge option. I noticed 3 12 volt batteries, and a 2000 watt inverter/charger, mounted high on the sidewall of front compartment

I would say the residential refrigerator may be gaining in popularity as these units were regular inventory and not special orders.

Rick

I checked my 2011 Cameo brochure and it’s not listed as an option.

Good hunting for your new RV.

I had to “Split” this Topic as it went from being about Residential Refrigerators to being hijacked about Inverters. Please keep this thread to be about Residential Refrigerators. The remainder of the “Split” about the Inverters can be found under “Electrical Components” then Topic: “Pure Sine Wave Inverters”.

Please make an effort to look at the “Subject Line” before posting/replying.

B.W.

Carriage didn’t offer a residential unit when we purchased our 2011 Carri-lite. I changed ours out over 3 years ago and have never had a single problem with it. We don’t have an inverter but we never boondock and the fridge and freezer stay cold easily for 8 hours plus while traveling even in very hot weather.

Chip

I’m in the process of upgrading to a residential refrigerator. Lots of planning and research, of course! My goal has been to stick with a top, freezer conventional style as they are rated s the most efficient (CEE Tier III) and most reliable. I’m not interested in water/ice maker indoor or otherwise due to not being a full-timer. Plus, ice-makers are prone to problems.
One of the other and HUGE considerations is refrigerator size. The RV door opening is only 28″ wide. I’m going to suggest to LS that they start using a 30″. Anyway, I cannot find a top freezer of the width needed that will fit through the door. That’s to bad because I found one of the most energy efficient units built that would fit in the opening with very minimum modification, however, the box with the doors removed is slightly over 28″. So it is too risky to purchase and not be able to get it into the rig.
I have found a 21.7 Kenmore/Whirlpool side/side with ice/water that will fit through the door and in the cut out with some modification. It is Tier II rated. So not as efficient but not bad. It is on sale at Sears now for $884.
The Samsung French door 17.8 is currently on sale at Home Depot $987. It is Tier I rated. I have been trying to keep the refrigerator I choose most efficient to help in preserving battery power while on inverter.
I thought I’d pass this info along for others interested in a residential upgrade. Phillip

Phillip,

Two things about the energy rating. They are for 68 degree ambient, so with our going down the road in unheated space, and wall temps well above 90 degrees you should see even more benefits from the higher rating. But for a lot of this to be relevant to battery drain, the frig’s amp draw would need to exceed the tow vehicle’s charge rate capacity through the thin trailer wiring.

Unfortunately, a lot of the rating has to do with the size of the various door openings, and the presumed number if openings at 68 degrees per year. There is no way for those huge bottom freezers with bottomless drawers to compete. But the convenience factor is huge. If you don’t have kids opening doors regularly or the frig is turned off regularly, the energy savings are over stated.

I think falconhunter’s posted a list of all the then current frig’s that would fit, but not sure of his door size.

My door width is 28″ in the clear between the jamb.
Chip

We took the Norcold out of the LS on Saturday and its new owners picked it up on Sunday. Good Riddance!
The Samsung RF197 was ordered on Sunday and will be in on the 15. I will have the mods necessary all ready when the new fridge arrives to make a simple install. All I will have to do is slip it into the spot and secure it down to the floor.
As it turns out the side by side Whirlpool would not make it through the door. The Samsung is only 24 1/4 inches deep without the doors. The width is perfect for the cut-out at 31 1/8.
The last 2 days I have been modifying the cabinet to accommodate the new fridge. We are removing the bottom drawer so the new fridge will set right on the slide out floor. The floor has to be extended out to the lower trim piece to support the front wheels.
I’m going to relocate the bottom drawer to the top of the refrig so we will still have a pot/pans storage area. It will not be as deep as current but still deep enough for a stock pot. There will be plenty of room atop the fridge for that.
I’m running a dedicated line for the fridge from the new Go-Power 1000 watt pure sine wave inverter. The inverter will have a remote switch to power it on and off without having to go into the basement. I’m installing a switch beside the stove to manually switch the fridge 110 outlet between shore power and inverter power.
So far all is going well and we are SO excited to get this new fridge. Research says it cool down fast and uses little energy.
Phillip

Phillip,

Is that the Samsung French door 17.8 is currently on sale at Home Depot $987?

Just thinking….

I am the only one in the house that can use cabinets above the microwave or future frig! Keep us posted.

I suspect that you mean shallow cabinets above to preserve rear ventilation – or is that no longer necessary and you can seal up the mud daubber access areas?

Yes, the fridge is currently on sale at the HD.
Ventilation requirements are minimal. Since the units cabinet depth is only 24 1/4 inches, there will be some space behind the unit so that the washer drain and water lines will not have to moved. This will allow for plenty of ventilation.
I have completely sealed-up the lower exterior vent, however, it is still removable to allow access to the rear of the new fridge. I sealed-up 2 of the 3 “rows” of the upper vent. This will allow plenty air-flow for the rear of the unit.
The pots and pan drawer the LS installed is really nice but it did make access to the freezer difficult for anyone under 5′ 8″ or so. Moving it to the top will be better than loosing it completely. Most likely, I will not install a drawer but just let the pots/pans sit atop the fridge and place a board along the rear of the unit so they don’t fall behind.
Personally, I would not be comfortable placing the new Samsung unit (20 lbs heavier than the Norcold) atop the platform that LS used.
I am trying to take some pix along the way but I underway and forget. I will keep this thread going on the progress rather than start an new one if that is OK. Phillip