1988 268 Sundancer - Refrigerator Replacement

[portagejlh]

Thinking of replacing our aging refrigerater with a dorm type unit - according to measurements one would fit. Has anyone else done this? Pro's - Con's?

 

[zippinbye]

The obvious ... no 12V operation? Or were you thinking of pairing with an inverter? I have the same boat (86 actually) and have been wondering when my fridge will die, and what route I would go. Mine probably sees 5% shore power or generator, 25% alternator while engines running, and 70% on a dedicated house battery while anchored, beached or docked. I routinely run it more than 24 hrs. between engine oepration, and am not sure what the actual limit would be to exhaust the battery. But I'm guessing an inverter-sourced dorm fridge would be less efficient and chew up unecessary power compared to a boat/rv fridge running on batteries. It would be unacceptable for me to have a fridge that runs only on shore power or gen. Unless you just hang in marinas when the fridge is called for, I would consdier the more expensive but much more versitile option. But whatever yo decide, let me know if you come across a good replacement. My fridge just looks dated, stained and has some rust on parts. I'm just looking for an excuse to retire it!

 

[Iprof]

The 12V side of my Norcold Trek II died this spring. To replace the power supply over $300.00, so I bought a 300 watt inverter and used the 12V wires to connect the inverter and put a plug on the fridges 120 side. I have a Xantrex Inverter with a link 1000 and with the fridge running before I installed the inverter it drew 3.3 amps now it draws 3.9. I can live with that little increase in power, the batteries get charged when connected to the shore power so there is no difference to keeping things cold. If the 120 side goes then I think I would get a dorm fridge and install it, provided it does not draw a lot of power. I anchor out a lot over the summer and a large draw on the batteries is not good. Last summer I was anchored out for 6 weeks only spent 3 nights at a marina this year it will be 7 weeks. I also bought a 12V/120V 42lt freezer and will be taking that this year, it draws 3.5 amps when it cycles on but will freeze down to -15. It has a digital display and I can adjust it to 40 degrees and have it work like a fridge just in case the fridge does go while away. The freezer only cost me $250.00 Canadian, great price.

Ken

 

[Searay-Bob]

Are you saying you didn't hook up to any power for days at a time? If so what kind and how many batteries do you have? I am going on a week trip and my 12v side also crapped out. I have a 1000 watt inverter and that should handle what I need.
Thanks
Bob