Refrigerator challenge

Yes that's from the 120v side. Typically the 12v side is a factor of 10x +/-. So 0.5A AC would be about 5A on the DC side through an inverter.
 
I read somewhere that home fridges may not be up to the task of bouncing around on a boat, however, if you can find one that will fit the opening that can be slightly modified to work, I would highly recommend it. My norcold took a crap on my RV this summer. Similar scenario... They run over $2k new, they don't do a 'great' job in my opinion because ice cream is rarely hard, and they typically have a bad rap for increased failure rates. With that said, I installed a home fridge that gave me 50% more capacity, cost 1/4 of the price, looks a ton better, and it keeps ice cream cold. It will even run off my inverter where it draws about 0.5-1A. The new Danfoss compressors are awesome! And the bit about them not being up to the task on a boat seems like a myth to me... My Class A RV bounces around just as bad as my boat.

I doubt it is a myth, home refrigerators are not made to be in a permanent state of transport. For instance the fact that fasteners used are of the lowest grade possible and have no corrosion resistance, is but one difference. It is just not built for this. I would be surprised if warranty would be honored if they knew it was in an RV or boat.

So can a construction worker take the fragile china plates to work each day? Sure but sooner or later it will break.

MM
 
I doubt it is a myth, home refrigerators are not made to be in a permanent state of transport. For instance the fact that fasteners used are of the lowest grade possible and have no corrosion resistance, is but one difference. It is just not built for this. I would be surprised if warranty would be honored if they knew it was in an RV or boat.

So can a construction worker take the fragile china plates to work each day? Sure but sooner or later it will break.

MM

While there is some truth to that, there are numerous posts about people that have installed home fridges that are going well on 10 years plus. In fact, that reminds me, many manufacturers are installing residential fridges factory these days.

When it comes down to it, a fridge is nothing more than a foam box with a compressor on it. There's nothing fancy about it. Even if I replace my residential unit every 10 years, I'm still money ahead AND during that time I gained a ton more space and my ice cream was cold.
 
While there is some truth to that, there are numerous posts about people that have installed home fridges that are going well on 10 years plus. In fact, that reminds me, many manufacturers are installing residential fridges factory these days.

When it comes down to it, a fridge is nothing more than a foam box with a compressor on it. There's nothing fancy about it. Even if I replace my residential unit every 10 years, I'm still money ahead AND during that time I gained a ton more space and my ice cream was cold.

If it works for you, do it. There are always winners and losers. I am aware RV builders appear to be installing home models BUT, we have no way of knowing if they are altered for the RV environment. The Home Depot model will not be.

MM
 
Yes that's from the 120v side. Typically the 12v side is a factor of 10x +/-. So 0.5A AC would be about 5A on the DC side through an inverter.

Sounds about right. So 5 to 10 amps. My replacement Nova Kool runs at 4.4 amps for a 5.3 cu ft 12v/120. Pricier but works well, is very quiet and all stainless designed for the marine environment.
 

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