Refrigerators - Revision history

Bob Crisler at 02:21, 8 January 2024

2024-01-08T02:21:20Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:21, 7 January 2024
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	\|safety		\|safety
	\|potential fire hazard; many RV fires are reported to start in refrigerator compartment		\|potential fire hazard; many RV fires are reported to start in refrigerator compartment
	\|		\|no issues known
	\|~~120 volt can shock if~~		\|no issues known
	\|-		\|-
	\|use restriction		\|use restriction
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	\|Propane or 120 volt, usually switchable at front panel. 12 volt not typically used.		\|Propane or 120 volt, usually switchable at front panel. 12 volt not typically used.
	\|Always 12 volt, running or stopped		\|Always 12 volt, running or stopped
	\|When connected to shore power, should be powered directly by 120 volt AC source.		\|When connected to shore power, should be powered directly by 120 volt AC source through a transfer switch.
	\|}		\|}
	There are those who swear by their propane-fueled absorption refrigerators, and there are those who swear at them. In the best of cases, an absorption refrigerator takes the better part of a day to get to temperature, and once there it takes a while to recover if the door is opened. There is a reason we don't use absorption refrigerators in the home ... they're just not competitive with compressor-cycle fridges in any area of performance, and they are a potential fire hazard. Even moreso in a moving RV. They compromise the overall heating and cooling of the RV because they must vent to open air. In short, because the efficient 12 volt compressor refrigerator has come of age, and high-capacity LifePo4 batteries are readily available, along with affordable solar, there are few reasons left to choose an absorption fridge.		There are those who swear by their propane-fueled absorption refrigerators, and there are those who swear at them. In the best of cases, an absorption refrigerator takes the better part of a day to get to temperature, and once there it takes a while to recover if the door is opened. There is a reason we don't use absorption refrigerators in the home ... they're just not competitive with compressor-cycle fridges in any area of performance, and they are a potential fire hazard. Even moreso in a moving RV. They compromise the overall heating and cooling of the RV because they must vent to open air. In short, because the efficient 12 volt compressor refrigerator has come of age, and high-capacity LifePo4 batteries are readily available, along with affordable solar, there are few reasons left to choose an absorption fridge.

Bob Crisler at 18:50, 30 September 2021

2021-09-30T18:50:47Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:50, 30 September 2021
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	The subject of refrigerators for the GMC is a well-traveled one. There are two basic options: absorption refrigerators, which depend on a heat source, usually propane, to initiate a liquid/gas cycle using ammonia in a spiral tube, and compression refrigerators, which use a compressor to sustain a vapor compression cycle. Typically, an absorption apparatus is considerably larger than a comparable-capacity compression system, and in an equivalently-sized compartment, that space has to come from somewhere, and that somewhere is the refrigerator box. Absorption refrigerators have less usable capacity than compression refrigerators.		The subject of refrigerators for the GMC is a well-traveled one. There are two basic options: absorption refrigerators, which depend on a heat source, usually propane, to initiate a liquid/gas cycle using ammonia in a spiral tube, and compression refrigerators, which use a compressor to sustain a vapor compression cycle. Typically, an absorption apparatus is considerably larger than a comparable-capacity compression system, and in an equivalently-sized compartment, that space has to come from somewhere, and that somewhere is the refrigerator box. Absorption refrigerators, as a rule, have less usable capacity than compression refrigerators.
	{\| class="wikitable"		{\| class="wikitable"
	\|+Propane, 12 volt or 120 volt ... Pros/Cons		\|+Propane, 12 volt or 120 volt ... Pros/Cons
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	==== Wiring ====		==== Wiring ====
	The existing 12-volt circuit running to the refrigerator compartment of a GMC is 12 awg wire, capable of sustaining 10 amps over a 16-foot run. A Norcold N8DC pulls considerably less than that; for peace of mind, this circuit can be fused at 10 amps without issue. If you're going the route of running a dedicated inverter to power a 120 volt compressor fridge, you may find that your compartment is already supplied with a 120 volt AC circuit; a larger inverter can supply that circuit, or you can run dedicated 10 gauge 12 volt wiring to the refrigerator compartment; 25 amps can power a 300-watt inverter, providing enough power to run an apartment-size refrigerator ~~such as the~~ models ~~from RCA or Frigidaire~~.		The existing 12-volt circuit running to the refrigerator compartment of a GMC is 12 awg wire, capable of sustaining 10 amps over a 16-foot run. A Norcold N8DC pulls considerably less than that; for peace of mind, this circuit can be fused at 10 amps without issue. If you're going the route of running a dedicated inverter to power a 120 volt compressor fridge, you may find that your compartment is already supplied with a 120 volt AC circuit; a larger inverter can supply that circuit, or you can run dedicated 10 gauge 12 volt wiring to the refrigerator compartment; 25 amps can power a 300-watt AC inverter, providing enough power to run some apartment-size refrigerator models.

	==== Sources ====		==== Sources ====
	If you're open to scratch and dent refrigerators that may require cosmetic repair, [https://fixyourfridge.com/scratch-dent-pricing/ National RV Refrigeration] in Shipsewana, Indiana has a solid reputation in the GMC community.		If you're open to scratch and dent refrigerators that may require cosmetic repair, [https://fixyourfridge.com/scratch-dent-pricing/ National RV Refrigeration] in Shipsewana, Indiana has a solid reputation in the GMC community.

Bob Crisler at 04:42, 29 September 2021

2021-09-29T04:42:59Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:42, 28 September 2021
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	The subject of refrigerators for the GMC is a well-traveled one. There are two basic options: absorption refrigerators, which depend on a heat source, usually propane, to initiate a liquid/gas cycle using ammonia in a spiral tube, and compression refrigerators, which use a compressor to sustain a vapor compression cycle. Typically, an absorption apparatus is considerably larger than a comparable-capacity compression system, and in an equivalently-sized compartment, that space has to come from somewhere, and that somewhere is the refrigerator box. Absorption refrigerators have less ~~imusable~~ capacity than compression refrigerators.		The subject of refrigerators for the GMC is a well-traveled one. There are two basic options: absorption refrigerators, which depend on a heat source, usually propane, to initiate a liquid/gas cycle using ammonia in a spiral tube, and compression refrigerators, which use a compressor to sustain a vapor compression cycle. Typically, an absorption apparatus is considerably larger than a comparable-capacity compression system, and in an equivalently-sized compartment, that space has to come from somewhere, and that somewhere is the refrigerator box. Absorption refrigerators have less usable capacity than compression refrigerators.
	{\| class="wikitable"		{\| class="wikitable"
	\|+Propane, 12 volt or 120 volt ... Pros/Cons		\|+Propane, 12 volt or 120 volt ... Pros/Cons

Bob Crisler: Added information on capacity differences between compression and absorption systems.

2021-09-29T04:41:56Z

Added information on capacity differences between compression and absorption systems.

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:41, 28 September 2021
Line 1:		Line 1:
	The subject of refrigerators for the GMC is a well-traveled one. There are two basic options: absorption refrigerators, which depend on a heat source, usually propane, to initiate a liquid/gas cycle using ammonia in a spiral tube, and compression refrigerators, which use a compressor to sustain a vapor compression cycle.		The subject of refrigerators for the GMC is a well-traveled one. There are two basic options: absorption refrigerators, which depend on a heat source, usually propane, to initiate a liquid/gas cycle using ammonia in a spiral tube, and compression refrigerators, which use a compressor to sustain a vapor compression cycle. Typically, an absorption apparatus is considerably larger than a comparable-capacity compression system, and in an equivalently-sized compartment, that space has to come from somewhere, and that somewhere is the refrigerator box. Absorption refrigerators have less imusable capacity than compression refrigerators.
	{\| class="wikitable"		{\| class="wikitable"
	\|+Propane, 12 volt or 120 volt ... Pros/Cons		\|+Propane, 12 volt or 120 volt ... Pros/Cons

Bob Crisler: added a decision table

2021-09-29T01:20:33Z

added a decision table

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-The subject of refrigerators for the GMC is a well-traveled one. There are those who swear by their propane-fueled absorption refrigerators, and there are those who swear at them. In the best of cases, an absorption refrigerator takes the better part of a day to get to temperature, and once there it takes a while to recover if the door is opened. There is a reason we don't use absorption refrigerators in the home ... they're just not competitive with compressor-cycle fridges in any area of performance, and they are a potential fire hazard. Even moreso in a moving RV. They compromise the overall heating and cooling of the RV because they must vent to open air. In short, because the efficient 12 volt compressor refrigerator has come of age, and high-capacity LifePo4 batteries are readily available, along with affordable solar, there are few reasons left to choose an absorption fridge.
+The subject of refrigerators for the GMC is a well-traveled one. There are two basic options: absorption refrigerators, which depend on a heat source, usually propane, to initiate a liquid/gas cycle using ammonia in a spiral tube, and compression refrigerators, which use a compressor to sustain a vapor compression cycle.
 ==== 12-volt Refrigerators ====
-Several 12-volt refrigerators are recommended by the GMC community. None fit the existing space in a standard GMC-built interior better than the Norcold N8DC, though. This model has been observed to pull a maximum of 5 amps while the compressor is in operation. Once cool, in a comfortable interior and with the old absorption vents sealed, the N8DC can be expected to cycle about 1/4 to 1/3 of the time, consuming at most 40 amp hours per day. Vitrifrigo also makes a competitive model.
+Several 12-volt refrigerators are recommended by the GMC community. None fit the existing space in a standard GMC-built interior better than the Norcold N8DC, though. This model has been observed to pull a maximum of 5 amps while the compressor is in operation. Once cool, in a comfortable interior and with the old absorption air vents sealed, the N8DC can be expected to cycle about 1/4 to 1/3 of the time, consuming at most 40 amp hours per day. Vitrifrigo also makes a competitive model.
 ==== Sources ====
 If you're open to scratch and dent refrigerators that may require cosmetic repair, [https://fixyourfridge.com/scratch-dent-pricing/ National RV Refrigeration] in Shipsewana, Indiana has a solid reputation in the GMC community.

Bob Crisler: New content

2021-09-29T00:47:52Z

New content

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:47, 28 September 2021
Line 1:		Line 1:
	The subject of refrigerators for the GMC is a well-traveled one. There are those who swear by their propane-fueled absorption refrigerators, and there are those who swear at them. In the best of cases, an absorption refrigerator takes the better part of a day to get to temperature, and once there it takes a while to recover if the door is opened. There is a reason we don't use absorption refrigerators in the home ... they're just not competitive with compressor-cycle fridges in any area of performance, and they are a potential fire hazard. Even moreso in a moving RV. They compromise the overall heating and cooling of the RV because they must vent to open air. In short, because the efficient 12 volt compressor refrigerator has come of age, and high-capacity LifePo4 batteries are readily available, along with affordable solar, there are few reasons left to choose an absorption fridge.		The subject of refrigerators for the GMC is a well-traveled one. There are those who swear by their propane-fueled absorption refrigerators, and there are those who swear at them. In the best of cases, an absorption refrigerator takes the better part of a day to get to temperature, and once there it takes a while to recover if the door is opened. There is a reason we don't use absorption refrigerators in the home ... they're just not competitive with compressor-cycle fridges in any area of performance, and they are a potential fire hazard. Even moreso in a moving RV. They compromise the overall heating and cooling of the RV because they must vent to open air. In short, because the efficient 12 volt compressor refrigerator has come of age, and high-capacity LifePo4 batteries are readily available, along with affordable solar, there are few reasons left to choose an absorption fridge.

			==== 12-volt Refrigerators ====
			Several 12-volt refrigerators are recommended by the GMC community. None fit the existing space in a standard GMC-built interior better than the Norcold N8DC, though. This model has been observed to pull a maximum of 5 amps while the compressor is in operation. Once cool, in a comfortable interior and with the old absorption vents sealed, the N8DC can be expected to cycle about 1/4 to 1/3 of the time, consuming at most 40 amp hours per day. Vitrifrigo also makes a competitive model.

			==== Sources ====
			If you're open to scratch and dent refrigerators that may require cosmetic repair, [https://fixyourfridge.com/scratch-dent-pricing/ National RV Refrigeration] in Shipsewana, Indiana has a solid reputation in the GMC community.

Bob Crisler: Created page with "The subject of refrigerators for the GMC is a well-traveled one. There are those who swear by their propane-fueled absorption refrigerators, and there are those who swear at t..."

2021-09-29T00:36:12Z

Created page with "The subject of refrigerators for the GMC is a well-traveled one. There are those who swear by their propane-fueled absorption refrigerators, and there are those who swear at t..."

New page

The subject of refrigerators for the GMC is a well-traveled one. There are those who swear by their propane-fueled absorption refrigerators, and there are those who swear at them. In the best of cases, an absorption refrigerator takes the better part of a day to get to temperature, and once there it takes a while to recover if the door is opened. There is a reason we don't use absorption refrigerators in the home ... they're just not competitive with compressor-cycle fridges in any area of performance, and they are a potential fire hazard. Even moreso in a moving RV. They compromise the overall heating and cooling of the RV because they must vent to open air. In short, because the efficient 12 volt compressor refrigerator has come of age, and high-capacity LifePo4 batteries are readily available, along with affordable solar, there are few reasons left to choose an absorption fridge.