Refrigerator Not Cooling |
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offgrid
Senior Member Joined: 23 Jul 2018 Online Status: Offline Posts: 5290 |
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Topic: Refrigerator Not Cooling Posted: 17 Aug 2022 at 9:24am |
BTW, 100ah Li batteries are down around $350-400 now from many online suppliers. If it wasn't for the charger change out I think it would be a no brainer to make the change. I really don't understand why RV manufacturers are still using lead acid.
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1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |
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mikeyg2347
Groupie Joined: 27 May 2015 Location: MT Online Status: Offline Posts: 75 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 17 Aug 2022 at 9:30am |
How difficult is the charger change out?
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Mike
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StephenH
podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 29 Nov 2015 Location: Wake Forest, NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 6326 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 17 Aug 2022 at 9:41am |
Depends on which power center you have. If it is the WFCO 8955, then order the WFCO-8950L2 MBA and it is a simple matter of switching the converter.
https://www.amazon.com/WFCO-WF-8950L2-MBA-Replacement-Converter-Lithium-Ion/dp/B07TZNCFG4
As for changing refrigerators, see my mods and you will see what I did. The size of the Dometic Coolmatic CRX-1110 is different than the RM-8951. It is a little shorter and a little wider. you will need to modify the opening to fit. I raised the floor with a platform. In hindsight, it would have been easier to use a filler board at the top instead. You will need to cap off the gas line (I did and left the end exposed for inspection). Alternately, find where it fits into the manifold beneath and remove the connection there, plugging the port instead. Ultimately, that is better as it removes the possibility of the hose wearing and leaking. I will likely do that soon. Sources for the refrigerator are several. I purchased from here: An alternative source is here: https://www.westmarine.com/dometic-coolmatic-crx-110-refrigerator-freezer-8846875.html Freight charge extra. Amazon is also a source, but it is a higher price than either. My one dislike about the refrigerator is the freezer door. It opens from the bottom, not the top like the 3-way and is not removable. I have found that on rough roads, the magnetic catch isn't quite strong enough and it can come open. I started putting a refrigerator bar across it and that takes care of it. I like that it has a catch top center that can be changed to hold the door ajar for storage ventilation. It is much better than the 3-way's method.
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StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
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offgrid
Senior Member Joined: 23 Jul 2018 Online Status: Offline Posts: 5290 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 17 Aug 2022 at 11:55am |
One other thing if youre contemplating a Li conversion: if you want to charge from your alternator while towing it is best practice to install a DC/DC converter. The TV voltage regulator is set for lead acid and typically wont charge a Li battery properly. The DC/DC output should be set for the proper change voltage of your Li batteries and should be rated at around 20A and can be installed in the trailer. It (and only it) is connected to the 12V pin of your 7 way connector. You will need to either disconnect when you stop or install a relay I the 12V supply to the TV side of the 7 way so it is only energized when the ignition is on. Also check your solar charge controller to see if it can be set for Li batteries.
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1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |
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StephenH
podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 29 Nov 2015 Location: Wake Forest, NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 6326 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 17 Aug 2022 at 12:01pm |
Or have a vehicle that has a disconnect for the 12V supply built in. My Nissan appears to cut power after a short time. I had installed a dedicated cut-off, wiring, and 2-pole connector for the DC to DC charger. I disconnected the 12V wire from the junction box for the connector cable that plugs into the Bargman connector so I would not be feeding power back through to the Frontier.
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StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
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jato
Senior Member Joined: 23 Feb 2012 Location: Kewadin, MI Online Status: Offline Posts: 3252 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 17 Aug 2022 at 12:59pm |
Going back to the lead acid battery: My one year old Trojan T-1275 (12v golf cart battery) is rated at 166 aH which is a lot more than my 11.5 year old Interstate. Regardless we will be putting that to the test while being gone for 30 days, most of that being offgrid as we will spend a lot of time in the national parks, my two favorite being RMNP (Estes Park, CO) and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. Also looking forward to re-visiting the Black Canyon of the Gunnison, CO.
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God's pod
'11 model 177 '17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake "...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free." |
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offgrid
Senior Member Joined: 23 Jul 2018 Online Status: Offline Posts: 5290 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 17 Aug 2022 at 2:29pm |
If your TV already uses the ignition to switch the +12 feed to the 7 way, then it's very simple. Just cut the +12V wire from the trailer side of the 7 way connector. Run the connector side of the cut wire to the input of the DC/DC converter. The other cut end connects to the DC/DC output. That's it.
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1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |
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mikeyg2347
Groupie Joined: 27 May 2015 Location: MT Online Status: Offline Posts: 75 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 17 Aug 2022 at 7:34pm |
This all sounds like more fun than I deserve.
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Mike
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offgrid
Senior Member Joined: 23 Jul 2018 Online Status: Offline Posts: 5290 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 18 Aug 2022 at 6:44am |
+1. There's something to be said for just renting an RV, house, cabin, or hotel room while vacationing. Maintenance and repair are Somebody Else's Problem. But owning and RV, like owning a home, comes with plenty of maintenance/repair burdens. If you don't enjoy that or at least get enough benefit from ownership to justify the cost, work and hassle then better to just rent. For myself, I'm going to think long and hard about all that before I buy another RV, if I ever do. |
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1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |
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mikeyg2347
Groupie Joined: 27 May 2015 Location: MT Online Status: Offline Posts: 75 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 18 Aug 2022 at 12:30pm |
Offgrid, well said. I'm willing to accept the maintenance that goes along with the trailer, but I'm retired and have plenty of time to devote to it, plus I don't mind doing the work. I do a lot of boondock camping and slept in tents from Boy Scouts until I was 62 years old. I paid my dues and enjoy the comfort of the trailer. When I first got the trailer my daughters were envious and thought maybe a trailer is just what their young families need. But, after watching me having to maintain it, they've changed their minds.
At this point, I'm on the fence about what my next move with the refrigerator will be. I'm 60 miles away from a big town so calling an RV guy to come check it over isn't practical. My gut tells me the gas control valve is shot, and like I said, at $450 I'm reluctant to throw money at that. Mulling over investing in a compressor fridge and powering it with my current two 6 volt battery setup for the remainder of the year, then biting the bullet for the LiFePo battery next spring. Looks like that entails some upgrades that I'm not comfortable doing, so I'd probably haul it in to Missoula and turn it over to an expert. There are some independent RV repair guys there who come highly recommended. That's my current train of thought, but that is subject to change.
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Mike
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