2009 Winnebago Destination 37G
Since I am the one that suggested to John that this refrigerator conversion thread be started, I guess I will start with my conversion project. This is going to start with the planning stage (which where I am now) and move into the purchase of parts, including the refrigerator and the modification of the opening.
Our motor home came with the 1201LM Norcold refrigerator. I have had the ?recall? done three times as each time the ?recall? box failed. The refrigerator is not big enough, especially since my wife cooks a lot when we travel with friends. It has never kept the refrigerator part as cold as the unit in the stick & brick. The freezer works wonderfully, but the refrigerator part was never at our expectation. We live and spend most of our time travelling in Texas. The exterior of the motor home is primarily black. Texas and black means a lot of heat.
The other issue, which a new refrigerator will not resolve, but does figure into the replacement refrigerator specification is height. We have seven (7) foot ceilings and the refrigerator is currently mounted to within three (3) inches of the ceiling. Getting into the freezer and looking into the bottom of it is on tiptoes or by stool. Under the current refrigerator is a single drawer that is currently filled with cooking utensils. We don?t want to lose this drawer, but it might either come to that or at the least make in shorter in depth. So, a bottom freezer unit or a side by side is probably where we are headed for the replacement unit.
Another issue is the location of the refrigerator. To the right of the refrigerator is a wall and on the other side is the shower. No room to move to the right. To the left is the kitchen counter and cook top with drawers under the cook top. Below the drawers is the home of the furnace. I mention this as I need to find a location for another inverter.
This brings up power. I currently have two 12v Group 31 deep cycle house batteries and a 600 watt MSW Dimensions inverter. My thought is to install a new 1000 watt PSW inverter with an included transfer switch (internal) or add an additional transfer switch. One suggestion by another board member is to put in a DPDT 10A switch to switch the refrigerator between the new inverter and line/generator power. My though is to add a third 12v Group 31 battery (will just fit) to the house battery bank.
That is about as far as I have gotten. I plan to make the conversion next year (new floor in the motor home installed by Ernie Ekberg is this year) so I do have some time to firm up my plans. I will post some pictures of the current install, including the existing cabinets, drawers and what is under and behind both. I will also update this from time to time on any changes that I make, and on the actual install.
So, suggestions or comments, especially from those that have gone before on this project would be helpful. ? Stay Tuned - Michael