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06-24-2016, 06:58 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Quantum
State: South Carolina
Posts: 20
THOR #3879
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Cooling residential refrigerator overnight
Greetings:
Just bought a new 2016 Thor Quantrum yesterday, had the walk through, and have a burning question on how to cool the residential refrigerator overnight for an upcoming trip. Can't use the generator in my hood at night so it would have to be electric or battery. My walk thru guy said "all we had to do was access the panel, unplug the cord, (assuming its 110) and plug into an extention cord overnight". Now my issue is, I would have to run it out of the front door, up the driveway to get this done, while leaving the rv unlocked all night. Its not my neighbors I don't trust but sometimes we have people come through the community looking for unlocked doors.
I've read ALL the booklets, Whirlpool doesn't address this. I had no idea I would be having this issue, thought it would be like my last 3 rv's, propane & electric. My fault entirely for not doing my homework on the word "residential", thought it just meant the size of the frig, not how it works.
So far, this seems to be the only thing I'm upset about.
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06-24-2016, 07:09 PM
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#2
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Site Team
Brand: Entegra
Model: Accolade 37TS
State: South Dakota
Posts: 8,767
THOR #1469
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For the short term - Not sure if you have 30 or 50 amp service but you can but the adapters necessary to plug your coach into a 100 outlet in your garage. It should run the refrigerator just fine but make sure the AC is off or you might trip the house breaker.
For the long term you might want to have an electrician install a 30 or 50 amp receptacle on the side of your house so you can run full shore power to the coach.
Lesson learned from my personal experience. I had 30 amp installed on the house for my Class C. Cost 300.00. Bought the Challenger and had the power swapped over to 50 amp. Cost 350.00. Had I initially went with 50 amp and used the 50 to 30 amp adapter I had to buy anyway I would have saved about 250.00 in the long run. Lesson learned.
__________________
Dave
US Army (Ret)
2020 Entegra Accolade 37TS
2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk (Toad)
FMCA - F432054
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06-24-2016, 07:50 PM
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#3
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Junior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Quantum
State: South Carolina
Posts: 20
THOR #3879
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Its 30 amps. Will probably try and get an adapter from rv store and a heavy duty extension cord.
I did read other postings about making sure the a/c is not on. So I'm storing that info.
Thanks for the reply !!
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06-27-2016, 07:55 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Palazzo 35.1
State: New Jersey
Posts: 138
THOR #2831
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I have run my residential overnight, not plugged in, with no ill effects on the batteries. Just make sure batteries are charged. Mine is a Whirlpool 18 CU.FT. I believe after compressor kicks in, current falls off to about an amp to an amp and a half.
__________________
Glenn & Jeanne
2014 Palazzo 35.1
2015 Equinox Toad
BlueOx tow system
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06-27-2016, 08:14 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Four winds 35SF Super C
State: North Carolina
Posts: 133
THOR #4425
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not sure if you just want to cool the fridge cuz you think it will be too warm or if you want to know how to hook it up to do it out of curiosity- but we have a residential fridge in our Four Winds- we take out what we want from our fridge and start loading up or take it out last and then leave---the fridge runs as you go down the road and they are COLD! at least ours is--I put ice cubes in the freezer in case we wanted a drink down the road--good grief---the ice maker was getting busy and the cubes I brought we solid as ever! The hour or so that your food is in there seems to be no issue because the refrigerator catches up really nicely.......or just wait till first thing in the am...turn on your gen....load up then load the fridge--it doesn't take long!!
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06-27-2016, 08:25 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Challenger 37TB
State: Kentucky
Posts: 1,032
THOR #1020
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Some advise on Residential Fridge
Not sure if you have house batteries and an inverter. But given you have a residential fridge, I'd think that you would. One of the things that the house batteries help with is taking 12 volts from your batteries and provide 110 for a couple of circuits in your motorhome. Generally one of those circuits is the residential fridge. So you ought to be able to turn the inverter on and run the fridge off the house batteries. Need to make sure your house batteries are charged.
Also, as Dave mentioned above, simply get an adapter for your 30 amp power cable to take it down to a 15 amp. Won't have to run anything out a window, just attach it to the power cord. I uploaded a picture of what that looks like.
I tried to understand your equipment from the Thor site but there is a huge variance in on board systems
If you already knew the above, apologies. If you didn't, the PDI should have covered the fridge's operation on 12v.
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US Army Retired - Loving The Road Trip
Challenger 37TB
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06-27-2016, 11:39 PM
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#7
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Junior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Quantum
State: South Carolina
Posts: 20
THOR #3879
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Thanks everyone !! Its Whirlpool, 18 cu ft, have 2 batteries, and will make sure they are charged up before the first trip. Also getting the adapter and a heavy cord to run out the back. Can't believe the walk thru guy told me to unplug it from under the frig and run an extension cord. Never mentioned the adapter and using the power cord.
Goes to show you, from my sales person to the service advisor to finance guy, no one has ever used a rv or owned one, and they are telling me how to use it.....
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06-28-2016, 12:10 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Challenger 37TB
State: Kentucky
Posts: 1,032
THOR #1020
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Cherden - ask most of us here if we are surprised by your recent epiphany. No - most of are not. Pass the word, come to the forums both here and IRV2 before you buy, as you buy and after you buy. Like many others here, the info shared has saved me huge and I try to pay it back.
On your batteries, I'd go out and make sure they are full. If not, get some distilled water and filling them - one of the easiest way of killing your batteries - low on water.
Also, now that you've figured out how weak your sales team was - do yourself a favor and find a good service shop that will do your warranty work. You will have some.
__________________
US Army Retired - Loving The Road Trip
Challenger 37TB
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07-04-2016, 07:28 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Palazzo
State: Florida
Posts: 113
THOR #2248
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Also make sure your water heater is off or on gas when you plug in to a home (15 amp) outlet. I plugged mine in one time some time ago a and popped the CB several times. Finally figured the water heater was on electric.
But with your inverter you should be able to turn refrigerator on in the evening and run it overnight without plug-in. In the AM check battery status and if your departure is delayed run your Gen set.
Good luck and ENJOY!!!
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Bob & BJ
On the way to ournextstop
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07-04-2016, 08:19 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Brand: Redwood
Model: 36FB
State: Arizona
Posts: 1,766
THOR #3610
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DO NOT USE this type of adapter or the black one that looks like a hockey puck, they are known fire hazards, buy the adapter with about a foot long cord (15 to 30 amp). Also handy to have is the 30 to 15 amp for parks that don't have a 15 amp at their pedestal, I use it regularly to plug in my small vacuum & pressure washer.
__________________
Fulltimed 10+ years
Sold '13 Thor Redwood 36 FB
Traded '13 GMC Denali DRW D/A
Replacement undetermined
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07-05-2016, 06:04 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Challenger 37TB
State: Kentucky
Posts: 1,032
THOR #1020
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Travelin' Texas - thanks for the heads up on the fire hazard. When did the info come out on it? I have the regular dog bone adapter for 50 - 30 amp but not the 15 amp. Thanks again.
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US Army Retired - Loving The Road Trip
Challenger 37TB
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07-05-2016, 07:20 PM
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#12
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Junior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Windsport 34F
State: Louisiana
Posts: 5
THOR #4545
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you should be able to run your refrigerator on LPG and not use any electricity.
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2015 Thor Windsport 34F
New Orleans, LA.
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07-05-2016, 07:30 PM
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#13
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Site Team
Brand: Entegra
Model: Accolade 37TS
State: South Dakota
Posts: 8,767
THOR #1469
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ksciacca1
you should be able to run your refrigerator on LPG and not use any electricity.
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The original poster asked about cooling down a residential fridge. No LP option available.
__________________
Dave
US Army (Ret)
2020 Entegra Accolade 37TS
2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk (Toad)
FMCA - F432054
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07-05-2016, 10:25 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Brand: Redwood
Model: 36FB
State: Arizona
Posts: 1,766
THOR #3610
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bigben
Travelin' Texas - thanks for the heads up on the fire hazard. When did the info come out on it? I have the regular dog bone adapter for 50 - 30 amp but not the 15 amp. Thanks again.
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That was several years ago when that came out, but as far as I know nothing has changed. The last one like those I used after about a hour it was so hot I couldn't touch it, the dog bone ones I've used don't get even warm.
__________________
Fulltimed 10+ years
Sold '13 Thor Redwood 36 FB
Traded '13 GMC Denali DRW D/A
Replacement undetermined
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07-05-2016, 11:07 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Challenger 37TB
State: Kentucky
Posts: 1,032
THOR #1020
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Thanks for the info.
__________________
US Army Retired - Loving The Road Trip
Challenger 37TB
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07-10-2016, 04:47 PM
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#16
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Junior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Quantum
State: South Carolina
Posts: 20
THOR #3879
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Thanks for all the feedback !!
Thanks for all the feedback everyone !!! I have made note of it all.
I will make sure that only the frig is on when we are going down the road.
Wanted the info due to we live in SC and its really hot here when the seasons change. Who am I kidding, its hot here most of the time!!
Also on our 5th wheel, we lost all the food in the frig coming back on a trip due to a pinched gas line when the slide was closed. Traded in the 5th wheel on the Class C, which gave us a whole new problem. Residential frig !!!
With all the help that is here on this site, we should be able to figure it out.
Haven't been able to go out with it yet as its been in the shop since day one.. Probably not a good sign....
One slide motor wasn't getting the signal, new one came in yesterday. And the Seiki tv didn't want to work, so a new one of those too.
Suppose to be ready this coming week.
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07-10-2016, 05:31 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: Georgia
Posts: 2,585
THOR #4735
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it looks like your model has the residential fridge, generator, AGS(AutomaticGeneratorStart), house batteries, and Inverter/Charger...
like us, you should never have to turn OFF your fridge...
-if plugged into 30A shore power, it will power EVERYTHING in your coach, and will charge you house batteries through the inverter/charger
-if plugged into a 30a to 20A adapter to a standard residential type outlet, then the same applies, except you could trip the outlet breaker if you have too many items running at the same time
-if using your GENERATOR, it will also power everything, and also recharge the batteries
-if no outside Power Source is available, your INVERTER will use the House Batteries to run everything in your coach, except your A/C unit.
-you can turn your Generator on to RECHARGE the batteries, or
-turn your AGS on - you can set it to Automatically turn your generator on anytime your batteries need charging, such as at a setting of 12. it will then come on anytime your batteries fall below that level for several minutes. this keeps your batteries charged without your generator having to run constantly, and keeps your from allowing to batteries to be depleted. You will also tell the AGS to run the generator for a specific timeframe, such as 30mins(or other timed optioned) - it will then shut down automatically as well.
note: your Alternator may also provide charging for your house batteries while driving(ours does)...
we have traveled extensively for over two years and have never turned our fridge off, or even turned our Inverter/Charger off. we have drycamped a lot, both in camprgounds and parking lots using our AGS, used adapters for 20a and 30a outlet options for our 50a cord, and parked for many weeks and months with full 50a service, of course.
your unit is designed to allow for all the type of situations you find when traveling... even though you eventually learn to be somewhat of an 'electrician' type to manage all the options : )
__________________
the Turners...
two Campers, two Electric cars
former diesel pusher traveler
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07-10-2016, 07:45 PM
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#18
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Site Team
Brand: Entegra
Model: Accolade 37TS
State: South Dakota
Posts: 8,767
THOR #1469
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TurnerFam
it looks like your model has the residential fridge, generator, AGS(AutomaticGeneratorStart), house batteries, and Inverter/Charger...
like us, you should never have to turn OFF your fridge...
-if plugged into 30A shore power, it will power EVERYTHING in your coach, and will charge you house batteries through the inverter/charger
-if plugged into a 30a to 20A adapter to a standard residential type outlet, then the same applies, except you could trip the outlet breaker if you have too many items running at the same time
-if using your GENERATOR, it will also power everything, and also recharge the batteries
-if no outside Power Source is available, your INVERTER will use the House Batteries to run everything in your coach, except your A/C unit.
-you can turn your Generator on to RECHARGE the batteries, or
-turn your AGS on - you can set it to Automatically turn your generator on anytime your batteries need charging, such as at a setting of 12. it will then come on anytime your batteries fall below that level for several minutes. this keeps your batteries charged without your generator having to run constantly, and keeps your from allowing to batteries to be depleted. You will also tell the AGS to run the generator for a specific timeframe, such as 30mins(or other timed optioned) - it will then shut down automatically as well.
note: your Alternator may also provide charging for your house batteries while driving(ours does)...
we have traveled extensively for over two years and have never turned our fridge off, or even turned our Inverter/Charger off. we have drycamped a lot, both in camprgounds and parking lots using our AGS, used adapters for 20a and 30a outlet options for our 50a cord, and parked for many weeks and months with full 50a service, of course.
your unit is designed to allow for all the type of situations you find when traveling... even though you eventually learn to be somewhat of an 'electrician' type to manage all the options : )
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If no outside power is available and you are using the inverter it may not power everything as mentioned. In my coach only the TV and refrigerator outlets are run off the inverter. The microwave and other outlets, to include AC, are not wired into the inverter.
The only way to know for sure is to disconnect from shore power, turn the inverter on and see what does and does not work.
__________________
Dave
US Army (Ret)
2020 Entegra Accolade 37TS
2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk (Toad)
FMCA - F432054
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07-10-2016, 08:06 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Brand: Still Looking
State: Texas
Posts: 6,187
THOR #2121
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TurnerFam
it looks like your model has the residential fridge, generator, AGS(AutomaticGeneratorStart), house batteries, and Inverter/Charger...
like us, you should never have to turn OFF your fridge...
....cut....
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Nice summary.
In looking at specs, it appears their motorhome may have an inverter rather than Inverter/Charger. I'm not sure how Thor would wire that differently if that's the case.
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07-10-2016, 09:28 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: Georgia
Posts: 2,585
THOR #4735
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call me crazy, but I don't know of any reason an inverter would be supplied, along with an AGS automatic generator start, if there were no Charger included - how else would the batteries be charged?
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