New 6.7 cu/ft Dometic 3 way refer

[cpaharley2008]

I'm wondering if anyone can report on the new refer Escape is using in the 19' and 21' models. Someone mentioned it has a nice exterior lock for travel. Any other observations? Thanks.

 

[gbaglo]

It's big. It's got an external LED display. And it has a second latching mechanism.

 

[hotfishtacos]

I'm wondering if anyone can report on the new refer Escape is using in the 19' and 21' models. Someone mentioned it has a nice exterior lock for travel. Any other observations? Thanks.

Jim, I have the RM8551 which is 3.74 cu ft and wish I had ordered the larger RML8551 which is 6.67 cu ft. The refrigerator designs are identical but one is just larger than the other. The really big advantage is the really big freezer space on the larger unit. I saw one in another 19 Escape I saw while camping and have only heard good things about performance. I have been in contact with Reace to get it quoted. You can Google the Dometic Refrigerator Catalog and download it. There are pictures and specs of both.

 

[gbaglo]

I doubt the 6.3 fridge is 3-way. That's a lot of space to cool with a 12V battery. My 5.0 is two way, propane and AC.

 

[hotfishtacos]

I doubt the 6.3 fridge is 3-way. That's a lot of space to cool with a 12V battery. My 5.0 is two way, propane and AC.

It is 3 way and can be ordered in either manual (RML8551)or auto (RML8555) switch-over.

 

[hotfishtacos]

Here are the specs from the manuals;

Ratings details (mains/battery):
RM 8551 - 135/130 watts, 10.8 amps at 12 volts
RML 8551 - 190/170 watts, 14 amps at 12 volts

The larger unit is also 30 lbs heavier.

 

[gbaglo]

Have you run your 3.74 cu ft on the battery? What's your experience with that?

 

[hotfishtacos]

Have you run your 3.74 cu ft on the battery? What's your experience with that?

Not good. I just got my trailer and knew nothing about the fridge or trailers for that matter so I went out to Anza Borrego Desert and ran the refrigerator for three days on batteries with the solar system trying to keep up, which it couldn't and damaged one of my new 6 volt batteries. The batteries must have been boiling in the front box...lesson learned. Now, I will run on battery only as a backup if I run out of propane and need to run just long enough to go refill propane. This bad experience probably influenced my decision to install the equivalent of a nuclear power plant in my trailer...

 

[Dave Walter]

We only have about 9 - 10 days experience with the "big" fridge, but it has worked flawlessly so far. Fridge is huge and there is a big freezer space. Have used it mostly on propane so far. See little reason to use the 12v, but that feature is available if we need it. Looking forward to our upcoming three week long trip to vancouver island in two weeks.

 

[dave macrae]

We also have the 6.7 3way fridge ' we mostly use it on propane . On 12 volt it sucks the battery's down pretty quick. I do find that I have to use one of those little battery operated fans to keep the temperature cool enough through out the fridge . It is very nice to not have to cram it when packing it as it is nice and big. Door so far seems to stay latched when traveling

 

[cpaharley2008]

Does anyone think the dual 6 v set up with solar could handle the refer's 12v needs while towing enroute to a spot? I can not find the spec's on the unit and I'm trying to decide dual 6 volts or one big 12 volt battery and not worry about running off 12v. Thanks for any help.
Also is the correct model#, Dometic RML 8551 or 8555 ?

 

[J Mac]

where does one get those small battery operated fans?
Where in the frig does it go?

 

[cpaharley2008]

just go to amazon:
Amazon.com: rv referigerator fans
the first two are the most popular, install batteries and place on bottom shelf to move the cool air around.

 

[Jim Bennett]

where does one get those small battery operated fans?
Where in the frig does it go?

Any RV parts store will have them too. I highly recommend them for keeping temps even throughout the fridge. I don't think positioning matters a lot, as it keeps the air circulating, but we keep ours in the back on the middle or top racks most of the time, with great results.

 

[cpaharley2008]

While getting a fan, you should also get one of these, they work great.
Amazon.com: ACU_RITE Refrigerator/Freezer Wireless Digital Thermometer 00986: Kitchen & Dining

 

[Jim Bennett]

We keep a small round thermostat that hangs off the top shelf in our fridge too. We check it when we go in, and adjust the fridge as required to keep it just above freezing. Not much use checking the freezer temps, as if you set the fridge where desired, there is no adjusting the freezer anyway. Even with moderately fluctuating temps in the fridge, our freezer has always kept thing very well frozen.

 

[dave macrae]

I know there has been discussion about using propane while driving but that is what we have done so far. I suspect if the fridge was down to operating temp on propane or 120 and then switched to 12 volt while driving the dual six volts would be fine. I will try it this weekend and report back. We are headed to Jasper so 3-4 hrs of driving should be a good test.

 

[Jubal]

Would the 12V output from you tow vehicle supply enough power to operate the fridge during transport using the 12 V setting ? Our Tundra has a 170 Amp alternator.

 

[cpaharley2008]

I doubt neither my Ram nor FJ could handle the 12v requirements alone. With solar however I'm considering the dual 6v option vs single 12v. If not feasible to operate off
12v then I'd stay with the single 12v battery. I believe the refer pulls around 15 a/h draw on 12v. With a group 29 battery I have about 50 available and with the dual 6v it is about 100 a/h available. Thus over a 10 hour drive @ 50% operation I'd need about 75 a/h use split between the solar and my tow alternator. I have no idea what size wire I have going to the plug in either vehicle. Assuming a 5 amp replenishment over 6 hours of solar is 30 with the battery supplying the balance of approximately 50 a/h. It appears the dual 6 volts should handle the operation off 12v?

 

[Jim Bennett]

Jubal, most vehicles that have an adequate charge line to the plug, #10 wire minimally, can sustain the draw from the fridge. Should the batteries require charging too, not sure it could keep up to both. Where the biggest drain comes from, is when stopped, even for an hour, and the fridge on 12V will draw down the batteries. Just remember to switch it off while the engine is not running, and you should be fine.