Other 2 way refrigerators

tipseygypsy

I have just bought a 2016 T@b  320s.  I have never owned a camper before, so most all of this language is, I would say Greek, but I do understand some Greek, lol.  So the original owners took out the original Norcold refrigerator, so at this moment I have nothing.  I am looking at 2 way refrigerators and stumbled across this one.  Would it work in my camper? As in the whole AC/DC thing.  I am not worried about it fitting it being too small for the hole, I can work with that.
Thank you

• The Koolatron Silver 1.7 cu. ft. AC/DC Hybrid Heat Pipe Refrigerator is perfect for use in a RVs, boats and dorm rooms
• Uses a state-of-the-art Solid State thermoelectric heat pump to keep heat away from the fridge
• Features a compact, flush-back design
• Engineered for whisper quiet operation
• Adjustable temperature control
• Removable shelf
• Cools from 30°C to 54°F below ambient temperature
• Uses an environmentally friendly R134A refrigerant
• Operates on 12 VDC or 110 VAC
• Power usage: 12V & 110V
• Dimensions: 17" x 18.5" x 20"
• Weighs 24 lbs.

webers3

This appears to be an absorption type of fridge. Having spent 3 seasons with the original absorption type fridge in my 2017 320s, babysitting it at every camping trip I would advise  stay away from it, look into compressor type 12v fridge, there are many choices out there. 

• Cools from 30°C to 54°F below ambient temperature

this is a warning flag. The 54°F below ambient is highly improbable from my experience so if it is 80-90 outside ambient temp you will be lucky to get the fridge temp to stay in the safe zone for food at 32-41

tipseygypsy

webers3  Thank you I need all the input and help I can get.

webers3

@tipseygypsy Quite a few owners (including me) replaced the 3 way fridge with efficient 12v compressor fridge. Do a search and you will find quite a few posts, but you will have to spend more than $200.

tipseygypsy

I do not mind spending more than $200, I just do not want to spend over 7 or 800.

pthomas745

Do you have the actual numbers on the power needs of the fridge?  The newer 12V fridges are pretty thrifty on battery power, and some owners have built them into sliders where the old fridges went.

Here are a bunch of threads:
https://www.google.com/search?q=replaced+norcold+site:tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com&client=firefox-b-1-d&sxsrf=APq-WBtnWDXB-rpD6vCMc9WSG2XV4rVBag:1647568893188&ei=_eczYrScC5XTkPIPws6AsAQ&ved=0ahUKEwj0jvy0yM72AhWVKUQIHUInAEYQ4dUDCA0&uact=5&oq=replaced+norcold+site:tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com&gs_lcp=Cgdnd3Mtd2l6EAM6BwgAEEcQsANKBAhBGABKBAhGGABQnglYoGZg1W1oB3ABeACAAWmIAesWkgEEMzcuMZgBAKABAcgBBMABAQ&sclient=gws-wiz

And, here is a thread about an owner with a "thermoelectric" cooler that might have some info.
https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/11557/battery-life-expectation

Grumpy_G

From what I can tell looking around da Interwebs the fridge in question draws a constant 6 amps in 12V mode. That makes it a non-starter with typical trailer battery capacities. 
What one of my friends has done is put a cooler-style portable 12V compressor fridge on a slide out, that's another option. Either way a good energy efficient 12V compressor fridge is going to cost $700+. 
Personally I prefer old-school 3 way fridges that run on gas at the campsite. They have issues with heat buildup when it's really hot outside (which can be mitigated) but they run forever on propane.