Switching RV from GAS/Electric to 12volt Fridge! Installing an Everchill Fridge

[@jwaller1327]

After about 9 months after purchasing our Alliance Valor, and living in it full time about 7 months, our Everchill 12V refrigerator started giving us issues. Of course, every time we brought the RV in, it was working and no tech could find the issue. After three months of having to throw away a full refrigerator's groceries, I gave up and replaced the Never-Chill with a residential GE model. Good luck to your buddy with the Everchill.

[@glyndaschulle6336]

From a plumbers perspective I would have disconnected the propane back at the main line so less chances of a leak occurring. Plus eliminating the line that has to flex each time the slide is moved in or out.

[@rracerguy]

or pull the line back outside the fridge service area and mount somewhere underneath for gas grill connection.

[@cjmenagh882]

Nice video of a big job. We have a Dometic gas/electric and have zero problems camping in the Arizona desert for months at a time in the Winter. Makes ice, keeps ice cream so hard it needs to warm before serving up. Was well installed with vent fans in chimney.

[@YukonRJ]

Exactly. Same for us. No issues at all. Mostly off grid camping with propane and a Honda 2000i. Simple systems in place. I don’t need more complications.

[@Christofo]

I have the same Dometic as in the video, gets super cold no problem

[@paulwuzhere]

That's the same Everchill I have in my Salem bunkhouse. Its been going strong since 2020 with zero issues. Keeps great even temperatures, I was used to my old 2 way fridge in my toy hauler and when I first got it, I put the fridge on I believe 4 out of 5 and it froze my eggs solid. Readjusted and its been perfect. Excellent choice. Quality has absolutely improved from the old "neverchill"

[@thechroniclesofmaintenance4192]

Nice project, well done. I personally like having the gas/120vac electric fridge. All eight of our RV’s had them and never a failure or performance issue. We didn’t have solar on any of them so the 12vdc units would not have been as practical for us as the gas option. Our current Winnebago has the double door Norcold with ice-maker and it gets way cold. If we had a large solar install and lithium batteries then a 12vdc unit may make sense for us. But, as always, time and technology marches on…

[@01AceAlpha]

I think having a 12v fridge is great if you have good solar backup or lots of open space without trees to capitalize on that solar. But where I camp it’s all forest and solar is not 100% efficient and if there’s a storm and the trees take out the power then that’s a bad day. We chose or northern spirit with gas/electric over 12v because of this possibility and ironically it saved our first trip with it!

[@lawrencewiddis2447]

Having the propane option is my choice.

[@randyfilippi7919]

Great video. I have a 12 volt Canon and I love it. My 150 watt solar and dual batteries keeps it going no problem. I like how for quick day or two stops I don’t have to level the trailer perfectly for the fridge. Plus it’s cold in a few hours and the room you gain. Your friend will love it

[@allabouttires1941]

👍Great job JD. Really enjoyed this video. We love our 12 volt.

[@jaimezavala2973]

My travel trailer has a 12 volt refrigerator from factory and I love it, it’s been made even better after I installed a 200 watt solar package onto the trailer and boondocking for us has been super easy and simple.

[@brianwaddell6044]

Did you also go with a lithium battery when you upgraded the solar?

[@jaimezavala2973]

@@brianwaddell6044 yes, I bought it after the camping season though and have yet to install it on the trailer, but I did get a lithium battery as well.

[@stevem268]

propane/12 v adsorption fridges work much better if installed properly. the spaces between the fridge and cabinet work must be closed in and the back must be optimized for a proper "chimney" effect. a small fan helps immensly as well especially if the upper vent is through the wall rather than the roof. i boxed in and added plywood to the wall vent area as per the fridge manufacturer instructions and fridge performance improved drastically. our adsorption fridge is 17 years old and the trailer has somewhere around 50,000miles on it, so it's had a tough life. it still keeps the icecream hard and the fresh veggies dont freeze! that 2 way fridge is very badly installed and doesn't even look to be sealed at all from the living area of the trailer.

[@rayarnold1406]

I can testify to that. Wife bought her first camper, a little jewel from witchita and first time out furnace wouldn't go. Turns out all it was is thermostat. I have worked in wood and brick didn't realize how furnaces worked in campers. So we had to tie wires together every 3 hours to stay warm. Now I watch every rv tech I can.

[@rayarnold1406]

Put in a outside door and have alittle more storage!

[@snakemain]

Looking forward to this. My current TT has the standard gas/elec fridge. It's been ok, but there has been a few times where it has errored out on the gas setting. I'd love to add a couple solar panels and some good batteries to try to get away from propane. Not sure if I'll do it with this rig, but would love to eventually go to all electric. Refilling propane is a pain to me, and I normally camp at campgrounds where there's power, and it's a toy hauler so I've got the Onan 5K generator with a 30 gallon gas tank if I need full power off the grid. I'd love to replace the oven/cooktop with a convection cooktop and electric oven or replace the microwave with a convection microwave and get back some extra kitchen cabinet space.

[@brianlykins6663]

Thanks JD, I've wondered about this same swap, what all would be involved. Admit I haven't looked at mine to see what would be involved. Other than cost, straight forward job. God bless ya'll and stay safe.

[@dalemarshall9736]

I have a 12v Norcold in my Arctic Fox Northfork and love it. 2 100ah lithium batteries and 400w solar. Had 12v Furion in my Jayco 5th wheel before this and same power setup. Absolutely superior to the gas/electric.

[@bishopgeorge1333]

Nice, yeah I am with your friend I hate those gas/electric fridge they never get real cold, I even install four or five computer fans in the back two big fan up top and three on the bottom. It help a little but no were like my 12v fridge that I have in my North Point good job sir, you are a good friend, lol.

[@jeremyfogt6798]

Believe that panel is there to direct the air flow not just to cover things up. Left out all the hard stuff in the install but there are plenty of other KZbin videos. Probably an upgrade I will have to do eventually. Just need to do research on which is more efficient: direct DC fridge or AC fridge through an inverter.

[@leonarddaneman810]

Probably adding a LiPO4 Battery and a solar panel your best option for running the 12VDC. Leave the Lead-Acid battery for basic 12V operations.

[@rvgoingnow]

The chimney build for the old absorption ridge didn’t look well done by the factory, which was probably a big factor in why his fridge wasn’t cooling well.

[@notchfox6086]

Thanks for sharing! Thinking about going to a 12V fridge in a couple of months ❤

[@johnstangel8918]

It's nice seeing a video about fixing or updating an RV instead of frame flex badgering I know KZbin is about hits but come on enough is enough. Great job.

[@jamesharrier6633]

We removed our 2 way fridge and installed a residential. Before we installed the new ones, we insulated the walls and ceiling. It is in a slide out too. Works great down here in the Rio Grande Valley.

[@jamesharrier6633]

We also sealed up those doors in the rear.

[@kilcranp]

I live in Arizona and while my 2 way DM2652 was good, in the southwest, it just took too long to get cold and had to be full to work well. I replaced it with the DMC4081 12V fridge and it has been great. I don't go boondocking right now, but I plan to upgrade to a Lithium battery for the future.

[@kilcranp]

My install went pretty much like yours.

[@BearPapa49]

Nice conversion change for your friend . Any handy man with basic knowledge can do it with the help of this video

[@RamblinRoadies]

Use the drawer front to cover the hole above the fridge.

[@dean3471]

Great video. Nice job looks like it came there. Man the 12 volt fridges are really expensive! as much a one for your house.

[@davidew98]

i would not have screwed though the walls of the fridge till you find out if the coils were there. also i would have wired to the 12v distributon panel not straight to the battery.

[@BTBRVReviews]

Coils are behind the fridge

[@terpencar]

By not wiring to distribution does that mean shore power is useless if your battery dies?

[@mattangerman8810]

It be a great idea to remove the lower grille and put a pass through door in there with some sort of wall with the material you removed.

[@RollinHome]

Why didn’t you build the bottom platform taller so the top of the fridge came up to the existing top trim? That way the patched trim would have been on the bottom where it’s not as visible or out of place looking.

[@BTBRVReviews]

The wood dimensions allowed for the bottom to work better.

[@runswithdogs6892]

About the hitch, he may not need weight distribution but what about sway control?

[@VetBodGaming]

I can confirm, when we take the camper up north the gas/electric is fine but it really struggles here in NC or when we travel around the South.

[@georgeglovier]

I replaced the Norcold 4 door refrigerator in my 2017 Bighorn 3575EL with a new Samsung 18 CF. I was a lot of work and modifications. I could not ever get the Samsung to work properly and they would not send out a service tech so they refunded the purchase. I then purchased a 22 CF Frigidaire, redesigned the space again and got it done! It was a pain to do the job twice but the Frigidaire is a much better unit than the Samsung with much more space. I lucked out and found the Frigidaire on sale for $900 off which put it less than the Samsung. I was able to sell the Norcold for $1500 more then a paid for the Frigidaire! I also designed a system to use 2 water cooler 3 gallon jugs for the water source for the ice maker. Its been working great for three years.

[@volvo09]

You have such a nice garage!

[@VetBodGaming]

I would have liked to see how you sealed up the back

[@rodneylw10]

I keep reading about 12v rv fridge ventures. I currently have a Dometic LP/Electric that has served me well. I live in the south (FL) and have no issues camping. The reason I am lurking is because my fridge is now 11 years old and I am concerned that it might go and I will be forced to get a 12V. I really like boon docking for 2-3 days at a time (so far) but the power requirements of 12V are major drawbacks to me. I have some solar 250 watts (roof) and 200 watts (portable) and 210 amps lithium but the requirements make what I have not enough. I can produce about 15 amps/Hr/roof and 12amps/Hr portable (27amps). I wish someone could share something like, "with cycling through the day and a night, the so and so fridge uses xxx amps. It ran 30 min per hour during the day and 15 min per hour at night, etc" you get the idea.

[@ScarySpots]

I’m thinking about getting rid of the propane on my 30’ travel trailer and going with a 12v only system. What would you say it would cost to convert and replace the fridge, furnace, stove and water heater? My water heater is electric and/or gas. I have two 280ah lithium batteries and 500w solar panel on top. When I boondock the batteries get up to 100% usually by noonish.

[@alaska-bornfloridaman]

If you have a halfway decent solar and lithium power system, you might as well go with a 120 volt residential fridge. I'm already running my 3000 W inverter all the time, so a couple more amps won't make much difference. And they're much cheaper.

[@robertl9065]

If you have 200-400aH of lithium I’d go 12v all the way. I love having a fridge that is cold in 40 mins. Never an issue. Run it all the time driving it parked. Just make sure you’re using 10 gauge wiring or better. That’s where the majority of problems happen is trying to reuse the DC wiring from an AC/propane fridge. A 10 cu ft fridge can fit in a 6-8cu foot gas electric fridge spot. And no venting needed ever.

[@DanBlackRacing]

We have a 2024 keystone 1800BH. Not impressed with the Everchill 12v. Not cold enough. It's been on for three days and added COLD items 1 day ago. Not cold. Freezer has 5 freeze pops in it and they melted. Running in shore power.

[@texillini1]

Look like JD has a new career 😂

[@bobr7867]

Great install JD! Question: Does the manufacturer recommend running power directly from the battery instead of from the circuit breaker/fuse panel?

[@jeffgerritsen972]

The gas absorption doesn’t work well in the Rockies either. I’m in western Idaho and we replaced our refer with a residential refrigerator. We went from a 12 cuft gas electric to a 16 cuft residential.

[@chrisbuxton2778]

Camp in the mountains in colorado all the time. Never had an issue with gas/electric

[@jeffgerritsen972]

@@chrisbuxton2778, we were at Stanley Idaho at 6500 ft elevation in early Oct. hi temp never went above 68 deg F. It was the never cold norcold 1210. Notorious for not working well at all.

[@Beckfrombama]

It may have been a little more work fishing the wires but the 12v refrigerator should have been wired from the central fuse panel.

[@berthaduniverse]

Not sure if that was marine grade plywood, probably just regular exterior grade plywood.

[@BTBRVReviews]

It appeared to be the same plywood used in the floor, which jayco claims to be marine grade

[@Freecan67]

I hope you have a Big Battery. Our 12 v fridge has drained our Battery. Thoughed out our Frozen Food overnight.

[@alaska-bornfloridaman]

You need more battery power.

[@joeylopina]

What did you use to seal the gap on the sides?

[@z50king29]

You need to go back and remove all that insulation from the sides of that space. The sides of that fridge are used as the heat exchanger. That insulation is going to make the sides roast and not give off heat.

[@jeepien]

Always use two wrenches on gas line connections.

[@ipcamper9940]

Seems like a lot of wasted space behind the fridge. I wonder if it is worth replacing the lower outside vent with a hatch so that area would be accessible.

[@cjmenagh882]

Was there a thought toward running the power from the distribution panel instead of direct from battery?

[@BTBRVReviews]

Very short thought. I didn't want to chase down a path to the panel..plus, with this wiring, I don't worry about overloading the wiring to the board

[@robertl9065]

Use 10 gauge or better wiring and it won’t matter.

[@davezorn]

Do you still need the ventilation behind the fridge like the old unit - or can the vents be blocked off ?

[@robertl9065]

My toyhauler came with a Dometic DC compressor fridge. There is no side or roof vent on my rv. I imagine you could block them off.

[@Giesis]

We installed this same 12V fridge 18 months ago and it has been great. I have 300 AH of LIthium and 400 Watts of solar.

[@bobbybates7407]

I'm thinking about a magic chef 10.1 for my torque t322 to replace the dometic i have a generator so I'm not worried about power what are your thoughts thanks

[@dustinfrost5214]

I went from gas to 12 volt best decision i ever made just runs on solar 247 no more gas bottles just so much better than the gas junk

[@cam_bro]

Being that the fridge is built into the slide out, i would be concerned about adding extra weight from the upgraded fridge. Also, i would still recommend a weight distribution hitch on an HD truck, just for thr sake of sway control. The truck not squating, doesn't change the fact you're pulling a wind sail down the road.

[@chrisbuxton2778]

Na. Never used it, pulled trailers for 30+ years with an f350 pulling different trailers every day. Using a drop hitch works perfectly. Drive in wind everyday

[@bigtom3422]

Did you install a Battery disconnect for when it is in storage?

[@stevebates3573]

@@bigtom3422 most trailers , I Want to say all, have a battery disconnect switch located where water inlets and black tank flush lever are located.

[@victoryrider]

Im looking into doung this on my trailer

[@On-down-the-road]

I had a Dutchman clasic 1998, it had electric, gas, and battery! What happened to them?

[@vppnbrent]

Every time I have put my refrigerator on 12v it always killed my batteries!

[@vppnbrent]

The new 12v must be mire efficient.

[@dustinfrost5214]

The 12v gas fridge will drain in mo time the new 12 fridge will run on a amp or two during its cycle

[@virgilsmith5792]

does it run solely on 12v?

[@gregbrownlow1034]

No wonder his gas/electric fridge didn't work right with the framing they installed behind it. They need to breath. That top vent was basically useless with that panel installed behind the fridge. They work pretty good if set up correctly.

[@navyjoe11]

I had the dealer swap my 2 way to a 12 Volt. Found out a year later that the voltage requirements for a 12V are different. What I mean, is when boondocking our 12V compressor will not turn over when voltage drops below 12.8V or something close. Problem is the voltage drop from my 2 100A lithium batteries to the 12V fridge is almost a full volt. So when my batteries drop to 13.7V, the actual voltage at my fridge compressor is only 12.7 and compressor will not start. Fan runs, light is on, no compressor. So everything in my fridge / freezer starts to thaw. Takes about 3 days of normal boondock (400W solar with generator use twice a day) use before we notice things not staying frozen. Thought I was crazy for months until RV tech confirmed voltage drop. Perhaps it is a single use case and I am special (lucky me) but it is something to watch out for.

[@robertl9065]

They needed to use 10 gauge or better dc wiring.

[@harleyn3089]

I'm not sure this is a good idea. It's great from the perspective of running on solar. But 12V compressor fridges, especially the chest style ones, have a typical lifespan of 5 years or so. The 3-way propane fridges can last multiple decades. I can see your point of propane fridges not working in hot climates. I spend most of my time in Wyoming, Colorado and surrounding states, and a propane fridge works great. If I was in Texas like you are I can see the point of a hotter climate fridge.

[@Tom-Fisherman]

If I were you, I 100% would have gone 10ga. Mark my words, In hot temps, the current requirements go up and at times you may get an undercurrent condition when your compressor starts. When you get a trouble code, THATS why.

[@jav9888]

I just want one so when I drive I dont have put things in coolers, then wait for the fridge to cool down when i park

[@mike1340hd]

Did the frig fit thru the entry door

[@BTBRVReviews]

Yep. 1/2" on each side to spare

[@caseypries7559]

Those panels aren't there to cover up the back of the fridge. They create a sort of cooling or draft channel for air to flow up the backside of an absorption fridge. Without them it will not cool properly.

[@kevinbohn2024]

Should have just had the standard ref converted to 12 v.

[@dustinfrost5214]

Totally different 😂

[@mwc6849]

An A with realistic expectations is a C. The best RV’s start at C.

[@TheRoadGlideRider]

Enjoyed you installing the 12 volt. Just the front part of video was a waste.

[@donhamm8740]

12 volt - no no no. People having terrible problems with 12 volts.

[@dustinfrost5214]

Not with my engel 😂

[@scottcrawford2239]

I will not own a 12V fridge. Much more useful would be instructions on going the other direction.

[@_Big_Fish]

I added extra cooling fans inside and on the cooling fins outside. it helps keeping the fridge and freezer to stay colder during hotter days.

[@Itsa_Mea]

Our new unit came with the Norcold 12v and we love it. The unit also came with 330w solar system to support it. Not worrying about propane being off for tunnels or running out is a huge plus.

[@chrisbuxton2778]

​@@Itsa_Meanever ran out of propane in 30 years of camping

[@Itsa_Mea]

@@chrisbuxton2778 I did twice. But the best part is the propane restrictions we come across on our trips, mostly the tunnels.

[@Itsa_Mea]

Too add, the industry is phasing them out anyways. Soon you will not have a choice and the parts market will dry up so there's that too.

[@z50king29]

Why is that old fridge so small in that huge space?? What a waste of valuable space

[@rogergraves242]

I hate About Make that top To A Vent.

[@acdii]

Dude, a WDH on a 3/4 and up is for SWAY control, not squat! You should know this!

[@BTBRVReviews]

Yep, also without the WD portion there is little to no sway control.

[@acdii]

@@BTBRVReviews That is true, but to get sway you have to adjust the bars for distribution, though not a requirement for HD truck, but a must IF you want sway control. If does make a difference, been there, done that, and was I surprised it needed it.

[@harlancolburn5081]

This was so dumb I couldn't watch all. Must be nice to have unlimited funds to make it work.

[@BTBRVReviews]

Unlimited funds to make it work? Besides the refrigerator itself, what required unlimited funds to do this project? I'm assuming you're 12-year-old that doesn't have a job yet?

[@TheFiremanJoe]

So much waisted space…

[@robertsandidge441]

I have one each in my 2 campers I’m not so sure that 12 volt is so dam superior to a propane fridge unless you have at minimum 200 watts of solar. But 2 days of cloudy weather and well all bets are off. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@jamesm8965]

Why would anyone want a 12 volt fridge. Why is that all you can get now.

[@dustinfrost5214]

Because they are awsome