Reisender
NA
Senior Member
Joined: 12/09/2018
View Profile
 Offline
|
Huntindog wrote:bironacad wrote:Just purchased a Grand Design TT with a DC fridge. The fridge is 8 cubic feet and It cools down very fast compared to an absorption fridge and you can run it while on the road. The antenna booster draws 1amp while on, the fridge 3. The trailer does come with a 165 watt solar panel. I like the fridge capacity size increase. Thinking of adding another panel and upgrading battery to lithium to run an inverter for AC when required while off grid. I think both have advantages. I started with a pop up, then went with a 28’ fifth wheel, then a 40’ Red Wood, drop down to a hybrid and now have the 200 mk trandscend. Lol heading to Yukon this August and will know much more after that trip. Lol enjoy what you have! And don’t stand with the door open. Play safe. I just looked up the Furrion 12V, 8CF fridge.
High efficiency DC compressor
Input voltage: DC 12V (min. DC 10.5V to max. DC 17V)
Input power rating: = 15A (11A @ 12V DC)
Energy Consumption: 1.08kWh per day.
.
You will need a LOT more solar as well to feed the batteries.
Basically you will have a math problem. one 100AH Lithium battery will be drained everyday by the fridge alone.
Solar averages about 60% of rated output.
You can do the math however you like. I see you comming up way short.
Yah. It’s an easy and reasonably problem to solve with solar but of course you need the real estate to put it on. Smaller trailers and tear drops will have a bigger challenge than medium sized trailers. Glad we have a propane fridge but if it quits we’ll need to figure it out.
We noticed that the new 2023 version of our trailer has 2 kw of LFP batteries as standard with a 6 kw option. All installed under the bed. (That’s where our AGM’s are). I think that was in response to customer complaints about the compressor fridge power usage.
* This post was
edited 12/25/22 11:42am by Reisender *
|
Grit dog
Black Diamond, WA
Senior Member
Joined: 05/06/2013
View Profile
Offline
|
Merry Xmas! Almost a whole year under the belt of this thread….
And math wins again. These conversations wouldnt be near as fun if everyone could actually math.
2016 Ram 2500, MotorOps.ca EFIlive tuned, 5” turbo back, 6" lift on 37s
2017 Heartland Torque T29 - Sold.
Couple of Arctic Fox TCs - Sold
|
Huntindog
Phoenix AZ
Senior Member
Joined: 04/08/2002
View Profile
|
Reisender wrote:Huntindog wrote:bironacad wrote:Just purchased a Grand Design TT with a DC fridge. The fridge is 8 cubic feet and It cools down very fast compared to an absorption fridge and you can run it while on the road. The antenna booster draws 1amp while on, the fridge 3. The trailer does come with a 165 watt solar panel. I like the fridge capacity size increase. Thinking of adding another panel and upgrading battery to lithium to run an inverter for AC when required while off grid. I think both have advantages. I started with a pop up, then went with a 28’ fifth wheel, then a 40’ Red Wood, drop down to a hybrid and now have the 200 mk trandscend. Lol heading to Yukon this August and will know much more after that trip. Lol enjoy what you have! And don’t stand with the door open. Play safe. I just looked up the Furrion 12V, 8CF fridge.
High efficiency DC compressor
Input voltage: DC 12V (min. DC 10.5V to max. DC 17V)
Input power rating: = 15A (11A @ 12V DC)
Energy Consumption: 1.08kWh per day.
.
You will need a LOT more solar as well to feed the batteries.
Basically you will have a math problem. one 100AH Lithium battery will be drained everyday by the fridge alone.
Solar averages about 60% of rated output.
You can do the math however you like. I see you comming up way short.
Yah. It’s an easy and reasonably problem to solve with solar but of course you need the real estate to put it on. Smaller trailers and tear drops will have a bigger challenge than medium sized trailers. Glad we have a propane fridge but if it quits we’ll need to figure it out.
We noticed that the new 2023 version of our trailer has 2 kw of LFP batteries as standard with a 6 kw option. All installed under the bed. (That’s where our AGM’s are). I think that was in response to customer complaints about the compressor fridge power usage.
With enough money it can be solved if you are a fair weather camper. I am not. If I only camped in good weather, I would not need an RV. I have the RV for shelter in comfort no matter what mother nature does.I have a healthy solar/ battery system.But as my last trip proved, 6" of snow on the roof renders solar useless. In a 4 week outing it snowed 6-8" three times. Generator use was required. A 12V fridge would have just added to the fuel bill
Huntindog
100% boondocking
2021 Grand Design Momentum 398M
2 bathrooms, no waiting
104 gal grey, 104 black,158 fresh
FullBodyPaint, 3,8Kaxles, DiscBrakes
17.5LRH commercial tires
1860watts solar,800 AH Battleborn batterys
2020 Silverado HighCountryC CD/A 4X4 DRW
|
Reisender
NA
Senior Member
Joined: 12/09/2018
View Profile
Offline
|
Yah I hear you. Hence our back up plan with our little propane generator. ![[emoticon]](https://forums.motorhome.com/sharedcontent/cfb/images/smile.gif "smile") .
![[image]](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52387204385_ee9895e00a_c.jpg)
|
Vintage465
Prunedale CA.
Senior Member
Joined: 05/02/2015
View Profile
Offline
|
Though I have enjoyed reading all the comments, I should have been more specific when I started this thread many months ago. I was only looking for an energy saving advantage use of a 12 compressor fridge over and absorption fridge......nothing else. We primarily boon dock. And as I think I have stated in some of the comments, I've read on many RV reviews...."it has a 12v compressor fridge making perfect for boon docking". Reading a phrase like that indicated to me that there could be an energy saving advantage to having a 12v fridge that I wasn't aware of. What many people saw was the opportunity to share thier "preference" reasons for using 12v compressor fridges.....which is fine, but not what I was looking for and occasionally gets under peoples skin when discussing the politics of why and why not to have one fridge vs another type. And incidently I've never had any issues with our Norcold absorption fridge keeping things cool at temps over 100 degrees or down to 7 degrees.
V-465
2013 GMC 2500HD Duramax Denali. 2015 CreekSide 20fq w/450 watts solar and 465 amp/hour of batteries. Retired and living the dream!
|
|
|
ktmrfs
Portland, Oregon
Senior Member
Joined: 06/22/2005
View Profile
Offline
|
Vintage465 wrote:Though I have enjoyed reading all the comments, I should have been more specific when I started this thread many months ago. I was only looking for an energy saving advantage use of a 12 compressor fridge over and absorption fridge......nothing else. We primarily boon dock. And as I think I have stated in some of the comments, I've read on many RV reviews...."it has a 12v compressor fridge making perfect for boon docking". Reading a phrase like that indicated to me that there could be an energy saving advantage to having a 12v fridge that I wasn't aware of. What many people saw was the opportunity to share thier "preference" reasons for using 12v compressor fridges.....which is fine, but not what I was looking for and occasionally gets under peoples skin when discussing the politics of why and why not to have one fridge vs another type. And incidently I've never had any issues with our Norcold absorption fridge keeping things cool at temps over 100 degrees or down to 7 degrees.
a compressor driven fridge is likely much more energy efficient than an absorption fridge in terms of watt/hrs needed. BUT the energy density/wt or volume for propane is orders of magnitude better than any current battery choice. So it takes way less area and wt to store the "fuel" supply for a propane fridge vs. compressor driven if your not hooked to a line power source.
2011 Keystone Outback 295RE
2004 14' bikehauler with full living quarters
2015.5 Denali 4x4 CC/SB Duramax/Allison
2004.5 Silverado 4x4 CC/SB Duramax/Allison passed on to our Son!
|
StirCrazy
Kamloops, BC, Canada
Senior Member
Joined: 07/16/2003
View Profile
|
when it comes to power usage, a 12V is not near as energy efficient (battery power wise) as an adsorbition fridge. you will need much more battery capacity and solar or a generator if you switch to 12V compressor.
2014 F350 6.7 Platinum
2016 Cougar 330RBK
1991 Slumberqueen WS100
|
Vintage465
Prunedale CA.
Senior Member
Joined: 05/02/2015
View Profile
Offline
|
ktmrfs wrote:Vintage465 wrote:Though I have enjoyed reading all the comments, I should have been more specific when I started this thread many months ago. I was only looking for an energy saving advantage use of a 12 compressor fridge over and absorption fridge......nothing else. We primarily boon dock. And as I think I have stated in some of the comments, I've read on many RV reviews...."it has a 12v compressor fridge making perfect for boon docking". Reading a phrase like that indicated to me that there could be an energy saving advantage to having a 12v fridge that I wasn't aware of. What many people saw was the opportunity to share thier "preference" reasons for using 12v compressor fridges.....which is fine, but not what I was looking for and occasionally gets under peoples skin when discussing the politics of why and why not to have one fridge vs another type. And incidently I've never had any issues with our Norcold absorption fridge keeping things cool at temps over 100 degrees or down to 7 degrees.
a compressor driven fridge is likely much more energy efficient than an absorption fridge in terms of watt/hrs needed. BUT the energy density/wt or volume for propane is orders of magnitude better than any current battery choice. So it takes way less area and wt to store the "fuel" supply for a propane fridge vs. compressor driven if your not hooked to a line power source.
And I guess this sums up me not being specific enough. I'm thinking
"on board" energy that is available to use for cooling purposes. In my mind, a coach with a built in solar array of say, 500w, four 6v batteries and two 7 gallon propane tanks is pretty normal for many boon dockers out there. Some have more, some have less. With a setup similar to this, take a compressor fridge vs an absorption fridge, I'm pretty sure that on all but the best day, the absorption will win. So I'm not necessarily interested in the energy invested in the cooling unit to create a btu drop. It may ulimately take less energy in a clinical setting to achieve sufficient cooling from a compressor unit, but having that energy available thru a large battery bank, solar and generator is far more cumbersom that a couple 7 gallon bottles of gas that is neatly and normally stowed away. And on those two bottles of gas I can easily make it 30 days in spring and fall. Winter time I'll need to fill up in a couple weeks. Anyway, just me....The day will come when everything will be 12v compressor and we will all need to adjust and by that time the solar and batteries will surely be up to the task.
|
Fisherguy
Vancouver BC
Senior Member
Joined: 07/31/2003
View Profile
Offline
|
Vintage465 wrote:
... The day will come when everything will be 12v compressor and we will all need to adjust and by that time the solar and batteries will surely be up to the task.
And on that note I'm looking for advice. I have a chance to buy a trailer with 600 watts of solar panels, 3 - 100 Ah Lithiums and a 12 volt Norcold fridge.
I'll be installing a small inverter to power the TV and sat dish but no coffee makers or toasters etc for us.
If we only boondock do you think this setup will work for us? Maybe if I add another 200 watt panel and another 100Ah of Lithium?
We only very rarely need to run the genny to charge batteries with our current rig in my signature.
Thx
06 Dodge Ram 3500 Cummins 6 spd std with a few goodies.
2007 Komfort 274TS, 480 watts solar, Trimetric 2025RV, PD9280, Honda EU2000i, Xantrex SW600
2019 Timber Ridge 24RLS, 600 watts solar, 3-100Ah Lithiums, 12volt Norcold Fridge
|
JRscooby
Indepmo
Senior Member
Joined: 06/10/2019
View Profile
Offline
|
How many people have how much experience with 12 V fridge? I know mine is limited, but I was impressed.
Friend had 1 installed in his new '99 Pete when he bought it. (Has technology improved in 20+ years?) Summer of '12, he had to leave the rig in Dallas area truckstop, catch bird home. (Ever see a shadetree in truckstop? Parked in Dallas summer?) Called his brothers and I, hoped to get load delivered ASAP, and truck home. By the time I got there, truck had been setting 3 days. And because he only had same batteries to crank his Cat I did, I assumed would need a jump start. Hit the button, cranked like normal. Assumed the fridge had shut itself off to save batteries, so grabbed a trash bag to get rid of the stinky mess. Opened the fridge, stole a icecream bar, and headed out.
|
|
|
