JC refrigeration AC or DC upgrade?

rdhetrick wrote:
My Dad just got one this week, it's not installed yet so no feedback on that, but we talked it through and he went with the 12v version on his coach.

Reasoning was that when connected to shore power, the converter will provide the power, and while on the road or boondocking, he wouldn't need to run the inverter with it's losses. If by chance, the refer draws the batteries down faster than the alternator can recharge them (doubtful because I think it draws 7 or 8 Amps only when the compressor is running), he can always start up the generator.

For anyone that is planning to be mobile, I don't see a compelling reason to go with the 120v version.

That’s probably what I would recommend. No DC-AC conversion loss.

Another option if the alternator can’t keep up would be a DC-DC charger. You could probably install a small (charging amps) DC charger without a wiring upgrade, and your house batteries would charge better too.

:):)

I vote 12. If you do camp without power or there is a power outage, it will run off your batteries...for a while at least.

enblethen wrote:
Why not just run on propane?

Because the conversion isn't an absorption refer - it's a compressor similar to a household refer.

My Dad just got one this week, it's not installed yet so no feedback on that, but we talked it through and he went with the 12v version on his coach.

Reasoning was that when connected to shore power, the converter will provide the power, and while on the road or boondocking, he wouldn't need to run the inverter with it's losses. If by chance, the refer draws the batteries down faster than the alternator can recharge them (doubtful because I think it draws 7 or 8 Amps only when the compressor is running), he can always start up the generator.

For anyone that is planning to be mobile, I don't see a compelling reason to go with the 120v version.

Why not just run on propane?