Forum Discussion

3ares's avatar
3ares
Explorer
Dec 29, 2019

residential refrig.

I have a question with several variables. I'm thinking of putting a residential refrigerator in my fifth wheel. We only travel 8 hours max per day. About how warm would it get in the refrigerator without A/C power for max of 8 hours? Than plug into campground power at night?

Happy Camping
  • I installed two GC-2 batteries in series, 300 watts of solar and a 1000 watt pure sine wave inverter to support my refrigerator.

    I have a 10.8cu.ft. residential refrigerator. Larger refrigerators are available that don't use much more power are readily available. The 10.8 fit the space that previously contained the absorption refrigerator with minimal cabinet mods.
  • Won’t such a change eliminate all dry camping/boondocking unless you add big batteries and solar?
  • What do you have for batteries before you get to worrying about inverters?

    Generator on board?

    Out side temps is going to be the big factor. I have unplugged mine several times at night (Batteries going bad) but was looking at overnight temps into the low 50° to mid 40°. Temp rise was within the safe limits. Remember that without opening the door during the day the compressor won't be running much even if you have power.

    If it were me I would try it a few times. Maybe a couple gallon jugs of ice to help it cool.
  • You might be OK as others claim it is doable. I would get a 1000 watt sine wave inverter and have no worries.
  • A fridge runs appx 50% of the time under normal circumstances. Texas heat isn't normal.
    What ever the case, I would run it off an inverter.
  • Do you have a good charge line from TV to 5vr? I would use an inverter.
  • In Texas heat, I wouldn't unless you want to install an inverter to power it from your batteries while travelling.

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