Running entire TT off batteries
Hi I apologize if this has been covered before. I finally managed to get my solar system connected. I tossed out the old deep cycle 12v and replaced it with (2) 6v 215ah golf cart batteries. Th...
Forum Discussion
JiminDenver wrote:
I'm considering adding a energy star 2 or 3 ft mini fridge for the longer trips. I'd love a two door but they are a few inches too tall.
Would a Engel or such be a better choice? Maybe except the solar puts out more power than my wallet does money. Minis go cheap on CL. ;)
Engels sell fast on CL, and not too cheap. They are popular. I forgot the name of some cheaper Chin-gel clone from Ebay that people are also satisfied with. "Star"-something.
Novakool also have a decent reputation (not to be confused with Norcold), but they only make built-ins, not portables. They have some 7 cu.ft 2-door side-by side model that is low but wide.
Tundra - now Dometic - is about the same. Except for Engel, they all have German Danfoss 12V compressor, so the differences are minor. (Can't say about Ebay clones though).
12V a "better choice" than standalone 110V?
Portables have never been too efficient, they are too small, and thin lid. Can be noisy too, since the motor is not hidden in the cabinet.
Built-ins? If you add insulation (standalone 110V already have enough), expect it to be 10-15% better - since there is no inverter loss. And 4 times more expensive.
