Hello, Brand new Fifth Wheel owner, Just purchased a 2018 Forest River Arctic Wolf. We took our first trip last week and had a blast. Only "issue" we have is that we decided to get the residential fridge(Even though 90% of our camping will be boon docking/Dry) and the stock 2 24dc 85ah 12 volt batteries that I think are wired in parallel only powered our 1000 watt inverter/fridge for about 3 hours. Any recomendations on how to get at least 8 hours of power to fridge from batteries. I'm fine running my generator twice a day. I'm OK buying new batteries and using the stock ones for my boat. 6v vs 12v? The trailer is also solar ready. Thanks for any help while I'm researching.

Welcome. We have a residential refer also, 2 group 27 batteries wired in parallel and we have gone for over 24 hours with no problems. Are your batteries fully charged? Is the refer the only draw on those batteries when boondocking?

"The trailer is also solar ready"Consider a big solar system with the 4 6 volt batteris as suggested above. That's a bunch of generator use just for a fridge.

I would have expected two batteries to last longer, I don't think something is right. But regardless, yes install four 6V batteries. I'm looking at going to a residential refer in my MH, but first I'm trying to figure out how to go from four to six batteries and what solar set-up I want. I'm doing a smaller solar install on a TT now to learn.Running the generator is fine if you need the AC because it's not going to happen off of batteries or batteries and solar for the common person. But to run it a couple times a day for the refer is a waste.Even though to me the first solar install is a pain because it's mostly new stuff to me, I still think it's well worthwhile and you should do it.Bill

Depending on the size and shape of the battery compartment change to AGM batteries, they recharge faster and 200 amp hr battery is 20" x 10" x 9" cost is around $300-$400

Resi Fridge draining batteries, please help. | Good Sam Community

Sam_Spade
Explorer
May 19, 2017
magnusson wrote:

Im looking at solar panels now. If I hook up directly to one battery with alligator clips will it charge all 4 of my batteries?

It depends on how they are inter-connected.

You REALLY need to find the 12 V tutorial and read it.

At least a basic understanding of electricity is needed......and a meter.
magnusson
Explorer
May 19, 2017
time2roll wrote:
magnusson wrote:
I have no clue where my converter is.

Open the breaker panel and look for the model number.

WFCO Model WF-8930/50
time2roll
Nomad
May 19, 2017
magnusson wrote:
I have no clue where my converter is.

Open the breaker panel and look for the model number.
2oldman
Explorer II
May 19, 2017
magnusson wrote:
sorry typo, 120ac units I meant. .
I'm guessing your inverter powers the refer and only the refer.
magnusson
Explorer
May 19, 2017
laknox wrote:
Check out my cousin and her husband's bus rebuild project: http://www.beginningfromthismorning.com. Juan goes into a lot of detail in what they're encountering and why they made the decisions they did for their needs. Massive solar and massive batteries. Pretty d@mn interesting...

Lyle

That was a massive project. Nice.

Im looking at solar panels now. If I hook up directly to one battery with alligator clips will it charge all 4 of my batteries?
laknox
Nomad
May 19, 2017
Check out my cousin and her husband's bus rebuild project: http://www.beginningfromthismorning.com. Juan goes into a lot of detail in what they're encountering and why they made the decisions they did for their needs. Massive solar and massive batteries. Pretty d@mn interesting...

Lyle
magnusson
Explorer
May 19, 2017
sorry typo, 120ac units I meant. OK I guess I gotta find where my converter is. I'm guessing it runs to the batteries but I dont see it in that compartment.
2oldman
Explorer II
May 19, 2017
magnusson wrote:
Also my inverter only powers the 210 units correct? It doesn't have to be on to charge the batteries when connected to shore power? I have no clue where my converter is.
Maybe I missed it.. what is a 210 unit? No, the inverter has nothing to do with charging batteries.
magnusson
Explorer
May 19, 2017
Also my inverter only powers the 210 units correct? It doesn't have to be on to charge the batteries when connected to shore power? I have no clue where my converter is.
John___Angela
Explorer
May 19, 2017
As others have said, min 500 watt solar and 4 batteries. I would personally put 4 group 31 AGM deep cycle batteries on it. After that you can literally just forget about including maintaining the batteries.

Personal experience with our fridge.