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esfd243's avatar
esfd243
Explorer
May 15, 2015

Residential Refer Question

Our new 5th wheel has a residential size refer that does not have an LP option. It does have an option for dry camping to turn on an inverter to run off the battery and has a 2 battery system. Can we use this system while driving? Will it run directly off the truck and keep the battery charged while we are moving?
  • Yes, we run our residential refrigerator off a 1500 watt PSW inverter while traveling - the truck's alternator does indeed help the coach batteries with the load, but the batteries are always fully charged before we hit the road. It works seamlessly, just as it was designed to do.

    Rusty
  • wkswenson wrote:
    Yes and No.... Well the Fridge will run on the inverter while you are driving and your truck will MAINTAIN your batteries, but not specifically charge them. The typical wiring in a tow vehicle is not heavy enough to supply a strong charge as much as it is to just maintain the battery. But you will be fine, we have run ours boon docking for up to 48 hours without running the generator to bring the batteries back up to full charge.


    X2 we have a residential fridge too, we can run the fridge off of the inverter all day long while traveling. The truck battery helps maintain the voltage on the batteries but won't exactly charge them.

    Try to keep the batteries as close to full charge before you set out on your trips, you'll do jut fine.

    Dan
  • I turn the inverter on beforre unplugging fom shore power and the truck keeps the batteries charged while keeping the fridge running.
  • Yes and No.... Well the Fridge will run on the inverter while you are driving and your truck will MAINTAIN your batteries, but not specifically charge them. The typical wiring in a tow vehicle is not heavy enough to supply a strong charge as much as it is to just maintain the battery. But you will be fine, we have run ours boon docking for up to 48 hours without running the generator to bring the batteries back up to full charge.