Residential vs Gas/Electric Fridge?
After a set back in our plans, we're back on the trail looking at fifth wheels. I think my last question comes down to which type fridge? We'll have some solar no matter, but since we're looking at a ...
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FootSoldier wrote:
The thought behind trying to get a week on batteries is that I figure we'll be in a hook-up by then. We could go from hookup to another hookup with at least a week in between, I think we could go anywhere we wanted.
If you are going campground to campground, residential makes a lot of sense.
You can make one work but it's not the ideal solution if you do a lot of boondocking away from grid power.
With propane, you can get weeks out of a single 30# tank...no muss no fuss.
Recently, 12v DC fridges have started to be spec'd as standard equipment in RVs. There are pros and cons:
- Biggest pro is the mechanicals are drastically smaller resulting in our new fridge being around 50% bigger.
- We do need solar and an extra battery if we want to boondock.
- It does cool down quicker than a propane (but only issue with keeping ice cream more than a few days in our prior propane units...had to do with eating it not keeping it cold).
12v DC fridges are not a new technology. They have been in use in the marine industry for years. Similar power limitations as RVs but when sailing, the boat is often heeled over 15-20degrees making a propane unit not so functional.
