I have a solar system with 320 watts and 2000 watt inverter.Thought I could run all weekend with refrigerator on auto and residential fan...Not the case. Does a refrigerator use a lot of watts, should I keep it on propane?

A quick Google search reveals that the Norcold fridges like mine (10cf) use around 325-400 watts. Add in the parasitic losses and you are using more power then you are replacing with a 320 watt solar setup. Take the fridge off AC from the inverter and use the propane. If you do that you should be set for some nice power filled boondocking time! I've recently purchased the 120w GoPower portable unit to start with and it charges the batteries up pretty well. I'm going to eventually get the GoPower flex panels and rig up a 300+ watt setup on top the trailer. I still need to install an inverter - just not sure how I want to do it. Good luck to you!

Yes keep the fridge on propane. Same with the water heater.

Hi,The dometic fridge in my rv uses 4.8 kwh per day. Generally they run on a 2:3 duty cycle (i.e. 40 minutes of on time per hour).

Your typical, modern 18cf home refrigerator uses about 41 KWH/month or 1.37 KWH/day - a much more efficient use of A/C power than an RV absorption fridge.https://www.efficiencyvermont.com/For-My-Home/ways-to-save-and-rebates/Appliances/Refrigerators/General-Info/Electric-Usage-ChartHowever my RV fridge will run over a month on a tank of propane. Your mileage may vary.Chip

How many batteries do you have?

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time2roll
Nomad
Aug 10, 2014
Yes keep the fridge on propane. Same with the water heater.
mrkoje
Explorer
Aug 10, 2014
A quick Google search reveals that the Norcold fridges like mine (10cf) use around 325-400 watts. Add in the parasitic losses and you are using more power then you are replacing with a 320 watt solar setup. Take the fridge off AC from the inverter and use the propane. If you do that you should be set for some nice power filled boondocking time!

I've recently purchased the 120w GoPower portable unit to start with and it charges the batteries up pretty well. I'm going to eventually get the GoPower flex panels and rig up a 300+ watt setup on top the trailer. I still need to install an inverter - just not sure how I want to do it.

Good luck to you!

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