jluke wrote:
This is a topic that has been worked over pretty good, but I have a couple of questions. I have a 2000 Holiday Rambler with 2 6 volt batteries as house batts. We have a household refrigerator, not a large one, that, while on the road, I crank up the generator every couple of hours to keep cool. most of our trips are short ones, we do not boondock. End of this year, we are taking a long trip. I would like to install an inverter just for the fridge while driving, we will hook up to shore power every night. Can I add a 12v deep cycle for the additional juice needed or are 2 more 6v batts recommended. I am planning on a 2000 inverter, modified sine wave, do I need a pure sine wave for the fridge? Ideally, this would be a hookup where i don't have to unplug/plug, each night and morning. Does anyone have a schematic for this and or recommendations? Thanks to all
John,
First, I am going to assume that this is the HR MH- Right?
If it is, your plan is good - I know it is working for me. (For about 10 years, 50 road days and about 60K miles.)
Now,
Do not add batteries to the house bank even if you are going to dry camp (like in a rest area or other) on occasions. Your 2 GC2s should hold the reefer over night. You can run the generator if needed during the day. (I hope you have a CO monitor.)
During a road day with stops, the main engine alternator should be able to manage the extra load, but if you do not have a system volt meter on the house bank, you should thing about adding one.
The reefer should run fine on an MSW inverter. It will run a little noisy (HUM), and the compressor may be warmer than usual, but we have been doing this for years. You 2K size should work, it does for most RV sized residential reefers.
There is no schematic to be had because it is too simple.
Find a place for the inverter that is close to but not in the same space as the house bank as the corrosive fumes from the house bank will kill it. You will want Gunga-Heavy wire to the inverter as the 12V to the inverter is 10 TIMES the current that the reefer draws. (We are talking about something that might be jumper cables here.) It also should be as short as you can make it.
Most inverters have 5-15 receptacles (normal household outlets). Just get a heavy duty extension cord to run from the inverter to the reefer. Do not do this in Romex (house wire) as that is solid and prone to vibration failures.
Even if you don't bother to move the plug when you are on shore power, the converter should be able to accommodate the load. Just get in the habit of opening the reefer down at departure to see if the light comes on.
There is a hidden benefit here....
Run another extension cord out into the living spaces to provide AC underway. This can run whatever your (or passenger's) want to run during the road day.
Matt
