Absorption vs. Residential refrigerator
My current rig - a 2017 Newmar Ventana LE - has a 12 c.f. 4-door refrigerator/freezer. Runs on 120 or propane, and simply does not keep the ice cream cold enough, and even at the highest setting, prev...
Forum Discussion
I'll never go back to absorption and primarily boondock. Usable space and cooling are superior in all conditions and at all elevations. You don't have to worry about being even remotely level and they're far more dependable/ less finicky.
I replaced the 7.5cu. ft absorption fridge in our truck camper with a 9.8cu. ft. apartment fridge and it uses 1.0-1.3kWh/day.
I replaced the 13cu. ft. absorption fridge in our fifth wheel with a 17.5cu. ft. counter-depth residential. It uses 1.6-1.9kWh/day, and we use the ice maker extensively as well.
I'd consider more solar and a larger battery bank... but don't like having to depend on a generator. 600W of panels might yield 3kWh if you're extremely lucky in the winter. Probably under 2kWh. Each Battleborn is roughly 1.2kWh, so not accounting for any charging, your fridge will deplete 1-2 batteries each day. Assuming you don't want to deplete your batteries each night and you want to be able to sustain through at least some inclement weather, you probably want a bank of 6+ batteries and triple the array.
I replaced the 7.5cu. ft absorption fridge in our truck camper with a 9.8cu. ft. apartment fridge and it uses 1.0-1.3kWh/day.
I replaced the 13cu. ft. absorption fridge in our fifth wheel with a 17.5cu. ft. counter-depth residential. It uses 1.6-1.9kWh/day, and we use the ice maker extensively as well.
I'd consider more solar and a larger battery bank... but don't like having to depend on a generator. 600W of panels might yield 3kWh if you're extremely lucky in the winter. Probably under 2kWh. Each Battleborn is roughly 1.2kWh, so not accounting for any charging, your fridge will deplete 1-2 batteries each day. Assuming you don't want to deplete your batteries each night and you want to be able to sustain through at least some inclement weather, you probably want a bank of 6+ batteries and triple the array.
