Power Inverter
I just installed an apartment type refrigerator and want to install a power inverter to run it while I am traveling. What I need to know is what size cables do I need to hook it up to my batteries. I ...
Forum Discussion
brulaz wrote:Gdetrailer wrote:brulaz wrote:
Was looking at a 10-11 cuft LG frig that might be crammed into our trailer.
The Energy Star rating was 400KWH per year. Which I guess translates into only 46W or 0.38A at 120VAC?
Seems hard to believe ...
Your assuming the fridge compressor operates 24/7/356, it does not.
No, I'm assuming the Energy Star rating system takes all that into account and gives you an overall average. No idea if that's true or not.
In actual use the fridge compressor should run only about 20-25 minutes per hr.
The defrost cycles typically will run once for about 10 minutes per every 10 hrs of compressor operation.
You will find that your LG will actually be drawing about 80W-90W while the compressor is running or about .75A at 120V..
Many of the newer fridges are much more energy efficient, one way this is done is to run some of the refrigeration tubing (heat side) around the door openings. This replaces the older electric heaters used to reduce sweating at the door.
Energy star is an "average" of 365 DAYS of "usage".
So 400 Kwhr usage over 365 DAYS, but the compressor is not RUNNING ALL DAY. So your "math" is flawed by "assuming" 24/7/365 COMPRESSOR OPERATION..
In reality the 400 Kwhr is used 20-25 MINUTES per hr or 600 MINUTES per DAY (which is 10 HOURS MAX PER DAY).. or 3650 HRS PER YEAR..
As I stated, the REAL number is closer to .75A at 120V and not what you came up with (.38A at 120V).
As a reference, my 10 cu ft home fridge has a name plate rating of 1.1A at 120V, BUT my MEASURED draw was .8A at 120V..
