Resi fridges in more and more units
I'm seeing more units without propane ability for the fridge. If an inverter is also supplied by the manufacturer to only run the fridge does it stay powered enough from the tow vehicle on long runs...
Forum Discussion
BTDT, only with smaller fridges, so scale up for your estimates.
3.2 cu ft 120v fridge pulled about 4.5 DC amps via inverter running about 2/3 the time. So that is-- 4.5 x 24 x 67/100 = 73AH a day. That is no joke when you are off grid, solar or not. Bigger 120v fridge, say 100AH a day? (Not always the case that bigger cu ft = more draw)
So just for the fridge to stay above 50% SOC on the batts you need 200AH of battery bank, no solar, recharge every day. Solar, however much, can extend that by however much. ( Solar is just a way to extend the time between generator/charger recharging events.)
So you still need to run the rest of the rig meanwhile, so you need more batteries. Minimum about the equivalent of four 6s at 450AH.
BTW a similar size small absorption fridge that can run on propane, but running on 120v pulls more like 14 amps DC instead of that 4.5 amps. So that is a good indication of the reduced DC draw on inverter of a res fridge same size.
BUT that reduced amount is still a big problem if you are off grid and the sun won't come out. Now you must have a generator and charger to keep going, or be forced to shut down the fridge if you expect the furnace to keep you warm. It all turns into a big hassle. You need the weatherman to keep the solar going, but it turns out --he is not your friend!!!! :(
Lesson learned! If going off grid, have a propane fridge. You want to enjoy Rving , not having it be a nail-biter about the fridge.
3.2 cu ft 120v fridge pulled about 4.5 DC amps via inverter running about 2/3 the time. So that is-- 4.5 x 24 x 67/100 = 73AH a day. That is no joke when you are off grid, solar or not. Bigger 120v fridge, say 100AH a day? (Not always the case that bigger cu ft = more draw)
So just for the fridge to stay above 50% SOC on the batts you need 200AH of battery bank, no solar, recharge every day. Solar, however much, can extend that by however much. ( Solar is just a way to extend the time between generator/charger recharging events.)
So you still need to run the rest of the rig meanwhile, so you need more batteries. Minimum about the equivalent of four 6s at 450AH.
BTW a similar size small absorption fridge that can run on propane, but running on 120v pulls more like 14 amps DC instead of that 4.5 amps. So that is a good indication of the reduced DC draw on inverter of a res fridge same size.
BUT that reduced amount is still a big problem if you are off grid and the sun won't come out. Now you must have a generator and charger to keep going, or be forced to shut down the fridge if you expect the furnace to keep you warm. It all turns into a big hassle. You need the weatherman to keep the solar going, but it turns out --he is not your friend!!!! :(
Lesson learned! If going off grid, have a propane fridge. You want to enjoy Rving , not having it be a nail-biter about the fridge.
