Forum Discussion

rsaylor3's avatar
rsaylor3
Explorer
Mar 26, 2019

Residential fridge stored with no electricity access?

So we are thinking about purchasing a new Montana High Country fifth wheel. It has the residential refrigerator. We store our camper at a storage location that has electric available on some spots, but for a higher price each month. We currently have a gas/electric fridge. When getting ready for a trip I just stop by a day or two before we leave and start the fridge on gas. That way it's fully cooled when we load the fridge the night before we leave.

Will 2 31 series deep cycle batteries be enough to at least start the fridge the residential fridge the night before? Want to make sure it's cold and ready for the food when we leave.

I also usually keep our trailer covered, and a small trickle solar panel over the propane tanks to keep my one current batter topped off. I guess I would have to hang a larger unit off the front of the 5th wheel cover.

What are your thoughts and experience? Will two batteries run the fridge for a couple days?
  • What kind of inverter (not converter) comes in this Montana?
  • Have not purchased it yet, think it comes with one battery, but thought I might need two to make it through the night. If I can load an go without a pre cool, I might stick to one battery. I'll
  • SoundGuy wrote:
    Any 6 cu ft DSI fridge I've owned, whether Norcold or Dometic, have been fine for use in 4 - 5 hrs after starting it.
    Mine too.. even down to 2 or 3 hours. I rarely precool my Dometic, just stuff it full of cold food and start it then.
  • time2roll wrote:
    The cool down period is a couple hours vs close to 24 on the absorption fridge.


    The only gas absorption fridges I've owned that have taken anywhere near that much time to cool down sufficiently for use have been small manual light 2 cu ft 3-way fridges commonly installed in popups. Any 6 cu ft DSI fridge I've owned, whether Norcold or Dometic, have been fine for use in 4 - 5 hrs after starting it.
  • rsaylor3 wrote:
    And the one battery and connection to the truck while driving should be plenty of juice to keep it running on the way to a campground.


    In your original post it was 2 Group 31 batteries, now it's just 1 of unknown capacity? What are we missing here? :h
  • rsaylor3 wrote:
    And the one battery and connection to the truck..
    One?
  • Ok, that's great news and appreciate the super fast replies!

    And the one battery and connection to the truck while driving should be plenty of juice to keep it running on the way to a campground.
  • The good thing about a residential is that you don't have to pre-chill it. Just turn it on and load with cold food and it will be fine. The cool down period is a couple hours vs close to 24 on the absorption fridge. Just turn it on, bring it home and load it up. Of course if you load it with 2 cases of warm beer it could take a bit longer.

    Otherwise yes if the battery is mostly charged the fridge should run overnight just fine.
  • Residential Cool down very quickly. Just load it up with food and start it then.
  • Does the RV have a genny you can start at least a few hours before? I personally use a couple blocks of ice 24 hours before if I don't have power to chill a room temp fridge and freezer down.

About Technical Issues

Having RV issues? Connect with others who have been in your shoes.24,190 PostsLatest Activity: Jan 22, 2025