running refer on inverter full time

naturist wrote:
If you are on shore power, the dual inefficiencies of turning 120 v AC into 12 v DC, then back into 120 v AC have already been pointed out, which wasted power turns into heat, which gradually will use up both converter and inverter, leading to early replacement of each.

Into the bargain, a 2 kw inverter running a compressor style refer is going to suck a lot of power out of your batteries when not on shore power. If running down the road, your TV or MH alternator probably won't be able to keep up, so you will land with your house battery slightly discharged. Any time boondocking or not on shore power will use up battery pretty fast.

A compressor refer uses around 650 watts when running, and around 2000 watts for a few seconds when starting up. (YMMV depending on which make and model and size is in question.) This is a 54 amp draw running, and a 167 amp draw when the compressor is starting up. This sort of load will suck your house batteries pretty fast. If you had a single group 24 battery, that load would pretty much deplete the battery in 30-40 minutes, and completely kill it in less than an hour, assuming 100% efficiency, which of course, you will not have.

Given that your converter probably recharges your house batteries at the rate of 55 amps (or less, some are only 45 amps), while both inverter and refer are running, you will not be charging the house battery at all.

Just for a reference I have two batteries and my refrigerator pulls about a 110 watts when running about 360 watts when starting for a few moments. It is a 10.3 cubic foot refer. I have measured these and this is accurate. I appreciate all the opinions and hope to get many more.