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htwheelz67's avatar
htwheelz67
Explorer
Aug 27, 2016

who dry camps with residential fridge?

I'm thinking about replacing my rv fridge with a residential model, mine is going on 12 years and still works but I go to AZ a lot in 100+ degree weather, I mostly stay with full hookups but 3-5 times a year I dry camp for about 3-4 days at a time. I found an energy star 10 cuft model that is almost exact dimensions of my current one. I have a 1200 watt PSW inverter(for fridge only), 200 watts solar and going to add 200 more (all my mppt controller will handle) I have 2 6v GC batts and either adding 2 more and/or adding a 12v large 260AH agm batt with a switch so to switch between batt banks or both. Also have an onan 5500 genny. It seems it should work fine with no problems, I have a dedicated deep cycle charger instead of the converter's charger and a homemade wind turbine that runs a 100 amp alternator (havent tried it yet) but it get very windy where I go.

25 Replies

  • Almot's avatar
    Almot
    Explorer III
    You have more than adequate means for the task.

    485 AH total bank is 240 AH usable energy. It will support the fridge and minor loads for 2 days with no charging. In AZ solar will contribute at least some charging, and you said your dry camping will be only 3-4 days.

    At this point, your energy budget is a no problem already.

    400W solar in summer will harvest "enough" or "almost enough" to run everything including fridge and not including A/C. Doesn't matter if the solar will harvest enough or not, because your battery will provide about a half of needed energy for 3-4 days.

    In the end, with 5.5K generator that in 100F weather you will surely have to run because of A/C, I don't know what the heck you're worried about :)...

    Wind turbine looks like an excess. Given the location and duration of trip, it will likely be less efficient energy source than solar, and any close neighbors will hate the sound. You might not like it too.

    Sorry for being cranky, must be the heat.
  • Wind Energy, stand alone kit.....Drool, thats what i want, not solar. Patience is all i need.
  • The sticking point with wind power is that you need constant wind, a decent prop size, and the correct efficiency of generator to make it produce any usable power. I'd bet that the 100amp alternator should have a 7' diameter prop and unless some special gearing or pulley sizing is used, there won't be more than 5-10 amps produced. I mess with this stuff, occasionally.
  • Naio's avatar
    Naio
    Explorer II
    I'd be very interested to hear how the wind turbine works out for you!
  • You should be golden. I run a 120V fridge with 235W of solar and 300AH of capacity. If the sun shines, I have no worries.

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