Compressor Refrigerator opt 12v?
Has anyone been using one of these 12v compressor refrigerators? I've heard they are low amp drawing. How are they on the battery?
Forum Discussion
I have a Northstar with a compressor refrigerator. When I bought the camper it came with a large unit, about 7 cu ft. The wiring was not done correctly. The refrigerator was on the other side of the unit from the batteries so the wiring length was pretty long. Northstar used 12 gauge wiring which barely worked. When the battery drained slightly, the drop in voltage due to the undersized wiring was enough that the refrigerator shut down. Next Northstar failed to provide adequate ventilation. There was some intake under the unit but the exhaust was merely a 3" diameter hole. Very substantial ventilation is required for a 7 cuft refrigerator. In addition is probably pulled about 6 amps. I replaced with 12 gauge with 6 gauge wiring, put in a lot of ventilation and then gave up on the large unit. I replaced the Waeco with a small 4 cuft NovaKool. Power consumption dropped to about 3 amps. I also added a second 135 watt solar panel and 300 AH of AGM batteries. The upgrades cost me about $1000 for the NovaKool, another $500 or so for the solar panels and installation and $800 for the batteries.
As I mentioned the NovaKool pulls about 3 amps. In cool weather, say 70 degrees, it only runs about 30 percent of the time for about 20 amp hours. In the summer when temperatures often exceed 80 degrees, the unit runs almost constantly and by 85-90 it does run constantly for a consumption of about 70 AH. On average I probably need to replace about 50 AHs per day. My wife also uses a CPAP that pulls another 30 AH. Charging computers and camera batteries and minimal use of the water pump and LED lights can easily add another 20, 30 or more AH. I routinely use 100 AH per day. I just completed a 3 month trip. At this time of year in most latitudes, the solar panels cannot possibly keep up with the consumption. I avoid shade, hate cloudy days and am constantly paying attention so I park for maximum solar gain. Virtually every day for the past 3 months of travel I had to run the generator for an hour or two in the attempt to break even and avoid shortening the life of my batteries.
Would I get a compressor refrigerator again? Absolutely not. I am even thinking of cutting holes into the side of my camper so I can install a propane unit. If you think I am negative about compressor refrigerators, read this story about trying to deal with a compressor refrigerator in hot weather:
https://www.exploroz.com/members/145028.75/1/2009/queensland_adventures_winter_2008.aspx?p=%2fblogs%2fdefault.aspx
As I mentioned the NovaKool pulls about 3 amps. In cool weather, say 70 degrees, it only runs about 30 percent of the time for about 20 amp hours. In the summer when temperatures often exceed 80 degrees, the unit runs almost constantly and by 85-90 it does run constantly for a consumption of about 70 AH. On average I probably need to replace about 50 AHs per day. My wife also uses a CPAP that pulls another 30 AH. Charging computers and camera batteries and minimal use of the water pump and LED lights can easily add another 20, 30 or more AH. I routinely use 100 AH per day. I just completed a 3 month trip. At this time of year in most latitudes, the solar panels cannot possibly keep up with the consumption. I avoid shade, hate cloudy days and am constantly paying attention so I park for maximum solar gain. Virtually every day for the past 3 months of travel I had to run the generator for an hour or two in the attempt to break even and avoid shortening the life of my batteries.
Would I get a compressor refrigerator again? Absolutely not. I am even thinking of cutting holes into the side of my camper so I can install a propane unit. If you think I am negative about compressor refrigerators, read this story about trying to deal with a compressor refrigerator in hot weather:
https://www.exploroz.com/members/145028.75/1/2009/queensland_adventures_winter_2008.aspx?p=%2fblogs%2fdefault.aspx
