Fridge operation on 12 volt
How long should a Domentic model #RM2554 operate on 24 series deep cycle battery? We bought new battery ran it off 12 volt for 2 hours and battery dropped to 11.77 volts. We have had so many issues wi...
Forum Discussion
ScottG wrote:
Even the biggest 3 way fridges only use 15 amps so any alternator should be able to keep up no matter what is running:
6 cuft Norcold
One of the main reasons many TC folks abandoned using 12vdc for cooling is the issue of having low house batteries and running the fridge. You could have a demand of 15 amps for the fridge and who knows how much for the house batteries....
So even 20amps for the house batteries and 15 for the fridge is 35 amps which exceeds the 30 amp factory fused/relay controls for trailer/camper. Some trucks stock fusing/relay may be more.
Wire gauge considerations are also an issue. I have measured a 1vdc drop from the truck battery to the house battery just to charge it... (2x amps). So 13.8 alternator voltage drops to 12.8 by the time it gets to the house batteries and you are not going to charge very much if at all and this is not taking into consideration of a possible absorb fridge running on 12vdc.
Many TC folks have rewired and added relays/solenoids and big wire to compensate.
Jim
