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ripperoo's avatar
ripperoo
Explorer
Jul 17, 2013

Somewhat subjective battery question...UPDATE

As the subject says, I have a subjective battery question. I know there won't be a definitive answer here, but looking for your gut feel.

I'm going camping this weekend, and then again next weekend, at the same campground. Since I know the owners of the campground, they're going to let me leave my camper in a parking lot for the week so I won't have to tow it the 75 miles back home, and then 75 miles back the next weekend. There will not be electric to plug into for the week.

So, the question. Do you think my batteries will last the week running only the refrigerator? I'm hoping to leave whatever food and drinks inside. More importantly, I'd like to arrive the second weekend with the fridge cold, so I can avoid the 1/2 day or so it would take to re-cool it. I've never boondocked with it yet, so I don't have any history on battery longevity.

Details:

-I'll be leaving it at the campground unplugged from Monday afternoon until the following Saturday morning, at which time I'll be able to place on new site and plug in.

-The batteries will be fully charged when left. They are group 24, standard 12v deep cycle RV batteries.

-The batteries are about 3 years old, always maintained, i.e., water kept up. Except they were run down to dead once last year; forgot to disconnect them once for 3 weeks while in storage. I take them out at season end, and keep them on a Battery Tender in my garage.

-Outside temps will be between 80 and 90 degrees. Inside could hit 100 degrees. Don't remember if the lot is shaded or sunny.

-Plan on turning off all breakers except the fridge.

So what do you think? Might they last the 5 days or so?

Thanks for your thoughts,

Mark
  • It should be OK. You may want to place a slab of dry ice in the freezer and refrig compartments as a back up.

    We have boondocked for a week with 4 batteries to run lights and refrig (on LP) with no problems

    Is there a way you could do a test run before your trip. Try to run the refrig for a week to see if the batteries will hold up.
  • ripperoo wrote:
    sch911 wrote:
    The batteries only supply the 12v DC to the fridges electronics. LP or 120v shore power are used to feed the cooling system. I assume you'll leave it on LP gas for the week? If so I'd think it would make it.

    If you're considering running an inverter for a week there's no way it'll make it.


    Yep. I was planning on running it on LP. The camper will not be used during the week, so I'll turn all breakers off except the one controlling the fridge. I assume that will be electronics and the ignitor?


    As stated the breakers won't help. they're for 120v devices.
  • Just a thought, but you may want to check if you are able to turn the carbon monoxide, LP leak monitors and any other parasitic draws off via a beaker. I am not certain but these may be hard wired to the battery and will continue to draw.
  • Yes on LP you should make it. 120v breakers on or off is not relevant.
    You might save a small amount of power by pulling the 12v fuses to the radio and propane detector.
    Either way I think you will be fine.

    Of course if you had 80w of solar....
  • sch911 wrote:
    The batteries only supply the 12v DC to the fridges electronics. LP or 120v shore power are used to feed the cooling system. I assume you'll leave it on LP gas for the week? If so I'd think it would make it.

    If you're considering running an inverter for a week there's no way it'll make it.


    Yep. I was planning on running it on LP. The camper will not be used during the week, so I'll turn all breakers off except the one controlling the fridge. I assume that will be electronics and the ignitor?
  • The batteries only supply the 12v DC to the fridges electronics. LP or 120v shore power are used to feed the cooling system. I assume you'll leave it on LP gas for the week? If so I'd think it would make it.

    If you're considering running an inverter and powering it with 120V AC for a week there's no way it'll make it.