Resi Fridge draining batteries, please help.

[magnusson]

Hello,
Brand new Fifth Wheel owner, Just purchased a 2018 Forest River Arctic Wolf. We took our first trip last week and had a blast. Only "issue" we have is that we decided to get the residential fridge(Even though 90% of our camping will be boon docking/Dry) and the stock 2 24dc 85ah 12 volt batteries that I think are wired in parallel only powered our 1000 watt inverter/fridge for about 3 hours. Any recomendations on how to get at least 8 hours of power to fridge from batteries. I'm fine running my generator twice a day. I'm OK buying new batteries and using the stock ones for my boat. 6v vs 12v? The trailer is also solar ready. Thanks for any help while I'm researching.

[laknox]

pianotuna wrote:
Hi,

What make and model is the fridge?

What make and model is the inverter?

Turn off auto defrost.

Add solar https://freecampsites.net/adding-solar/

Cool down the fridge before starting the trip.

Beef up the charging system.

magnusson wrote:
Only "issue" we have is that we decided to get the residential fridge(Even though 90% of our camping will be boon docking/Dry) and the stock 2 24dc 85ah 12 volt batteries that I think are wired in parallel only powered our 1000 watt inverter/fridge for about 3 hours.

I would add to pre-cool all your food and drinks, too. Even to the point of freezing some things, then putting them in the fridge to thaw. Personally, I have a couple dozen freeze packs that I've acquired over the years, and I put them in my fridge and freezer as soon as I turn it on.

Lyle

[ford_truck_guy]

3 hours sounds way off. . . I have a residential fridge with a 1000 watt pure wave sine inverter and 2 group 31 sealed no name batteries and got way more than that. Those bats died so I just upgraded to 2 of the Lifeline group 31 AGM's . .

[pianotuna]

Hi,

What make and model is the fridge?

What make and model is the inverter?

Turn off auto defrost.

Add solar https://freecampsites.net/adding-solar/

Cool down the fridge before starting the trip.

Beef up the charging system.

magnusson wrote:
Only "issue" we have is that we decided to get the residential fridge(Even though 90% of our camping will be boon docking/Dry) and the stock 2 24dc 85ah 12 volt batteries that I think are wired in parallel only powered our 1000 watt inverter/fridge for about 3 hours.

[goducks10]

I would make sure your 5er charging system works right.
Did you run other things at the same time? I'm not sure how 2 G24's would drain that fast. If you didn't get a full charge then that's one reason.
Somethings not right with your setup and I don't think it's because they're G 24s.

[kerrlakeRoo]

Depending on the size and shape of the battery compartment change to AGM batteries, they recharge faster and 200 amp hr battery is 20" x 10" x 9" cost is around $300-$400

[Trackrig]

I would have expected two batteries to last longer, I don't think something is right. But regardless, yes install four 6V batteries. I'm looking at going to a residential refer in my MH, but first I'm trying to figure out how to go from four to six batteries and what solar set-up I want. I'm doing a smaller solar install on a TT now to learn.

Running the generator is fine if you need the AC because it's not going to happen off of batteries or batteries and solar for the common person. But to run it a couple times a day for the refer is a waste.

Even though to me the first solar install is a pain because it's mostly new stuff to me, I still think it's well worthwhile and you should do it.

Bill

[Lwiddis]

"The trailer is also solar ready"

Consider a big solar system with the 4 6 volt batteris as suggested above. That's a bunch of generator use just for a fridge.

[lostdog]

Welcome. We have a residential refer also, 2 group 27 batteries wired in parallel and we have gone for over 24 hours with no problems. Are your batteries fully charged? Is the refer the only draw on those batteries when boondocking?

[darsben1]

Buy 4 6 volt batteries.