Residential Refrigerator Electric Only

[Papafishy]

I am looking to purchase a Fleetwood Storm 32A. It is equipped with a "residential 11 cu.ft. refrigerator. I was told that it is only electric and runs off 2 glass pack batteries which recharge while driving, running the generator or on shore power.
My RVing often takes me into places where there is no shore power and you are not allowed to run the generator. My question is, does anyone have experience with this system? Will the batteries last for 4 to 6 days if not recharged?

[phillyg]

I can go roughly 14 hours on two hybrid batteries working thru a converter. The AGM batts should last a bit longer, but no way 4 days without running the genset or adding a big solar bank.

[Bill_Satellite]

hostage wrote:

Bill.Satellite wrote:
You would need solar power to go 4-6 days. The glass pack batteries are likely referring to AGM (absorbed glass mat) batteries but you don't say what size or capacity they are. It's likely you would only get 1 or 2 days max without a recharge and that depends upon what other 12V devices you will be using during that period. I have an older and larger fridge so the comparison is not fair, but I can just get through 1 night with 4 big 8-D batteries running the fridge and my satellite receivers, phone chargers, MiFi devices and the rest of the parasitic draws.

kinda off topic here BUT if u have FOUR 8D batterys you should be able to go a lot longer than one nite;; your batterys must be old and weak

Actually, they are neither. You have no idea about what's running in my coach or the type of equipment I use. I have a 20.5cf fridge with ice maker and water water through the door. It's not efficient as it's a 1994 model but it works great. I also have a large number of devices that maintain a constant 120V draw on the batteries. So, as I mentioned, the comparison is not fair but for me, it's reality. I have had Lifeline AGM's which lasted 10 years and acted better in the first 5 years than that last 5 years but the difference could be measured in hours and not days.

[DSDP_Don]

"Papafishy"......Almost every diesel pusher and many Class A gassers now only come with residential refers. They've now been in use for about 6 years. Most everyone, even with large battery banks can get 24-36 hours running on batteries. This also includes using other electrical items in the coach. If you were to run just the refer and nothing else, you would probably get about 24 hours.

You would need a LOT of batteries and a LOT of solar to run 5-6 days. Batteries are cheap, but room and weight is an issue on a gas coach. Solar sufficient to do the job would be expensive.

As suggested above, you should be looking at going with a two way refer.

[hostage]

Bill.Satellite wrote:
You would need solar power to go 4-6 days. The glass pack batteries are likely referring to AGM (absorbed glass mat) batteries but you don't say what size or capacity they are. It's likely you would only get 1 or 2 days max without a recharge and that depends upon what other 12V devices you will be using during that period. I have an older and larger fridge so the comparison is not fair, but I can just get through 1 night with 4 big 8-D batteries running the fridge and my satellite receivers, phone chargers, MiFi devices and the rest of the parasitic draws.

kinda off topic here BUT if u have FOUR 8D batterys you should be able to go a lot longer than one nite;; your batterys must be old and weak

[Dutch_12078]

When you're figuring out the battery capacity, keep in mind that residential fridges typically cycle on less often and run shorter times than RV absorption fridges. The typical duty cycle is about 50% at standard temperatures, or about 20 minutes on then 20 minutes off. An RV fridge on propane though, will use much less battery power of course.

[tropical36]

Papafishy wrote:
Thank you all for the good advice. The solar is a good idea, also the trade. The 2 AGM batteries are only for the Refig. and I'm not sure of the size. So my next step is to look at the battery size and amp draw on the compressor and fans. I'll keep you posted

Not sure what you're saying here about the two AGM's and dedicated to the fridge only.
So, how many house batteries do you have in total and do you then have a separate inverter for the fridge, as well?

[Papafishy]

Thank you all for the good advice. The solar is a good idea, also the trade. The 2 AGM batteries are only for the Refig. and I'm not sure of the size. So my next step is to look at the battery size and amp draw on the compressor and fans. I'll keep you posted

[tropical36]

Papafishy wrote:
I am looking to purchase a Fleetwood Storm 32A. It is equipped with a "residential 11 cu.ft. refrigerator. I was told that it is only electric and runs off 2 glass pack batteries which recharge while driving, running the generator or on shore power.
My RVing often takes me into places where there is no shore power and you are not allowed to run the generator. My question is, does anyone have experience with this system? Will the batteries last for 4 to 6 days if not recharged?

Next time you're traveling way south, stop by and I'll trade ya a gas/elect. 4 door NORCOLD 1200 for it.
Meanwhile, it sounds like you're gonna have to go for a ride to the store, every couple of days and leave her idling in the parking lot to get your batteries back up to par. Also be careful of any other unnecessary loads.

[Bill_Satellite]

You would need solar power to go 4-6 days. The glass pack batteries are likely referring to AGM (absorbed glass mat) batteries but you don't say what size or capacity they are. It's likely you would only get 1 or 2 days max without a recharge and that depends upon what other 12V devices you will be using during that period. I have an older and larger fridge so the comparison is not fair, but I can just get through 1 night with 4 big 8-D batteries running the fridge and my satellite receivers, phone chargers, MiFi devices and the rest of the parasitic draws.

[Lwiddis]

An adequate solar and battery combination will work well. Don't skimp on either. From your post I gather you need to do some reading before you buy that RV or a solar/battery system....glass pack batteries?

[sch911]

You may want to consider an optional solar charging package in addition to any additional battery upgrades that may be availlable for that model.

[ScottG]

No, the battery's wont last 4 to 6 days unless you have a huge bank of them or lots of solar.
I don't think a resi is ideal for your situation.