12v Refidgerators

[KLYoung]

I have been looking at new TTs and have found that quite a few have 12v only refriderators. Has anyone used these while boondocking? How long will they run on solar? I have 400w of solar panels and 2 100a Battleborn batteries.

[jorbill2or]

12 volt Refrigerators are some pretty efficient units , or at least can be. Many people have preconceived ideas based on old tech. 400 watts solar with a sufficient battery pack and no additional large draws would be plenty for a 10 ish cubic foot modern 12 volt unit. Now if your camping in the winter with no sun and furnace use ... well most likely not.
How much battery capacity ?, that tells you how long it will run. the solar or Generator (what solar is)just replenish the battery. hopefully 5-6 hours of solar replenish the 24 hour draw.

[ford_truck_guy]

My daughter and her fiance' just purchased their first trailer this weekend..
It is a 2021 Forest River Vibe and it came with a - "12 Volt Everchill Residential Refer"..

Part of the deal was for the dealer to include a second battery, and upgrade BOTH to deep cycle..

They will NOT dry camp at any time, so that type of fridge is fine. I am not sure how people who boondock would take to this?

[2oldman]

GordonThree wrote:
...with 120v only fridges... but not 12v only?

I'm betting it's 120 and he just forgot the 0.

[GordonThree]

opnspaces wrote:
12v only seems kind of short sighted on the manufacturers side. Are you looking at new trailers? Can you post a make and model of one of them?

agreed ... I've seen several new rigs, mostly toward the higher end with 120v only fridges... but not 12v only?

[opnspaces]

12v only seems kind of short sighted on the manufacturers side. Are you looking at new trailers? Can you post a make and model of one of them?

[2oldman]

I would imagine those refidgerators would "run" on solar all day as long as the sun is shining. The question would be will they run through the night.

Post the make/model of your refer. We need to know its power draw and duty cycle.