Residential Refrigerators

With 4 GC-2 batteries and 435W of solar panels, we can go about 36 - 48 hours before we need to fire up the generator to top off the batteries for our 19cf Samsung. If we are running more than the fridge, which is
most of the time, I'm good for 12± hours period. What they are NOT telling you is that the inverter uses power also, you have power losses from the wiring, etc. so to say that it will run 8 - 10 hours on one battery, is a stretch at best. I would not try boondocking with that size fridge with less than 4 GC-2 batteries.

Swamp Man wrote:
I know that the refrigerator would not be running all of the time, but it would still consume power even when the compressor isn't running. Also, the refrigerator would not be accessed that much when on the road. Wondering if this is a deal breaker. I am told that a lot of the manufacturers are going to the residential refrigerators due to cost.

The fridge does not use any power when the compressor is not running but the inverter will use a tiny bit while sitting idle. It's very small, however. Even driving I would assume you have a setup that will charge your batteries while driving so fully charged batteries should remain fully charged while driving even with the fridge running.
By no means is it a deal breaker. It's a great safety feature and compared to an RV fridge you have more storage, better cooling and no issues with defrosting.

Lwiddis wrote:
With a properly sized solar system it should work fine.

And without any solar at all as well! Just need a way to recharge the batteries i.e. generator, engine alternator or shore power.

I think my Samsung pulls about 7a, and yes, 8-10hrs on one battery is about right. Regardless, you really need at least two batteries in order to run parasitic loads, a couple of lights and maybe the furnace1.

Swamp Man wrote:
We are looking at a toy hauler which has a residential refrigerator powered by an inverter. The salespeople, their supervisor, and so on say that you can run the refrigerator on one battery using the inverter for 8-10 hours. What is your experience? I think that even with two batteries you would be pushing things.

I know that the refrigerator would not be running all of the time, but it would still consume power even when the compressor isn't running. Also, the refrigerator would not be accessed that much when on the road. Wondering if this is a deal breaker. I am told that a lot of the manufacturers are going to the residential refrigerators due to cost.

8 to 10 hrs on one standard issue group 24 size battery is about right.

Moving up to a pair of 6V GC batteries which nearly triples the usable battery capacity from a group 24 should get you around 24 hrs without the need to recharge.

Adding some solar will add a bit more time depending on how much solar you add and how much sun you get.

Changing out the inverter to one that tracks the AC load and inverter turns on/off with the AC load demand will gain you some additional battery time.

With one pair of 6V GC batteries (wire in series to get 12V) and a Tripplite PV1250 inverter (this inverter has a power save feature that turns the inverter on/off with a AC load), I easily can travel during the day, overnight without shore power, run the furnace all night and use some lights in the evening before going to bed and still have plenty of battery left in the morning to travel the next day.

I don't have solar, but while traveling my tow vehicle can partly recharge the batteries which helps to extend my traveling time.

I would recommend if you are planning on camping without shore power that you at least consider a small generator, 2000W generator will usually be a good choice unless you need to run high power items like a air conditioner..

Household fridges are a good alternative now days provided you are not one of those folks who are die hard weekend warriors who have an aversion to running a generator for a couple of hrs in the morning and evening..

With a properly sized solar system it should work fine.

My 21 cuft EnergyStar draws 8 amps (96 watts) when running less than half the time so they are not blowing smoke... 8 amps time 5 hours = 40 AH or less than half of one battery. Two batteries will run mine more than 24 hours before needing to recharge the batteries.

Hello Matt,

Thanks for the reply. The one installed in the toy hauler we are looking at is a 28 cf. It is big.

Steve,

We have a small residential in our antique motorhome and while I have more than a single house battery, we can run a day and a half in hot weather. The house bank is a pair of GC2s. The inverter is just a Hazard Fright cheapie (750/1500) It needs to be that big to handle the starting load.

And no, the reefer does not draw power when the compressor isn't running - unless you open the door and the light goes on.

Matt