Weekend camping - Fridge use

[jawsthemeswimmi]

My wife and I have a Flagstaff Microlite 23LB. We go camping at a few campgrounds throughout the year that don't have any hookups. All we really want to use is the lights (minimally), the water pump, and the fridge. Our fridge runs off gas but still drains a bit of the battery. We have one 12v battery and I was hoping to make it 3 days on that. It didn't work. After about 12 hours our battery was very low. Can anyone give me some ideas, other than adding another 12v, on what they do for fridge without hookups? Would another 12v really give me enough time? The first one didn't even last a day. Thanks!

[Lwiddis]

Using minimal electric power is ideal for a 200 watt solar system. “Battery” covers a bunch of ground. What type of battery? Amp hour capacity? Age? Was it full when you hit the campground? (But don’t guess) Lights LED? A second battery is probably necessary but daily total recharge for battery health is required...one way or the other.

[FLY_4_FUN]

First take a look at what size battery is actually on your rig (group 24/27/31) and im guessing its a budget group 24. With minimal use for lights/pump/fridge most 12v batts are good for 2-3 days. Throw in furnace and a single night is about all you can expect. Either get a bigger 12v batt, add a matching second 12v batt in parallel, add solar or purchase a generator. Also an idea to ensure the battery that is currently on board gets load tested as perhaps its been drained below safe levels often and cant get the job done.

Best advice I can give that was given to me is google the 12v side of life as theres great advice on the fundamentals of our rv electrical systems.

[MFL]

If you don't want a major battery pack, and don't plan on solar, then a small inverter generator would be the easiest.

Jerry