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!

[ReneeG]

Thanks for touching base. Let us know what you find out because it helps us all.

[jawsthemeswimmi]

I appreciate everyone taking the time to try to help with my issue.

I'm going to try to give more info after reading through all the responses.

We really only go camping with no hookups once or twice a year. I don't really want to purchase a generator or solar panels for that. I've had my current battery tested and was told it is still good. I believe the battery I have is a group 24.

When we have this issue (battery not lasting) we definitely are not using the furnace. Like I said, it's minimal lights, minimal water pump, and the fridge on gas. We do already have LED lights.

How can I test my battery to confirm it is actually good. We did have it tested at the dealer last year and they said it was fine. Also, how can I tell if my charger isn't fully charging it?

I'll have to look at the moisture switch. I haven't heard of that issue before.

I'm pretty sure my battery is a marine rv battery.

Again, thanks for all of the advice. I am going to look into some of this and will report back with results.

[SoundGuy]

postmandug wrote:
@Soundguy
And why would I need to totally unplug my TV? It’s 120V only....

Your's is a newer model year 192RBS than mine but you might what to check that your television won't indeed run directly off 12 vdc, as does mine. I ditched the 12 vdc > 120 vac power supply as it's just not necessary. By powering the television on 12 vdc you can then use it while dry camping but it's a good idea to disconnect it entirely from that 12 vdc supply when you're not using it as the television still draws power even when you turn it "off".

[profdant139]

I'm sure you have thought of this already, but use a hydrometer to make sure that you do not have a bad cell. It's easy to use.

[postmandug]

@Soundguy
And why would I need to totally unplug my TV? It’s 120V only.....

[mikakuja]

I agree with putting in a switch (if not equipped) or disconnecting the heat strip on the fridge all together (as we did).. Of all the parasitic draws a trailer or camper has (not including regular use of lights, furnace, water pump, etc) this makes the biggest difference in power saving when dry camping.

Adding a larger AH battery bank was one of the first things I did to our trailer when we purchased it. The one dealer included battery won't do much more than a night if the furnace is used.
I run dual 6v GC2 225AH batteries in both our camper and trailer and 3-4 days is easily doable with regular use of the furnace, lights and even a movie night thrown in.

[mtofell1]

First I'd be suspect of the battery itself. That just doesn't sound like enough usage to drain a healthy battery of any regular size. Once you've ruled that out you can either get a bigger or second battery, use your vehicle as a generator or buy a small generator. Buying a small generator for dry camping was one of the best purchases I ever made. Having to micromanage power use sucks when you're out trying to have fun. It's kind of like having to count pounds when you don't have enough truck. We're out to enjoy ourselves. There's enough worrying and paying attention at home.

[ReneeG]

We have yet to hear back from the OP on what he found out.

[SoundGuy]

postmandug wrote:
Well me and the better half are in our TT right now in the driveway just to test this sort of issue out.
Been on battery (1) since Sunday afternoon. LED lights have been used but not abused. Fridge seems to be doing great. Fresh water is a bit low, but 3 days appears to be easily doable. That’s also using the USB wall plug to charge phones and iPads. No problem so far....

Great, BUT ... you're still wasting precious battery reserve if you've not installed a kill switch in the radio memory circuit, forget to turn off the television wall plate, don't bother unplugging the television completely, and the biggie - don't turn off that darned fridge climate control heating element. If your new 192RBS has a Dometic DM2652 as does my 2014 192RBS then it will have the heating element but no switch to turn it off, the solution being to add your own ... it will make a difference. 😉

[postmandug]

Well me and the better half are in our TT right now in the driveway just to test this sort of issue out.
Been on battery (1) since Sunday afternoon. LED lights have been used but not abused. Fridge seems to be doing great. Fresh water is a bit low, but 3 days appears to be easily doable. That’s also using the USB wall plug to charge phones and iPads. No problem so far....

[SoundGuy]

SoundGuy wrote:
Which is something I bet most RV owners don't even think about. Heck, anytime I've mentioned it to camping friends most times I just get a blank stare as they have no idea what I'm talking about. :R

ependydad wrote:
Unfortunately, Dometic did away with the switch. It still heats up and the wiring diagram still shows a switch, but the physical switch is gone.

I added a spade terminal so I could unplug it. Others have added a switch.

Stinks that it isn't there any longer.

Tell me about it, my Dometic DM2652 is one of them so I added my own switch.

[Bagger97]

Check your TV and make sure the charge line is functional. It will charge the battery as you drive.

[ependydad]

SoundGuy wrote:
Which is something I bet most RV owners don't even think about. Heck, anytime I've mentioned it to camping friends most times I just get a blank stare as they have no idea what I'm talking about. :R

Unfortunately, Dometic did away with the switch. It still heats up and the wiring diagram still shows a switch, but the physical switch is gone.

I added a spade terminal so I could unplug it. Others have added a switch.

Stinks that it isn't there any longer.

[SoundGuy]

ktmrfs wrote:
that's assuming that if there is a heat strip for moisture control that is turned OFF.

Which is something I bet most RV owners don't even think about. Heck, anytime I've mentioned it to camping friends most times I just get a blank stare as they have no idea what I'm talking about. :R