Quote:
Originally Posted by DavidEM
Yes it is pretty small. I know some have problems with propane absorption fridges, particularly in hot climates. But i don't dry camp in hot weather and have never had a problem with them.
DC fridges on the other hand, consume 50-75 amp hour daily, which when dry camping will take either lots of solar panels (and no shade) or hours of generator running to replace.
Glad I got an absorption fridge on our new Axis.
David
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Compressor fridge load of 50~75 Amp-hours is under 1 kWh daily, which would only take 30 minutes of generator time daily on average if charging at 2 kW rate, and 20 minutes at 3 kW rate. Obviously, the initial issue is that most motorhomes can’t charge at that rate due to limited converter capacity and also that “normal” batteries can’t accept charge that fast.
Lots of solar is one solution, but requires parking/camping in sun, limited capacity in winter, etc.
An option to solar for those who want residential fridges is to have a high-capacity converter, and charging a larger lithium battery bank so that 2~3 kW of battery charging can be accomplished when powered by 4,000-Watt Onan generator.
Setting other smaller loads aside, an hour of generator run time every 2 to 3 days is all that’s required. I personally think that’s the direction the industry is headed short-term, but requires moving past 12V systems. And that’s not as difficult as it sounds.
There are now inverter/chargers with converter capacity that can exceed generator power, so it should be possible to run a generator fully loaded for much shorter period to charge battery bank. That should save fuel also. I would prefer that over a roof full of solar panels, or a propane/absorption fridge.
Propane is no doubt cheapest, easiest, and most efficient way to power a fridge, but I still want a 12V (or 48V) fridge in my next motorhome even if it doesn’t make as much sense.
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