Thor Forums

[Thehobe1]

Originally Posted by Chance

It would help a lot if we all use the term “residential” in same context.

A true residential used in houses/residences are normally much larger, and may not be as energy efficient. Also, large inverters running at low power demand waste power. For reference, many true residential use around 2 kWh per day, more or less.

By comparison, smaller compressor fridges like Norcold that I used as an example may only draw 3.2 Amps at 12 Volts, or 38 watts, which is 920 watt-hours per day (i.e. — .92 kWh per day).

It’s easy to see that these RV-specific smaller fridges may use a lot less power, and if we eliminate the inverter inefficiency required for true residential, the actual real-world difference is even greater.

I would rely on specifications and technical data more than on random reports from owners that may or may not even understand what they have, or why it doesn’t work as expected.

A large, group 27 deep cycle battery has typically 100AH capacity. A brand new, in spec group 27 battery would provide 100AH/3.2A= 31.25 Hours of refrigeration if that was the ONLY load for this type of refrigerator. 2 batteries would provide 62.5/24 or 2.6 days of power again, if this were the only load on the 12V batteries AND they are brand new. An absorption can last weeks on typical propane storage capacities. Realistically, these are very different stored energy users. I think this is why the general RV user has an awakening when the new refrigeration is installed. I do like the convenience of a compressor run refrigerator for it's quick and cold refrigeration but would rather have the absorption type for various RV situations. It's just my opinion.