Thor Forums

[Thehobe1]

Originally Posted by Chance

Assuming data is correct (and granted it has to be confirmed), 3.2 Amps for an entire day is 77 Amp-hours. A couple of typical golf cart batteries are rated 225 Amp-hours, so for those who will boondock and charge from solar, or run generator at least once a day, it will be very possible to obtain a 24-hour energy cycle.

Another way to look at it is that these refrigerators require one extra battery beyond what other 12V electrical loads require.

Spending over $1,000 to convert an existing fridge is something I wouldn’t do, but if given an option to buy a new Axis with 12V compressor in lieu of an absorption one meant to run on propane most of the time, I’d go all electric. It’s just a personal preference based on fact that it would power off alternator while driving, or shore power at campsites. Stopping overnight on road trips would be even easier since MH would only be stopped for 12 hours or less. Mostly, I’d see it as an investment towards making the motorhome simpler, and thus better for me.

Golf batteries can have 225 AH but they ARE 6V so 2 would be required to stack for 12V. The 50% discharge rule has to be taken into account as well if you want any life out of the batteries so again we are down to 225/2 AH realistically. We could put in a 85 KWh Tesla battery for an additional $30,000-$50,000 and why stop there...Propane is a very practical high energy source for it's weight and that is why it is used for heating, cooking AND refrigeration that are all high energy demand appliances. I think residential or highly efficient compressor refrigeration is only for the very high end motorhomes whose owners are not likely to mind the shortcomings I am talking about. With 6-8 house batteries it could be acceptable.