Thor Forums

[atreis]

Originally Posted by dkoldman

If I follow this right, you are saying that whenever I have amperage based on 120VAC, I should multiply by 10 if I wish to run the same load from a battery source? I assume you mean 120VAC/12VDC = 10?

Correct.

Originally Posted by dkoldman

So lets say the exact time the Norcold ran off the battery was 2 hrs. That would mean it pulled 50 DC AHs off the battery before the AGS started the genset to recharge. The same batteries new should have 130 DC AHs available capacity, but I have heard that you really on have half of that? So it means I may have drawn 50 AHs off 65 available AHs before the AGS thought it was too low? (or maybe it really is 130AH available?)

You only want to use half of your available capacity, in order to optimize cycle life on the lead-acid batteries. You CAN use all of it. Just not as many times.

As for your AGS, it really depends on how it's setup - what voltage, and how long the batteries have to be reading at or below that voltage, will cause it to start the generator. Your battery voltage will drop under load, then recover some when the load is removed.

Originally Posted by dkoldman

If the above is all true, what perplexes me is the 1.5 AH Insignia Fridge that is in the outside kitchen. It is plugged to the Inverter; so by math just learned; it is pulling 15 amps DC off battery? We have gone overnight (Quiet time 10pm - 7:00AM) with that outdoor fridge on batteries plus TV lights etc. That is 8 hrs and 90AHs. So if I only had 65ah available, it would not be possible, but if the 130ahs were available maybe if batteries were in good condition?

8 hours at 15 amps is 120 Ah total (not 90 ...), but that assumes it's running non-stop, which it wouldn't be.

To know how much it would consume you'd need to know how long the compressor was running. Given that it was night (cooler, no sun) and no one was likely opening and closing the door, it may not have needed to run much. A Kill-A-Watt type meter could help you figure out how much it needs.

Lights take very little. The TV takes some, but most people don't leave it on all night.

Originally Posted by dkoldman

1. I would like to switch the inside Norcold Fridge to run off existing inverter / battery for duration of a trip while driving as it recharges with engine.
- No Propane
- No Generator required to run
- No relying on the fridge to simply stay cold during the trip (which it does for the most part, but I want it ice cold) We put Ice in our freezer before each trip anyway.

Assuming the solenoid that allows your house batteries to charge off the alternator when the engine is running is working correctly, this should just work without any changes or real effort, and wouldn't require especially good batteries. The alternator makes plenty of power.

Originally Posted by dkoldman

2. Eventually, I would like to get a new AGM with 100ah or more per battery to almost double my available AHs if needed.
- While I cleaned my batteries and compartment, I made a mess of the concrete with the corrosion and acid. I will dump the flood acid at first legit excuse.

Totally understand about wanting to dump the flooded lead-acid batteries! I plan to also, but not until the ones that came with my new RV wear out. (Just can't bring myself to ditch something that still works fine.) More capacity is always good, and should also help you to get through the night during overnight stops with more margin.