NorCold N611RT tech advice required

[Les May]

Hi all,

I'm toying with the idea of a DC conversion for my Norcold N611RT, simply because we have a good Solar array and battery setup. I hope to eventually downsize the Generator to save weight.

I could go the whole hog and buy the reportedly excellent, Compression conversion by JC refrigeration but I'd like to explore a few options before I spend a fortune or, more importantly, pull a fridge apart that's working perfectly well.

My options as I see it are as follows, but I'd be happy to hear alternative ideas:-

a) Full conversion using JCR unit. cost, faff and shipping to the UK are all a concern

b) Fit a small inverter (say 500W) that is capable of running the fridge. This is not particularly efficient but very easy to do.

c) Swap out the AC heating element for a DC heating element and build a simple interface circuit (relay or contactor). From what I can see from the wiring schematics in the Norcold service manual the AC element is simply fed over relay contacts "K2" but I'm guessing the schematic is over simplified and that the AC supply does a little more than this as the unit obviously "senses" that it has an AC supply. If anyone has a full circuit board wiring diagram for the N611RT that would save me a bit of investigation time. I'm currently on holiday in Thailand but using my time wisely and thinking about my RV. Ha Ha



House battery capacity is not a concern as I've just built my own 944Ah NMC battery pack that's performing brilliantly. (see photos)

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1uKGFrnOkiX4vFfDiuf3OUGsg5VbJblNA?usp=sharing


It's further complicated that I'm in the UK and thus converting most AC equipment to 220v - 240v operation, but let's set that aside for the time being.

Any info, thoughts or alternative ideas are gratefully received.


Regards Les
Thor ACE 30.1 2016

 

[ducksface]

What is 40kilos of weight saving going to accomplish?

 

[Lt Keefer]

If you have a good solar array and battery why not just go the inverter route?

 

[16ACE27]

If you have a good solar array and battery why not just go the inverter route?

Exactly! If he has enough battery power to not worry about refrigerator efficiency, that's the way to go.

I'd replace the absorption fridge with a residential fridge as well before jumping through the other hoops.

 

[Les May]

Trolls!

What is 40kilos of weight saving going to accomplish?

Because my outfit will be 40Kg lighter. Obviously!

Not that it has anything remotely related to my technical query, but, in the UK a standard driving licence allows one to drive a vehicle upto a max GVW of 7.5T. Despite the chassis being capable of more, there is a process in the UK of officially "down plating" a vehicle and the ACE 30.1 just about comes in underweight, which is why I selected this model to buy. I've extracted a few items to give me more payload i.e. the overhead bunk and cab coffee table, neither of which we would ever use.

Many in the UK don't take driving legally within the weight limit as seriously as I do, but I prefer to be correct.

There, see. Your silly question produced some grown up information for other forum users!

Les

 

[Les May]

If you have a good solar array and battery why not just go the inverter route?

Your right.

It's just the 90% efficiency of a small inverter that was niggling me.

Because most of my equipment is now 240v it means a separate 110v inverter for the fridge.

I wss just exploring ideas in case someone brighter than me had a super innovative idea, but as usual "keep it simple stupid" is probably the best way to go.

Last night I found a 500W 0.6kg baby inverter that I'll use just for the fridge and see how ot goes. At $30 if it fails, no harm done.

 

[Les May]

Exactly! If he has enough battery power to not worry about refrigerator efficiency, that's the way to go.

I'd replace the absorption fridge with a residential fridge as well before jumping through the other hoops.

If you have a good solar array and battery why not just go the inverter route?

Your right.

It's just the 90% efficiency of a small inverter that was niggling me having spent so much time creating a good battery setup.

In truth I don't want to spend a fortune as a 10m long 3m wide RV is somewhat problematic on British roads. A small oversight on my part when I eas salivating over the RV and its space compared to European units. I'll probably only keep it for a couple of years and then if we do pearn to live with the size (or I become a better truck driver, LOL) I'll invest a bit more in a proper compressor / condenser conversion.

Last night I found a 500W 0.6kg baby inverter that I'll try and see how it goes. My main inverter is 12/240v hence can't supply the fridge.

Les