CountryPlans Forum

Off Topic => Off Topic - Ideas, humor, inspiration => Topic started by: NM_Shooter on July 30, 2012, 04:36:56 PM

Title: Is it normal for an RV fridge to draw 1A of 12VDC?
Post by: NM_Shooter on July 30, 2012, 04:36:56 PM
I have a buddy who has an RV that is hell on his batteries.  He bought an 85W solar panel, and a decent charge controller from Morningstar, and yet he still struggles to keep his batteries charged.

We started sniffing around with an Amp meter, and found that his fridge, on propane, draws .95A or so.  My fridge (a Norcold) draws only .09A. 

Is it normal for newer RV fridges to draw this much more electric power?  WTH?  Is it running a solenoid that stays energized all the time?
Title: Re: Is it normal for an RV fridge to draw 1A of 12VDC?
Post by: UK4X4 on July 30, 2012, 04:45:41 PM
I have a 2012 Voltage toy hauler- it has a large RV twin door fridge -freezer and yep running on propane I measured 1.2amps of drawer
mind you its quite a large fridge
(https://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g165/POshaughnessy/Colorado/IMG_0282.jpg)
Title: Re: Is it normal for an RV fridge to draw 1A of 12VDC?
Post by: MountainDon on July 30, 2012, 07:42:40 PM
All the new RV fridges I've seen are replete with electronic boards, auto sensing this and that, etc etc.. You even have to use an electronic selector to change the source from AC to Gas to DC on some. No simple manual twist selector like in older RV's. Idiots. Designed by folks who think everyone camps at campgrounds with full service hookups all the time.
Title: Re: Is it normal for an RV fridge to draw 1A of 12VDC?
Post by: peternap on July 30, 2012, 09:51:26 PM
Quote from: MountainDon on July 30, 2012, 07:42:40 PM
All the new RV fridges I've seen are replete with electronic boards, auto sensing this and that, etc etc.. You even have to use an electronic selector to change the source from AC to Gas to DC on some. No simple manual twist selector like in older RV's. Idiots. Designed by folks who think everyone camps at campgrounds with full service hookups all the time.

Ain't that the truth!
I sure would love to find one of the old paraffin fridges the Peace Corps used to use.