"Chuck Gould" wrote in message
ups.com...

On Nov 7, 5:20?pm, "Eisboch" wrote:
"Chuck Gould" wrote in message

If you're running a genset or hooked to shorepower, you can easily
power a 30-amp converter. Let's say your converter is divided into two
legs, with 15-amps per side for the house and starting batteries. The
converter will easily replace any of the energy used by the
refrigerator at a rate that is as fast or faster than the refrigerator
draws it down. I would be at least slightly surprised to learn that
you use only 110-volt lightbulbs, etc etc while underway to avoid
draining the battery. If the compressor runs 15-20 minutes per hour,
it's using relatively little DC as well and you're simply running on
the "top" of the battery.

It's been years since I had AC power to my refrigerator freezer, and
my current batteries are about five years old and still going very,
very strong.


My setup is a little bigger than your example, but your point is valid. The
problem with running a large refrig on batteries is that if you happen to
lose shore power for a day or two in your absence, your battery or
batteries (depending on your setup) is toast. On a couple of occasions I've
arrived at the boat only to find that a overnight guest in the next slip
inadvertantly shut the circuit breaker off on the pedestal for my boat.

I'd rather replace what little was in the refrig than have to prematurely
replace those big honkin' batteries again.

Oh ... mine are going on 6 years and still are very strong. The original
batteries were replaced after two years of service, mainly because they were
allowed to go dry and would not recharge fully (boat was in Florida).

Eisboch

"Eisboch" wrote in message
...

"Chuck Gould" wrote in message
ups.com...

On Nov 7, 5:20?pm, "Eisboch" wrote:
"Chuck Gould" wrote in message

If you're running a genset or hooked to shorepower, you can easily
power a 30-amp converter. Let's say your converter is divided into two
legs, with 15-amps per side for the house and starting batteries. The
converter will easily replace any of the energy used by the
refrigerator at a rate that is as fast or faster than the refrigerator
draws it down. I would be at least slightly surprised to learn that
you use only 110-volt lightbulbs, etc etc while underway to avoid
draining the battery. If the compressor runs 15-20 minutes per hour,
it's using relatively little DC as well and you're simply running on
the "top" of the battery.

It's been years since I had AC power to my refrigerator freezer, and
my current batteries are about five years old and still going very,
very strong.


My setup is a little bigger than your example, but your point is valid.
The problem with running a large refrig on batteries is that if you happen
to lose shore power for a day or two in your absence, your battery or
batteries (depending on your setup) is toast. On a couple of occasions
I've arrived at the boat only to find that a overnight guest in the next
slip inadvertantly shut the circuit breaker off on the pedestal for my
boat.

I'd rather replace what little was in the refrig than have to prematurely
replace those big honkin' batteries again.

Oh ... mine are going on 6 years and still are very strong. The original
batteries were replaced after two years of service, mainly because they
were allowed to go dry and would not recharge fully (boat was in Florida).

Eisboch


Running a small refrig on batteries sux also. Before I put an isolator
between the truck and the camper, I forgot to switch from DC to propane when
overnighting at a state campground without power. Killed both the camper
battery and both the batteries in my diesel truck. After a couple hours AAA
got there to give us a jump. And my Refer / Freezer is about 3 cubic foot.