Fridge question

[Steve8583]

Hello group, only owned my 20.4 for a month, had a power outage at a campground, battery was dead after 4 hours with only furnace running, had it looked at dealer was saying it was due to the fridge only being a 12 volt. I’ve searched dozens of pictures and info on other 20.4’s and they all seem to have 12 volt and propane. Am I missing something?

[5picker]

What is the make/model of the refrigerator?
With that information, none of us will be guessing about what you might have.

Forest River uses whatever they can get and not all R/Vs are the same.
Even like R/Vs are often not the same if components are not readily available during manufacturing.

[Steve8583]

Thank you for the reply, I’ll see if I can put a picture up. And the frustration just came from standing so much on a trailer designed for off grid camping, and I can’t even get a night out if the furnace due to a horrible decision of only having a 12 volt fridge

[Bob K4TAX]

The furnace fan is a major consumer of battery capacity. Add to that the refrigerator operating on 12 volts being another. It is doubtful that the original battery (usually one) supplied is adequate for those applications operating off grid.

A minimum of two Li-Po batteries, 100aH each, would be needed plus a way to recharge them, either solar or generator.

If the refrigerator has the provision to operate on LP, that will reduce the battery consumption considerably. It will still require a small amount of 12V to keep the control circuit operational.

Finally, for off-grid camping, one must be keenly aware of power consumption and use good power management methods.

Bob

[bikendan]

Moved thread to the No Boundaries sub-forum.

[Mr. Dan]

We don’t really need a picture if you’ll just post “make/model of the refrigerator”.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by Steve8583

Thank you for the reply, I’ll see if I can put a picture up. And the frustration just came from standing so much on a trailer designed for off grid camping, and I can’t even get a night out if the furnace due to a horrible decision of only having a 12 volt fridge

Unfortunately you fell for the RV Industry's clever marketing. Trailers like the NoBo, are the hottest selling segment in RVs.
They don't inform customers that the tech heavy features use up a lot of battery power.
With a 12v only fridge, you need to upgrade your solar and battery setup. Previously a trailer like the NoBo would have a 2-way or 3-way fridge so you could run it on propane when off-grid. But during the pandemic, 12v only fridges were cheaper, easier to install and more available.
Also the furnace is the #1 drain on battery power. So with a 12v only fridge and the furnace running, a single 12v dual-purpose marine battery(which is what most dealers install)will be dead by morning.
That's why you need to provide more information on what you have for battery and solar.

[kenandterry]

Originally Posted by bikendan

Unfortunately you fell for the RV Industry's clever marketing. Trailers like the NoBo, are the hottest selling segment in RVs.
They don't inform customers that the tech heavy features use up a lot of battery power.
With a 12v only fridge, you need to upgrade your solar and battery setup. Previously a trailer like the NoBo would have a 2-way or 3-way fridge so you could run it on propane when off-grid. But during the pandemic, 12v only fridges were cheaper, easier to install and more available.
Also the furnace is the #1 drain on battery power. So with a 12v only fridge and the furnace running, a single 12v dual-purpose marine battery(which is what most dealers install)will be dead by morning.
That's why you need to provide more information on what you have for battery and solar.

Exactly what bikedan said up here Steve.^^^^^^^

[Steve8583]

It’s a contoure frost free model R-1088-12 volt
I did get a second one installed at the dealer so it has two, and it’s the 190 watts of solar 2000 watt inverter. And it wasn’t even a night, it was like 4 hours and bury batteries were dead.

[NOBO19.5]

@ steve
Same happened to me on my 19.5 The new 12v "deep cycle" OEM battery wouldnt last long at all. I was money short, so just added a second 12v Duracell for another $150 or so. Together they last until morning. Two things to consider

#1 stock solar panel is probably not enough to top off the batteries I added 3 x 100w panels, and it was barely enough

#2 you can cool the fridge to lower temp during high solar periods, then set it to "night mode" at night. This reduces draw.

#3 The best way to fix the problem is just to get a 200AH lithium. You will have to change the settings on the charge controller.

PS: for spring I will buy the batteries and finish my solar (300-600AH and 800-1000W solar) this will allow me to run all appliances and AC (during the heat of the day).

I did not do this to start, since I have to rewire lots of stuff 1/0 wire to the 3000W inverter, and 6ga from the solar panels to the two charge controllers. Its a big investment.

The cheapest way is to do what I explained above, just buy a second SLA "deep cycle" and you should get through the night, charging over multiple days may be a challenge with just the stock solar, but may be doable.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by Steve8583

It’s a contoure frost free model R-1088-12 volt
I did get a second one installed at the dealer so it has two, and it’s the 190 watts of solar 2000 watt inverter. And it wasn’t even a night, it was like 4 hours and bury batteries were dead.

You still haven't provided information on your battery, like make and model number or even what kind it is.
Or provide pics of them.

[Steve8583]

Hey sorry the battery, the trailer is being looked at today, I won’t have the battery info until end day. I assume it’s whatever they typically come with, and I added the second. But I’ll bet the exact info as soon as I get the trailer back

[Steve8583]

Ok, update, dealership they can add a third battery, wire it so the fridge takes power from two, everything else from the third. They calculate I should get roughly 50 hours now.

[wharfrat48]

50 hrs?!?!? I say BS Assuming they are installing marine "dual use" FLA batteries, I'd run as fast as I could away from the dealership. Do some research on lithium or 6V true deep cycle batteries (golf cart), and do the upgrade yourself. Wasn't it the dealer that got you into trouble in the first place?

If one battery got you 4 hrs, how does 3 batteries get you 50? Must be that new math

[Steve8583]

As soon as I pick it up I’ll get the battery info, see what they have. What you’re saying makes sence, 4 to 50 hours. But I’ll post as soon as I know

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by Steve8583

As soon as I pick it up I’ll get the battery info, see what they have. What you’re saying makes sence, 4 to 50 hours. But I’ll post as soon as I know

I would never let the dealer install my batteries. They always install the cheapest 12v Group 24 dual-purpose marine battery they can find.
Give me credit for the installed one and I'll buy my own 6v golf cart batteries or LiPo batteries.

[Jcape]

Originally Posted by Steve8583

Hello group, only owned my 20.4 for a month, had a power outage at a campground, battery was dead after 4 hours with only furnace running, had it looked at dealer was saying it was due to the fridge only being a 12 volt. I’ve searched dozens of pictures and info on other 20.4’s and they all seem to have 12 volt and propane. Am I missing something?

Get one of these, and stop your worries.

https://www.harborfreight.com/2000-w...%2F+inverter+s

[Joe M.]

If it's a propane fridge you would have two vents on the exterior walls for ventilation or possibly one vent lower and roof vent. If it's a 12 volt you wouldn't have any vents because it's a 12 volt. Just like a residential fridge which need no venting your 12volt wound t need any venting either.