Date: Mon, 24 Jul 2006 08:58:09 -0400
Reply-To: robert shawn feller <carboncow@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: robert shawn feller <carboncow@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Amp Draw on 12v RM182
In-Reply-To: <20060724123613.22043.qmail@web56705.mail.re3.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed
We'll she should have installed a battery combiner or a battery saver
instead of the perko switch! both would have saved the battery from low
voltage and allowed for duel charing, plus the higher end battery combiners
allow you connect a switch for manual override for dead starting battery
situations. Yes twice or three times the price of a perko switch, but more
functional in switching.
see:
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/producte/10001/-1/10001/223149/0/0/combiner/All_2/mode+matchallpartial/0/0
Heard this story 1001 times with fisherman on lake erie running two and
three battery systems and all three were dead!
A 12v deep cycle has use for most of us including lights, aux items and the
stereo, but it's imposible (yes imposible) to run the fridge on a 12v deep
cycle alone. Tried on the bench all winter even with two group 27 deep
cycles. Not only did it wear the batteries out quickly but never was able to
sustain the power for good cooling.
Go propane or Norcold if you want to run 12v fridge systems!
Shawn
On 7/24/06, John Lane <westy_cruisin@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> May I throw in my 2 cents?
>
> A friend of mine also has a Westy and she asked me a similar question. We
> went in different directions on this one. She had the deep cycle battery
> installed as well as and marine perko switch for switching the batteries,
> which if your going to have a dual set up..is probably the smart way to go.
> However, I felt that the second battery to run the fridge might not be such
> a good idea. Running the fridge on gas made more sense when on the road or
> dry camping. The good thing about having a perko is that if the main battery
> dies, you do have a backup. Well, needless to say, she sometimes forgets to
> switch to batt B when camping and both batteries drain overnight from the
> 12v fridge. Honestly, numbers don't mean much here..two batteries dead
> overnight for just the fridge tells the story. I went a different route, no
> aux battery and I run on gas, but I also have a a Coleman Powerchiller which
> runs off the main battery....it uses less than 1 amp and have never had a
> dead battery.
> In fact, I am considering re-engineering the fridge by installing a power
> chiller module and fan.
>
> John Lane
> 1983.5 Westy
> Iron Butterfly
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----
> From: David Johnson <davidj@ELPASOTEL.NET>
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Sent: Sunday, July 23, 2006 11:00:38 PM
> Subject: Amp Draw on 12v RM182
>
>
> I have been searching for a while now, and haven't found a definite
> answer. Does anyone know the real amp draw of an RM 182 fridge in a
> Westy when it is running on 12 volt power? I am considering adding a
> deep cycle battery to my '80 Westy, and I am wondering if it is worth
> the trouble to try and get enough amp hours for limited fridge run
> time, too. I saw in the 182B manual there is a 10 amp fuse, but that
> just means the draw is somewhat less than 10 amps. Any input would
> be appreciated, esp. on the math of the amp draw on the fridge.
>
> Thanks.
> David.
>
--
shawn feller
www.carboncow.net
www.carboncow.com
| 
