Date:         Mon, 24 Jul 2006 16:56:04 +0200
Reply-To:     roomkes@ZONNET.NL
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Robin Oomkes <roomkes@ZONNET.NL>
Subject:      Re: Amp Draw on 12v RM182
Comments: To: David Johnson <davidj@ELPASOTEL.NET>
In-Reply-To:  <1105F5FB-FFAA-40B7-9157-4A16203CB34F@elpasotel.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format="flowed"

David,

on European westies the nominal power of the fridge (both on 220V and
on 12V) is 60W. At 12V this works out at 5A - roughly the same as one
halogen headlight.

With a largish 72Ah battery you would have a theoretical battery life
of 14 hours. In practice you will exhaust your battery in about 7
hours. A deep cycle battery will survive this treatment longer than an
ordinary starter battery, but not that much longer.

Running an absorber fridge on 12V without a charge on the battery is
not a good idea - that is why they added the cutout circuity and all
the propane stuff.

Either switch to a compressor fridge (which uses electricity much more
efficiently than an absorber) or overhaul/clean/repair your propane
mechanism.

Good luck,
Robin

88 Westfalia Joker TD
02 BMW 320d touring
03 BMW R 1150 GS

Citeren David Johnson <davidj@ELPASOTEL.NET>:

> 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.
>