Date:         Fri, 28 Sep 2007 21:35:09 -0400
Reply-To:     Warren Chapman <vwsyncroguy@YAHOO.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Warren Chapman <vwsyncroguy@YAHOO.COM>
Subject:      Re: New fridge replacement option for the Dometic

Karl,

This looks identical to the "Isotherm CR65" unit I bought a few months
ago.  I first saw one of these in Eric Abercrombie's Syncro at Syncro de
Mayo a few years ago.

It's a little shorter than the Dometic but volume is much better due to
extra depth.  2.3 cu ft. I believe.

I think you may be a little optimistic about how long it will run on a
given battery charge though....unless you've had it in long enough to test
it in actual use.  "4 days" seems very optimistic.

The Danfoss compress draws a max of 2.7 amps. I "bench tested" mine with
some food inside and based on how often it cycled I estimated it would use
somewhere between 18-22 amp hrs daily. It ran a used but charged, starting
battery we had around to "dead" in about a day and a half.  I estimate
that the popular 55ah Optima...if drawn down to 50% of its capacity (to
preserve life), or 27.5 amp hrs useable, would only last about a day and a
half.

Seems we will need more deep cyle battery capacity...or supplemental solar
charging for a weekend camp out.

A few months ago Mark Drillock and I were discussing use of several 22ah
wheelchair batteries linked in series.  Only 2.9" wide and 6.8" tall, four
would fit under the driver's seat for 88hrs, enough for 2+ camping days.
Mark plans a bank of six in a tray under the van near the sliding door.
I'm considering 4 more in the engine bay....I want to avoid the expense
and hassles of solar charging.

Some of these wheel chair batteries can be drawn down to 80% of capacity
instead of 50% and recharging life will be reduced, but the
reduction ...to something like 225 re charges...instead of 500...seems
like something I can live with..(at the number of trips I take
annually)....for the benefit of the extra useable amp hours.

What's your real world experience been like?

Warren C.