Date:         Tue, 20 Sep 2011 13:49:19 -0700
Reply-To:     Rocket J Squirrel <camping.elliott@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Rocket J Squirrel <camping.elliott@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Vitrifrigo/Truck Fridge power usage
Comments: To: Mike S <mikes@FLATSURFACE.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <20110920171624.7B102A007A@locke.alientech.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

On 09/20/2011 10:16 AM, Mike S wrote:
> At 10:25 AM 9/20/2011, Rocket J Squirrel wrote...
>> I, and others, have measured the actual current consumption for this
>> unit and have found their claims to be understated, that even on the
>> low-current setting it draws more than claimed.
>>
>> I asked the distributor about this ("Hey, how come the current is
>> higher
>> than the brochure says?") and his response was to set it to the low
>> setting. He didn't give an explanation, and didn't seem to want to
>> find
>> out. Factory was probably closed when I called.
>
> Sorry if I missed something, I haven't been following the whole thread.
> If you're using a C51 model, they seem to rate it in Watts, not Amps (
> http://www.vfsales.net/images/C39_C51.pdf ). So, whoever put together
> the Amp numbers may have been calculating them based on a voltage of
> 13.4 V (typical alternator output voltage). 36.3W/13.4V ~= 2.7 A. A
> battery may only deliver 12 V, so 36.3W/12V ~= 3.0 A. Is the
> discrepancy you see about that much?

Well now here we see the advantage of several sets of eyes on one question.

I do have the C51 model. And on the nameplate I read that it is rated at
38 watts input power, and consumes 3.2A @ 12V

So where did I get the idea that the VF draws about the same as the
Norcold (which I measured at around 2.5 to 2.8 A?)

MULLENDORE!

 From <http://www.westyventures.com/parts.html> : "...the fridge
operates on 12 or 24 volts ... Current draw on 12 volt is 2.5 amps
(average) with an average daily usage of 22 amp-hours."

So here I was, going off half-cocked, making baseless accusations to and
about VF's advertising claims.

My apologies to all for any confusion.

I am now going to scourge myself with a loofa.

-- Jack "Rocket J Squirrel" Elliott