Date:         Fri, 16 Sep 2011 14:52:12 -0700
Reply-To:     Vanagon <camping.elliott@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Vanagon <camping.elliott@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Vitrifrigo/Truck Fridge power usage
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

I have the Vitrifrigo refrigerator in Mellow Yellow. 

My ammeter showed me that it draws more current that specified: 3.6A instead of the less-than-3A claimed. There is a resistor/jumper thing on the back that lets one set it to draw less, or more current. It's unclear to me what the advantage or disadvantage is by changing this, but it's presently set to the low-current mode, and draws about 2.8 amps.

Last week, Mrs Squirrel and I camped for several days at East Park Reservoir in northern California. Daytime temps exceeded 100F, and the reefer ran almost continuously. But I had a solar panel array to keep it powered. Nighttime temps didn't drop below 80, and after a full night of operation, the house battery was down about 28 amp-hours. 

Right now I am camping in central Oregon, on the Wickiup Reservoir. Highs are around 70, last night's low was below freezing -- it was 35 in the van when I got up.* The battery was drawn down 15 A/h.

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* But thanks to my brand-new Mr. Heater Buddy, the van warmed up quickly!

Sent from my smartphone with tiny screen & even tinier keypad.