Date:         Thu, 20 Jun 2013 01:03:41 -0400
Reply-To:     Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Frig running.....-Refrigerator power consumption.
Comments: To: mcneely4@COX.NET
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"

The stock fridge will draw about 7 amps/hour for 12 volt operation. Since this is a heater type load, as the battery voltage begins to drop the efficiency of the refrigeration process will drop and so will the resistance of the heater element as the temperature drops causing the current to increase further. This process will take a battery down quickly. If using a ~65 A/H capacity battery (BCI Group 41) such as is often installed under the driver's seat you'll find that you really will only get a few hours out of it. Maybe 4 or 5 if really lucky and the battery in great shape.  It draws more power than a headlight. 

Dennis


-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Dave Mcneely
Sent: Wednesday, June 19, 2013 10:07 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Frig running.....

Laura, the refrigerator does not have to be on for the fan to run (see the archives for a discussion of this, but basically, the space behind the refrigerator can get hot and the refrigerator fan will come on, just from a hot day or in the sun).  But the refrigerator fan should not run all the time, and certainly if the ambient is only 80 and no sun (like in your garage).  I think the thermostatic switch that turns the fan on is set at 126 F to come on, and 106 F to go off.  That applies whether the refrigerator is on or off.

Some people wire the auxiliary battery in so that it will run the refrigerator when the engine is off.  They hope to get an extra day without using propane that way.  But it will drain the battery in a day or so.

mcneely

---- Laura Olson <laurafromdecorah@GOOGLEMAIL.COM> wrote:
> So the frig seems to be running or is it the cooling fan, all the 
> time, no matter how I set the the three way switch.  I am guessing 
> this is what caused the very expensive auxiliary battery to die.  Just 

> replaced it.  I know the refrigerator is not supposed to run on the 
> aux battery even if switched to 12V, only when the engine is running.  

> I don't want to ruin this new fancy battery. I just went out to the 
> garage to organize for a long weekend away and it was running, not 
> terribly cold in the frig, but a little. Can't be much over 80 degrees 

> in the garage. And it has not been set on 12V yet this year. (Have not 

> gotten out much).  Any ideas? Could the fan just run even if no frig on?
> Laura

--
David McNeely