RoadTurtle
Solar Enthusiast
- Joined
- Mar 30, 2022
- Messages
- 368
My issues with propane accelerated this winter while snow birding. It literally became a daily challenge to keep it running. Potpourri of issues like build up on spark igniter to some unknown issue with coolant flow, to just being cantankerous.
I knew putting in the 12v compressor system would hit my battery bank a little harder. I sized my system for 5 days with no solar, and actually achieved that in one really bad rainy week. I figured going to 12v compressor (90w) would reduce me to three days if the fridge ran 24/7.
Sitting idle, my 5th wheel would go through 60ah every night, with draw from 12v and 120v systems. It never bothered me, never sought to identify the culprit. TV's, sound bars, etc etc etc.
I seem to recall sitting idle, my 12v had a constant 37w drain. Color me surprised, with the 12v compressor system turned on, but not running, I'm only seeing a 11w drain on 12v. This would imply the propane fridge was burning through 25w just sitting there, not even running. I've not made any other changes to the 5th wheel. Nothing additional has been unplugged.
The new unit, took the fridge from 50F ambient to 37F in one hour of operation. It's generally pulling 90w, while running, but I am seeing on occasional slightly higher spike. Maybe Cerbo is picking up compressor startup? I'd have thought the startup spike would be too fast for Cerbo to record.
It's a JC Refrigeration unit, installed by them. Installation took a whopping 2 hours, and out the door cost of $ 1,111. So far, I'm extremely pleased.
I knew putting in the 12v compressor system would hit my battery bank a little harder. I sized my system for 5 days with no solar, and actually achieved that in one really bad rainy week. I figured going to 12v compressor (90w) would reduce me to three days if the fridge ran 24/7.
Sitting idle, my 5th wheel would go through 60ah every night, with draw from 12v and 120v systems. It never bothered me, never sought to identify the culprit. TV's, sound bars, etc etc etc.
I seem to recall sitting idle, my 12v had a constant 37w drain. Color me surprised, with the 12v compressor system turned on, but not running, I'm only seeing a 11w drain on 12v. This would imply the propane fridge was burning through 25w just sitting there, not even running. I've not made any other changes to the 5th wheel. Nothing additional has been unplugged.
The new unit, took the fridge from 50F ambient to 37F in one hour of operation. It's generally pulling 90w, while running, but I am seeing on occasional slightly higher spike. Maybe Cerbo is picking up compressor startup? I'd have thought the startup spike would be too fast for Cerbo to record.
It's a JC Refrigeration unit, installed by them. Installation took a whopping 2 hours, and out the door cost of $ 1,111. So far, I'm extremely pleased.
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