Hi, everyone, just wondering if you can help with a question?
When our caravan is parked at home in the ready to go mode( which could be several weeks) should we be running our compressor fridge etc. from the lithium battery and solar array or is this using the battery life and we should have the van plugged in to 240v from the house with suitable extension lead??
Thanks,
Laurie
iana said
10:18 AM Nov 3, 2019
By turning the house batteries off, then the fridge would be using 240v and would probably be better. I have the same sort of system, and don't worry about it, 240v or 12v either suits me.
Peter_n_Margaret said
10:21 AM Nov 3, 2019
Don't turn the fridge on until there is food in it that needs to be kept cool.
Cheers,
Peter
Aus-Kiwi said
08:40 AM Nov 4, 2019
Yes I have drinks, water and some sauces items that are long lasting etc in mine . I turn the temp to less cold. So when I want to go away its near ready . Im
not sure what is best for fridge ? To turn it off or leave on ?? I doubt the little use would effect batteries . By 10am the solar reg is showing its on float charge .
Whenarewethere said
10:39 AM Nov 4, 2019
I think it would be like any fridge 12v or 240v, turn it off & leave the door/s open, with a towel over the door so there is no chance it will close.
You get a fresher fridge, reduce condensation in nooks & crannies & save running costs.
Before eventually turning it on vacuum it out. That's what we always do with our 2 fridges & car fridge.
Tony Bev said
04:15 PM Nov 4, 2019
As I only have a 12 volt fridge, and solar, there is no need for me to use 240 volt, in between trips
I empty, turn off, and leave the door open on the fridge, when I park up between road trips
I leave the solar connected to the house battery, but to the best of my knowledge, there is nothing being used by the house batteries
I isolate the engine battery, as I suspect a parasite drain from somewhere, and electrolysis through the front passenger wheel bearing
When I am ready for the next trip, I turn the fridge on about 24 hours before departure
I am usually parked up, between trips, months at a time
PetenSue said
08:57 PM Nov 4, 2019
Ok so were not grey nomads yet. We take every opportunity to get away so our setup is ready to go at a moments notice. Weve had our caravan for 2 years now and the fridge has never been turned off. Freezer has a mountain of steak and stuff in it. The slide out Engel is always full of drinks. Never turned off. I just back the thing into my shed and plug the power in and walk away when we get home. Is this the right thing to do, I dont know. We dont have lithium so cant help there. Just offering our experience with the same situation. Regards Pete
dabbler said
01:46 AM Nov 5, 2019
For the last few years, my TD has been in standby when at home. I only shut the fridge off when doing a really thorough clean. Normally I use 240v AC at home, mainly because my solar panels are too shaded most days for most of the year. But in full sun for a few hours, they provide more than enough power to keep batteries full or close to full. If you have fixed solar and it's in a good spot, why not try it on solar and decide what charging regime suits you ?
Aus-Kiwi said
08:23 AM Nov 5, 2019
I guess its up the the quality of battery regulator ? 240 charger / solar . So far 4 years on my system. My old motorhome the 240v charger cooked the 8 X 6v batteries . In 2 years batteries, looked like cup cakes !! Sure got my attention !! Always things to check with camping gear !! Not much is set and forget !
AusQld said
07:27 AM Nov 6, 2019
Provided you are using a modern Smart charger with temperature sensing. 240v is the way to go. Regards Wayne.
Hi, everyone, just wondering if you can help with a question?
When our caravan is parked at home in the ready to go mode( which could be several weeks) should we be running our compressor fridge etc. from the lithium battery and solar array or is this using the battery life and we should have the van plugged in to 240v from the house with suitable extension lead??
Thanks,
Laurie
Cheers,
Peter
not sure what is best for fridge ? To turn it off or leave on ?? I doubt the little use would effect batteries . By 10am the solar reg is showing its on float charge .
I think it would be like any fridge 12v or 240v, turn it off & leave the door/s open, with a towel over the door so there is no chance it will close.
You get a fresher fridge, reduce condensation in nooks & crannies & save running costs.
Before eventually turning it on vacuum it out. That's what we always do with our 2 fridges & car fridge.
I empty, turn off, and leave the door open on the fridge, when I park up between road trips
I leave the solar connected to the house battery, but to the best of my knowledge, there is nothing being used by the house batteries
I isolate the engine battery, as I suspect a parasite drain from somewhere, and electrolysis through the front passenger wheel bearing
When I am ready for the next trip, I turn the fridge on about 24 hours before departure
I am usually parked up, between trips, months at a time
Provided you are using a modern Smart charger with temperature sensing. 240v is the way to go. Regards Wayne.