What you should know about the 12V RV Style Refrigerator
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 8 พ.ย. 2021
- What you should know about the 12V RV Style Refrigerator. We have a special guest from #allianceRV to talk about the new 12V RV-style refrigerators. This is the future of RV refrigerators! Hear what you need to know when it comes to your 12V system.
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Great video!!
thanks
Thanks for the pro tip, I did not know that lower lower volts equals higher amps. That explains why I am blowing fuses.
It depends - there's alot of misunderstanding about ohms law. For instance, lower voltage through a resistive load (heating element) results in lower current, not higher.
That is only true for motors. They don't spin as fast with lower voltage so they use more current.
Nice job god bless
I don't have solar on my cargo trailer, what is the best option for charging my lithium battery? Is my alternator from truck sufficient for charging to keep 12 v fridge going?
My Ever Chill 12 V freezer fan is noisy, and it cycles every 15 to 25 seconds (24/7), and it doesn't freeze the top shelf. Any idea why?
No belly, no beard, no HVAC.
Lov u guys❤️
So does my paradigm with the solar package i paid for which only has a lead acid battery have the right size cable to my fridge???
I have a 60 liter Junyue solar fridge. I am trying to troubleshoot a problem with it. What it does it rumbles several seconds but that's all. The compressor don't kick on. Once the room gets warm enough (or I heat it) it starts up. What do you imagine is the matter here?
Newbie with a new Jayco travel trailer that has a 12v Norcold fridge. My trailer is parked in the woods and i only boondock. I've only used the trailer 3 times and of course my batteries are dead because I didn't maintain them properly. Anyway while I'm plugged into a generator my fridge doesn't work and it gives me an E3 error code which means low voltage. Is it possible for my fridge not to work even if I'm on generator power? Also my 2 batteries will not charge even after 2 days on generator power. Are the dead batteries a reason for the fridge to not work even if I'm running a generator? Thanks in advance for any help anyone couod provide.
Great discussion with a great company 🍻
So how long can 12V lead acid batteries run a 12V fridge before the batteries are damaged? Please answer in hours or minutes, not volts.
i was thinking the same as a few others here i know my TV charges the trailer battery while driving ( some suvs may have a 7 pin but charge wire isnt hooked up i get that) and our everchill 12v runs fine down the road like this. one of the aspects we like and fridge is ice cold when we arrive!
Along the same thought,what are your thoughts on 12 volt ac"s and could I run one in a 5th wheel for the upper deck bedroom?That way I could run the camper on my 30 amp. gen. Will it work? Thank you for all you do.
Thanks for the video. I have a 2022 Winnebago Vista ( smaller class A gasser) with a 12v compressor fridge, single 100W panel with Zamp load controller but lead acid batteries. Not working to great just to keep the fridge running without running down batteries below acceptable levels. I had the factory add a second roof panel, still not doing the job. Anyone know if Winnebago preps these new coaches so you can drop in lithium batteries? Or do you need a new converter /charger and other changes to run this safety?
Thank you
You should have a switch to charge those batteries from the alternator while traveling
Maybe you guys can help me solve my problem I’m a cross country truck driver I stay out many months at a time always ran the igloo or Coleman 12 old coolers but you know how those Canobie you’re either burning up power cords or the fans go bad in them I switched to a 4.5 ft.³ refrigerator freezer now about every six months I have to replace the compressor starter I do run a puresine wave inverter and everything is at 60 Hz my television and satellite system work perfectly off of it the only thing I have problems with is refrigeration The compressor does not bounce around I have everything wired tied down do you guys think a three and one compressor starter would finally fix all of these problems for me Haven’t actually talk to a refrigeration expert yet but that will be my next step
Im trying to use cold water stored in a 12 v fridge pumping it thru a mighty cool swamp cooler why wont it work ?
I always have both propane tanks turned on with an auto switch over regulator to keep the refrigerator running when we are running down the road and have never had a problem. A 12V refrigerator seems like a real pain when you are camping especially while camping during cool weather and having to fire up the generator to keep the refrigerator cool. A pro tip: lead acid batteries are easily recycled, lithium batteries and solar panels are NOT.
2 questions... Can the 12V only fridge be powered with campground electricity? I understand these new ones comes with built in converter? Second question....While towing trailer will the vehicle connected charge the batteries enough to keep fridge running long distances?
YES
No it will not ! Whoever said yes, not cool man not cool !
What do you think about a Norcold 10DC that dims the lights in the RV when you turn it on? Will not cool. It seems like the Compresser is attempting to start when it dims the lights but, no dice.
Don't forget to check out this week's Q&A part2 tech tip, where Todd answers your question!
I have a client with a 12v Everchill and has 14.3v coming into the terminal block. i just replaced the thermal fuse. is 14.3 too high to properly operate the fridge and if so, what should i suggest to have the voltage brought down?
My LiFepo batteries are fully charged at 14.2 v. You should be ok.
Hi any idea on why my Norcold 6 cubic feet 3 way is freezing in the refrigerator? I have it set on 1 and running on propane and everything is frozen solid! The light did stop working before this started. No codes tho thanks!🤙
check the position of the thermister. It may be on the fins in the back. if it's in a fixed spot then it may be bad. you can have a certified RV tech look at it. Find one in your area by going to rvtaa.org/locate
The tow vehicle should provide more than enough 12 volt power to run the refrigerator. I have been in the R V business for 45 years now, and the biggest issue with charging the battery while towing is the fuse to the charge line is blown and the customer does not realize the circuit is dead until the customer arrives at the camp site and discovers the battery is down in voltage. I rewire the battery charge circuit with a 12 volt circuit breaker that resets after it cools down.
The alternator from your tow vehicle only supplies a trickle charge to the RV batteries. Your RV batteries should be fully charge before going on a trip and hope that the tow vehicle will keep your batteries topped.
No power to the refrigerator
@@Bill-e6v Run 10-2 wire from batteries to refer. Mike
While premium brands like Alliance has a great system for the 12 Volt fridges, many of the manufactures (FR) doesnt even come close to what is required to run a 12 volt fridge for a weekend off grid. a group 27 lead acid battery, a 50 watt solar panel, and a sad 10 amp PWM controller doesnt even come close to supplying what is needed for the Fridges they install.
The max from a 100watt solar panel is only about 8amp. So that by itself on a good sunny day would probably not even recharge a group 27 to full capacity if it was fairly low to begin with.
The 80 watt panel and 10 amp controller ony unit charges 4.2 amps in full sun. It is really only good for keeping the battery charged and running the stereo and bathroom fan while you are doing your business.
Agreed. OEMs are still wrapping their heads around Solar. Still emerging market for RVs. But I can tell you its coming.
@@NationalRVTrainingAcademy I think their biggest barrier is idiot proofing, what they really need is standard lithium batteries, but that gets expensive making the systems compatible with a wide range of tow vehicles, adding in another component like a DC to DC converter. Im sure they will get there. Those of us with robust systems, know that a real functional system is not cheap, and there are more things to consider. As always I will be curious to see what the industry comes up with, those current offerings are really expensive for what you get, and the inverters powering only some outlets is kinda hokey, but I under stand why, again making it idiot resistant.
Great video! My Norcold 12v compressor fridge in my 2022 Keystone Cougar (only a year old) with fully charged lead acid batteries and 400i solar package throws an E3 (low voltage) code as soon as the sun goes down. It tries to go through its cooling cycle and can’t handle it and stops and beeps. Do you guys think it’s a lead acid issue or a wire gauge issue? I know the 400i package is maximized with lithium batteries but I just haven’t made the upgrade yet.
According to the manufacturer's specifications from Everchill instruction manual of their 10.7cu 12v refrigerator the operating voltage range for the input is 9-17 volts. Also the idea that current will increase when the battery voltage decreases is based on an assumption that the power is staying the same. That fact has not been established. I will need to take actual measurements since the manufacturer did not provide that information.
Hi guys as a newbie of a vintage ‘88 Chinook Concours 18+ , my question is that I see that I have a 100 amp alternator, am I incorrect in thinking that the engine charges both truck and house batteries? It appears to charge both but I would much rather ask a simple question than be a fool arriving at my campsite to discover that anything in the fridge is done.
Are these guys talking about an absorption fridge, or a compressor fridge? BIG difference in power consumption!
12v compressor fridge
Adding video of the frig you were talking about and showing wire size, would have made for a better video.
My 12v Furrion Fridge 10cuft manual does not give me the amp hours to calculate my battery draw?
It's about 6 amps. I have the same Fridge.
What about the DC to DC converter option for travel.
Exactly...no one ever talks about this. We added a dc to dc charger and always have 100% SOC while driving.
There seems to be a huge variation of temperature!!
Really hard to travel any distance with a gas electric refrigerator without running the gas on
Do you leave lithium batteries DISCONNECTED while traveling??
I see a lot of people here asking questions but no reply. But I will ask anyways , does your batteries have to work if you are plugged in to 110 ac for the fridge to work.
Yes. 12v fridges run only off of the batteries. A older style RV fridge runs off of propane and 12v and 120v ac.
Perhaps this is all people looking at a new fridge for an old 12v system, but if you are designing a system, go with 24v or 48v with a 12v "buck" converter (dirt cheap) and you'll never think about the
Or 2 lithium. The weight of lead and 4 times the total wattage output.
@@NationalRVTrainingAcademy and 4 times the life of lead.
You're spending more on lead in the long run. Lithium is more up front, but if not abused, it will far outlast lead and cost less with way more benefit. Lead is dead when it comes to powering RVs
This would be perfect instead of propane while towing…Is there a way of utilizing batteries when you only have a 110 fridge?
Yes a portable power station is what I use, you charge it at home or at RV park for traveling, Bluetti is one brand name.
Are batteries being charged from the tow vehicle to the RV while in transit.
My experience is that it's more like a trickle charger. Unless you have a second alternator and run a larger dedicated wire back to your trailer.
I have my 12V Everchill fridge on its coldest setting (5) while towing with a Ford Explorer and its cold and the 76 Ah battery is full when I get to camp. I turn the fridge down to its lowest(least cold?) setting (1) once I'm off the tow vehicle. That battery is dead by the next day. On that low setting, I measured 5-7 amps drawn by the fridge.
The 12V power pin on the RV7 should be a 30 amp fuse (standard) and the Explorer has a 210 amp alternator(heated seats, steering wheel, mirror defrosters). It'll charge that battery and run the fridge no problem while towing, but when idling, the voltage drops down to 12.5V which means the fridge will drain the house battery and the Ford won't charge it until its below 50% SOC. I could plug in at camp and idle all day to get the fridge cold, but it wouldn't charge the dead battery unless I but my foot on the gas.
And that's why I'm getting solar panels!
@@justinwinkelmann2881 great info thanks
I just switched to 12 volt. It’s great. But I ran propane for 50 years over the road. I laugh every time I hear people freak out about driving with a propane fridge.
and i did several tours in combat and never got shot, so I guess it was a safe environment. that is stupid logic
@@riseup3117 well he didn't say that there aren't risks involved.
lol combat and running a propane fridge are roughly the same type of activity I guess so I can see where one would use the same risk management assessment for both. What a stupid comment.
Is it really running off the battery going down the road? wouldn't it run off the tow vehicle even without a battery installed?
Remember distance is resistant. If you are using the default 7-pin, then you are not getting much charge. If you add or have a second Alternator with a dc to dc charger then you may be closer.
I would still recommend lithium and solar.
Unfortunately, not going to work. The draw is much higher than the trickle charge from the truck. I’ve done a lot of research on this. The best solution is to just for the looking battery in the solar as mentioned.
A lot of thin wire and connectors between the alternator and rv battery. Though fused at 30 amps I typically see maybe 7-8 amps max from the tow vehicle. Rigs with intelligent charging would see pretty much nothing, as the tow vehicle system voltage is likely to be below what deep cycles need to charge.
A person could run a DC to DC charger. Victron’s 20 amp version wouldn’t over stress most tow vehicles.
I was on shore power for a week and drove 8 hours home and everything in my frig was warm! HELP!!!!
It's like the bearded wonder show. Ok here's a newbie question. Does the tow vehicle connection not charge the battery as well as the solar while driving to your destination in sunny 😎 skies?
Answer to that question. Is No.
Generally, the refrigerator draws more power than the tow vehicle can provide. Alternator output and wire size are some of the limitations.
What do you think about running the generator down the road? Propane does not kept out fridge cold so we either have to be on electric or the generator for it to keep cold enough. Onan states that it is alright to run the generator while driving.
Todd here. I use my genny while hauling my toy hauler. Not all the time but usually for a couple hours as the fridge can go a couple hours and keep my food cold.
@@NationalRVTrainingAcademy same here. Thank you
Someone please help me with an answer.. In California trying to budget. Living in my Trailer paying PG&E Electric bill is 60$ month. I'm using one propane tank a month it's 3.99 gal. I'm wondering if it would be more cost effective to switch my fridge from electric and start using propane. Thanks in advance I'm not good with math!
A 12 volt fridge uses between 30 and 55 Ah (amp hours) per day on average. Without knowing how much you are being charged for per kwh it's hard to calculate your cost or savings. do you have a gas electric fridge? it may work to set it to electric and skip using propane.
@@NationalRVTrainingAcademy yes it's gas/electric. I've been running electric but my bill seems high.. California probably the most expensive but I was thinking possibly propane would cost less. I don't know right this second what I'm paying per kilowatt.. How about just in general or by average what do people usually say is the less expensive route??
@@mmcfly1035 for the most part the 12v fridge was designed to be able to allow the RV owner to safely travel with their fridge on without the possibility of a fire from the propane. A 12v fridge probably doesn't use any less or more power than a propane electric fridge. If you can find anyone in your park that has a 12v fridge they may be willing to give you a ball park figure on what they are paying monthly.
Question Todd - I was an RV Tech in the 80's to early 90's. Then they already had 3 way Refers, Gas- 110V electric AND 12V. The 12V worked by a heating element running off the battery being charged by the tow vehicle charging system. It worked well. No gas going down the road and you still had the gas option for boondocking. Why did they do away with the 12V option? Now they are trying to do a 12V option again just using higher tech method, and higher cost with the compressor, lithium batteries and solar panels. Sounds like a lot of extra tech to replace a 12V heating element that was about $40.
The 12V compressor fridges use a lot less power than the 12V element on an absorption fridge, have a lot more space inside for a given case size, and cool down immediately. They’re wonderful.
@@AByrne I understand they are prob more efficient but is it worth the added cost? I'm not sure of that. In those days you only used the 12V while traveling then switched to 110 or gas. It worked well, I only remember changing one bad element.
So I’m not sure why, they are unicorns at this point.
@@campnut6076 at least in my case, ordering my trailer with the compressor fridge got me almost 50% more space than the gas/electric fridge (same exterior dimensions), it cools from 100° to 40° in 45 minutes, and it’ll stay ice cold in blazing Phoenix heat. It also eliminated the two holes necessary in the side of the camper and the one on the roof, reducing the likelihood of leaks and insect intrusion.
For my use the 12V compressor is a godsend in desert camping where the gas/electric fridges struggle to keep food at a safe temperature.
I think a point that was missed in the video is that the evaporation style unit has some limitations, particularly at high elevations, besides the obvious problems of taking 8 hours to cool enough to make the first ice cubes.
On the other side of the coin, using Lp does not draw your battery down during the night, particulary if you need to have your furnace fan & other ancilary items operating during the night.
who can I get a conversation kit for Norco 18 cubic ft. I want to change to 12 volt
JC Refrigeration in Shipshewana, Indiana
Can I replace my lead acid with lithium? Unbolt and install new. I have LiON Energy batteries ready to drop in, I just want to make sure.
You might need to replace your converter with one designed for use with Lithium batteries.
and you’ll need a dc to dc converter so you don’t burn out your alternator
Short answer No.
The Lithium Batteries charge at a different rate.
You have to have the proper equipment for charging and using these types of batteries.
So is this a good reason to order the next truck with dual alternators?
Any answer to this question!? Ordering a truck in about a month...this would be some really relevant information to know. Thanks.
@@corylee16 While I'm late to the party the reality is the 7 pin connector doesn't carry enough current to matter. If you have DC to DC charging that's vastly different and going the extra power is worth it.
TV charges the batteries?
TV = tow vehicle. In most cases, yes
I didn’t learn suit because of the bromance. How long can I run a damn 12V fridge off 2 batteries?
So 2 batteries. Lead acid, gel, AGM, or lithium? What size batteries? What size fridge?
Here is an example but your fridge and batteries may be different.
12v fridge 10cubic feet
180 watts per hour operation time
2 lithium 109amp hour batteries.
Each battery has 1200 watt capacity.
We can safely run lithium to 10% charge or take 90%.
1200 watts x2 x .9 is ~2100 watts
2100 watts / 180 is 11.6 hours. HOWEVER
Your fridge isn’t the only 12volt draw. You may have a total of another 100-200 watts from all other 12v devices..
Safe to say 6-8 hours. In this scenario.
Can you just buy a 110 V refrigerator and plug it into an outlet?
Yes when you are plugged into a power source, however you can use what is called a portable lithium power station when traveling, Bluetti is one brand.
Can we still get absorption refrigerators in new RV’s🥴
Couldn’t you use a 2 way fridge and power your fridge off an inverter? Yes a bit more power used from inverter. But a fix instead of buying a whole new 3 way fridge?
For me if an absorption fridge is not an option, that’s a deal breaker. Boondocking I hate to listen to a generator, and 300 watts solar and 320 amp hours battery will let me watch a bit of TV, run a cpap, charge model airplane batteries. There isn’t much space for additional panels or batteries.
DC fridges will be great for some people. Lots of folks might only occasionally overnight without power on their way to a hookup site, but particularly out west and particularly toy haulers often are never hooked up.
Seems like a lot of new buyers get the impression from the sales guy that the factory 70 watt panel and 63 amp hour battery will take care of the fridge, and are disappointed.
I Agree 100% !!!! And I’d love a new Alliance 🥴
This was about lithium batteries. Was hoping for info about 12 v frigs
Let's talk about the so called smart alternators in trucks today and how inefficient they are at charging RV house batteries. A DC to DC charger makes all the difference in the SOC of them while driving, especially on low to no sun days.
If I had to have this 12v id still want the propane for backup to many batteries and solar panels just to keep up with a small fridge
As with any newer tech there's things to consider and depending on how you travel a absorption style RV refrigerator may still be the best option.
@@NationalRVTrainingAcademy I guess this could be ok if you are going for a couple 2 days or campground to campground but for the 3/4 week trip I need choices. for what an rv cost nowadays they could just put the good ol 3 way in it.
@@bear6001 The good old days. The new 12v fridges aren't run the same way as the older Propane fridges as they use a compressor. There's a reason the Propane fridges have been around for over 100 years. still a great boondocking option.
Nice lithium comment. My truck charges my battery and run the 12 volt refrigerator going down the road. But ya didn’t tell people that.
So alliance figured out to use good batteries after 20 years
The tow vehicle charges the batteries and lithium batteries require far too much maintenance for most people.
I've called the 903 number many times and all I get is the same lame recording. I have Great Dane Rv in Paso Robles Cal and all I want to know is how will this be a benefit to me. I don't want the same old platitudes I want honest answers to honest questions if I am going to spend my time, away from my business and income to come down there for weeks. No one seems to want to answer those questions ,so this is my last hurrah
Did you happen to leave a message? Email tony@nrvta.com and we’ll get back to you asap.
Dometic 4101 12v fridge has died twice. 2022 Rockwood
All night long! LOL!!!
12 volt refrigerators simply cost way too much in the long run. As for turning off your propane while on the road, that must really suck for people with propane powered vehicles.
12 v only fridge + lithium + solar = Money is no concern of mine. So if you're rich this is the upgrade for you. Then there's the rest of us shmucks.
Two minutes tech tips are really getting stretched. Maybe they should be renamed to 10 minutes tech tip Tuesday to leave room for some wiggle room.
Not your most useful tech tip. The bloopers discussion on battery capacity was most useful.
Free content is free content ;)
First!
DO NOT BUY A RV WITH A 12 VOLT REFRIGERATOR YOU WILL REGRET IT.ASK ME I KNOW WHAT A NIGHTMARE.
I just my second Dometic 4101 12v fridge die. 2022 Rockwood. Not happy..
What do you know? The original norcold 12v in my 1973 motorhome still works.
100 % agree. 12 volt refrigerators totally suck. 600 watts of solar, 3 Battleborn 100 ah batteries. Great if you have sun every day and don't ever plan on parking in a shady area. If I get 2 cloudy days in a row pull out the Honda generator. 12 Volts are absolutely worthless if you boondock.
@@ronjans22have you switched out the 12v for something else?