3 way refrigerator use

[charles botts]

The only use we have had for the automatic 12 VDC on the refrigerator is on
ferries where 110 VAC is not available, generators can't be run and LP must
be turned off. My Manual says that the 12 VDC is only a temperature
maintaining system and is not intended to work in the initial cool down mode
and is not recommended for normal use with the door opening and closing. On
the Alaskan ferry, which was a three day trip, the 12 VDC worked fine.
Others without a 12 VDC system loaded their refrigerators and freezers with
ice, which also worked.

Tunnels would be so short that in time that no system would needed, as long
as the doors were kept shut.

We would not go out of our way to purchase a 3 way system replacement system
over a less expensive 2 way system.

Chuck Botts, San Diego, Ca Remodeled 23'

 

[ronald b. kazi]

I plan to use my inverter using battery power when I go on the ferry.

Ron and Julie
73 Painted Desert

> The only use we have had for the automatic 12 VDC on the refrigerator is on
> ferries where 110 VAC is not available, generators can't be run and LP must
> be turned off. My Manual says that the 12 VDC is only a temperature
> maintaining system and is not intended to work in the initial cool down mode
> and is not recommended for normal use with the door opening and closing. On
> the Alaskan ferry, which was a three day trip, the 12 VDC worked fine.
> Others without a 12 VDC system loaded their refrigerators and freezers with
> ice, which also worked.
>
> Tunnels would be so short that in time that no system would needed, as long
> as the doors were kept shut.
>
> We would not go out of our way to purchase a 3 way system replacement system
> over a less expensive 2 way system.
>
> Chuck Botts, San Diego, Ca Remodeled 23'

 

[henry davis]

>I plan to use my inverter using battery power when I go on the ferry.
>
>Ron and Julie
>73 Painted Desert

Ron -

you will want to do a few calculations. My Norcold uses about 600W when
running. That's 50A of 12V. Assuming that you use 6V golf cart batteries,
you will fully deplete the charge in 4 hours of operation assuming 2
batteries, no inverter losses, and a fully charged battery bank when you
start. FYI. Running a 3-way on 12V avoids the inverter losses (figure about
15%).

Henry

 

[blank]

Just a quick note on 12V refrigerators. The Norcold DE-461 is a
two-way(120V/12V) refrigerator using a 12V compressor for cooling instead of
absorption cooling. It uses a whopping 5A of 12V(60W vs. the 600W for an
absorption unit) and is thermostat controlled, so it only draws that 5A when
it's running. My father's had one in his coach for a year now and it works
fine. As soon as I finish the galley rehab in my coach, it will get one
also.

That's what I'll do,
Patrick

>

> >I plan to use my inverter using battery power when I go on the ferry.
> >
> >Ron and Julie
> >73 Painted Desert
>
> Ron -
>
> you will want to do a few calculations. My Norcold uses about
> 600W when
> running. That's 50A of 12V. Assuming that you use 6V golf
> cart batteries,
> you will fully deplete the charge in 4 hours of operation assuming 2
> batteries, no inverter losses, and a fully charged battery
> bank when you
> start. FYI. Running a 3-way on 12V avoids the inverter losses
> (figure about
> 15%).
>
> Henry
>
>

 

[ronald b. kazi]

Four hours of run time, yes, you are correct. If the fridge needs to run four
hours, I have a problem. With a new fridge in an insulated compartment, I hope
it would not have to run much. I suppose it is still better than no power at
all.

Ron

> >I plan to use my inverter using battery power when I go on the ferry.
> >
> >Ron and Julie
> >73 Painted Desert
>
> Ron -
>
> you will want to do a few calculations. My Norcold uses about 600W when
> running. That's 50A of 12V. Assuming that you use 6V golf cart batteries,
> you will fully deplete the charge in 4 hours of operation assuming 2
> batteries, no inverter losses, and a fully charged battery bank when you
> start. FYI. Running a 3-way on 12V avoids the inverter losses (figure about
> 15%).
>
> Henry

 

[ronald b. kazi]

My new Dometic is a 120v/LP absorption unit. I guess that that gives me more
run time than Henry calculated. Does the absorption unit keep things as cool as
the regular compressor models? I haven't installed mine yet. There is still
time....

Ron and Julie
73 Painted Desert

> Just a quick note on 12V refrigerators. The Norcold DE-461 is a
> two-way(120V/12V) refrigerator using a 12V compressor for cooling instead of
> absorption cooling. It uses a whopping 5A of 12V(60W vs. the 600W for an
> absorption unit) and is thermostat controlled, so it only draws that 5A when
> it's running. My father's had one in his coach for a year now and it works
> fine. As soon as I finish the galley rehab in my coach, it will get one
> also.
>
> That's what I'll do,
> Patrick
>

> >

> > >I plan to use my inverter using battery power when I go on the ferry.
> > >
> > >Ron and Julie
> > >73 Painted Desert
> >
> > Ron -
> >
> > you will want to do a few calculations. My Norcold uses about
> > 600W when
> > running. That's 50A of 12V. Assuming that you use 6V golf
> > cart batteries,
> > you will fully deplete the charge in 4 hours of operation assuming 2
> > batteries, no inverter losses, and a fully charged battery
> > bank when you
> > start. FYI. Running a 3-way on 12V avoids the inverter losses
> > (figure about
> > 15%).
> >
> > Henry
> >
> >

 

[henry davis]

>Just a quick note on 12V refrigerators. The Norcold DE-461 is a
>two-way(120V/12V) refrigerator using a 12V compressor for cooling instead of
>absorption cooling. It uses a whopping 5A of 12V(60W vs. the 600W for an
>absorption unit) and is thermostat controlled, so it only draws that 5A when
>it's running. My father's had one in his coach for a year now and it works
>fine. As soon as I finish the galley rehab in my coach, it will get one
>also.

FWIW, the standard draw for the 641 on 12V is 255W - mine has a bigger heater.

Henry