2022 View 12v Refrig on batteries only run time

[Stevie305]

We are going to have to run our refrigerator overnight on the coach batteries only ... no generator or shore power. Question is how long will the batteries run it and will this damage the batteries? We will need about 12 hours of run time. The batteries will be fully charged and the refrigerator will be cold beforehand.

[creativepart]

Stock batteries? Or have you upgraded them?

Will you also be using the furnace at the same time?

Assuming, stock batteries you'll struggle to get through the night if you are also running a heavy load like the furnace.

If the temps are cold where you will be parked - turn off the fridge at bedtime. It will likely still be plenty cold in the morning if you don't open the door. Other's may suggest adding some ice packs inside to be sure. But if it's below 60 inside you should be fine just turning the fridge off.

This is how we learn to utilize our RVs in off-grid situations - trying stuff out and seeing what happens.

[rprochnow]

The Norcold in our 2021 View has a "night" mode that reduces power usage overnight. Using that can help.

We have 250Ah of lithium batteries, and on a full charge, with the gas heater and tank heaters running with temps outside below freezing, the lithium batteries were able to power everything overnight (just barely).

With standard batteries and only the refrigerator running - and intermittent running of only the gas heater, surely you could get through the night if you start with a full charge.

[Stevie305]

Thanks for all of the replies. Yes, we do have the factory batteries. This is a first trip for us and I just wanted to know what to expect. The only thing that will be running overnight is the refrigerator.

[obingv]

The obvious question is why are you using DC power for the refrigerator instead of propane? Are you out of propane or is it not working on your refrigerator?

[Stevie305]

Well, Mr Obvious, my refrigerator doesn't run on propane. It is electric only.

I might be an RV newbie ... but I'm not stupid.

[Marine359]

This is for compressor fridges only. If you have an absorption fridge (12v and propane) you should have any concern about how long your fridge will operate, just switch over to propane.

If your View is equipped with a compressor fridge, the fridge will consume nominally, 50amphrs/day +/- 10 amphrs for extremely hot ambient temperatures, or cool ambients. We have a Dometic 10cuft compressor fridge, and although we initially didn’t want it, we’ve come to love it. The Dometic is slightly more efficient than the Norcold, but the numbers will be about the same. I don’t know what your factory batteries are, but The WBGO website indicates 2x group 31 rv batteries. Usually that means flooded lead acid @ maybe 100 amphrs each. If you discharge them to 80% DOD, you might be able to go for 2 days without recharging, running the fridge and some other 12v loads, but no inverter use. That’s typically what we get from our fridge/ battery setup while boondocking., only difference is we can discharge to 100% DOD, and we get an additional day from solar. If you have solar and/or a dc/dc charger, you’ll be able to go much longer, but even without those, you’ll get some limited charging from the chassis alternator.

[obingv]

My apologies - I did not know that Winnebago was installing compressor refrigerators without the propane option in newer RV's. Seems like a bad choice unless you plan on staying only where you have 110 AC power.

[rprochnow]

2020 and later models come with a compressor refrigerator - that only runs on 12V.

It does have a night mode that can be used to reduce power consumption overnight - which we use every night - especially since the refrigerator is at the foot of the murphy bed in our 2021 24D.

[bigb]

A lot of newer RVs are eliminating the 3 way and 2 way fridges, I'm not quite sure of the exact reason but I am guessing it's easier and cheaper for the manufacturer even if they claim it's better for the consumer. Some folks love compressor fridges but it just wouldn't work for me right now, maybe in the future if I get a rig with solar and lots of lithium.

[rprochnow]

More coaches are all electric without any propane.

That frees up space for batteries.

Refrigerators that can run off propane may not be in new coaches in a few years.

[creativepart]

Compressor fridges are the number one requested item. There are plenty of experienced boondockers that demand an absorption fridge but the numbers are dwindling all the time.

Compressor fridges are colder, roomier, easier to live with, longer lasting and, yes, safer. If you've only had a RV fridge then you think... "Why?" but for most folks there's no question. Most compressor fridge owners would never go back to a RV fridge.

I understand that's not everyone - but the marketplace has chosen and the compressor fridge has won this round, if not the battle.

[bigb]

Originally Posted by rprochnow

More coaches are all electric without any propane.

What do you do for heat and hot water if no hookups? Generator?

[creativepart]

Originally Posted by bigb

What do you do for heat and hot water if no hookups? Generator?

An all electric motorhome usually has a diesel fueled AquaHot water heating system that provides hot water for both heating and showers, etc. But mostly Winnebago is just installing compressor fridges only, not making all electric RVs without any propane on board.

I’m sure this saves the company some money on the build - RV fridges cost more than compressor fridges - but consumer demand is high for the compressor fridge.

Longtime RV owners used to absorption fridges can’t understand the preference for compressor fridges until they’ve lived with one. But it does require much more battery power to do a lot of dry camping.

[Marine359]

If you like to boondock, compressor fridges will work out fine if, and only if you have over 150ah of batteries, and 200w of solar, or you’ll have to use a generator. If it’s sunny, you can go for quite awhile. Without generator. Our goal is one week boondocking with no generator. For those who want to go weeks at a time with no generator, an absorption fridge works much better.

[bigb]

Originally Posted by Marine359

If you like to boondock, compressor fridges will work out fine if, and only if you have over 150ah of batteries, and 200w of solar, or you’ll have to use a generator. If it’s sunny, you can go for quite awhile. Without generator. Our goal is one week boondocking with no generator. For those who want to go weeks at a time with no generator, an absorption fridge works much better.

I have 230 ah of lead acid and no solar, when boondocking it's normally for 3 days.

[SeeTheUSA]

Originally Posted by rprochnow

2020 and later models come with a compressor refrigerator - that only runs on 12V.

It does have a night mode that can be used to reduce power consumption overnight - which we use every night - especially since the refrigerator is at the foot of the murphy bed in our 2021 24D.

Our 2018 24D, bought new in 10/2017, came equipped with a compressor refrigerator … first year for that I think.

[creativepart]

At first the 12v fridge was optional on many models - TTs and motorhomes. Then as Winnebago saw most dealers ordering the compressor fridge for dealer stock orders they began switching it from RV Fridge Standard / Compressor Fridge Optional to Compressor Fridge Standard/RV Fridge Optional. And finally many new models now are ONLY available with compressor fridges.

Plus, many folks with older RVs have replaced failed RV Fridges with either all new compressor refrigerators or they replace the gas absorption cooling unit in their existing RV fridge with a new 12v compressor cooling unit.

So, even on older RVs the type of fridge could be either a gas absorption RV fridge OR a 12v (or even 120v) compressor refrigerator.

[No1Hunter]

f you like to boondock, compressor fridges will work out fine if, and only if you have over 150ah of batteries, and 200w of solar,

And lots of unobstructed sunshine, all day long!

[Marine359]

Originally Posted by No1Hunter

And lots of unobstructed sunshine, all day long!

Not really.
Remember, all you’re trying to do is replace the 50ah/day that the fridge consumes. Even the least expensive 100w panel with sun will produce about 30ah even in winter. 2x 100w gives you more than enough to replace what the fridge uses even if it’s only partial sun. If you’re parked under tree canopy, the panels will still continue to give you charge amperage. That’s why many people put out a portable panel in the sun. The setup can’t give you the virtually unlimited boondocking like an absorption fridge can give you, unless as you said, you have sun every day. So, if you only normally boondock 3-4 days at a time, a small solar setup combined with a decent sized battery bank will get the job done without generator. That’s been our experience, but other than the fridge, we don’t use much power at all unless we have to use the furnace. We’ve run out of water before we’ve run out of amphrs. Some days solar production better than others, but on a bad day you’re still far from zero SOC