TrailManor Owner's Forum - View Single Post

**Bill** · 10-08-2003, 12:11 PM

Well, I agree with ColoradoCop up to a point. The refrigerator draws a lot of current when running on DC (battery). You can run the refrig on battery without a recharge source *for a short time* - like late night to early morning, I suppose. But if you do this, then you start your trip with a partially discharged battery. If you are going to drive for several hours, and your tow vehicle provides a good charge rate, then the battery will recover. But if your trip is shorter, it may not. Of course, if you have hookups when you arrive, then the TM's converter will recharge the battery, and all is well. But if you will be dry camping, you start out at a big disadvantage. There is no universal answer, except "it depends".

A real good tip that appeared earlier on this board is to go to a hardware store and buy a short but heavy extension cord. There are flat ones, 3 feet long, #10 or #12 gauge, that are ideal for the purpose. Before you close the TM, plug the TM's heavy power cord into this extension cord (using an adapter), push the heavy power cord back into its cubbyhole, and let the extension cord hang down the outside wall of the TM. Now close the TM, leaving the plug end hanging outside - the cord will fit between the seals. Once closed, plug the extension cord into house power (using another extension cord that you will leave at home). Now you have AC power on the TM's converter, and it will keep your battery fully charged all night long. In the morning, unplug, tuck the end of the shorty cord up behind the seals, and go.

For what it's worth, the Dometic Refrigerator Owner's Manual specifically warns against running the refrig on battery when there is no source of recharge current for the battery. Their concern is discharge of the tow vehicle battery to the point where it won't start. But the same thing happens to your TM battery.

If you decide to proceed as you describe, Colorado's tip to pre-cool the refrig is critical. And be sure to stuff it with only pre-cooled (cold) food.

Colorado - you successfully did several DAYS of dry camping with the refrig on DC, rather than gas? Aside from the question of WHY, that's amazing!

Bill

10-08-2003, 12:11 PM	#4
Bill Site Team Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: The mountains of Scottsdale, AZ, and the beaches of Maine Posts: 10,115	Re:Refrigerator on battery Well, I agree with ColoradoCop up to a point. The refrigerator draws a lot of current when running on DC (battery). You can run the refrig on battery without a recharge source for a short time - like late night to early morning, I suppose. But if you do this, then you start your trip with a partially discharged battery. If you are going to drive for several hours, and your tow vehicle provides a good charge rate, then the battery will recover. But if your trip is shorter, it may not. Of course, if you have hookups when you arrive, then the TM's converter will recharge the battery, and all is well. But if you will be dry camping, you start out at a big disadvantage. There is no universal answer, except "it depends". A real good tip that appeared earlier on this board is to go to a hardware store and buy a short but heavy extension cord. There are flat ones, 3 feet long, #10 or #12 gauge, that are ideal for the purpose. Before you close the TM, plug the TM's heavy power cord into this extension cord (using an adapter), push the heavy power cord back into its cubbyhole, and let the extension cord hang down the outside wall of the TM. Now close the TM, leaving the plug end hanging outside - the cord will fit between the seals. Once closed, plug the extension cord into house power (using another extension cord that you will leave at home). Now you have AC power on the TM's converter, and it will keep your battery fully charged all night long. In the morning, unplug, tuck the end of the shorty cord up behind the seals, and go. For what it's worth, the Dometic Refrigerator Owner's Manual specifically warns against running the refrig on battery when there is no source of recharge current for the battery. Their concern is discharge of the tow vehicle battery to the point where it won't start. But the same thing happens to your TM battery. If you decide to proceed as you describe, Colorado's tip to pre-cool the refrig is critical. And be sure to stuff it with only pre-cooled (cold) food. Colorado - you successfully did several DAYS of dry camping with the refrig on DC, rather than gas? Aside from the question of WHY, that's amazing! Bill