Possible AC/DC Fridge Replacement Fit - Page 2 - Escape Trailer Owners Community
Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×

Go Back   Escape Trailer Owners Community > Escape Tech > Problem Solving | Owners helping each other
Click Here to Login
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 07-19-2014, 10:51 PM   #21
Senior Member
 
alanmalk's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Arvada, Colorado
Trailer: 2015 E'21 - 'Velocity'. Tow: Toyota Tacoma V6, 4X4, manual.
Posts: 1,684
Quote:
Originally Posted by rbryan4 View Post
The dual 6 Volt batteries offered by Escape can provide an estimated 232 Ah of 12 Volt power.
Are you factoring in the fact that even deep cycle batteries suffer when more than half the available Ah is withdrawn? So, to extend the lifespan of those expensive batteries, you should estimate half of 232, or 131 Ah is available on a regular basis.

"Very few lead-acid batteries die of old age. Most are murdered by their owners", said someone who knows far more about batteries than I.

And even worse, a trip to where the sun never shines, like the Pacific Northwest? Or so I have heard...

--
Alan
alanmalk is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-19-2014, 10:53 PM   #22
Senior Member
 
alanmalk's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Arvada, Colorado
Trailer: 2015 E'21 - 'Velocity'. Tow: Toyota Tacoma V6, 4X4, manual.
Posts: 1,684
Yes, "116 Ah", says someone better at simple division than I...
alanmalk is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-19-2014, 11:01 PM   #23
Senior Member
 
Ron in BC's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: North Van., British Columbia
Trailer: 2014 Escape 19, sold; 2019 Escape 21, Sept. 2019
Posts: 8,743
Quote:
Originally Posted by rbryan4 View Post


The link is the spec sheet showing the dimensions and models for all of the NovaKool fridges. There are some that may work (at least dimension wise) to replace the 6.7 CF Dometic RB 8555 as well.

F
http://www.novakool.com/products/sin...al2013_002.pdf
Don't know why they're so modest about being around for over 20 years. They've sure been around a lot longer than that. I bought a unit in 1982 for a boat I was building. It worked really well although with 8D batteries and a diesel generator I didn't really pay much attention to its' power consumption.

I'd buy one again although if I do it'll be to make a top loading chest type unit under my settee and I'll use a holding plate.

For those that have a 12 volt charging line from their tow vehicle and find the draw of propane unit on 12 volts to be a little more than their tug can supply, this unit should be able to more easily be run on 12 volts underway.

Ron
Ron in BC is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-19-2014, 11:11 PM   #24
Senior Member
 
alanmalk's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Arvada, Colorado
Trailer: 2015 E'21 - 'Velocity'. Tow: Toyota Tacoma V6, 4X4, manual.
Posts: 1,684
Quote:
Originally Posted by rbryan4 View Post
...Or am I missing something?
Well, as long as I am spending someone else's money, here is a suggestion...

Retrofit the existing ETI installed refrigerator with one of these:
//http://www.westmarine.com/buy/waeco-adler-barbour--cu-100-air-cooled-coldmachine-compressor--11861085

The compressor could run during the heat of the day, the propane at night. Powerful cooling during the day when the solar panel is contributing, then quiet and no-battery cooling at night. Best of both worlds, perhaps? No woodwork design changes necessary. The compressor could be located remotely in a storage area with forced air cooling (which I have actually done on a boat). The evaporator is quite space efficient so you won't loose food storage space.

Send us pictures...

-
Alan
alanmalk is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-19-2014, 11:23 PM   #25
Site Team
 
rbryan4's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Canyon Lake, Texas
Trailer: 2015 19 "Past Tents", 2021 F150 Lariat 2.7L EB
Posts: 10,222
Quote:
Originally Posted by alanmalk View Post
Well, as long as I am spending someone else's money, here is a suggestion...

Retrofit the existing ETI installed refrigerator with one of these:
//http://www.westmarine.com/buy/waeco-adler-barbour--cu-100-air-cooled-coldmachine-compressor--11861085

The compressor could run during the heat of the day, the propane at night. Powerful cooling during the day when the solar panel is contributing, then quiet and no-battery cooling at night. Best of both worlds, perhaps? No woodwork design changes necessary. The compressor could be located remotely in a storage area with forced air cooling (which I have actually done on a boat). The evaporator is quite space efficient so you won't loose food storage space.

Send us pictures...

-
Alan
Alan, now you're biting off more than I can chew.
__________________
"You can't buy happiness, but you can buy an RV. And that is pretty close."
rbryan4 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-19-2014, 11:26 PM   #26
Site Team
 
rbryan4's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Canyon Lake, Texas
Trailer: 2015 19 "Past Tents", 2021 F150 Lariat 2.7L EB
Posts: 10,222
Quote:
Originally Posted by jamman View Post
Batteries should not be discharged below 50% - so you need to figure 116 amp-hours.
Yes, that's true. I stand corrected. See, I always miss something. I'm also told that various battery monitors also alert you when they get too low, and some can prevent excessive discharge.

So, based on that, about 2 and a half days with just the fridge, no recharge, and about half that with everything running. But, with adequate solar and the batteries to store it, boondocking is still not out of the question.
__________________
"You can't buy happiness, but you can buy an RV. And that is pretty close."
rbryan4 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-19-2014, 11:34 PM   #27
Senior Member
 
alanmalk's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Arvada, Colorado
Trailer: 2015 E'21 - 'Velocity'. Tow: Toyota Tacoma V6, 4X4, manual.
Posts: 1,684
Quote:
Originally Posted by rbryan4 View Post
... and the batteries to store it...
Last week I suggested we needed a 5 kWh, 110v, 30 pound, $100 lithium super battery.

I'm still waiting...

alanmalk is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-19-2014, 11:57 PM   #28
Site Team
 
rbryan4's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Canyon Lake, Texas
Trailer: 2015 19 "Past Tents", 2021 F150 Lariat 2.7L EB
Posts: 10,222
Quote:
Originally Posted by alanmalk View Post
Last week I suggested we needed a 5 kWh, 110v, 30 pound, $100 lithium super battery.

I'm still waiting...

I'll get in line. I want ten.
__________________
"You can't buy happiness, but you can buy an RV. And that is pretty close."
rbryan4 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-20-2014, 12:03 AM   #29
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Trailer: 1979 Boler B1700
Posts: 14,935
I agree that planning for discharge to the 50% level makes sense, but that's not a magic level. Each discharge cycle reduces the battery life, and deeper discharge uses more life. If you discharge deeper a couple of times a year, the battery won't suddenly die as a result... assuming you don't run it completely flat.
Brian B-P is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-20-2014, 12:12 AM   #30
Site Team
 
rbryan4's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Canyon Lake, Texas
Trailer: 2015 19 "Past Tents", 2021 F150 Lariat 2.7L EB
Posts: 10,222
Man, this forum is like going to RV University. Love it.

Just looked up the Go Power system online and was digging through the specs. If you have two of the 160W panels, Carmanah says it will maintain your battery charge up to 18 amps per hour depending on the light level. So, one panel can give you up to 9 amps per hour. I've seen other comments here that show an output of more like 6.75 to 7 amps. That supports the theory that going with a DC fridge is not only practical, but will work for boondocking.
__________________
"You can't buy happiness, but you can buy an RV. And that is pretty close."
rbryan4 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-20-2014, 08:03 AM   #31
Senior Member
 
cpaharley2008's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Central, Pennsylvania
Trailer: Escape#5 2022 E19
Posts: 26,268
Doug, you are right, I use the 60% rule, but either way you only have approximately 100-120 available for use which clearly he does not need for using 50 for the refer and maybe 20 for pump or furnace. So next day the solar should refill his tank so to speak.
__________________
Jim
Sometime life gets in the way of living.......
cpaharley2008 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-20-2014, 02:29 PM   #32
Site Team
 
rbryan4's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Canyon Lake, Texas
Trailer: 2015 19 "Past Tents", 2021 F150 Lariat 2.7L EB
Posts: 10,222
These are interesting too. Like an Ice chest, but with a Danfoss compressor, up to 49 qt capacity (alot of beer) run super cold, and only .7 Ah power consumption. I'd want a built in, but this might work anyway as a beer storage area -- that way the main fridge doesn't drop temp opening it up all the time...

http://www.icemate.com.au/Evakool%20...SAKOOLMATE.pdf
__________________
"You can't buy happiness, but you can buy an RV. And that is pretty close."
rbryan4 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-20-2014, 02:50 PM   #33
Senior Member
 
cpaharley2008's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Central, Pennsylvania
Trailer: Escape#5 2022 E19
Posts: 26,268
I have often toyed with the idea of getting one of these just for potables, plug in outside, saves not only the refer but open/closing the screen. You may want to add a 12v exterior plug option next to your 120v plug, may come in handy down the road.
__________________
Jim
Sometime life gets in the way of living.......
cpaharley2008 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-20-2014, 03:48 PM   #34
Site Team
 
rbryan4's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Canyon Lake, Texas
Trailer: 2015 19 "Past Tents", 2021 F150 Lariat 2.7L EB
Posts: 10,222
Quote:
Originally Posted by cpaharley2008 View Post
I have often toyed with the idea of getting one of these just for potables, plug in outside, saves not only the refer but open/closing the screen. You may want to add a 12v exterior plug option next to your 120v plug, may come in handy down the road.
Yessir, the outside 12V plug is on the build list.
__________________
"You can't buy happiness, but you can buy an RV. And that is pretty close."
rbryan4 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-21-2014, 09:53 AM   #35
Site Team
 
rbryan4's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Canyon Lake, Texas
Trailer: 2015 19 "Past Tents", 2021 F150 Lariat 2.7L EB
Posts: 10,222
solar panel arrangement

Two 160w solar panels would be ideal for my plans to use an ac/DC fridge. There is only room for one on the 17b roof. If I have ETI prewire for solar and have the connections come off the side instead of the roof, then I can easily connect two panels on a stand on the ground, and aim them at the sun as it moves to get the maximum amount of power. But, does anyone know of 160w panels that would be suitable for this? The gopower/carmanah panels are quite large and quite heavy. Might have to go that way, but would prefer a lighter arrangement.
__________________
"You can't buy happiness, but you can buy an RV. And that is pretty close."
rbryan4 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-21-2014, 02:47 PM   #36
Site Team
 
rbryan4's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Canyon Lake, Texas
Trailer: 2015 19 "Past Tents", 2021 F150 Lariat 2.7L EB
Posts: 10,222
Also, I emailed NovaKool a few days ago about whether they had ever approached ETI or other trailer manufacturers about the possibility of using Compressor fridges as a factory option. I got a reply back today:

I had called on ETI to reintroduce the concept of DC compressor refrigeration and will revisit again.

The running amp draws have come down dramatically on these types of refrigerators, and being that they are designed for rough mobile applications, and allow for off level running.

Generally the small refrigerators will run in the 18 amps to 36 amps in a 24hr period, which is well within the capabilities of a practically sized solar array system that would allow being disconnected from a shore power application for quite some time.

Thanks again!
Sean
__________________
"You can't buy happiness, but you can buy an RV. And that is pretty close."
rbryan4 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-21-2014, 02:54 PM   #37
Senior Member
 
cpaharley2008's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Central, Pennsylvania
Trailer: Escape#5 2022 E19
Posts: 26,268
Blazing a new trail there Bob……the more choices the better.
__________________
Jim
Sometime life gets in the way of living.......
cpaharley2008 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-21-2014, 04:05 PM   #38
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Yellow Springs, Ohio
Trailer: 2013 Escape 19
Posts: 709
Quote:
Originally Posted by rbryan4 View Post

Generally the small refrigerators will run in the 18 amps to 36 amps in a 24hr period, which is well within the capabilities of a practically sized solar array system that would allow being disconnected from a shore power application for quite some time.

[/I]
Just to be clear, we're talking 18 to 36 amp-hours, correct?

Even though we have one, I don't really like generators....but wouldn't it be nice to have a nearly silent 300 watt generator just to recharge the battery? Some day we'll be talking about hydrogen fuel cells for RV power.
Parker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-21-2014, 04:16 PM   #39
Senior Member
 
cpaharley2008's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Central, Pennsylvania
Trailer: Escape#5 2022 E19
Posts: 26,268
Yes amp-hours until Brian signs on and correct our terminology. If one goes to http://www.marxrv.com/12volt/12volt.htm
there is a discussion of determining your 12v needs per day. This will allow you to determine the size of your solar system and battery capacity. For example using your 12v refer may need 24 amps and your furnace 20 amps plus pump and other, lets say 50 hours per day. Thus you would need a minimum 120 hour battery and the dual sixes would give you additional reserve.
__________________
Jim
Sometime life gets in the way of living.......
cpaharley2008 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-21-2014, 04:41 PM   #40
Site Team
 
rbryan4's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Canyon Lake, Texas
Trailer: 2015 19 "Past Tents", 2021 F150 Lariat 2.7L EB
Posts: 10,222
Quote:
Originally Posted by Parker View Post
Just to be clear, we're talking 18 to 36 amp-hours, correct?

Even though we have one, I don't really like generators....but wouldn't it be nice to have a nearly silent 300 watt generator just to recharge the battery? Some day we'll be talking about hydrogen fuel cells for RV power.
I have been run out of a nice peaceful and quiet campground more than once by a generator -- even the "ultra-quiet" ones. Just from a consumption and operating expense standpoint, the newer and more efficient solar setups make more sense. It's green, it's renewable, and nobody has to get mad from the noise.

Yes, the '18 to 36 amps in a 24 hr period' is Sean's way of saying Amp Hours or Ah. It's not much of an estimate, so I'd plan my consumption on the higher number.
__________________
"You can't buy happiness, but you can buy an RV. And that is pretty close."
rbryan4 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off




» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Escape Trailer Industries or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:00 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Copyright 2023 Social Knowledge, LLC All Rights Reserved.