Thoughts on new (non-propane) Scamp Fridge

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Mr.T
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Compressor Fridge Electricity Usage...

Dometic has some performance data on their website, look under specifications then performance.

For example, at 32C (89F) the watt-hours used per day are 563.  Divide that by 12V and it's 47 AH (Amp-Hours).  At 25C (77F) the watt hours were less, 300 watt-hours per day, which equates to 25 AH. 

A newish 100AH lead-acid battery is really only good for about 50AH, which is how I estimated about a day of boondocking on battery without charging (post #3 above).

tray
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Re, Compressor Fridge Electricity Usage...

My 16' has the 3.7cu fr (Dometic RM8501).  It's a very nice unit - larger than we really need - but makes up for it my sucking almost 3x the power of the CRX 65E (1.9 cu ft) mentioned in the above link (chainsaw math - I'm basing this off AC W since it's one figure the two units share: 60 vs 135).  Thus, we can only use 12V to power our fridge en route to a site or for short stops.... we learned quickly that in half a day our battery would be drained (< 10 V) and probably damaged.  But it's still good enough for what we need it for.  Boondocking with this large fridge seems doable only by running with propane, together with a solar hookup (to keep the onboard electronics alive, which otherwise are only good for about 3 days).  Getting a 100W solar system is our next step.  A second battery would also be nice, but I don't think we need it.

 

Tom

Hoosier Scamper
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If tongue weight...

If tongue weight is not an issue for your tow vehicle, add a second battery. As the previous post said, you can only count on half the battery as they shouldn't be used/drained below 50%. I will be adding a second battery immediately upon taking possession of our 16 footer in May. My TV  can handle this and you load/modify you trailer accordingly. We ordered the 6.0 fridge. I  can't imagine not having propane as a fuel option for a fridge. The larger models are still 3 way... Maybe one day the compressor technology will be good enough for larger refrigerators.

Carl

tray
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Re. 2nd battery

I'd be all for adding a second battery (maybe 2 6V batteries) as I'm not worried about tongue wt, but not sure whether (2) will fit.  I have two propane tanks as well.  It would be great to see a pic if others have done this.

Tom

Hoosier Scamper
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2 Batteries

I'm getting dual LP tanks too. Dual 12 volt batteries are what I will install. You have to take the factory battery and move it left or right. Mount the second battery on the freed up side. It will need a custom made/modified holder or a secure platform but I've done this on past trailers successfully. You can't turn the battery and you can't go forward towards the tanks. Dual 6 volt batteries won't really increase any capacity. 

Carl

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Our 2023 13' Deluxe with the new 'frig

Our 2016 13 footer had an ice box, so this is our go with a refrigerator in a camper.  So far, we like it. It has more space than our old icebox and it is quiet. We have camped in it only about 7 nights, so our experience is limited.  

I think the salesman said that we should be able to camp about 3 days with needing to recharge the battery.  Our camper has a master disconnect switch just inside the door, when it is turned off, everything but the refrigerator is without power.  There is a voltage meter on the right side of the closet, it will show your what is going on with the battery at a glance.

I like the idea of not having to fiddle with the lower vent cover to change from lp to electric.  When we are traveling and primitive camping, we have our Honda generator with us.  For us power isn't much of an issue.

Oh, the refrigerator keeps the Ben & Jerry's cold!

Bob H.   one of the Scamper Campers

185driver
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Dual 6 volt batteries

It's possible that by mentioning "2 6v batteries", he meant two large-capacity ones (such as 2 100Ah or 2 200Ah 6v batteries). In that case, dual 6v batteries connected in series would increase capacity similar to 2 12v batteries connected in parallel.

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