Community Forums

TheNevs · 01-23-2018, 10:52 AM

We would appreciate any information current owners of the Tiffin Allegro 34PA can provide regarding the residential refrigerator. We dry camp at state parks with limited generator hours. We would really like to buy a 34PA but we have done the math and are concerned we won't be able to generate enough power to keep the refrigerator running for a week. We considered adding solar panels or switching to lithium batteries. Has anyone tried either of these options?

Thanks.

2 Stroker · 01-23-2018, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheNevs

We would appreciate any information current owners of the Tiffin Allegro 34PA can provide regarding the residential refrigerator. We dry camp at state parks with limited generator hours. We would really like to buy a 34PA but we have done the math and are concerned we won't be able to generate enough power to keep the refrigerator running for a week. We considered adding solar panels or switching to lithium batteries. Has anyone tried either of these options?

Thanks.

I don't have a Tiffin but we do dry camp up to a week at a time and we have a Samsung RR Frig. We have 4 (6V) batteries and run our genset about 2hrs in the morning making coffee and breakfast and around 2hrs in the evening for dinner. I watch my battery voltage when it gets to 12.1V I start my genset.
1. What are your limited generator hr.
2. How many batteries will you have.
Hope you find what you are looking for.
2 stroker

luvlabs · 01-24-2018, 08:36 AM

You will have 4 large 6V batteries and yes, you can keep everything running indefinitely. 2-Stroker's generator run suggestions will take care of your batteries just fine although adding a couple of hundred watts of solar would be a good idea as well.

Running the generator for a couple of hours in the morning and in the evening (most cutoffs are 10pm) and you can keep everything happy for a long time. A residential fridge in a motorhome uses very little power - much less than you imagine.

And welcome to IrV2!

jfskeet · 01-24-2018, 08:57 AM

We have a 2018 34PA and with our 6 volt batteries it will last 2 days. You need to be careful what else is drawning from batteries through the inverter. I have the mag tech set for when my batteries get low, it starts my generatored if not driving or connected to shore power.

TheNevs · 01-27-2018, 09:24 AM

Thanks for the responses. The state parks we camp in allow generators from 9-11 in the morning and 4-7 in the evening. There are days when we go out for an activity and then to dinner and don't return until after 7 so we wouldn't necessarily be able to run the generator twice a day (the parks require you to be present while generator is running). The 34PA refrigerator is 20 cubic feet and seems to require more power than many of the residential refrigerators in other motor homes that we looked at. The refrigerator would be wonderful everywhere else, just worried we can't keep it running on 4 batteries without regular generator use while dry camping.

2 Stroker · 01-27-2018, 06:04 PM

Next best thing is a Solar System.
2 stroker

LouLacher · 02-01-2018, 08:55 PM

We have a 2018 34 PA and will be dry camping soon. No long time battery use as yet so I am very interested in the experiences and suggestions from members.

vsheetz · 02-01-2018, 09:46 PM

Typical generator usage pattern. Is a couple hours in the morning. Another couple hours late afternoon/evening. And again an hour or so before quiet time.

The biggest electric consumer overnight is the furnace fan. Not the RR.

KJR · 01-04-2019, 05:55 PM

We are planning to order a 34PA. Before I install solar I think I’ll switch to four lithium batteries. I already own a 200 watt portable solar panel. If after a couple of years I may add roof solar. Wish Tiifin installed 6 g wire for their solar prewire instead of 8g although it can be upgraded to 4g.

KJR

KJR · 01-06-2019, 06:54 AM

If you turn the fridge off at night before going to bed will the fridge keep the food cool and the freezer food frozen say at ambient 72F?

KJR

Ddjay · 01-06-2019, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KJR

We are planning to order a 34PA. Before I install solar I think I’ll switch to four lithium batteries. I already own a 200 watt portable solar panel. If after a couple of years I may add roof solar. Wish Tiifin installed 6 g wire for their solar prewire instead of 8g although it can be upgraded to 4g.

KJR

The 4 gauge solar wire upgrade we ordered showed as a $150 add on. If you’re getting the solar prep package there is no reason in the world to not beef up from 8 gauge to 4 gauge.

Dave

DaveFin · 01-15-2019, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ddjay

The 4 gauge solar wire upgrade we ordered showed as a $150 add on. If you’re getting the solar prep package there is no reason in the world to not beef up from 8 gauge to 4 gauge.

Dave

Ddjay, thanks for the tip on the wiring upgrade. I am preparing an order form but don't see any mention of the wire size. How do you specify this upgrade? Any tips on how to roof mount solar panels? Does Tiffin provide info on where to anchor the mounts into roof trusses or other solid structure? I don't want the panels anchored in thin sheet fiberglass and Styrofoam.

vettenuts · 01-16-2019, 08:19 PM

You may want to hold off on your order. We were at the Tampa RV show today and Tiffin will be offering the Liquid Spring as a factory installed option on the 34PA and the 36LA. This show was the debut. It will add approximately 350# to the coach but the ride will be vastly improved.

KJR · 01-17-2019, 06:10 AM

If you are returning to the show can you ask them why Tiffin has deleted the external residential fridge access door on the 2019 34PA?

I watched the Tiffin video on winterizing and part of it showed disconnecting the water line to the ice maker to drain the water via an external access panel. How is this procedure perform now on the 34PA?

KJR