Community Forums

DebbieMH · 03-04-2014, 05:31 PM

I'm unplugging my Excursion from its 50 amp service tomorrow and taking it to get some mods done. It will be at the shop for 7 days. I like to keep the frig on, but am afraid to because my batteries seem to be dead after just 24 hours or less. Is that normal? Or do I have a battery problem?

**pasdad1** · 03-04-2014, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DebbieMH

I'm unplugging my Excursion from its 50 amp service tomorrow and taking it to get some mods done. It will be at the shop for 7 days. I like to keep the frig on, but am afraid to because my batteries seem to be dead after just 24 hours or less. Is that normal? Or do I have a battery problem?

What type of fridge? How many and what type of batteries?

Pigman1 · 03-04-2014, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DebbieMH

I'm unplugging my Excursion from its 50 amp service tomorrow and taking it to get some mods done. It will be at the shop for 7 days. I like to keep the frig on, but am afraid to because my batteries seem to be dead after just 24 hours or less. Is that normal? Or do I have a battery problem?

Unless you have solar panels on the roof, you'll not go 7 days on just batteries. We have 4 135Wpanels and can go indefinitely with the fridge and LP heat in cool temps, but I wouldn't trust it beyond 24-36 hours without some help. Remember if you have your inverter on you also have a fair amount of background draw that is not normally seen.

jesilvas · 03-04-2014, 05:37 PM

Best bet is unload that fridge. I try to get every person to turn their refr off and unload it and DRY it. Otherwise it's moldy. If everyone left the refr full, I'd run out of electrical outlets to keep them going.

Pusherman · 03-04-2014, 05:39 PM

I don't own a residential fridge in my coach, but there's no way you can run on inverter power with a residential refrigerator running for 7 days. 24 hours seems a little quick to totally drain your batteries, but it might be normal depending on what you have for a battery bank.

If I'm in cold weather, running the 12V furnace, with the refrigerator on propane, that will bring the batteries down in 24 hours to close to 11 volts, which is probably about 25-30% charge.

Also, if I run my inverter all night, it too brings the batteries down to 50% charge level pretty quickly. Inverters are 12V power hogs.

bruceisla · 03-04-2014, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DebbieMH

I'm unplugging my Excursion from its 50 amp service tomorrow and taking it to get some mods done. It will be at the shop for 7 days. I like to keep the frig on, but am afraid to because my batteries seem to be dead after just 24 hours or less. Is that normal? Or do I have a battery problem?

That depends ... if you specify a make/model we can be more accurate. However, most residential reefers draw about 1.5 amps running and about 6 amps starting ... that's on 120vac. Multiple that by about 10.2 for 12vdc with loss thru the inverter. The trick is figuring out your actual kilowatt hours. For that you would need a Kill-a-watt tool. P3 International P4400 Kill A Watt Electricity Usage Monitor - Amazon.com With that data you could figure out your battery drain across 24 hours. Typically, you can reduce drain by shutting off the icemaker.

gruelens · 03-04-2014, 05:46 PM

Some RVs have large phantom loads and/or electrical issues that can drain a house bank in short order. Unfortunately, it is tough to say exactly what your issue is, from your OP.

Some investigation with a multimeter might find loads drawing on your bank. Again, a meter would let you know if your charging system is healthy. A hydrometer would reveal a dead cell in a batt. Some inverter remote panels will give info for the first two items.

Unless you can plug in at the repair shop, I would shut down the frig. You won't be helping your house bank if you draw it way down over the period of one week. Note...... all you need is a 15 amp outlet at the shop to keep the batts charged.

DebbieMH · 03-04-2014, 05:55 PM

Thanks for all the quick responses! I'll empty the frig and turn it off. Thanks again.

Gary1965 · 03-04-2014, 07:42 PM

Not sure where you are taking it, but most RV service dealers will plug you in and it won't be a problem.

DebbieMH · 03-04-2014, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary1965

Not sure where you are taking it, but most RV service dealers will plug you in and it won't be a problem.

Interesting -never thought of that. It's a small RV repair shop, I'll call them and see if that is doable.

jesilvas · 03-04-2014, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary1965

Not sure where you are taking it, but most RV service dealers will plug you in and it won't be a problem.

Why do you say most?

Most actually only have outlets by the building and a much larger lot for units to sit at.

Gary1965 · 03-05-2014, 06:10 AM

I can think of 3 places that I can take my MH to and they will plug in. One of the 3 is at the Fleetwood service plant., but the other is a dealer, and the one I go to most is a Cummins dealer. All 3 will plug me in. Maybe the small shops will not, but has not been a problem for me.

Fl_Richard · 03-05-2014, 04:18 PM

Just remember a 30 or 50 amp service is not required (buy the adapter if you don't own one). Tell. Them all you need is an extension cord in reach. "just to keep the batteries charged and run the fridge" I bet they will at least try to accommodate you.

They can easily throw a cord under the garage door while locked up. If they think your talking a 30/50 conect their much less likely to accomidate you. Offer an extension cord if you have it

akeyzoo · 03-06-2014, 02:11 PM

And FWIW having item's in the fridge will make it have to work LESS hard. Throw some water jugs in the firdge and freezer. The "thermal mass" will allow the interior to stay colder longer.

Chris