Can refrigerator survive 3 days on the road?

[edmck101]

Originally Posted by Gary RVRoamer

Two batteries won't last 3 days - lucky to get 16-20 hours. Even 4 good sized batteries probably won't do it, so donate the food and shut the fridge down for the trip.

Would 16–20 hours not be good enough if we stop at an RV park each night, plug in to shore power, and recharge the batteries?

[twinboat]

If you plug in every night you'll be fine.

If the batteries get to low, the inverter will shut down before and battery killing voltages are reached ( below 11 volts ). Even if the fridge shuts down before you get to the stop, it will stay cold for at least a few hours.

When you plug in for the night the batteries will recharge and ready for the next day.

[grindstone01]

The towing truck should have a hot line to keep the fifth wheel batteries charged while driving. The refrig won't be running the whole time, so while it's off, the camper batteries should be charging from the tow vehicle which should carry the refrig through the night.


"Would 16–20 hours not be good enough if we stop at an RV park each night, plug in to shore power, and recharge the batteries?"

Yes, that will work also.

[egwilly]

I vote for feed the hungry. No worries then.

[dons2346]

Originally Posted by Edmck

Would 16–20 hours not be good enough if we stop at an RV park each night, plug in to shore power, and recharge the batteries?

I have gone 20+ hours without power to my Samsung due to a bad transfer switch. The freezer had everything still frozen and the refer section was within safe limits.


As long as you don't keep opening and closing the doors, you will be fine. I say go for it.

[DKRITTER]

Originally Posted by Gary RVRoamer

Two batteries won't last 3 days - lucky to get 16-20 hours. Even 4 good sized batteries probably won't do it, so donate the food and shut the fridge down for the trip.

When we had our 5th wheel with res fridge we had 4, 6v batteries.
They would last a day to a day & a half on batteries alone.

[jimcumminsw]

Originally Posted by Edmck

Would 16–20 hours not be good enough if we stop at an RV park each night, plug in to shore power, and recharge the batteries?

Did you read my reply in post 9 to your question?

I have had a couple of times were the invert turnoff that powered the residential fridge when towing due to low voltage of the battery. The food in the fridge and freezer where in perfect condition, when we plugged in to shore power.

Here is an experiment for you to try out with your frozen food. Take a package such as ground beef or something else that is frozen solid. Place this in the fridge portion of your refrigerator. See how longs this takes to be fully thawed out, it will take at least two full days to thaw out in the fridge that is 38F to 40F inside temps.

If the fridge doors are not open the cold air must transfer through the insulation and housing of the residential refrigerator. This is a very, very, very, slow process, that is why a residential unit is better than a RV fridge for keeping food at the proper temps.

[DKRITTER]

Originally Posted by Edmck

Would 16–20 hours not be good enough if we stop at an RV park each night, plug in to shore power, and recharge the batteries?

That would have been important to be in your first post. This makes it a completely different question!

You should be perfectly fine if you plug in every evening.

Plus, the tow vehicle should supply the batteries with some juice as you travel.

[carl.swoyer]

Well know that's a horse of a different color. Lol
Day runs and shore power at night no problems running the frig.

[Tightwadted]

I would also think the fuller it is, the colder it will stay. just don't open it.