12v Refrigerator Power Usage

[RogerD]

One of the very first videos I watch regarding a 12v refrigerator was about an Alpicool c20.



If you go to about 10:35 in the video he says it uses about 5.8 amps per 24 hours. Makes me want to buy one, but I really would rather have something around a 40 quart/Liter.

I watched a video on the Alpicool c40 and it was disappointing in that it doesn't hold it's temp well at all. So you need to set it lower and use more power like the Alpicool.

I could buy 2 c20, but that would require more horizontal space than I want to use for a fridge.

My main goal for my solar will be to run an air conditioner. So I'm really concerned about power consumption, as anything else will take away from the time I could run the AC.

Any suggestions based on actual experience?

Also, my budget is open. I'm in no way limited to having to buy something inexpensive.

 

[John61CT]

Engel, or ARB, for build quality and longevity.

Also nit pick but AH per 24 hours makes sense, amps per any time unit does not.

Energy efficiency has more to do with insulation than anything else, not really a distinguising factor.

 

[RogerD]

My bad, I meant 5.8 Ah per 24 hours (0.24 per hour).

 

[highdesertranger]

1/4 amp a hour, that's pretty close to unbelievable. highdesertranger

 

[John61CT]

Yes, tiny cu ft, maybe prechilled contents, not opening, ambient not much higher than target.

Still would want to see someone here verify when possible.

 

[RogerD]

I'm tempted to buy it just to see what my results are.

The fridge has an eco mode which he says it pauses 20 minutes and then runs for 3.

I've attached a screenshot from the video.

 

[John61CT]

The runtime cycle should not be fixed, but determined by self-regulation according to the needs of the situation.

A larger unit may consume 4A while running, and the normal range per day may be 10-15AH (that's unusually low) up to above 40AH.

It is normal for energy usage to triple or more using it as a freezer.

High ambient temperature is a very significant factor. Opening it many times per day as well.

Loading it with room temp food often causes constant running for 18-30 hours before temp stabilizes.

With great insulation, and ideally venting the waste heat from electronics and the condenser away, even a much larger cu ft capacity can be used without increasing energy usage by much.

 

[LoveCareThinkDo]

The runtime cycle should not be fixed, but determined by self-regulation according to the needs of the situation.

I have seen that video from Slim Potatohead, on YouTube. As best as I can tell from what he said, the on/off cycles is just what he got in his situation. All those measurements you see in the picture posted by RogerD, are measurements taken by Slim Potatohead based on what his built-in meter in his solar system was telling him.