how many amps for ...

[freemind46]

hey to everybody, i wanted to know how much amps a small portatble cooler fridg (koolatroon type) and a  laptop,( new one), would pull out out of a batterie, or if anyone would have a link for whatever runs into an Rv( mainly 12 volts)...thanks again for any inputs....freemind46

 

[Guest]

Read this link first. Stude53 posted it the other day and its very&nbsp; good.<br><br>http://cheaprvliving.com/howtohaveelectricity.html<br><br>

 

[Wild_E]

also this link will help out;<div><b style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 220, 169); ">Inverter selection chart</b> </div><div><b style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 220, 169); ">and</b></div><div><a href="http://www.jobsite-generators.com/power_calculators.html" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Power Calculators for quick conversions.</a>&nbsp;- amps to watts, watts to amps</div><div><br></div><div><a href="https://vanlivingforum.com/post/Inverter-selection-chart-5705422" target="_blank">https://vanlivingforum.com/post/Inverter-selection-chart-5705422</a> </div>

 

[freemind46]

that realy helped me thanks again....freemind46

 

[Willy]

Sad to say, given the price, but those Peltier junction Coolatron style fridges are pretty well garbage. Much better would be a 12v compressor style cooler; more expensive, but they use less power overall and keep your food MUCH cooler. <br>http://www.amazon.com/Cdf-11-Portable-Compressor-Refrigerator-Thermostat/dp/B005X97OHA<br>http://www.backwoodshome.com/articles2/yago102.html<br><br>

 

[mema motor mouth]

Am redoing an ancient Vacationer by Continental (was in CA, been out of business for years); it is a shell over the cab pickup camper. In the process of adding some extra insulation, then some storage areas. Need some info on electrical needs. Have 2 inverters:<br>1. Radio Shack 12VDC to 115VAC, High Efficiency, 300 Watt Power Inverter<br>2. Cobra CPI 450 DC to AC Inverter, 400 Watt Continuous, 800 Watt Peak<br>Have the Marine Battery hooked up to the Truck Battery so will charge while driving.<br>Have another small (Walmart) inverter that can plug in a USB or AC plug; thought would use it while driving to recharge my laptop. <br>Only electrical items in the truck will be my printer (wish could find a good Travel type Printer), a 12 inch AC or Battery fan, would like to have a small Fridge that would not pull too much power.<br>Could anyone give me advice about what would be the proper wattage if I decide to get a solar panel? Any type of electrical advice would be welcome.<br>I am used to back-packing and tent-camping. So am used to not having MUCH electrical usage. Have LED Battery lights and an LED head lamp if need be at night.<br>Also have candles and oil lamps.<br>Thank you for your time and trouble.<br>Respectfully,<br>Mema Motor Mouth<br>

 

[kwest]

<p>Im working on converting a chest freezer to a chest fridge by adjusting the thermostat. People are claiming&nbsp;to use as little as .1kwh per day with this conversion. I plan to buy a Kill A Watt to test the actual power use. But their claims are based on the idea that the freezers are better insulated, and the fact that cold air is heavier then warm air, so everytime you open a normal refrigerator use lose most of your cool air, but a top opening design keeps the cool air in. i picked up a 5cf chest freezer off craigslist for $50 so its worth the experiment</p>

 

[ccbreder]

What did you learn with the kilowatt measurements? Seems that if you are starting and running the same compressor the surg and run current would be the same. The difference would be how long the unit ran for temperature. thanks ccb

 

[Les H]

Hi free mind, I want to say that my mid sized 12 v cooler by koolatron pulls about 8 amps an hour, so rather power hungry. Even my older Domestic three way fridge pulls 7 or so on 12v mode. If you can afford the +/- $500 for a new Waco, Engle or Domestic 12 v compressor fridge, that's the way to go, as they only draw around 3 amps or so . If not, look on Craigslist for a RV fridge that runs on propane, as that's about your cheapest alternative , but they should ONLY BE RUN WHEN PARKED and you need to be fairly level.

 

[marshall]

We use an Engel MT35 Fridge/Freezer. Rated at 2.5 amps/hr.. However, based on weather conditions it pulls much less. When traveling with the weather (70's) average use in 24/hrs. might be one (1) amp/hr.. Goes from 40° to -40° at the above rates. $869 new. Found ours on CL for $375 at two years old and he threw the base in. These units are well worth the price. Read the reviews. They go 20+ yrs. in the outback Downunder. These units are better than the Dometic and Norcold units. They are made with plastic. The Engel is constructed with tough metal sides and tops.

 

[Ballenxj]

This has been an ongoing question for me. The Engel fridge/freezer sounds pretty good. <br>-Bruce

 

[marshall]

Hey Bruce! The Engel is the Rolls Royce of portable refrigeration. You cannot go wrong. So happy I have one. The metal construction will hold the coolness much better than the Domestic or Norcold, thus it will run less drawing less power. Its really a no brainer. We have had ours running these straight years without a day off. This thing is amazing! It draws such little power its nuts!

 

[Ballenxj]

Thanks Marshall, I'll keep a look out for a deal on one. They are usually a little pricey? $800 to $900?<br>-Bruce

 

[marshall]

Bruce, yes they are not cheap. You get what you pay for in this world. If an appliance is critical to mission success a top of the line one pays for itself. Just read the reviews on them. Money comes and goes, but happiness, a cold drink and an extended range are priceless. In reality they are not much more than a Domestic or Norcold and you get a much better build and way more life out of them. They also hold their value should you ever sell it. I am done on this subject. Go get one. Peace!

 

[Ballenxj]

Yup, I agree that the Engel seems to be the way to go, and quality is better than cheap. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img"> <br>-Bruce

 

[Ballenxj]

While doing the research I came across this two page article. A little long, but worth reading to the end. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/wink.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img"> <br>http://home.iprimus.com.au/rfh/portablefridges.html <br>-Bruce