Boondocking with a T@B CS/CS-S fridge

Dsumrah

Hello Fellow Tabbers, specifically those who have a CS/CS-S Max. We have a 2017 LG CS-Max (with a 12 volt fridge) and were wondering how long your 12 volt group 24 battery lasts when boondocking? 

wizard1880

When we first camped with the provided interstate group 24, we made one night (including a 2 hour movie on 1 tv) and the battery was almost dead by the morning.

The 12v fridge takes 4-5 amps while it's running, and it seems to run 30% of the time.  It's by far the largest energy consumer with the clamshell models.

Runtarooti

It is a hog. My spec sheet says it draws 3.7 amps w/ 12 volts when running.

Newfisher

Doesnt it have an LP setting?

wizard1880

Well, I get 4.8-5.2A from my TriMetric battery monitor (compensated for parasitic loads), but mine is also an early 2014 model.  Maybe the recent ones are more efficient.

wizard1880

Newfisher said:

Doesnt it have an LP setting?

Sadly, no.  We're stuck with 12v, but it is a compressor at least.

Sounds like the newer 2017 CS models are getting a 3-way.

Runtarooti

The newer ones say 

• NEW - Danfoss BD35 compressor improves performance especially at higher ambient temperatures

So I guess can squeeze a little bit more out.

Dsumrah

Thanks,
It looks like a group 24 battery can't keep the fridge going when boondocking. 

Verna

Look into an ARB fridge/freezer. It is a miser on power. Put ARB in the search box on the home page here and do some reading. It has paid for itself. 

wizard1880

Runtarooti said:

The newer ones say 

• NEW - Danfoss BD35 compressor improves performance especially at higher ambient temperatures

So I guess can squeeze a little bit more out.

Awesome!

That's actually the very same compressor that ARB uses.  But the ARB has much thicker insulation so the power draw is much less.

Newfisher

Add solar and a group 27 or 31. Ive been running a 43qt Edgestar in my van for 3.5 years off a group 27 and a 100w panel with a mppt controller.

TulsaTime

Unless you want to hear your generator run all day give up and use an Ice chest.

Newfisher

Solar, no generator.

ericnliz

Cooler, dry ice, solar & piece & quiet!

wizard1880

I'm a deep forest camper by preference, so in these excursions I'm forced to rely on generator if my battery runs low.  Instead I put in a larger battery system (2x GC) to help make it a couple days with the 12v fridge.  So far, 60% charge is what I'm left with by the time I pack up to leave on the third day, with no conservation efforts.  Any more than that and it's time to whip out the gen!

ericnliz

@wizard1880, If ever a WIZ there was!