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

Dsumrah
Dsumrah Member Posts: 23
in Battery/Electrical & Solar
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? 
2016 Subaru Outback 2.5i | 2015 T@B Q
2020 Subaru Outback XT | 2017 T@B CS

Comments

  • wizard1880
    wizard1880 Member Posts: 442
    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.
    T@@bulous
    2014 T@B CS Maxx
    TV: 2015 Audi Q7 3.0 V6 TDI (diesel)
    Martha Lake, WA
  • Runtarooti
    Runtarooti Member Posts: 76
    It is a hog. My spec sheet says it draws 3.7 amps w/ 12 volts when running.
    2015 T@B Max CS-S Silver and Black
    Goes where it's towed to by 2017 Subaru Outback
  • Newfisher
    Newfisher Member Posts: 105
    Doesnt it have an LP setting?
  • wizard1880
    wizard1880 Member Posts: 442
    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. :i_dunno:
    T@@bulous
    2014 T@B CS Maxx
    TV: 2015 Audi Q7 3.0 V6 TDI (diesel)
    Martha Lake, WA
  • wizard1880
    wizard1880 Member Posts: 442

    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.
    T@@bulous
    2014 T@B CS Maxx
    TV: 2015 Audi Q7 3.0 V6 TDI (diesel)
    Martha Lake, WA
  • Runtarooti
    Runtarooti Member Posts: 76
    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.

    2015 T@B Max CS-S Silver and Black
    Goes where it's towed to by 2017 Subaru Outback
  • Dsumrah
    Dsumrah Member Posts: 23
    Thanks,
    It looks like a group 24 battery can't keep the fridge going when boondocking. 
    2016 Subaru Outback 2.5i | 2015 T@B Q
    2020 Subaru Outback XT | 2017 T@B CS
  • Verna
    Verna Member Posts: 6,876
    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. 
    Verna, Columbus, IN
    2021 T@B 320S  Boondock “The T@B”
    Towed by a white 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 Supercab, 3.5L V6 Ecoboost “The Truck”
  • wizard1880
    wizard1880 Member Posts: 442

    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.
    T@@bulous
    2014 T@B CS Maxx
    TV: 2015 Audi Q7 3.0 V6 TDI (diesel)
    Martha Lake, WA
  • Newfisher
    Newfisher Member Posts: 105
    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
    TulsaTime Member Posts: 21
    Unless you want to hear your generator run all day give up and use an Ice chest.
  • Newfisher
    Newfisher Member Posts: 105
    Solar, no generator.
  • ericnliz
    ericnliz Member Posts: 4,437
    Cooler, dry ice, solar & piece & quiet! ;)
    2016 T@B MAX S-aka: WolfT@B
    TV: 2006 Chevy Avalanche LT Z71 aka: WhiteWolf, or 1972 Chevy Custom10 P/U aka: SnarlingWolf
    Spokane, Wa.
    Eric aka: Lone Wolf  


  • wizard1880
    wizard1880 Member Posts: 442
    edited May 2017
    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!
    T@@bulous
    2014 T@B CS Maxx
    TV: 2015 Audi Q7 3.0 V6 TDI (diesel)
    Martha Lake, WA
  • ericnliz
    ericnliz Member Posts: 4,437
    @wizard1880, If ever a WIZ there was! ;)
    2016 T@B MAX S-aka: WolfT@B
    TV: 2006 Chevy Avalanche LT Z71 aka: WhiteWolf, or 1972 Chevy Custom10 P/U aka: SnarlingWolf
    Spokane, Wa.
    Eric aka: Lone Wolf  


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