Abby gets all the attention

[Lance M]

Originally Posted by DKB_SATX

Vitrifrigo leads to batteries and solar...

I know you've researched it so, how many amp hrs of battery storage do you need to boondock for 24 hrs?

In my case, how many hours or minutes will my little grp 27 80 amp hr battery run the fridge? It would be OK while towing, yeah?


Volume Total Volume (Cu Ft) 8.1 Cu. Ft.
Freezer Compartment (Cu Ft) 2.1 Cu. Ft.
Weight Lbs 136.7 lbs.
Technical features (dc) Power Voltage (V) 12/24 Vdc
Rated current (A) 5.38 A @ 12 Vdc
Nominal input (W) 65 W
Technical features (ac) Power Voltage (V) 115/240 Vac
60/50 Hz
Rated current (A) 0.76 A @ 115 Vac
Nominal input (W) 65 W

I am thinking of a portable solar panel or two. I'm trying to get the things done that the sposa has 'issues' with.

[DKB_SATX]

I think the general SWAG is about a 50% duty cycle at normal air temps (75F-ish) and that they typically use a bit less than their rated current at normal temps, so think about 3 amp-hrs per clock hour (as a conservative estimate.) That's what I'd use to size my battery bank. I was planning 2 100AH AGMs for the 28' project, and figuring that would be enough overkill that it would let me not have to be obsessive about managing it. With some portable solar and the low electrical demands of a vintage trailer you could probably do fine on sunny days w/ that 80AH battery but you'll be deep-cycling it every night.

Now, I'd probably still choose the AGMs (because I'm a cheapskate) but there's some slick LiFePO4 stuff out there that I love everything about except the prices... Light, sealed, durable... AGM still has LOTS of bang for the buck.

And yes, unless you've really drawn down the trailer's battery before hitching up, I'd think the truck's factory 12V charge line would provide plenty to run the fridge and slow-charge the trailer battery.

[Lance M]

Originally Posted by DKB_SATX

I think the general SWAG is about a 50% duty cycle at normal air temps (75F-ish) and that they typically use a bit less than their rated current at normal temps, so think about 3 amp-hrs per clock hour (as a conservative estimate.) That's what I'd use to size my battery bank. I was planning 2 100AH AGMs for the 28' project, and figuring that would be enough overkill that it would let me not have to be obsessive about managing it. With some portable solar and the low electrical demands of a vintage trailer you could probably do fine on sunny days w/ that 80AH battery but you'll be deep-cycling it every night.

Now, I'd probably still choose the AGMs (because I'm a cheapskate) but there's some slick LiFePO4 stuff out there that I love everything about except the prices... Light, sealed, durable... AGM still has LOTS of bang for the buck.

And yes, unless you've really drawn down the trailer's battery before hitching up, I'd think the truck's factory 12V charge line would provide plenty to run the fridge and slow-charge the trailer battery.

Thanks so much, David. I have had my eyes on a Lifeline 100AH for a while now.

[HiHoAgRV]

We have a Dometic portable fridge/freezer that we use, same technology just smaller. It averages about 2 amps per hour. We manage to get by with 200w of solar with no issues. Our fridge is propane only, no 12 volt draw at all. We usually watch tv for a couple of hours at night and still recharge 100% almost every day.
The game changer for me was a single Battleborn lithium. It’s recharge profile doesn’t taper off as it approaches 100% so the solar can go full tilt as long as the sun hits the panels.
The prior batteries were 2x golf cart ones and by the time the sun was passing overhead they throttled back to 3-4 amps and slowly crawled up to 90-95% each day.
With the lithium, when it hits 100% we start up charging phones and generally frivolously waisting all the solar capacity for the rest of the day.
Ah, the good life.

[Lance M]

Somewhere back in 2015 I think it was I put on new Dexter brakes and drums. I used Timken bearings. I'm not sure how many miles Abby had been towed in those 7 years, but I think it's a good bit of road.
We are getting ready for a little trip for my niece's wedding in Oklahoma and a short excursion into New Mexico for out 30th wedding Anniversary so time for a brake job.
My friend Mike has a machine shop in his garage so I took the drums over to him to get turned.


I got new backing plates from Dexter. They seem to own everything these days.


I welded the shock brackets on that I didn't install back when I replaced the sagging Axis axles with Rockwell American axles (both now owned by Dexter)and put on some Airstream shocks.

[Bubba L]

Good deal on the drums. You had them turned, was there any obvious wear and tear? Just wondering. We have a 66 that probably has eight or ten years on the axle. We haven’t used it much in the last few years but just curious on the condition of the drums. Have fun on your anniversary trip.

[Lance M]

Thank you!
The armature surface where the magnet grabs had some normal grooves, but not too bad. The shoe surface of the drums were in good shape and I probably could have just turned the armature surface and replaced the magnets, but it is cheaper to buy new complete backing plates than just the magnets.

The last time I replaced the brakes I said-"next time I'm going to convert to disk brakes" well, maybe the next, next time.

Originally Posted by Bubba L

Good deal on the drums. You had them turned, was there any obvious wear and tear? Just wondering. We have a 66 that probably has eight or ten years on the axle. We haven’t used it much in the last few years but just curious on the condition of the drums. Have fun on your anniversary trip.

[Lance M]

I got the new backing plates installed, bearings packed, hubs/drums installed and bearing preload set. Time for road test and brake burnishing.

[Aerowood]

Looks good

[Lance M]

Thanks, Kip.