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uncle_bob · 09-18-2019, 08:54 AM

Hi

According to the spec sheet, the R4500 pulls 4.4A on 12V. A typical fridge under typical conditions ruins about a 30% to 50% duty cycle. Full 100% duty cycle ( = absolute worst case) would be 105 AH / day. Normally you should see 30 to 50 AH / day off of the battery.

A pair of group 24's (with no solar) give you around 80 AH usable. A single group 24 would be half that. ( = you do want to be sure you have the battery upgrade). You also very much want to make sure your batteries are in good shape.

A good guess on a 100W panel is that it will deliver 40AH under good (= near ideal) conditions.

So yes, if you run nothing else *and* the solar is really doing it's thing, you could go for a lot of days. If the clouds roll in and it's a shady campsite, two days may be about it.

Indeed the "acid test" is going to be next July or August when it's 120 degrees in the shade. Checking a fridge when it's 32 out (which it is here right now) probably isn't much of a test

Bob

MrKenmore · 10-01-2019, 07:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LABC

Did you use shore power for the initial cool down? I haven't seen a report, yet, that shows propane-only providing 35-45 degree temps. Yours would be the first.

I believe I started to run the fridge 2 days before. Also used my fan override switch so fans ran constant.

I was going to swap to the Novakool but now I'm not sure. I boondocked in VT for a week with not one sunny campsite. My dual batteries would have been very low with the Novakool I would imagine.

I think I may improve the fan, pipe the exhaust stack to the outside as Rod did.

dpmarshall · 10-09-2019, 11:32 AM

They are replacing ours as well, I'll be interested in how yours is working. It’s been a nightmare getting this resolved, but was determined to not have to pay more to have a problem fixed cause by airstream's poor design.

FMB · 10-17-2019, 05:06 PM

I have 2017 BC would like to know how , Rod mentioned above, routed the fridge exhaust stack would like to know how effective that fix was.

FMB · 10-20-2019, 12:17 PM

Surprised more folks don’t try simple fixes like Rod exhaust pipe except he only appears to have tried plastic pipe that he said would not be good with propane. Why not try a car exhaust metal pipe to take more heat seems simple and cheap enough to try.

FMB · 10-20-2019, 12:27 PM

The KISS principle would suggest some simple engineering fixes might solve the fridge heat retention problem. Some posts have suggested cutting hole in propane cover has worked or replacing Black cover with aluminum has worked. We need to hear more from the possible success stories to convince the rest of us to try these simple solutions a little post temp results would be nice to know. I am really wanting to believe there could be a relatively simple solution just need a little convincing evidence.

MrKenmore · 10-20-2019, 06:48 PM

Just install a fan override switch. Mine fridge works great when I run it 24/7!

FMB · 10-21-2019, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrKenmore

Just install a fan override switch. Mine fridge works great when I run it 24/7!

Where do you get the right switch and where did you install it? A picture would help. I like your simple solution hope more people will try before replacing fridge. I want to give this a try.

FMB · 10-25-2019, 10:05 AM

My dealer told me he could install wire from tow vehicle connected in wiring harness that would power Basecamp Fridge while towing. You turn on Fridge just like on shore 120 power with only center light on no propane. This works for me for towing no propane used completely shut off. Why is this not discussed as what people should do when towing?

OTRA15 · 10-25-2019, 11:42 AM

FMB, you might want to ask the dealer for clarification IMO.

The tow vehicle supplies only 12-volt direct current voltage, not 120-volt alternating current voltage [like shore power].

Without shore power, your 2018 BC requires 12-volt DC for the fridge's control panel to work, but the main source of cooling energy remains the propane-based cooling system.

The newest Basecamps may have a fridge that cools directly on 12-volt DC?

Peter

FMB · 10-25-2019, 01:42 PM

The iway it was explained to me the Basecamp has a built in inverter to convert the solar 12 volt batter power to 110 needes for the fridge I have several 12 to 110 inverters made for car 12 volt inverts to power AC appliances and tools. I believe the fan blowers on trauma heat might work that way. I don’t claim to be expert but would like to know if Basecamp has an inverter for Fridge. A post on Airforum said Fridge used/had an inverter, true or false? The Dealer flat out told me the tow vehicle could power the fridge.

FMB · 10-25-2019, 01:57 PM

Every since the 2017 Basecamp brochure it mentions 1000 watt pure sine inverter see quote below. I was told the powers the AC Fridge.

Airstream
There are 3 décors to choose from, all of which exude a clean and modern look. The furniture, cabinetry and floor are a great fit with the outdoors thanks to being dirt and mud resistant. The camper is pre-wired for solar and comes with a 1,000-watt pure sine inverter. There is an optional solar package with an upgraded AGM battery.

OTRA15 · 10-25-2019, 02:10 PM

I would ask the dealer to explain everything in more detail, perhaps in an email. Seems like there is mixing of apples and oranges, and blueberries and raspberries maybe, going on. Will bow out here.

Good luck,

Peter

FMB · 10-25-2019, 02:52 PM

Simple question what does Basecamp 1,000 watt pure sine inverter power? Really would like to know.

FMB · 10-25-2019, 02:55 PM

Why does the Dometic Fridge light turn on Like normal when using tow vehicle power?

FMB · 10-25-2019, 08:50 PM

After reading the manuals I can see my Dealer/sales man misinformed me about the Basecamp Fridge working by tow vehicle 12 volt charge, and the inverter for AC power, it does not but the lights and control panel do work on 12 volts just not the cooling unit heater the works only on propane or full AC 120 volt. If it had been a 3 way fridge it would have worked on 12 volt but it is only a 2 way propane or AC. Many trailers do work on three way the dealer/sales man that surely this worked the same but that is wrong and and the inverter does not power the Fridge jousts charges battery’s and runs 12 volt stuff oddly nothing for AC power that I can determine but would like to know if any AC is produced by inverter, apparently not.

FMB · 10-25-2019, 09:09 PM

After reading the manuals I can see my Dealer/sales man misinformed me about the Basecamp Fridge working by tow vehicle 12 volt charge, and the inverter for AC power, it does not but the lights and control panel do work on 12 volts just not the cooling unit heater that works only on propane or full AC 120 volt. If it had been a 3 way fridge it would have worked on 12 volt but it is only a 2 way propane or AC. Many trailers do work on three way the dealer/sales man thought this worked the same but that is wrong and the inverter does not power the Fridge just charges battery’s and runs 12 volt stuff oddly nothing for AC power that I can determine but would like to know if any AC is produced by inverter, apparently not.

uncle_bob · 10-26-2019, 07:50 AM

Hi

If you have an ammonia based fridge, you do *not* want to run it on batteries. The "three way" ammonia based units are a disaster when run on 12V. They chew up a lot of power from the battery (and more than your 7pin likely can supply). The same thing applies to running the fridge off the battery via an inverter. Dometic makes ammonia based fridges.

Bob

FMB · 10-27-2019, 09:36 AM

Is it a common practice to use propane while in travel mode on the road? My dealer/salesman never explained that you do that.

FMB · 10-27-2019, 09:49 AM

Another RV fridge problem is poor air circulation inside the fridge. The ice box gets cold but the rest of the fridge can take a day or more to cool down. It needs a simple fan to circulate the air so I bout the battery powered Valletta fan to solve this problem. Uncle Bob is that a common RV fridge problem? From the complaints posted I think this is a common problem in the RV world.