using refrig while driving

[Ryan888]

So the basecamp20 fridge, runs off battery when driving? I assume yes, since it is 12V/120. How much drain per hour could I estimate? Would I have depleted battery after 5 hour drive to campsite? I do have the solar. Just curious.

Have first trip coming up, and was debating whether I need to pack food in a cooler or just use the basecamp battery while driving.

Thanks!
Ryan

[Bill M.]

I do not have a basecamp or 12 volt fridge. But...if I did I would add a DC to DC converter to make better battery charging and to run the fridge while driving. Maybe a 10 amp DC to DC converter.

I think the answer to your question depends a lot on the TV. Some tv charging sysems will provide some battery charging while driving, others not so much. My Dodge diesel puts almost no appreciable charge to the trailer batteries while driving. However whatever drain is on the TV battery will be refilled by the alternator while in transient.

If I boondocked even a little with a DC fridge I would think about a lithium battery conversion and carry a solar panel or a small generator. Actually I see you already have the solar panel. The lithium battery will double your run time over a AGM and will recharge much faster with the solar or while driving.

[Rolind]

We have a 2020 BCX with factory solar and agm batteries. We alway leave with a full charge and run the fridge while driving. TV is a Tacoma and we always arrive with a full charge. The factory solar charge controller only delivers solar charge to the battery when the voltage drops to less than 12.4, unless you force the controller into charge mode. I think you have a different solar charge controller. Any amp/hrs consumed by the fridge is replaced from the TV.