Hi, everyone. I'm having a 1977 Serro Scotty Highlander rebuilt to pull with my 2013 Nissan Rogue, and making decisions about how to wire and run electronics.
(Before we start about towing weights, the SL is rated to tow 1500lb, the Scotty will be around 1100-1200lb)
Long term, the plan is to have it run off solar. I'm trying to build a system that has low power-draw refrigeration without propane, so that I can set it up for solar eventually, but for now, I just need the fridge to easily transfer between the 12V car battery when driving and the mains at the campsite.
The research I've done over the past month suggests that Portable Compressor Fridges are a great option (ARB, Engel and Dometic models seems to be popular favorites), but I've also just discovered "two-way" (12VDC/120VAC) Compressor Fridges that are marketed for Semi-Trailer Truck and Boat use. They typically have the appearance of a front-open mini-fridge, but there do seem to be under-counter drawer models as well. Specs seem to be similar for models with the same capacity, for example: Dometic lists the CFX-50 Portable Fridge as running an Average Power Consumption of 45 watts, while the CR-50 Truck Fridge is 40 watts. They seem to cost and weigh about the same. The Portable Fridge is about 33% larger than the Truck Fridge.
1. Has anyone had experience using the truck or marine model for car or rv use? Is there any reason not to choose the Truck Fridge style 12VDC/120VAC aside from portability? For instance, will I notice such a huge spike in power draw from the front-open door (if I chose that model), making boondocking with solar impractical for a travel trailer and CSUV sized rig (size and weight of panels needed)? Do they make a lot more noise, or give off more heat?
2. Considering that this is for a travel trailer, is it safe/will the power be sufficient to run one of these fridges from the car battery cigarette plug (15-20ft to the trailer) or do I need a leisure battery now, before I get to solar panels?
The next step is to build a litium ion battery bank system and then add solar panels, so I'm sure I'll be back on the forum! Any suggestions about how to proceed with the whole project are welcome! Thanks!
Ben
(Before we start about towing weights, the SL is rated to tow 1500lb, the Scotty will be around 1100-1200lb)
Long term, the plan is to have it run off solar. I'm trying to build a system that has low power-draw refrigeration without propane, so that I can set it up for solar eventually, but for now, I just need the fridge to easily transfer between the 12V car battery when driving and the mains at the campsite.
The research I've done over the past month suggests that Portable Compressor Fridges are a great option (ARB, Engel and Dometic models seems to be popular favorites), but I've also just discovered "two-way" (12VDC/120VAC) Compressor Fridges that are marketed for Semi-Trailer Truck and Boat use. They typically have the appearance of a front-open mini-fridge, but there do seem to be under-counter drawer models as well. Specs seem to be similar for models with the same capacity, for example: Dometic lists the CFX-50 Portable Fridge as running an Average Power Consumption of 45 watts, while the CR-50 Truck Fridge is 40 watts. They seem to cost and weigh about the same. The Portable Fridge is about 33% larger than the Truck Fridge.
1. Has anyone had experience using the truck or marine model for car or rv use? Is there any reason not to choose the Truck Fridge style 12VDC/120VAC aside from portability? For instance, will I notice such a huge spike in power draw from the front-open door (if I chose that model), making boondocking with solar impractical for a travel trailer and CSUV sized rig (size and weight of panels needed)? Do they make a lot more noise, or give off more heat?
2. Considering that this is for a travel trailer, is it safe/will the power be sufficient to run one of these fridges from the car battery cigarette plug (15-20ft to the trailer) or do I need a leisure battery now, before I get to solar panels?
The next step is to build a litium ion battery bank system and then add solar panels, so I'm sure I'll be back on the forum! Any suggestions about how to proceed with the whole project are welcome! Thanks!
Ben
