mctacoslayer said:
I'm hoping to order a Hawk soon and I'm still torn between the 2 way and 3 way(isotherm 130). Its only because I live in the pacific northwest where there's far less sun to solar charge the batteries, especially in the fall. I don't expect to be camping longer than 2-3 days so maybe the batteries(2) will be enough...
After years of 3-way in a tent trailer, and a season of 3-way in an older FWC, I *always* run the fridge off propane when camping. My sense is that it would take less than 24 hours to take a typical batt down to 20% of capacity (danger zone!) on 12v in typical PNW weather. No solar in my rig, and I'll always camp in the shade if I can!
Both of my fridges have been older models. But they just sip at the propane. The serious propane use comes from extended runs of the furnace (which also draws down the batt).
My strategy:
* Replace all interior and porch bulbs with LED. Then, use the lights as needed, supplement with LED headlamp.
* Generally, we cook outside. I occasionally use the stove to heat water, but, it too is not a big propane user.
* Run the furnace while prepping for bed if needed, typically 10-20 minutes.
Fridge:
* Cool down the fridge on AC for 24 hours before leaving home. Anything I'll want cold I'll cool down in the house.
* Run the fridge on 12v while driving, this *should* be mostly alternator, but, my charge-circuit wiring is only 10ga and can't keep up with the fridge; this runs down the camper batt. Need to rewire!
* Backup - run the fridge on propane while driving (but flame must be out before hitting a gas station!), but, my flame blows out. Mine in the FWC is unlike most of the 3-ways as installed, which will maintain flame while driving. FWC owners who post here seem to have fridges that don't blow out. I'm going to have the fridge serviced.
* Backup to the backup - stick a 1g frozen water jug in the fridge when leaving home, hopefully this is temporary.
* Camping - run the fridge on propane if no AC hookup. Never 12v.
I'm pretty aware of battery use, as I also want to get 2-3 nights of CPAP out of a group 24 deep cycle.
Timothy Lake this weekend!
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