Fully Self Contained

Dougwe · Chief one feather

Fully Self Contained

Duh · Guru

ParamountCruiser wrote:
Duh wrote:

An auxilliary battery will run your fridge about 3 days on 12V camped in one spot without moving and of course once you do it starts charging again and runs the fridge on the move if it is wired up that way.
Sorry but if it is a normal 3 way caravan fridge it wouldn't run for 3 hours on an auxillary battery let alone 3 days. The only time you run these fridges on 12v is whilst driving, then it is onto gas or 240v when you stop.

Point taken PC, however they had not stated what type of fridge they had, if it was a 12V/240V compressor Fridge they would get 3 days easily off an auxiliary battery running 24/7, and it would be charged while driving, I know this from my own experience, that is why I said if it is wired up that way.....I accept that most caravan fridges are three way absorption fridges and if they were it wouldn't work that way. I am not too sure about compressor fridges in caravans (I know some have them or have had their three ways replaced with compressor 12V/240V fridges) as I have never had one in a caravans only three way, but compressor fridges in two campervans I owned.

The poster also needs to be aware that fitting solar panels, extra batteries and carrying a generator all add to the weight of both tug and van depending on where they are fitted and carried etc.

-- Edited by Duh on Saturday 2nd of November 2013 09:01:26 PM

Duh · Guru

I'm not that offay with batteries Sheba, but I think the term House Battery and Auxilliary Battery refer to the same thing, see articles below for deep cycle batteries;

http://www.camperscircle.com/624/dual-battery-system/

http://home.iprimus.com.au/rfh/batteries.html

From another site;

" Deep cycle batteries are more suited to long slow power draw and slow recharge so are better suited as the auxiliary battery and solar system set ups (More on Solar)"

-- Edited by Duh on Saturday 2nd of November 2013 09:48:17 PM

Harmonix · Member

We are getting our first new caravan soon (Jurgen Tooradin) and were wondering if a generator is essential for free camping sites. We are expecting to be on the move a lot so we wouldn't be in one place longer than say 3 days. We have always owned launches before and we are assuming it would be the same setup, if anyone can offer advice it would be appreciated to us caravanning newbies. Thank you. Also is there a time limit on free camp/caravan sites??

Shogun · Senior Member

If you have solar panels and enough deep cycle batteries then you can be without a gennie. I have 300 watts of solar on the roof of my motorhome and 2 x 100 hr deep cycle batteries and the only time I have the gennie out is to give it a run every few weeks.

I sure you will be inundated on here with lots of technical advice etc, most of which I don't understand and unless you have a degree in electronics you probably won't either :)

It's horses for courses and I'm sure you will work out what's best for you.

In relation to free camps, some have time limits, some don't it just depends on where you are.

Most are signed with time limits and if you are unsure, ask a ranger or similar.

Enjoy your travels

Brett

Duh · Guru

A lot depends on what you are going to run, if it is just fridge and cooking, you will get about 14 to 21 days running your fridge 24/7 and cooking as required on a 9kg gas bottle. So if you have two you could double that.

An auxillary battery will run your fridge about 3 days on 12V camped in one spot without moving and of course once you do it starts charging again and runs the fridge on the move if it is wired up that way.

Free camps vary, but others here are more offay with them than I am, and I have no experience with generators so will leave that to others.

Welcome to the Forum and congratulations on the new rig.

ParamountCruiser · Senior Member

Duh wrote:

An auxillary battery will run your fridge about 3 days on 12V camped in one spot without moving and of course once you do it starts charging again and runs the fridge on the move if it is wired up that way.

Sorry but if it is a normal 3 way caravan fridge it wouldn't run for 3 hours on an auxillary battery let alone 3 days. The only time you run these fridges on 12v is whilst driving, then it is onto gas or 240v when you stop.

Meredith · Senior Member

What do you want to run? If you have a 3 way fridge and run it on gas when free camped you don't necessarily need a generator, it does depend on what else you want to use.

We have 2 100 amp batteries and a 140 watt solar panel and with a 3 way fridge have enough power for an indefinite period as we don't use a lot of power. We have LED lights, the water pump, watch the tv occasionally for an hour or two and run the computer for an hour or two. The only real restriction is we cannot run the air conditioner, so if we really want to run that we use a powered caravan park site.

Not all sites allow generators, and many have restrictions on the hours they can be used. And even when there aren't restrictions generators may not be too popular with your neighbours if used continually. Solar is getting cheaper all the time, is quiet and easy, so should be your choice for basic power needs.

gypsynolmate · Senior Member

Harmonix, if you wish to use your a/c when up north, it would be useful to have your generator. We have 3 solar panels and 4 batteries and live in our motor home full time.
Ok when on 240v but not free camping. It will be a learn by your mistakes, in no time at all you will have all down pat.

brian · Guru

Just be aware that running a generator in a bush camp is often a good way to turn potential friends into enemies very quickly.

Nothing destroys the ambiance of the bush camp faster than generators running for hours on end all over the place when, with just a modicum of thought and preparation, it could be avoided.

Duh · Guru

GDN,

I can't recall the auto sparky name for it (relay?) but you can have your ignition wired so the 12V crank battery doesn't activate until you turn your ignition on, there's been a few caught out like that in the past including me, stopped for a cup of coffee and something to eat at a roadhouse and by the time I returned to the tug and caravan (connected for travel) the battery was flat.

The simple way of course is to unplug the connection between your tug and caravan, but overlook doing this like we did when you stop and your battery goes flat. But easy to get distracted or forget to do it.

I had an auto electrician wire the ignition so it couldn't happen again (turn your key off and the 12V is isolated) and had no further problems, always made sure my tugs were wired like that after being burned once.

-- Edited by Duh on Sunday 3rd of November 2013 02:07:01 AM

-- Edited by Duh on Sunday 3rd of November 2013 12:51:58 PM

Kantiki · Senior Member

We have solar and a gennie. I don't think they cause too much alienation if they are used with common sense and courtesy. A few short hours late afternoon,during happy hour even, will charge the batteries and cool your van ready for bedtime. Other than that a shady tree is great.

Sheba · Guru

ParamountCruiser wrote:
Sorry but if it is a normal 3 way caravan fridge it wouldn't run for 3 hours on an auxillary battery let alone 3 days. The only time you run these fridges on 12v is whilst driving, then it is onto gas or 240v when you stop.

Be much better to run it off a House Battery [ Solar Charged] on 12V. than an ordinary Auxilliary Battery wouldn't it ?
Cheers,
Sheba.

Golddetectornomad · Senior Member

and don't make the mistake I did the other day...connected the Van to car to go....fridge in the Heritage was on 12V for travel.....and a prospector came over and wanted to show me his new gold detecting coil.....3 hours later the battery in my near new vehicle was absolutely flat, when I went to move off.....100 amp hour battery in the Caravan plus 110 amp hour Thumper in the back of my dual cab canopy, running the Waeco car fridge and as heavy as the hammers of hell.......all fully charged but largely inaccessible for starting my car.....I have 120W solar panels on the roof of my van plus stand alone 120W solar..2Kva Honda Gennie in the front of the Van...even had a jump starter battery starter somewhere buried under all my prospecting gear....but my point being I had to suffer the indignity of asking the prospector for a Jump Start....as I wanted to move off immediately....with all this in my arsenal I still got caught by simply connecting the Van to my vehicle without the motor running and having a 3 hour chinwag......it can happen so easily....drop into a shop and get talking or whatever....flat main battery..it is amazing how fast the main car battery will drain connected to the standard 150L Jayco van fridge......I was never in a predicament time wouldn't take care of....but no car battery, no move...

Put my Caravan fridge on gas to travel some may ask?.....a previous post of mine concerned burning/destroying a brand new caravan I was towing due to a gas bottle leak and the pilot light on....on my honeymoon.....instant soft on......
Caravans are fantastic but let your guard down and not keep your mind on the main game...and it will punish you in some way every time...IMO....and I reckon it has happened to all seasoned travellers in varying degrees....Hoo Roo

Bryan · Guru

Had a quiet chuckle , Golddetectornomad. Nearly happened to me once and I didn't have back up. Now I'm happy with just a 12/240v fridge, 150w solar on the roof and a 1kva genny. I just wished I'd bought a 2kva so I could run the aircon from time to time.

Radar · Guru

Hi All.

If this has not happen to you or some one around you then you must be perfect.

Done that with my in between car after a week out on the road camping. House battery was low, packed ready to pull out neighbour said coffee ready 2 hours latter, you know the rest.

I still chuckle about it all.

pawsoz · Senior Member

I am in a small motorhome so bit different but gas for fridge when stopped, 12vlt whilst driving and I can get 2 weeks out of a gas tank, 3.7k size, my 100 amp hr deep cycle battery (with 120 watts of solar on the roof has not caused me any bother at all. Annie

Nelly · Guru

What happens in a m/h when you are unable to unplug the in-house battery from the main vehicle battery? I presume the deep cycle battery would be running the fridge whilst driving and while you are camped. happy camping

GaryKelly · Guru

I've also had my car and house batteries fitted with an isolator (hard wired to the ignition), Vic. Once the ignition is switched off, the car battery is isolated and all electricals run on the house battery. When the engine is running, the alternator charges both batteries.

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

YEP that's what I was going to suggest either relay off key or diode to prevent draw from main engine battery.. Diode is only good for low load..
If your moving every second day "with with solar" .. You should be fine.. An extra alternator on motor helps as it keeps it KIS and charging SEPERATE..
TV and computer gear doesn't use bags of current and best charged when traveling ..Once sorted its very easy..
Found the hard thing was convincing she who must be obeyed toaster, electric jug and frying pan CANNOT be used at same time !!! Sheesh !!

Gas or generater for the big stuff..

Bryan · Guru

The longest I had a fridge running without charging was just on 4 days. It wasn't the motorhome but a 40 litre engel in the back of my 4x4. I got back from a fishing trip parked the car in the garage, forgot to switch the fridge off, had a shower and booked in at the hospital for a small procedure and only remembered on the 4th day. It was still running and my beer was still cold.

Forgot to add it was a 110a/h glass mat battery.

-- Edited by Bryan on Sunday 3rd of November 2013 07:28:11 PM

Duh · Guru

Nelly wrote:
What happens in a m/h when you are unable to unplug the in-house battery from the main vehicle battery? I presume the deep cycle battery would be running the fridge whilst driving and while you are camped. happy camping

Most motorhomes and campervans are wired with a device so it automatically switches over from the vehicle battery to the auxiliary (house battery) when you turn your ignition off Nelly, and when you connect to 240V from the outside connection (eg; caravan parks/home etc) that automatically takes over your fridge and also charges your auxiliary battery. The vehicle battery runs the fridge on 12V while on the move and also recharges the auxiliary battery.

It was suggested to me by Yeoeleven that if camped up and your fridge running off 12V on the Auxillary battery that if you turn your fridge down a notch or two that you will get longer on the 12V auxillary with no outside charging source. The longest I have tried on normal settings is three days stationary camped up with no problems.

PS: I am talking about 2 way fridges (12V/240V).

I hope that makes sense.

Nelly · Guru

Yes thank you Duh - I was just interested as I wondered if M/Hs had the same setup as caravans - my mechanic once said to me that I should unplug the slide-on from the vehicle when I was parked for a long period of time as the relay??!! may not work properly and I could be caught out. As I am thinking of changing to a M/H I wondered if this was the case. happy camping

oldboar · Senior Member

Harmonix, be very careful running a generator in free camps. Although rare, I know of cases where generators have been given a swimming lesson, tried a sweeter blend of fuel (sugar) or have had the cord from them somewhat shortened. Where absolutely necessary that you run one, consult with neighbors, try to camp remote from others and above all, never run it early morning or after dark. We use ours in free camps only when we wash with our washing machine and definitely follow the courtesy detailed above.

Darrell & Sandra

Duh · Guru

Nelly wrote:
Yes thank you Duh - I was just interested as I wondered if M/Hs had the same setup as caravans - my mechanic once said to me that I should unplug the slide-on from the vehicle when I was parked for a long period of time as the relay??!! may not work properly and I could be caught out. As I am thinking of changing to a M/H I wondered if this was the case. happy camping

I never thought of slide on's Nelly, I suppose they would be the same as carvans (plugged into from the tug) Gary said his vehicle was wired so the vehicle battery cut off when the ignition was turned off. He has a slide on, extract from his previous post here;

"I've also had my car and house batteries fitted with an isolator (hard wired to the ignition), Vic. Once the ignition is switched off, the car battery is isolated and all electricals run on the house battery. When the engine is running, the alternator charges both batteries."

Duh · Guru

Bryan wrote:
The longest I had a fridge running without charging was just on 4 days. It wasn't the motorhome but a 40 litre engel in the back of my 4x4. I got back from a fishing trip parked the car in the garage, forgot to switch the fridge off, had a shower and booked in at the hospital for a small procedure and only remembered on the 4th day. It was still running and my beer was still cold.

Forgot to add it was a 110a/h glass mat battery.

Bryan, I've never had a portable fridge, does that mean that yours had an inbuilt battery (inside the unit) or did you have a separate external battery ? I am thinking of buying one but don't know much about them. Thanks confuse smile

Ontos45 · Guru

Fridges use a cycle of 60:40, 60% OFF with 40% ON at roughly 25C ambient temp. This cycle changes as temp. gets hotter or colder and how often door opened. In our last van we had a 120L 3-way and a 40L 12VDC/240VAC freezer. Sue opened freezer at night to get out next days meals and put in fridge to help it keep cold as food defrosted. We also had a 40L 3-way chest fridge used as a drink fridge. All separately wired to 12VDC with own fuses (30Amp). We used 2x 9KG gas bottle and got about 2 months use with 3-ways and cooking, 2 burner stove with grill.
We fitted 2x80Watt solar panels and 2x6Voltx220Ah deep cycle batteries wired to give 12Volt at 220Ah. (not enough solar but all that we could afford, batteries 2nd hand ex-fork lift and cheap...still going). 6Volt batteries have thick plates and more room between bottom of plates and battery base to hold more slag. I fitted a Megapulse to monitor battery condition and up-keep them.

Peter

Harmonix · Member

Well what a surprise, thank you all for the tips and info. We can't wait to get out there and enjoy your life. Thanks again for all the suggestions and help

Denis