Hi all looking at the birdsville I know what I want in it .i will have solar on it it only has one battery in it I will be solo. I would rather have the fridge on 12 v and 240 power not gas , will do same with portable freezer . If have a 3 way can I turn gas off and not use it at all, want a gas bayonet for BBQ outside. Do I need a second battery . Have not had time to get back to MH dealer until July again.
Why not use the Gas?
They use a lot of power on 12v and don't work that well.. really used for keeping it cool whilst driving.
We had a 90 ltr Dometic in the camper for years and it only really worked well when on gas. we now have a 12v compressor unit which is far superior if you have adequate power and solar etc.
We have one of those slide out BBQs on a gas bayonet and to be honest I would have preferred a separate unit with a bottle that could be placed anywhere I wanted rather than being stuck on the side of the van.
I was under the impression (from reading on this forum) that you cannot run the fridge solely on 12v. When running the car the 12v from car just helps maintain the cold already in the fridge.
We run the fridge on gas and it is brilliant! Doesn't use too much gas and keeps food at correct temp.
And I don't think one battery is enough. We have 2 batteries and still struggle with organising our power demands. Our biggest power guzzler seems to be the waeco fridge we bring along.
About to buy a generator to help with power top up as we head off again this week!
Personally I would go the second battery connected to your alternator with the new Redarc second battery set up and also to the solar.
Logically if you are going to be in a position where you are relying on solar for a short period it would be an idea to have the Redarc system to ensure you had enough cranking power left if it was overcast and not recharging your storage battery enough.
With the outlay on the Avida it would be a small extra to pay for the second battery set up and would give you extra time off 240 power.
Personally I would go the second battery connected to your alternator with the new Redarc second battery set up and also to the solar.
Logically if you are going to be in a position where you are relying on solar for a short period it would be an idea to have the Redarc system to ensure you had enough cranking power left if it was overcast and not recharging your storage battery enough.
With the outlay on the Avida it would be a small extra to pay for the second battery set up and would give you extra time off 240 power.
Just my thoughts
Agree with Yug, my last two vans had auxiliary batteries (house batteries) and redarc chargers that top them up while driving (vehicle crank battery gets priority) and the house battery would give me at least 3 days static camping (never tried longer) running 80 litre dometic fridge. Once you start moving of course the redarc starts charging again as well as running the fridge. Also had 240V charging for running and charging when on power. I did not have solar, but would have if I was going to camp longer than a few days.
In my current home made set up I have the redarc with extra battery running a 30 litre Evacool, that gives me static fridge cooling for a number of days, not sure how many as I have only used it for a couple so far...
-- Edited by Vic41 on Tuesday 17th of June 2014 10:35:15 AM
Dave, keep the fridge a three way. You will probably find that it will all happen automatically in the MH. Once I start the engine then the fridge runs off the car battery, engine, whatever, I probably have not explained it properly, but like the others before me have said. Travelling solo if you have a full size fridge, you will probably find that you won't need the extra freezer. I find I have more than enough room for my requirements. Also having the fridge running on gas if you pull up somewhere to sightsee or shop then there is no problems worrying about power source or the amount of power that is draining from your house batteries. I have 2 large house batteries and from my limited knowledge I would say that you would need two.
I have to agree with Mike as far as the BBQ, mine is set up as part of the MH, and I find I do not use it all that often, as it can not be moved from the wind, so tend to cook indoors.
After all that it is a great lifestyle and you will enjoy it, I am sure.
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thanks guys&girls. i will stick to the 3 way fridge. i won't be going into caravan parks that much. batteries i thought one not enough go for two if i can. BBQ all i want is a little one like the webber Q i do like a snag & onions in a bit of bread while having a beer or RED be nice to sit outside, i will get a bayonet on gas just incase.
the solar and batteries are my main problem. i will have a generator for backup also'
thankyou again as its going to be my home & its nice to get this information from those in the know, not a bloody saleman.
any more hints will be greatly excepted
-- Edited by Glenelg on Tuesday 17th of June 2014 02:45:57 PM
-- Edited by Glenelg on Tuesday 17th of June 2014 02:48:35 PM
in the Dometic fridges running in Winnebagos you cannot run on 12v unless the MH engine is running.
if you could you would be drawing about 10-12amps which would ruin a 100 AmpHr battery very quickly as you cannot run them solely as a fridge because of the freezer section. The fridges automatically sense 240v or 12v and will run on gas about 10 mins after the motor stops and you have not plugged into mains. The 10 mins is so you can refuel safely.
i think the best setup is the 3way in the MH with a small 40l 2way as backup for those stinking hot days where the 3way absorption fridges sometimes struggle. I also have 2 x 300mm computer fans at the fridge vent. 1 runs on 240v and the other runs on 12v. They make a considerable difference.
at the moment in NQ there has been little or no sun for weeks. People relying on solar for their fridges are struggling. The generators are working overtime.
in the Dometic fridges running in Winnebagos you cannot run on 12v unless the MH engine is running.
if you could you would be drawing about 10-12amps which would ruin a 100 AmpHr battery very quickly as you cannot run them solely as a fridge because of the freezer section. The fridges automatically sense 240v or 12v and will run on gas about 10 mins after the motor stops and you have not plugged into mains. The 10 mins is so you can refuel safely.
i think the best setup is the 3way in the MH with a small 40l 2way as backup for those stinking hot days where the 3way absorption fridges sometimes struggle. I also have 2 x 300mm computer fans at the fridge vent. 1 runs on 240v and the other runs on 12v. They make a considerable difference.
at the moment in NQ there has been little or no sun for weeks. People relying on solar for their fridges are struggling. The generators are working overtime.
In my Ford Transit and Hi Ace campervans (both had 12V/240V...no gas) I had 80ltr compressor fridges they both ran off the auxiliary battery when parked up with no problems and I had no problems with the auxiliary batteries on either. Both were charged up either on the move on 12V or on 240V when available.
The longest I ran them for was three days static and they performed ok. My current camping van has a 95amp auxiliary which charges on the move with a Redarc and runs a 30litre Evakool when camped static, similar to the two campervans I had, except no 240V charge when on power.
I have also had 3 way absorption fringes in caravans which could be run on 12V on the move but not when static, then you had to run them on gas or 240V. PS: I am no techo, just relating my experience as stated.
-- Edited by Vic41 on Tuesday 17th of June 2014 09:35:33 PM
