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Dedicate an inverter to operate a residential refrigerator?

Yahoo Message Number: 99161
I have a Samsung RC197 residential refrigerator which I operate from my 2000 watt Magnum pure sinewave inverter. I would like to not leave the big inverter on 24/7 while boondocking because of the 1.5 to 2.0 amp standby current of the inverter. I am considering a 600 watt pure sinewave inverter dedicated just to the refrigerator. It would be installed in such a manner that the refrigerator would always be run through the inverter whether on shore power or generator. The inverter I have in mind has less than .5 amp idle current draw. We boondock a lot so I think this is a worthwhile project from the standpoint of reducing the standby current draw and also to have a backup source of power for the refrigerator besides the generator.
I would like to hear from anyone who as done this and are they happy with the results.

Thanks.

Norm 2004 Intrigue #11773

Re: Dedicate an inverter to operate a residential refrigerator?

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 99162
This is only my opinion. The installs that I have seen have a second bank of batteries dedicated to that second inverter. Why don't you add more battery capacity to what you have? Without the batteries for the second inverter, I think you are wasting your money. I have seen an installation in a Newmar that had the dedicated inverter, but it also had a pair of Group 31 AGMs for the refrig.

Fred '01 Magna #5983

Re: Dedicate an inverter to operate a residential refrigerator?

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 99164
Each inverter must have it's own batteries. Otherwise they will for amps and fight charging.

Many have added a dedicated pure sine wave and added dedicated batteries.

Others add batteries to current setup.

Ray O 
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Re: Dedicate an inverter to operate a residential refrigerator?

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 99168
You really don't need to have the refer powered up all night. I also run mine from a Magnum 3000 watt but at night I shut the refer down. The temps will hold all night. I keep the freezer at 6 and the refer portion at 38. The max rise in temp has been 3 degrees.
 I have also left the inverter running all night with no problems. I am running two Lifeline AGMs for house power

Don

'02 Intrigue 11427
'02 Intrigue #11427

Re: Dedicate an inverter to operate a residential refrigerator?

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 99173
Ray O, I don't believe that statement to be correct. Over the years many coaches including many CC, Marathon's, Vantare's, etc have installed 2 inverters running off one battery bank. For the longest time I thought they did it solely to add as much stuff into the coach as possible to increase MSRP, but I believe today that it's done to increase battery charging capacity. When both are charging in this setup and batteries are low it's not uncommon to see over 200amps on the amp gauge, such as a link 10 or on the newer magnums with the BMK (battery monitor kit) installed.

Jim Lewis

Infinity Coach

Re: Dedicate an inverter to operate a residential refrigerator?

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 99178
The inverter I was planning to install was not an inverter/charger. This was to be a small on all the time inverter dedicated to the refrigerator. I have 900amp hours of battery capacity and 1100 watts of solar. I was just trying to reduce the parasitic load on the batteries because of the  standby current of the large inverter. Upon further thought I am going to leave things as  is. There was a suggestion of turning off th inverter at night because the refrig. holds it temperature well.

Thanks to all who replied with their comments.

Norm

2004 Intrigue 11773
 

Re: Dedicate an inverter to operate a residential refrigerator?

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 99180
I have to assume they either have a separate regulator or smart chargers as they use voltage to set amperage and if voltage shows 13+ then the chargers will lower voltage and amps. If they both do it then at least one would ramp back up and the ping pong starts.

Ray O 
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