12/240v fridge + inverter

rainer.
Should come from the 12vdc. To convert up then back down would be too inefficient.
Would also increase the size of the inverter needed.

Hope this helps

Rainer,

You can run stuff off the inverter and at the same time run other stuff from 12 volt outlets. The amount of 12 volt outlets you have (don't forget one of them is powering your inverter) will determine how many 12 volt apliances you can run, of course; and the size of your inverter will determine how much you can run from it at the one time.

Hi Rainer,

It is far more efficient to run the fridge on 12V directly ( rather than invert 12V DC to 240V AC and run the fridge at 240V) when 240V is not available from mains supply.

However, my 12/240V fridge will automatically use 240V if both power sources are available. Depending on your individual setup, you may have to turn off the inverted 240V to your fridge, otherwise it may automatically use 240V instead of the 12V.

Does your inverter supply power to all your van 240V points, or do you have to plug say TV etc.. into the inverter directly? If directly, simply do not plug your fridge into the inverter and it will automatically run on 12V. However, if inverted 240V is automatically supplied to all outlets, you will have to turn the fridge 240V outlet off when away from mains 240V.

There is no problem running your fridge off the 2nd battery via 12V and the TV off the inverter, also connected to 2nd battery, all at the same time (well, at least till your battery is flat).

I hope all this makes sense.

Cheers

Captain

looks like you have opened the proverbial can here. There are almost as many options as there are ideas. The 'no name' inverter I run in the trailer has 2 x 240vAC outlets and 1 x 12VDC outlet.
Inverters still aren't all that efficient in terms of battery life. You can buy most appliances for campers/vans t run off 12VDC. This is by far the easiest option. Personally, TV and VCR are 1 thing I try to get away from when I go away.
Happy travels.

Your situation of staying in the one place for 6 odd weeks is much similar to myself, so I say from practical experience you should get an 80 Wt Solar pannel (not 60) and a decent duel battery system ie large 'reserve capacity' bigger numbers are better.
A Solar pannel regulator, will depending on the capacity of the battery system if you will need one, they are a benefit if you get one that gives you all the relevant battery voltage information, I don't use one.

One thing to remember is to have the option of removing your Solar pannel from the vehicle and placing it into the sunshine to get your power, while your vehicle is still in the shade, add some decent chain to the 'extension' lead so the pannel dosn't gro legs while you are not watching it :)

As to what brand of fridge is fully dependant on your budget.

As you will be replacing your existing fridge, you probably will have to be putting in a front opening fridge and not a top opener, eliminating the usual brands available, the fridge I use is available with front opening and runs 1/2 the 6 a/h you quote.

As previously stated, wire the Inverter direct to the second battery/s and also run the fridge direct to the same battery with a decent earth.
Try and get an Inverter with at least 2 x 240 v outlets if available for your TV etc.