Charging up the batteries

Thanks Paul,
The reason for the N70 in the camper is that I have a Liemack fridge/freezer and they recommend not to use deep cycle batteries. In fact before I got the fridge I had deep cycle to run the camper but then had to replace it because of the problems with the fridge.

I also forgot to mention I have 6 kids from blending to families so we have to carry the fridge in the camper always as there just isn't any room in the back of the 4wd with all the seats folded down and in use. If If I could I would just run the fridge off the car as the N70 will power the lights in the camper for over a week.

David, no wonder Liemack went as a business into the distance and belly up.
Liemack were a good fridge, but they consume more than twice as much power as any other battery compressor fridge. In a 24 hour controlled environment test, the average power consumption by Danfoss powered 12 volt compressor units averaged about 2 amps an hour over 24 hours. The Liemack used a whopping 5.6 amps an hour over 24 hours. The reason is the Liemack uses a Mitsubishi 240vAC powered compressor, and uses an invertor to convert the 12vDC to 240vAC. NO, one BP SX60 solar panel would not run your system. You would need three (shock horror). As for them not recomending a deep cycle battery is completely wrong. A standard cranking battery is *NOT* under any circumstances designed to be used like a deep cycle battery, and after probably 50 cycles of deep cycling, the battery would be ruined and giving you very poor performance.

Looking at the long term and how young your children are and how much longer you expect to go camping, I would highly recommend you sell your Liemack refrigerator, get rid of one of the batteries you currently have to take you down to two, install a proper deep cycle battery for the second battery and a proper charging system mounted in your vehicle to charge that second battery to full capacity. You then run a 6mm twin cable down to the back of your vehicle, and terminate it with a small Andersen plug. On your camper, you put a second Anderso/en? plug wired with 6mm cable into your camper electrical system. You then get a Danfoss 12vDC powered fridge like the evaKool which has *great* insulation, and is properly built in Australia for our climate www.evakool.com.au and then get a BP SX60 solar panel that would run the evaKool fridge.

Overall, this would still be a cheaper option than buying a Honda EU1000 generator and running it.

Finally some one with common sense, totally agree, do your home work and you will find this is the most practicall way to go Col

I had a Chescold 3 way freezer I used as a fridge for many years, and even in the middle of summer in the tropics never had any issues with it.
I had a bubble in the front of the vehicle, so when I pulled up I just made sure the vehicle was level.
When I travelled I had it on 12vDC through a relay so when I switched off the engine, the relay opened, and the fridge was disconnected. If I was stopping for any time I would just put it on gas. All civil and simple.

I like the relay bit. Considerit pirated ; )

Regards

Very ture David.

Every one has 20/20 hind sight. In this case the longest way round may be the quickest way home. The translation :) you may be able to sell you existing fridge and get a few bucks, cut your losses and go 3 way.

I think you must never overlook the obvious and that is, I decent size deep cycle battery at trade price, I last paid $160. How many of these do you have to go though before you total up the price of a replacement fridge.

Regards