What is the best battery to run fridge, lights & water pump?

Submitted: Friday, Jun 13, 2008 at 10:23
ThreadID: 58712 Views:9163 Replies:4 FollowUps:0
This Thread has been Archived
Hi guys,

Just wondering if anyone can help me out here. I am wondering what type of battery I should get to run a 60L Vitrifrigo fridge, stats are:

Nominal Input 38.5W
Average Consumption 13.5W/H

It will also be running a few small fluro lights at night and a 12v water pump (pump will be cutting in an out so not running contstantly).

We are looking for something that will run these appliances for up to 3 or 4 days and it will be put under the bench seat so not a lot of ventilation.

Any help appreciated, Thanks!
Back Expand Un-Read 0 Moderator

Reply By: Gronk - Friday, Jun 13, 2008 at 11:17

Friday, Jun 13, 2008 at 11:17
AGM.........and if you want 3 or 4 days.......minimum 100 to 150 a/h
AnswerID: 309671

Reply By: ross - Friday, Jun 13, 2008 at 11:20

Friday, Jun 13, 2008 at 11:20
I think you would need something bigger than a 100amp deep cycle battery to be on the safe side.

I have a 100 am battery for my Waeco 50 litre and a fluros.
It depends on the ambient temperature,how often I open the fridge and use the lights and also the fridge settings,but I usually get 3 days if Im lucky.

If you can run the fridge off the car battery while you are driving ,then the 100 amp may do the trick.
However Im not sure if a battery that size would fit underneath a bench seat.(you woud need plenty of clearance to avoid fouling the terminals and causing a fire risk)

If you are staying in caravan parks occasionally you can take a battery charger and top up while your there.
AnswerID: 309672

Reply By: kev.h - Friday, Jun 13, 2008 at 11:50

Friday, Jun 13, 2008 at 11:50
Simple answer a big one

To estimate the size, you need to add up the wattage total for the time needed eg.
fridge 13.5 w/h x 96 h (4days) = 1296w
Plus lights 20w x12 h (3h/night) = 240w
plus pump 35w x 1 h (15m/day) = 35w
total w = 1571w

to find the amp hour rating of the battery required devide the watts by the voltage = amps

1571 w devided by 12v = 130 a/h ( note a charged battery may be 13.5v and a flat battery 9.5/10 v so an average of 12 )

if you are going to draw 135 a/h from your battery your battery has to be twice that capacity as you should not draw your battery below 50% of its capacity or it will not last long

you will need 270 to 300 a/h battery or bank of batteries min.

Hope this helps Kev
AnswerID: 309676

Reply By: Member - Jason & Jodie - Friday, Jun 13, 2008 at 20:14

Friday, Jun 13, 2008 at 20:14
Hi,
I am running a 40lt Engel with a 95 a/h AGM & I get 3 & 1/2 days (4 days in cold weather. I have a normal deep cycle (120a/h) in the C/T that runs a 40 lt Waeco & 1 fluro & I get around the same time
Cheers
Jason
AnswerID: 309748

Sponsored Links