Refrigerator Not Cooling |
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offgrid
Senior Member Joined: 23 Jul 2018 Online Status: Offline Posts: 5290 |
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Topic: Refrigerator Not Cooling Posted: 19 Aug 2022 at 4:21am |
This is why I was careful to say "best practice" was to install a DC/DC converter for alternator charging. That being said, if I were converting to Li right now I think I would get two of the cheapest 100AH batteries I could (there are some for under $300 each on Amazon), install a new ac converter (an excuse to go to Progressive Dynamics because I've had a very poor experience with WFCO), get or reset my solar charge controller for Li charging, and try the alternator charging as is. That would give me two solid charge sources set up for Li, and one marginal one as backup while driving. Most automotive alternators regulate voltage to around 14V, so if there isn't a large load causing high voltage drop on the house batteries (like the absorption fridge on 12V) the charging should be at least fair, although they won't reach full charge. I would also relocate the batteries to the interior of the trailer rather than spend the extra money and waste energy with the self heating type sitting on the tongue. But I'm a cheapskate so I'm not necessarily recommending this approach for everyone. |
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1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |
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StephenH
podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 29 Nov 2015 Location: Wake Forest, NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 6289 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 18 Aug 2022 at 10:26pm |
If you can find one at that price, new, with manufacturer's warranty, Great! But make sure it is the right size. The one I saw at that price was New/Other. Mine had the warranty. It came in handy when it needed to be replaced due to a fault in the floor where it cracked. No problem with the refrigeration though. Contact the seller before purchasing to make sure it will be supported by Dometic if there is a problem. A to Z Resellers does not give me a warm and fuzzy feeling.
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StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
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mikeyg2347
Groupie Joined: 27 May 2015 Location: MT Online Status: Offline Posts: 75 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 18 Aug 2022 at 7:33pm |
I've been looking online at Dometic 110E fridges and found a couple of sources on Ebay for less than $900. Which naturally makes me wonder why so cheap? I've made a couple of inquiries to find out why they're such a bargain. Last year's model?
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Mike
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StephenH
podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 29 Nov 2015 Location: Wake Forest, NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 6289 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 18 Aug 2022 at 6:55pm |
BUT a lead-acid charger will not fully charge a LiFePO4 battery. The charging profile is different. Charge voltage is 14.2-14.6V according to my manual. Also, there is no float charge with LiFePO4 batteries because they have a very slow self-discharge rate. Disconnected, one could expect it to hold the charge over a year. The Bulk/Absorption/Float modes of the stock lead-acid charger are not correct.
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StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
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GlueGuy
Senior Member Joined: 15 May 2017 Location: N. California Online Status: Offline Posts: 2630 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 18 Aug 2022 at 4:32pm |
Also note that many (though certainly not all) LFP batteries have built-in voltage regulators such that you can connect them to a plain vanilla lead acid charger without harming them.
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bp
2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost |
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offgrid
Senior Member Joined: 23 Jul 2018 Online Status: Offline Posts: 5290 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 18 Aug 2022 at 4:03pm |
mikeyg2347, I think your plan is sound. I wouldn't throw more money after an older absorption fridge either. They typically only last about 10 years anyway. As for doing a Li battery upgrade, if you're not comfortable, remember that it's optional, you could just stick with your current batteries if you prefer.
That being said, it's really not that difficult, and if or when you have questions we'll be happy to help! |
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1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |
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mikeyg2347
Groupie Joined: 27 May 2015 Location: MT Online Status: Offline Posts: 75 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 18 Aug 2022 at 12:31pm |
Hogone, any progress with your fridge issue?
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Mike
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mikeyg2347
Groupie Joined: 27 May 2015 Location: MT Online Status: Offline Posts: 75 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 18 Aug 2022 at 12:30pm |
Offgrid, well said. I'm willing to accept the maintenance that goes along with the trailer, but I'm retired and have plenty of time to devote to it, plus I don't mind doing the work. I do a lot of boondock camping and slept in tents from Boy Scouts until I was 62 years old. I paid my dues and enjoy the comfort of the trailer. When I first got the trailer my daughters were envious and thought maybe a trailer is just what their young families need. But, after watching me having to maintain it, they've changed their minds.
At this point, I'm on the fence about what my next move with the refrigerator will be. I'm 60 miles away from a big town so calling an RV guy to come check it over isn't practical. My gut tells me the gas control valve is shot, and like I said, at $450 I'm reluctant to throw money at that. Mulling over investing in a compressor fridge and powering it with my current two 6 volt battery setup for the remainder of the year, then biting the bullet for the LiFePo battery next spring. Looks like that entails some upgrades that I'm not comfortable doing, so I'd probably haul it in to Missoula and turn it over to an expert. There are some independent RV repair guys there who come highly recommended. That's my current train of thought, but that is subject to change.
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Mike
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offgrid
Senior Member Joined: 23 Jul 2018 Online Status: Offline Posts: 5290 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 18 Aug 2022 at 6:44am |
+1. There's something to be said for just renting an RV, house, cabin, or hotel room while vacationing. Maintenance and repair are Somebody Else's Problem. But owning and RV, like owning a home, comes with plenty of maintenance/repair burdens. If you don't enjoy that or at least get enough benefit from ownership to justify the cost, work and hassle then better to just rent. For myself, I'm going to think long and hard about all that before I buy another RV, if I ever do. |
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1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |
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mikeyg2347
Groupie Joined: 27 May 2015 Location: MT Online Status: Offline Posts: 75 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 17 Aug 2022 at 7:34pm |
This all sounds like more fun than I deserve.
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Mike
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