Little owl1963
Any one no how much these draw off the leisure battery ???
An is the fridge a 3 way fridge. ?
Thanks
An is the fridge a 3 way fridge. ?
Thanks
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WelshGas
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The fridge only runs off the 12v leisure batteries.
The fridge uses about 3 amps/hr, when it is running. As it is a compressor fridge it does not run continuously, so how often it switches On and how long it runs each time depends on the Fridge temperature set and the ambient temperature.
The Diesel Heater uses upto 18 amps/hr on startup, heating the glow plug, but once ignited anything upto 1 amp/hr dependant on temperature selected and ambient temperature. It is more economical to leave the heater On continuously and just vary the temperature. Diesel consumption is about 0.5L/hr on high, but you would rarely be running it at that level as it is very effective.
Little owl1963
Very low consumption then , brilliant .
Was thinking of 800 watt generator .
So be more than enough power those .
What's your view on generators ??
WelshGas
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Nothing wrong with a generator if you are on your own in the middle of nowhere, but they can be noisy.
800 watts is barely adequate and would probably have to be run for 12hrs a day at least as it would be capable of a maximum 3amps or so but their would be circuit loss especially by the built in mains charger so probably a maximum 2.5 amps or so for charging.
My other concern would be the quality of the electronics, hopefully the mains output would be acceptable for the California mains charger.
The Honda, more expensive but does have a clean mains output.
How much petrol would you have to carry to run for 12hrs a day for upto 5 days?
Little owl1963
3 amps per day equals 360 watts
The generator gives out 700 watts
Why is it you say will only be capable of 2 to 3 watts max and not 6 amps or 720 watts ??
WelshGas
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amps x volts = Watts
So if the generator is pushing out Mains voltage of 240 v,
Amps x 240 = 800, so amps is approximately 3.
sidepod
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It’s not 3A per day. It’s 3A whenever and for as long as the compressor is running.
Previously I’ve estimated the fridge duty cycle on/off to be 20 mins in the hour at an ambient of approx 20deg.
Good luck with the maths on that to convert for a range of ambients.
Previously I’ve estimated the fridge duty cycle on/off to be 20 mins in the hour at an ambient of approx 20deg.
Good luck with the maths on that to convert for a range of ambients.
Velma's Dad
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That's prob a good summertime fridge rule-of-thumb, ie average 1A continuous. From memory the leisure batts are about 100Ah so aligns with often-stated experience on this forum that you can go off grid for at least 3-4 days without recharging. And after that just run the engine static for a short while to top up - assuming you really don't have any reason to drive somewhere.
And that's without just bunging on a cheap set of solar panels.
Can't really see a use-case for carrying a genny in a Cali, but no doubt someone can contrive one!
Little owl1963
But is not idling too long no good for engine ? As been said in this thread can block dpf filter an epg an possible nightmare problems ??That's prob a good summertime fridge rule-of-thumb, ie average 1A continuous. From memory the leisure batts are about 100Ah so aligns with often-stated experience on this forum that you can go off grid for at least 3-4 days without recharging. And after that just run the engine static for a short while to top up - assuming you really don't have any reason to drive somewhere.
And that's without just bunging on a cheap set of solar panels.
Can't really see a use-case for carrying a genny in a Cali, but no doubt someone can contrive one!
Velma's Dad
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You'll have to take your own view on that, from a lot of conflicting internet views based on very little actual evidence. The manufacturers have, after all, designed in an active regeneration cycle to unclog the filter when necessary.
FWIW, I'd have no real concerns about idling my engine for the odd half-hour, although in practice I've never yet needed to for battery charging purposes (been stuck at idle/crawl for hours on a few motorways, on the other hand...).
chockswahay
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@Little owl1963 I have noticed that you have asked quite a few questions on the forum recently, which is great, this is the place for answers from those that (may or may not) have direct experience. However, if I may suggest, perhaps you could try using the van in its basic form and see what works for you and what doesn’t. We have all been there, worrying probably too much about things that may or may not happen (deffo me included!)…… and in the end found we didn’t need half the stuff we though we would 
As for the odd recharge I really don’t think it will do any harm. I have done it a couple of times and it really can make a quite a difference to extend the battery life for another day.
My advice? (yes I know, you haven’t asked for it) ….. try not to overthink all this, get out there and just enjoy the van
As for the odd recharge I really don’t think it will do any harm. I have done it a couple of times and it really can make a quite a difference to extend the battery life for another day.
My advice? (yes I know, you haven’t asked for it
) ….. try not to overthink all this, get out there and just enjoy the van
GrannyJen
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I used to go regularly off grid, fridge on, heating on, lights on and 3-4 days was my expectancy of nothing failing, in winter, with little solar energy.
My view on anything but silent (solar) generators are I would rather hear the birds than my own generator rattling away and if I heard anyone else's generator whilst camping off grid then I would be tempted to have a conversation with the owner along the lines of "what bit of being in harmony with nature don''t you get"?
My view on anything but silent (solar) generators are I would rather hear the birds than my own generator rattling away and if I heard anyone else's generator whilst camping off grid then I would be tempted to have a conversation with the owner along the lines of "what bit of being in harmony with nature don''t you get"?
Last edited:
Little owl1963
Thanks for advise which I fully appreciate an makes sense .@Little owl1963 I have noticed that you have asked quite a few questions on the forum recently, which is great, this is the place for answers from those that (may or may not) have direct experience. However, if I may suggest, perhaps you could try using the van in its basic form and see what works for you and what doesn’t. We have all been there, worrying probably too much about things that may or may not happen (deffo me included!)…… and in the end found we didn’t need half the stuff we though we would
As for the odd recharge I really don’t think it will do any harm. I have done it a couple of times and it really can make a quite a difference to extend the battery life for another day.
My advice? (yes I know, you haven’t asked for it
But the whole exercise of my questions was to establish if my new van was operateing as it should correctly .
If not i would have to notify under warranty , the manual only tells you so much .
Keep looking one more question be coming up shortly
sidepod
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?? Is the fridge not rated at 50W?
When I was at school that = 4 and a bit A
WelshGas
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No idea. I was just quoting the amp reading I see on the Control Panel when the compressor is running. If it is 50w then it should be about 4amps.
Kingfisher
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If I remember correctly, the fridge is rated at 40 W for T5 and T6 models. T4 might well be different.
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