Newbie - powering a Dometic RMS 8551

[DuncT]

Morning.

New to this whole motorhoming game so please bear with me

I've got a Dometic RMS 8551 fridge which seems to work perfectly (only really used on main ehu so far). I'm in the process of planning/buying kit to upgrade the vans electrical system over to lithium and was after your opinion on the best way to power this fridge.

The fridge specs are 240v - 125w, 12v - 120w, gas 270g per day.

I've read lots about the failings of absorption fridges but for now, I'd like to stick with it and can always go to a compressor one in the future. I'm trying to decide how big a lithium battery to get & then if powering by 12v or through an inverter for 240v is best.

I plan on getting a minimum of 300ah lithium battery but have been tempted by the 628ah fogstar one and will get a solar panel or 2.

I know gas is probably best but I don't overly like the idea of relying on gas bottles/keeping tabs on what's left.

Please let me know your thoughts and how you get on/power your fridges.

Ta - Dunc

 

[Lenny HB]

Gas is always best particularly in hot weather. If you are going to run from electric there is not much difference in the size of the mains and 12v elements so it is more efficient to run on 12v as running from an inverter you get a 10 - 15% efficiency loss.

With a 3 way fridge it is only practical to run on electric for short periods due to the high current they take. best to only run on electric when the batteries are fully charged and there is plenty of sunshine then only on for an hour then on gas for an hour throughout the day when you are getting a good solar charge.

With the Lithium it's advisableto have as much solar as you can fit on the roof.

Have a chat with Off Griid, Funsters RogerIvy and nigelivy run it, excellent prices and high quality work & a Funster discount.

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