Another refer question (not the kind you smoke)

Captain Blast Off · Post by **Captain Blast Off** » Sat Feb 19, 2011 11:53 am

I'm going to install a small 1.7 cubic foot refer into my 63 Seabreeze, the boat did not come with a refer or an ice box. I found a new in the box a/c unit for $40 at a local retailer who is clearancing them.

Am I better off spending the $600 +/- for an ac/dc unit or is it pratical to use this unit and run it off an inverter. I don't have a genset but am going to install two deep cycle 6 volts (golfcart batteries) for house power. Will I put myself in battery hell if I do this?

Plan "B" for the $40 unit is to use it as a beer fridge in my shop.

Steve

Lawman · Post by **Lawman** » Sat Feb 19, 2011 5:32 pm

You could run a shore power cord from your boat to a Generator. I place my 2000w genset on the swim platform and run the whole house off of it, this way you don't have to worry about hooking up extra batteries. Just a suggestion.

Torcan · Post by **Torcan** » Sat Feb 19, 2011 6:37 pm

Plan B is always a good plan,
at least that way you can say
It's mine, mine, mine

g36 · Post by **g36** » Sat Feb 19, 2011 6:41 pm

i use golf cart batteries as my house batteries (tv satellite microwave etc). but i have 4 as my set up i need the extra capacity. my ac/dc norcold draws apx 3 amps dc when running. i do sometimes run a ac fridge (just like you are referring to)also so here are my findings with it . the 110v fridge if typical draws apx 1.2 amp ac at 110v ac when running. it will have a surge at start also. you will draw with invertor about 10 amps dc when running. how long will you be out? the refer wont run all the time but it will run more in the summer, i boat in tn and its pretty warm in the summer here. will you just be out for the day weekend or? typical 6v golf cart battery such as the trojan t105 batteries (what i use) are rated for i think 220 amp hours for maximum battery life it will be important not to deep discharge them. use 50% of the available energy and you will have them a long time. fridge only 11 running hrs at 10 amps= 110amps. this is definetly doable using batteries but you do need to answer the basic questions of how much power and for how long you need.you can use an amp clamp on a multimeter to measure usage so as to know in real time what is being consumed

Captain Blast Off · Post by **Captain Blast Off** » Sat Feb 19, 2011 11:01 pm

I knew someone would have a good technical answer; at times I will be out for more then a weekend. I'd rather have a 3 amp draw then an 11 amp load.

Looks like I got a new beer fridge for the shop.

Thanks

farfrompuken · Post by **farfrompuken** » Sun Feb 20, 2011 7:38 pm

I do what Lawman does.Runs my 8000btu a/c,5.4cft.refer,and my 2 battery chargers no problem. best $900 I ever spent!