Skip to main content
Gerry | Vanagon
Checking account...
← vanagon.com home · Continue the discussion in the forum
VanagonEuroVan
Subject:Re: New fridge replacement option for the Dometic
From:Warren Chapman
Date:Fri, 28 Sep 2007 21:35:09 -0400

Karl,

This looks identical to the "Isotherm CR65" unit I bought a few months
ago.  I first saw one of these in Eric Abercrombie's Syncro at Syncro de
Mayo a few years ago.

It's a little shorter than the Dometic but volume is much better due to
extra depth.  2.3 cu ft. I believe.

I think you may be a little optimistic about how long it will run on a
given battery charge though....unless you've had it in long enough to test
it in actual use.  "4 days" seems very optimistic.

The Danfoss compress draws a max of 2.7 amps. I "bench tested" mine with
some food inside and based on how often it cycled I estimated it would use
somewhere between 18-22 amp hrs daily. It ran a used but charged, starting
battery we had around to "dead" in about a day and a half.  I estimate
that the popular 55ah Optima...if drawn down to 50% of its capacity (to
preserve life), or 27.5 amp hrs useable, would only last about a day and a
half.

Seems we will need more deep cyle battery capacity...or supplemental solar
charging for a weekend camp out.

A few months ago Mark Drillock and I were discussing use of several 22ah
wheelchair batteries linked in series.  Only 2.9" wide and 6.8" tall, four
would fit under the driver's seat for 88hrs, enough for 2+ camping days.
Mark plans a bank of six in a tray under the van near the sliding door.
I'm considering 4 more in the engine bay....I want to avoid the expense
and hassles of solar charging.

Some of these wheel chair batteries can be drawn down to 80% of capacity
instead of 50% and recharging life will be reduced, but the
reduction ...to something like 225 re charges...instead of 500...seems
like something I can live with..(at the number of trips I take
annually)....for the benefit of the extra useable amp hours.

What's your real world experience been like?

Warren C.

Have something to add on this topic today? Revive this thread in the forum »