Warren, this definitely is a different fridge from the Isotherm,
although similar. When I tested the Norcold DC-0040 years ago, I started
with a fresh group 91 Interstate starting battery (80 a/h), mid-summer.
I drove on a roadtrip shortly after installing the fridge, and several
times camped multiple nights without running the engine. Curiosity go
the better of me, so when I returned home, I left the fridge on to see
how far it would go. It lasted just over four days in mid-80's daytime
temps, with the thermostat set at the midpoint. Of course, I don't
recommend running a battery flat, but it was a test. When I later added
the Interstate 100 a/h deep-cycle battery, I did the same test,
resulting in six days. The Norcold draws about the same amperage, but
tends to run more often than this Vitrofrigo. Mid-80's temps here
yesterday had it running about ten-fifteen minutes per hour in a closed
van. That run time decreased as night fell. So, I stick by my claim that
it will carry four days, provided a good quality deep-cycle battery is
used of appropriate capacity (not useless multi-colored overpriced 55
a/h batteries). I think I referenced last year the wheelchair batteries,
a customer had installed four of the 22a/h ones in his Westy as a test.
Great idea, and he has some other better ones up his sleeves. He's a
marine-type guy who spends a lot of time playing with live-aboard boats.

I'll have more to report when I have the time to camp in my van, for now
I'm camping in my customer's rig I've rehabbed and am selling.
www.westyventures.com/camper_sales.htm  :-)
Perhaps I will turn the fridge on tomorrow to see how long the 100 a/h
lasts...eventually I will up that to 150 or so. :-)

Karl

Warren Chapman wrote:
> 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.
>
>