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jdcellarmod

Maryland

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Posted: 09/01/22 02:34pm

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Thinking of installing a Victron charger for those days on the road when solar is not available. Can the charger be used in conjunction with an inverter (2000 watts) to run the refrigerator on electric while on the road?

Thanks, Jeff D

2021 Ram 3500 short bed dually
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egarant

Mission Viejo CA

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Posted: 09/01/22 03:03pm

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Best addition I ever did to my truck camper. I've got a lot of solar/Victron multiples and MPPT controller, but the DC to DC charger took out the worry of topping off the batteries on a cloudy or rainy day.

My particular unit puts out 30 amps.

You won't regret it.

2021 FORD F350 dually 4x4 with 4.30 gears
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480 Watts Solar, 3K VictronConnect Multiplus II, VictronConnect smart DC-DC charger, VictronConnect 100/30 solar controller, 250 amps of lithium batteries by LifeBlue

2Z Bundok

Chesland

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Posted: 09/01/22 03:07pm

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Assuming the refrigerator doesn't draw more than the 2000W and some kind of battery in the loop. A DC-DC charger of min. 20 amps off the alternator should have some excess charge.

time2roll

Southern California

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Posted: 09/01/22 03:30pm

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The DC-DC charger charging the TC battery and the 2000w inverter powering the fridge would operate independently.
YES, both can be used at the same time.

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Lwiddis

Southern California :(

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Posted: 09/01/22 04:47pm

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Solar is rarely completely unavailable during daytime hours. Is a 120 volt fridge worth all this trouble? IMO no. However, adequate batteries and panels would solve your issue.

Winnebago 2101DS TT & 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 LTZ Z71, WindyNation 300 watt solar-Lossigy 200 AH Lithium battery. Prefer boondocking, USFS, COE, BLM, NPS, TVA, state camps. Bicyclist. 14 yr. Army -11B40 then 11A - (MOS 1542 & 1560) IOBC & IOAC grad

theoldwizard1

SE MI

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Posted: 09/02/22 04:49am

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Think of it this way.

You are trying to fill a water tank (charge the batteries to 100%).

You are adding water at the top (power from the DC-DC charger).

Some one occasionally opens a valve at the bottom for a few minutes (inverter must run the refrigerator).

As long as the tank never runs completely empty (batteries below the level to run the inverter) there are no problems.

* This post was edited 11/26/22 12:16pm by theoldwizard1 *

jimh406

Western MT

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Posted: 09/02/22 11:21am

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Solar availability varies a lot by area. In Western WA/OR, it’s basically unavailable for for most hours for months. [emoticon]

Solar doesn’t work very well in snow or heavy rain either.

It’s a good idea to have a DC charger for backup assuming you have the money to spend.

Charging is separate from running an inverter. So, yes, you can use a charger and also an inverter.

'10 Ford F-450, 6.4, 4.30, 4x4, 14,500 GVWR, '06 Host Rainer 950 DS, Torklift Talon tiedowns, Glow Steps, and Fastguns. Bilstein 4600s, Firestone Bags, Toyo M655 Gs, Curt front hitch, Energy Suspension bump stops.

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pianotuna

Regina, SK, Canada

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Posted: 09/02/22 11:35am

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My modest solar charging system yields 3 amps of charging in heavy rain.

Regards, Don
My ride is a 28 foot Class C, 256 watts solar, 556 amp-hours of Telcom jars, 3000 watt Magnum hybrid inverter, Sola Basic Autoformer, Microair Easy Start.

Lwiddis

Southern California :(

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Posted: 09/03/22 07:24am

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My solar system produces in shade. Not a bunch but produces.

Camper_Jeff_&_Kelli

Seattle

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Posted: 09/03/22 01:18pm

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I have the victron 30 amp model. Works great and puts out about 360 watts. My absorption fridge uses 325 watts. I have 400 AH lithium battery so plenty of capacity to run the fridge. I do regularly run the fridge on the TC solar electric system with great performance. The dc dc charger works great.

* This post was edited 10/12/22 09:02pm by Camper_Jeff_&_Kelli *

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