how many leaving fridge overnight?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by leo319, Oct 3, 2011.

  1. leo319

    leo319 Light Load Member

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    Jul 13, 2011
    monterey bay, ca
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    this might be dumb question but hey im posting it on the newbie section alright!.lol..

    i recently bought a truck with a small cobra 12v-120 inverter hooked straight to one of the trucks battery. its got connected a small fridge and a tv, my question is can i leave the fridge on overnight without killing the batteries??

    How many of you doing this? or something similar, feel free to share.. Thanks!!!
     
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  3. maxwelltie

    maxwelltie Medium Load Member

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    Mar 13, 2010
    Brookings, OR
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    Depends on the draw and how good your batteries are. However, I have a fridge in mine and leave it running all the time, except when I'm on hometime. Never a problem.
     
  4. leo319

    leo319 Light Load Member

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    Jul 13, 2011
    monterey bay, ca
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    batteries look good...i notice when the fridge on, the reader on the inverter moves between 12.1-12.4. is that what youre referring by draw?
     
  5. leo319

    leo319 Light Load Member

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    Jul 13, 2011
    monterey bay, ca
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    its got 4 batteries btw...
     
  6. driverkc

    driverkc Light Load Member

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    Sep 28, 2011
    Kansas City, KS
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    My truck would shut down power to non critical systems when the batterys got too low. I've lost some food that way but, my truck would always start. Luckly for me.:biggrin_25523:
     
  7. Emulsified

    Emulsified Road Train Member

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    Dallas, TX
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    I leave mine on all the time. Never a problem.
    If you're getting down to 12.1, you're batteries are getting weak. Need to charge up again.
    Draw is the amount of wattage you are using. Just as a basic understanding, If a battery is rated for 100 amps, that will give you about 50 amps max you can use. Really 40 is closer to the limit.
    40 amps X 12 volts = 480 watts available. If your fridge draws 125 watts per hour contineous, then you will have used up your 'bank' in about 4 hours.
    Fridges don't run contineous, batteries have more reserve than 100 amps and you have multiple batteries, but that gives you the analogy.
     
  8. TennMan

    TennMan Road Train Member

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    Hazzard County Jail !!!!!
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    less than a year driving experience and you bought a truck congratulations. I really hope you make it as an o/o. As far as the Fridge if your batteries are ok it should be fine for a 10 hour break but any longer i'd unplug and keep the door closed.
     
  9. leo319

    leo319 Light Load Member

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    Jul 13, 2011
    monterey bay, ca
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    OOoh i see... thanks for the explanation emulsified...ill do the math with what i have..

    the 12.1 im gettting is what i see on the inverter itself... and that only moves when either i have the tv and fridge on or only one...that makes me think its gotta do with the amount of power im using right?
     
  10. Emulsified

    Emulsified Road Train Member

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    May 6, 2010
    Dallas, TX
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    It means either your batteries aren't getting fully charged or they are getting old and won't take a full charge anymore.
    Should be around 12.8 - 12.9 ten minutes after shutting off the engine.
     
  11. leo319

    leo319 Light Load Member

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    Jul 13, 2011
    monterey bay, ca
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    alright... ill test them next time im in... thanks again..

    @TennMan- thanks, im trying my best.. i figured i should be fine but just thought id ask before i wake up with dead batteries.. gotta check my voltage tho, seems low according to the guy on top
     
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