Quote: Originally posted by paulm94 on 01/9/2016
Just looking at countryman PDF brochure it says " all units with built in fridges are capable of running on 12v, mains or gas
They are, indeed, capable of running on all three, but, that doesn't mean it's installed, unfortunately. I'm perfectly capable of driving a Lamborghini. Doesn't mean I have one on the drive.
------------- The one good thing about being wrong is the joy it brings to others..
I am about to pick up our new Fiesta on Friday from Camping International and have been advised that the battery box is very restricted. The largest Amp available to me is 75. Considering the efficiency of lighting nowadays (LED), and the dreaded LED TV, would this be sufficient for say 3 days of grid ?
So in theory it'll run 10W of lighting for 90 hours from full to flat; alternatively, if your TV is a big one that draws 45W, then you'll get 20 hours from full to flat. Of course, you shouldn't run a battery flat.
Provided you don't stay up long after dark watching TV, you could survive for three days off grid with a 75Ah battery. Make sure you have a battery condition meter and watch it.
Depends on time of year and features of the TV.
Time of year effects whether heating is used, the length of time lights and Tv are on.
The TV does not need to be too power hungry if it is an LED type with modest size screen and you don't want it running over bright and too loud. My 19" actually uses about 2 amps. In built DVD players can be greedy.
3 days would be easily achievable in the main season unless profligate with TV use. In winter you are likely to struggle.
Whilst it is a 75 Ah battery, if you want it to last recon you can just take 50% of that, provided it is a proper leisure battery rather than a budget job [relabeled starter battery]
See how it goes, as during the main season you could add a 60 Watt folding solar panel and virtually remove powering problems. Winter seek an EHU.
Great, thank you for your advice. I plan to be as frugal as possible with my power consumption, in fact most of the time I will be on EHU. There may be times when we want to try less busy sites and the battery information is very useful, also I do have a 65W solar panel already. Once again, thank you.