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We have a leisure battery in our T4 and it runs the lights (flourescent) and fridge no problem for at least 4 days (the longest we've been anywhere without moving). 

The mains socket (for hairdryers etc) doesn't work unless we plug into the mains.

It definitely does, it's a 10 year old Westfalia with the original Westfalia fitted coolbox style fridge, there's no gas option and no exterior vents and it stays properly cold even in 35+ degrees. Is that what you mean by the latest absorbtion style fridges?

Other than that it must be magic!

Vicki

After having a look round the web, I believe it's a compressor fridge, which works just like your normal home fridge and apparently they are much more efficient than the 3-ways when running on battery power.

The disadvantage is you can't run it on gas and you can hear it running (although v. quiet).

The leisure battery was replaced when we bought the van 2 years ago so it's probably in pretty good condition too.

Hi

Regarding hairdryer, I bought one specially to plug into socket for leisure battery but there was hardly any power in it at all.  Useless for drying hair!  The hairdryer works fine if plugged into cigarette lighter on dashboard but I am a bit wary of this in case it drains the battery and I find I can't start my van to come home! 

Apart from that, leisure battery is fine for a few days running coolbox, water pump and lights.

Di