12vdc Refrigerator or Cold Plate ?

[foggysail]

SV---

YOur correct, it efficiency of running an inverter without a load is poor but again only poor because there is no load. The battery charger I am using is a zantrex with teh charge current metered. The inverter unloaded draws less than 1 ampere and again, the battery charger is operating.

Now away from the dock, the unit draws about 100 watts on 12vdc except when the defrost kicks in via the timer. Then it draws about 600 watts----for abouit 2 minutes! And yes I do agree 100 watts when operating is somewhat higher than a NorCold but the thing seems to run on a 30% duty cycle at least here in Massachusetts.

My battery bank consists of 2 old tired group 4's. I operate my generator for about 1.5 hours in the morning and the charger is down from 50 amperes to about 15. I operate it again at night for another 1.5 hours without ever having the batteries go south. I do beleive if I had my old wind generator operational it would take care of the fridge without issues.

I was completely surprised, impressed, awed or what ever praise word one can thing of regarding this fridge's performance. And the frost free feature, WOW!!!

Foggy