12v fridge vs 12v fridge with freezer

I'm interested in getting a 12v fridge setup but it would be nice to have a small freezer section at times. Does anyone has experience with both that can give me insight on energy usage, longevity issues, ect. Also interested in power supplie system for your 12v setup. It's also very hot in the summer where I live (100+) so does that effect energy consumption?

 

I previously used a Dometic DZ65 with a 100ah battery. In those type of temperatures, it would last 24ish hours without sun. With 200watts of solar it was indefinite. I would definitely go with a bigger sized battery if doing it again.

 

That gives me a good idea on consumption thanks. Is your solar mounted of do you set up the panels when your at camp?

 

I only had moveable panels at camp. I liked being able to move it around and park in the shade, but with my new camper they will be hard mounted, potentially with one that I can setup. It was very inconvenient having to setup the panel wherever I parked because it was too hot to risk the battery lowering otherwise

 

Having both types of panels never crossed my mind but that seems ideal. Any idea on the time it takes to charge the accessories battery (group 24 so 70ah) from alternator (assuming the starting battery is isolated and at full charge)

 

Research battery options. Understand what is meant by "available discharge" for the various types as applies to the ratings. Things are not as stated. No std car batteries - they will be destroyed quickly! You will need deep cycle if staying lead acid. From their you got to AGM and Li-Fe-Phosphate. Li-Fe are super cool but they are spendy....
Many of the larger fridges have configurable freezer compartments, meaning you can add baffles to create a freezer area or leave them out to create big fridge. If you are going to run in hot areas 90+, you should also look into insulation covers.
I run a Weaco (now Dometic) CF-80 with a 175W panel and 100AH Li-Fe and have now pwr issues. I easily get 0F in the freezer compartment.

 

I have a Dometic CFX3 75DZ and power it with a

$999 Jackery Explorer 1000 , 1002Wh Capacity with 2xSolarSaga 100W Solar Panels, 3x1000W AC Outlets, Portable Power Station Ideal for Home Backup, Emergency, RV Outdoor Camping Black, Orange

Jackery Explorer 1000. I thought it would be great to have the freezer as well. However, I would only get a little over 1 day of battery when using 1 side freezer/1 side fridge. I would get around 3 days of battery usage when using both sides fridge (this is in Texas, BTW). Now I just get ice cream at a shop instead of taking with me . If I had to do it over, I'd get a smaller, single zone. Save some money, size and weight. Your needs may differ but that was my experience.

I don't have solar or anything to recharge the Jackery, it just charges from the 12v in the truck when driving.

Hope that helps.

 

Yes that's great info thanks

 

I have a National Luna 50L dual control fridge freezer. I previously ran it in my Tacoma with a cab mounted 170AH lithium battery and redarc bcdc1240 and non-permanently mounted overland solar 130w panel. With that size battery it was good for a LOOOONG time without concern of battery discharge. I recently sold the taco for a tundra and have not had a chance to build out the dual battery setup, but I have used/tested the setup by using the battery and a homemade battery box with the 170ah lithium. Tests - Leaving the fridge set to 4 degrees celsius and -16 degrees celsius (fridge/freezer) I was able to get 4 days without any solar or dcdc charging with the fridge sitting in the cab and temps in the 96-102 range. In similar conditions and charging every other day with the solar, I would be confident that I could go a very long time just using solar and not a dcdc charger. Built in battery protection setting on the fridge was set to cut out when the battery voltage dropped to 11.3V.

I have more specific details on the test I ran while just using the battery not connected to the dcdc charger or solar, but that should give you an idea as to what can be done with a standalone battery pack. Yes, the 170ah battery was pricey, but the piece of mind if you offgrid camp a lot made it a no brainer for my use/needs/wants.

 

Yeah I looked those 170ah batterys up they are pricey. I'm thinking the redarc dc charger with dual batteries is the way I'm gonna go since its solar ready. I'll probably start with a agm battery and upgrade if needed. What's the charge time like with redarc system?