Hunter 460, is the refrigerator/freezer supposed to work on batteries?

[kevingreen5]

I had a similar experience when I bought my 460 5 years ago. I replaced batteries as well, but in the end the fridge uses too much power initially for the freedom 2000 inverter. The fridge and freezer are designed to run twice a day when not at dock, similar to power boats. It runs about 45-50 minutes each time. The initial draw is higher than the rating of the inverter. I could sometimes get the inverter past the initial draw. Eventually I solved the problem with a larger 3000 inverter which can handle the initial load. The fridge/freezer consume approximately 60 amps twice a day. When I am out for several days, I run the fridge off the inverter at night and generator in morning. If I am just out for a weekend, there is no need for the inverter. Eventually I will replace with a more efficient 12v system.

 

[kevingreen5]

Sorry, there is no need for the generator if just out for the weekend. You always need the inverter.

 

[sherrycanon]

I had a similar problem with the refrigerator I bought from best brand appliance http://www.bestbrandappliance.ca/ , you could use your inverter or your house batteries as an alternative. Turn off the inverter and the generator when you are not there .

 

[Terry Cox]

Our 1991 P42 came equipped with a freezer and refrigerator that operate 12VDC. Both Adler Barbour units work great keeping the beer cold and the frozen food frozen. Not sure why someone would have equipped the boat with 120VAC units unless they had no plans to ever leave the slip. What more can I add.

As a foot note, our house bank (two 8D AGMs) holds a total of 480 amps. Even though our boat came equipped with an 8kw Genset, its purpose was to operate both heat pumps while on the hook, which we have no need to do in our climate. In all the years of cruising with both fridge and freezer on 24/7, plus other DC appliance consumption, and spending the vast majority of our cruising time not connected to shore power, running the Genset every other day was sufficient to keep the house bank capacity above 12.2 volts.

Typically, during the day, the compressor of each unit would cycle about every ten to twelve minutes and run maybe three to four minutes to maintain the thermostat setting. When running each unit would draw about six amps. During the night, the cycle time would drop significantly.