Club 80-90 Forums

Hi everyone, I am shortly changing to a compressor fridge with a 120amp. AMG  battery . My question is if not using solar ( which hopefully will happen when funds allow  early next year) what way do you think to keep my battery toppped up ?  Also which chargers or controllers best to use ? Sorry if it seems a complicated question but it seems complicated to me. Thanks again for any input. Cheers Pete.

Other than solar, and obviously electric hook up, theres little way of charging your battery.

You can run the motor I suppose but unless you have a dc to dc (b2b) charger fitted that will take a while or use a genny, neither of which would make you very popular!

Without a decent charging system the battery wont last more than a couple of days I reckon.

I personally use Victron solar controller and b2b with a Fogstar 105ah lithium battery but there are lots of alternatives out there.

AGM batteries should also be charged to a higher voltage than lead-acid ones, 14.4 volts iirc, might be higher.
If you don't do this the battery life will be significantly shortened, you need a dedicated "smart" charger.

Thanks for the replies. Thought I would have to charge up from hook up which is okay we will More than likely only stop a couple of nights without power ( not really off gridders ). Would like to put the battery under the back seat in my camper. As the 3/4 bed always stops down because our two little dogs sleep while travelling. Is there any way I could put on to charge without keep lifting the bed . Cheers  sorry for a numpty.

I have a Dometic CFX345 which ran quite happily in high temperatures off a standalone AGM for a weekend, however the fridge was under a tarp shade out of the van. I would say that you keep direct sunlight off the fridge itself, airflow and shade are your friends.
Get a dedicated charger for the AGM and you'll be fine.
No need to worry about outgassing as long as the battery is correctly vented as per manufacturers instructions.

The JKF50 compressor fridge (Just Kampers) is said to only draw 0.7 amp per hour after settling down on start up (it takes about 5 amps to start up and get to correct temp then knocks on and off as required) so even if running a little more than a fridge you should get a few days off a lithium battery. Smart chargers are great and for my 10 amp per hour completely silent charger ( beware some make quite a noise), its ample when on a hook up.I have also bought a cheap portable 100 w  solar charger in case I am off grid (which is rare).So its worthwhile to decide on a plan, its all running ok and am away soon for 3 days so its going to have its first trial run.

Once again thanks for all your replies. It has helped a lot . Now to get going and get out in the camper again .Cheers