Dometic refrigerator 12 cubic ft. RM1350 LP power draw, draining batteries

**CaliforniaJeff** · 05-30-2018, 05:06 PM

We have a 2018 Reflection 303RLS, it came with the Dometic 12 cubic ft. refer.
I installed 200AH of Lithium batteries and installed the Victron BMV-712 power monitor (works great)
We are on our first dry camping trip i found the refer is using ~2 amps/hr of power while on LP gas!
The Victron determined at the rate of draw I would be out of power in 48 hours.

I contacted both GD and Dometic, they stated 1.5 - 2.5 amps is normal for this unit.
I have had previous RV trailers with the smaller 8 cubic ft. refer and never had a power issue dry camping.
Dometic stated there is a frame heater to prevent icing but disabling it would void the warranty (uses ~.5 amps)
Also, this refer has 2 exhaust fans that will turn on intermittently (kinda loud) and will pull an additional .5 - 1 amp when on

Anyone else experience this with the same refer and do you have power issues?
What is your experience with power while dry camping in a similar trailer with this Dometic Fridge?
Any mods you have made or other solutions?

**Cate&Rob** · 05-30-2018, 05:16 PM

CaliforniaJeff - All you numbers sound right. You have a good handle on this

. I think this is the price of a “near residential” fridge.

Additional comment: Consider joining this forum as a site sponsor . . . we can use your insight

.

Rob

**CaliforniaJeff** · 05-30-2018, 08:05 PM

yeah, i know i am answering my own question here but i did some searching on the "interweb" and found this site:
https://rvtravel.com/reduce-unwanted...-refrigerator/
It appears you can temporarily disable the frame heater and free up a significant amount of power usage while dry camping with your Dometic 12cu ft refer!
Gonna try it tomorrow, i will post my result.

**Canyonlight** · 05-30-2018, 08:45 PM

What is the frame heater ? Never heard this before.

Dan

**CaliforniaJeff** · 05-31-2018, 09:13 AM

The manual shows it as the Climate control heater or Frame heater.
It helps to reduce sweating and ice buildup inside the fridge but i figure when you are dry camping for a period of time just disable it and defrost when you are back on shore power if needed.You can just reconnect it at that point.

**JKellerJr** · 05-31-2018, 11:07 AM

On the Victron, did you change what I think was called the state of charge relay setting. I'm not sure what the relay does but the default is 50% and that is what is being used to determine percentage and time remaining. Its set at 50 for normal batteries that are not supposed to drain below 50%. Lithium can go much lower. I noticed that on mine when the math didn't work between amp hours being used and time remaining. Battle born told me you will get the full 200 hours out of the batteries.

**CaliforniaJeff** · 05-31-2018, 02:11 PM

Thanks for the setup Victron help.
I am new to the Victron. I didn't know about that setting. Watched a few of the videos they have but they don't mention the state of charge setting. What did you set it to? Do you know where in the setup it is on the unit or from the bluetooth connected App?

**JKellerJr** · 05-31-2018, 03:29 PM

I'm new with it also, just installed it on Monday. I have set everything on the app. I think I set mine for 5% because I cant find any info on what the "relay" is for. Just that is what they use for the time remaining. They could use a little more info on what is what.

**nwminnesota** · 05-31-2018, 08:58 PM

When you disconnect your frame heater take pictures of where it is how you got to it. Could always add a switch for dry camping mode. Also wonder what could be done with the fans to save energy. So far I have only heard mine when the ambient air is is hot otherwise I haven't heard them kick on below 75 or so however only been on two trips so far.

**CaliforniaJeff** · 06-01-2018, 05:50 PM

Originally Posted by JKellerJr

I'm new with it also, just installed it on Monday. I have set everything on the app. I think I set mine for 5% because I cant find any info on what the "relay" is for. Just that is what they use for the time remaining. They could use a little more info on what is what.

I changed the SOC low point to 7% and sure enough it increased the time remaining, thx for the tip.
I also changed the tail current from the default of 4% to 2.1%, the tech at Victron recommended changing this setting as well since i use a portable solar panel or if you have solar on your RV . Nice to see the solar adding to my batts during the day basically making up twice what my usage is. Definitely recommend solar to everyone, negates having to run a gen. Also nice to see how easy the Lithium batteries take the solar charge.