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  1. #1
    Setting Up Camp
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    Dometic 12 cubic ft. RM1350 refrigerator power draw on LP draining batteries

    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?
    Jeff
    2018 Reflection 303RLS
    RAM 3500 SRW Crew Cummins LB 4WD (Stretch)
    Curt A16
    Battle Born Lithium batteries, Victron BMV-712, GoPower 2k Inverter with remote, Zamp 160W portable Solar,
    Custom converter disable switch for inverter use, more mods in the works

  2. #2
    Setting Up Camp
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    Sorry, i accidentially created a duplicate thread but here is my update from the original post i have:

    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.
    Last edited by CaliforniaJeff; 05-30-2018 at 08:11 PM.
    Jeff
    2018 Reflection 303RLS
    RAM 3500 SRW Crew Cummins LB 4WD (Stretch)
    Curt A16
    Battle Born Lithium batteries, Victron BMV-712, GoPower 2k Inverter with remote, Zamp 160W portable Solar,
    Custom converter disable switch for inverter use, more mods in the works

  3. #3
    Fireside Member TerryZechman's Avatar
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    Great find! Thanks for the link. My fridge kills my battery in short order.
    2018 Solitude 310GK
    2017 RAM 3500 Crew Cab, Short Box, 4x4, SRW, Cummins 6.7
    https://photos.smugmug.com/Other/Oth...dStatesMap.gif

  4. #4
    Setting Up Camp
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    You bet, hope this helps all the dry campers.
    Jeff
    2018 Reflection 303RLS
    RAM 3500 SRW Crew Cummins LB 4WD (Stretch)
    Curt A16
    Battle Born Lithium batteries, Victron BMV-712, GoPower 2k Inverter with remote, Zamp 160W portable Solar,
    Custom converter disable switch for inverter use, more mods in the works

  5. #5
    Long Hauler Canyonlight's Avatar
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    Awesome, Jeff !......on our next GDRV, I will know what to do if has this or similar designed fridge.......good stuff, thanks !

    Dan
    Dan & Carol
    2014 303RLS Reflection #185 (10/2013 build)
    2012 Silverado LTZ Crew Duramax 2500HD
    2700/16K Pullrite Superglide

  6. #6
    Setting Up Camp
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    Please note,I am not condoning doing this, providing technical advise or making any recommendations.
    Any changes you make may void your warranty, are your own responsibility and at your own risk!

    I posted 3 pics
    - Refer Schematic
    - Control box with circuit board and connections
    - Plug P5 disconnected (circled in yellow)

    When performing a test by disconnecting connector P5, the Refer appears to function as before except the power
    draw is about 1.2 amps less than before. Now we see only a power draw of about 0.8 amps on a continual basis!
    Click image for larger version. 

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    Last edited by CaliforniaJeff; 06-03-2018 at 08:15 PM.
    Jeff
    2018 Reflection 303RLS
    RAM 3500 SRW Crew Cummins LB 4WD (Stretch)
    Curt A16
    Battle Born Lithium batteries, Victron BMV-712, GoPower 2k Inverter with remote, Zamp 160W portable Solar,
    Custom converter disable switch for inverter use, more mods in the works

  7. #7
    Left The Driveway
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    Instead of pulling the plug I put a piece of tape over the contacts in the upper left corner of the door frame. i assume this does the same thing not turning on the heating strips. I do get a little condensation build up collecting at the bottom of the doors but it is minimal. Then when we plug in somewhere I just take the tape off.

  8. #8
    Setting Up Camp
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    Thanks, i'll test that and check to see if the power draw changes.
    Jeff
    2018 Reflection 303RLS
    RAM 3500 SRW Crew Cummins LB 4WD (Stretch)
    Curt A16
    Battle Born Lithium batteries, Victron BMV-712, GoPower 2k Inverter with remote, Zamp 160W portable Solar,
    Custom converter disable switch for inverter use, more mods in the works

  9. #9
    Site Sponsor
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    Jeff, Didn't you say you spoke with someone at Victron? Mine inst registering charging voltage. Plugged into the truck is registers the same as unplugged so its not accounting for the truck charge voltage. And plugged into shore power it still registers a drain from the inverter. Then magically an hour later it shows the batteries at full charge
    2021 Solitude 375 RES-R
    2024 GMC Denali ultimate DRW

  10. #10
    Seasoned Camper ncitro's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by JKellerJr View Post
    Jeff, Didn't you say you spoke with someone at Victron? Mine inst registering charging voltage. Plugged into the truck is registers the same as unplugged so its not accounting for the truck charge voltage. And plugged into shore power it still registers a drain from the inverter. Then magically an hour later it shows the batteries at full charge


    I'd say that sounds like a problem with the way the shunt is installed. It's reading charged because the voltage is high enough and current is low enough but can't count the amps right due to a shunt issue.
    2018 Reflection 28BH
    2019 F350 Platinum 6.7L LB 4x4

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