some technical stuff

[Orion]

Hello,

I am trying to find out how long it's possible to be disconnected from the mains.

I learnt that the two leisure batteries (LB's), parallel connected, have 2x75A/H = 150A/H available.
So when we look at our use in the summertime of, a) fridge: 54 W, b) some light in the evening: 10W,
that should be in totall; ca. 65 W = (65:12) = 5,4 A/H.
I also know that max. 50-60% of the capacity of the LB's can be used, before loading again.
So 150: 2 (50%) = 75:5,4 = 13,8 hours.
I know it can be more because of the fact that light is only used a couple of hours.

That,s the theory, but.....

However the strange thing is that i hear from people around (and my Cali dealer) that it is possible to be disconnected from the mains for a couple of days. I never tried this in practice but wishes to find out now.

Is there anybody out there, who knows......?
Thank you.

 

[WelshGas]

Hello,

I am trying to find out how long it's possible to be disconnected from the mains.

I learnt that the two leisure batteries (LB's), parallel connected, have 2x75A/H = 150A/H available.
So when we look at our use in the summertime of, a) fridge: 54 W, b) some light in the evening: 10W,
that should be in totall; ca. 65 W = (65:12) = 5,4 A/H.
I also know that max. 50-60% of the capacity of the LB's can be used, before loading again.
So 150: 2 (50%) = 75:5,4 = 13,8 hours.
I know it can be more because of the fact that light is only used a couple of hours.

That,s the theory, but.....

However the strange thing is that i hear from people around (and my Cali dealer) that it is possible to be disconnected from the mains for a couple of days. I never tried this in practice but wishes to find out now.

Is there anybody out there, who knows......?
Thank you.

Managed 5 days in summer with Fridge, lights minimal and charging phones x2 and iPad. Winter 3.5 days with the above and Parking Heater continuously on 1.
Remember the Fridge is not on continuously when down to temperature nor is the Parking Heater which uses most power on startup.

So the trick is to get the Fridge to temperature before travelling and Start the Parking Heater while the engine is still running for about 15 minutes if planning on leaving it on whilst winter camping.

 

[Orion]

To get this right; you say that the fridge does not use that much A/H, because it's off half of the time.
Oke, but 5 days = 120 hours, that is far from the theoritical calculus approach, stated above.
That 'is what i try to figure out. Why is there so much difference between "the two"?.

How much percentage do your LB's after 5 days, still have?

 

[DM]

You say disconnected from the mains. Do you mean parked up - not running the engine either? We were away for 2 1/2 weeks recently and only hooked up once - and that almost certainly wasn't necessary. On days that we moved we found that the LB was generally still at 90% next morning using the fridge, lights and 1 12V fan (all night). After 24 hours - 80%. So it seemed to be discharging at about 20% (probably slightly less) over a 24 hour period. That suggests that it would still be at 40% after 3 full days.

 

[sidepod]

On average the fridge runs about 20 mins per hour. Obvs depends on ambient temp and how often you open it etc

Too many variables to say for sure how long you'll get.

Are you ever really likely to remain stationary for more than three days?

 

[WelshGas]

To get this right; you say that the fridge does not use that much A/H, because it's off half of the time.
Oke, but 5 days = 120 hours, that is far from the theoritical calculus approach, stated above.
That 'is what i try to figure out. Why is there so much difference between "the two"?.

How much percentage do your LB's after 5 days, still have?

60-70% but the Control Panel is not that accurate. Voltage was down to 12.0v

 

[Hotel California]

Told so in your other tread , the times a cali is parked up longer than a few days without hook-up is very rare...
We only once in 5 years had the Cali stationary at thesame campsite for 10 days in Austria doing hikes in the mountains
When staying on sites without hook-up means it is or freestanding(wildcamp) or very small campsites and thats usual one max two nights without driving.

Don't worry you will do fine , if your battery's won't hold more than two days it means they are worn out and needs change ( your cali has some years )
All your calculations are useless if your batteries are worn out

 

[Orion]

I changed all the batteries last year, so they should be fine.
And it is not my plan two stay longer than two nights (on a camperplace, or wildcamping) without connection on electricity.
I'll monitor the display and see what happens.
Thanks for your information

 

[WelshGas]

I changed all the batteries last year, so they should be fine.
And it is not my plan two stay longer than two nights (on a camperplace, or wildcamping) without connection on electricity.
I'll monitor the display and see what happens.
Thanks for your information

Remember to plug into the Mains for at least 12-24 hrs monthly to fully charge the Leisure Batteries, as detailed in the California Handbook, and definitely before leaving for your trip and whilst cooling the Fridge.
48 hrs off grid will not be a problem.

 

[MattBW]

Yes very strongly agree that advice is very valuable. In my beach I find that hooking up once a month actually helps the engine battery too and the stop start works more effectively afterwards.

.