Outdoor kitchen refrigerator boondocking

[TenOC]

We boondock or dry camp more than 75% of the time. Our new 5th wheel has an outdoor kitchen with a small refrigerator that only runs on 120 V AC. Therefore, it is almost useless because we only have 120 V AC when we run the generator. We do not have any solar. The 5th wheel is prewired for solar but not for an inverter. I have thought about getting a small inverter to run this small refrigerator, but I’m not sure how to run an electrical line from the battery compartment back to the outdoor kitchen/refrigerator. I am sure this refrigerator is a compressor type and therefore would have a large start up amperage draw. I welcome any and all suggestions.

[AZ Traveler]

Ronald,

If you are not comfortable putting in an inverter and wiring it to a few plugs, hire someone to do it. If you boondock 75% of the time, you will find it very useful.

[Foldbak]

What AZ said. If you're going to boondock, use the pre-wired solar and install lithium and an inverter.

[RMcNeal]

It may be just as cheap to get a new fridge that is 12 vdc rather than the wiring/inverter. I'd check into that first. The newer 12 v fridges are much more efficient than running 120 vac on inverter.

[TenOC]

Originally Posted by AZ Traveler

Ronald,

If you are not comfortable putting in an inverter and wiring it to a few plugs, hire someone to do it. If you boondock 75% of the time, you will find it very useful.

What size of inverter would you suggest if I only want to run the refrigerator and a TV?

[AZ Traveler]

Ronald,

You can likely get by with a 1000 watt unit. You may find a 2000 watt is not much more $ if you decide you may want more capability later.

[RMcNeal]

For a rough idea, take a look at this Renogy inverter on Amazon. Comes as 1000, 2000 or 3000

Renogy 1000W Pure Sine Wave Inverter 12V DC to 120V AC Converter for Home, RV, Truck, Off-Grid Solar Power 110V with Built-in 5V/2.1A USB Port, Hardwire Remote Controller https://a.co/d/40J7YHO

[twindman]

I added a 1000w inverter under my bed for my cpap. I dont remember details but I know i had to use very heavy wiring and add a really big circuit breaker inline. Sounds like the small 12v frig may be a better option. My unit has a cigarette lighter 12v plug in the storage for the BR TV that ran on 12v also. Do the new ones still have this?

[RMcNeal]

Mine does not have a cig lighter plug anywhere but one would be easy to add wherever you need one. My daughter has a new TT with a 12 cu ft fridge that's 12v. It is really efficient compared to using an inverter. Cools very well too. I think you can get a dorm size one for less than the 1000w inverter let alone the wire.