norcold

[bsdf200]

We just got done with a 3-month trip to Arizona, the first month our electric bill was over 70 dollars. The only AC power we used was the tv, laptop, refrigerator, and microwave I thought this was high for what we used. The second month I switched the refrigerator to propane and the electric bill was 33 dollars. Does a norcold use that much power? It does seem to run all the time.

[Daryles]

How much to refill a 30lb propane tank?
You are going to pay one way or another.
I can tell you, if boondocking, definitely use propane unless you have a lot of solar.
In electric mode running off the inverter from batteries, the fridge draws about 40A DC.

[mhs4771]

Yes those AC/Propane Fridges are a power Hog on AC. When we traded units going from an RV Fridge to a Residential I noticed a big drop in our electric bill.

[bsdf200]

Only, 23 dollars, I just thought it strange that the nocold used so much power our old one in our 03 monty did not use hardly any power but it was smaller.

[rohrmann]

Set up in California and your bill would have been double or triple that. We have a bill about that when we are in Arizona, except higher due to Becky's sewing machines running a lot.

[Robev]

We have a 2019 3120 that uses about 55amps, drawing from the OEM 110v inverter. When boondocking, we run on propane overnight and usually between 10-11am, our 1500 watts of solar is producing enough amps to replace what we are using, plus some to recharge from overnight usage. During the winter, we use about 90Ah per day and during summer its more like 60-70ah per 24 hour period. Once the late afternoon comes around, maybe 4-5pm, we switch back to LP gas. A 9kg bottle which is the standard in our Country (NZ) we can extend our LP usage from one bottle every four days to one bottle every 5 to five and a half days. I've read about the 12v compressor fridge conversions, and am very tempted to buy one, but while this one is working well, LP gas is a convenient alternative in the mean time.

[pitman44]

Originally Posted by bsdf200

We just got done with a 3-month trip to Arizona, the first month our electric bill was over 70 dollars. The only AC power we used was the tv, laptop, refrigerator, and microwave I thought this was high for what we used. The second month I switched the refrigerator to propane and the electric bill was 33 dollars. Does a norcold use that much power? It does seem to run all the time.

Jared, YouTube channel All About RV's, did some testing a couple years ago of how much electricity an RV absorption fridge uses when on electric. Over 6700wh in 24 hours. Compared to a residential fridge's use of 1759wh in 24 hours. Video below. It was enlightening.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwHU_NY0Auo

[StageCoachDriver]

Most utilities charge based on a sliding (upward) scale depending on the amount of power consumed. Camp grounds with a lot of residents will usually be billed at the highest rate per KWH. The CG manager will then prorate his bill across the individual sites based on their metered use. The utility bills the CG based on the GC's meter. campers then pay the maximum rate based on their portion prorated maximum usage.