Refer - DC vs AC/DC

[Scott Barnard]

Which is best? DC alone costs less.

 

[SteveK]

DC IMO
It does not need an inverter, most compressors are DC and the AC is converted. The only advantage of AC/DC is art the dock you can switch to shore power AC. I run my ACDC fridge DC all the time.

 

[rslifkin]

My fridge is currently DC-only. However, now that we have an always on inverter setup and AC power is available 24/7, I'd prefer an efficient self-defrosting AC-only fridge over an expensive marine fridge that requires manual defrosting.

 

[Scott Barnard]

At the dock the AC goes to the batteries then to the Refer? Does this have any downside affect on the batteries?

 

[rslifkin]

At the dock the AC goes to the batteries then to the Refer? Does this have any downside affect on the batteries?

As long as the charger is big enough to keep up with the load the batteries never know or care, they just stay at float voltage with the charger supplying power to the DC loads (including the fridge). The batteries will only get cycled if you draw more power than the charger can provide.

 

[Scott Barnard]

Thanks all. Seems saving several hundred bucks for DC only is the route.

 

[Delta Riverat]

I'm quite pleased with my new 8 cu-ft Dometic 12 VDC fridge. Uses very little power and gets plenty cold.

 

[ranger58sb]

I've come to better appreciate the frost-free feature on the AC-only fridge and freezer in our galley, powered by inverter when away from shore power or when the genset is off.

OTOH, our AC/DC fridge on the bridge at least runs from a different battery bank, so switching breakers so that runs on DC only when we're anchored gives us a little more time between re-charge for the inverter bank.

-Chris

 

[Kaniksu]

I too went AC only on a Summit zero clearance fridge w/o a freezer. Wish I did it sooner.

 

[Ithaka7]

AC only is the way to go, as there is much more choice and a lot less expensive. At first, people, especially on sailboats try to go DC only... then the cost adds up quickly. Once you get a good inverter, then you start adding all the typical household appliances and you forget about DC. Leave DC for navigation and lighting.

 

[Delta Riverat]

Yeah, especially the expense. My 8 cu-ft 12 volt RV fridge was $1300. You can get a 10 cu-ft residential for $400. But the securement and the door locks are on you as well as the 15% inverter loss.

The big one for me was I didn't have to modify the opening in the nice teak -