What Size Generator Do I Need To Run A Refrigerator?

Refrigerators are very important appliances in every household. They provide us with cold drinks, food storage, and other useful things. If you want to enjoy these benefits, then you should consider buying a good quality refrigerator. The main function of refrigerators is to prevent the growth of bacteria and fungi.

However, to keep your refrigerator working, you need a decent generator. Yet, you may be wondering what size generator you need to be able to run your refrigerator while you are on the go.

The capacity of a refrigerator depends on its size, and there are many models available in the market. You have to choose one according to your needs.

Here, we will discuss what size generator you require for running your refrigerator.

How Much Power Does A Refrigerator Consume?

A refrigerator consumes around 50-100 watts of electricity per hour. However, if you use it for more than 12 hours a day, then it may increase up to 200 watts. For example, if you keep your refrigerator at room temperature for 24 hours, then it will consume around 100 watts of energy.

Certain kinds of fridges will use more energy naturally than others. A mini fridge is a smaller version of a refrigerator, it usually runs about 85 watts or fewer. A smart fridge uses more than 125 watts. Most fridges use around 250 watts.

A modern fridge uses about 10 watts per cubic foot, while an old refrigerator uses up to 20 watts per cubic foot. Most refrigerators come in two different wattage ranges: 200 watts or fewer and 300 watts or more.

Fridge size is very important when looking into how much electricity we use. For a small camper, a 1,000 to 3,000 watt generator will provide you more than enough power.

However, if you have a lot more appliances to run in your RV or motorhome, or it is a larger vehicle, you may want to look at a more heavy-duty generator that will give you 10,000 watts. You need to be aware of your energy needs.

Measuring The Power Consumption Of Your Refrigerator

If you are planning to buy a new refrigerator for your RV, then you must know how much power it requires. It is essential to understand the power consumption of an appliance before purchasing it.

There are two ways to measure the power consumption of a refrigerator:

• Using a watt meter
• Measuring the current draw using a multimeter

Watt meters are not so common nowadays. But they are still widely used by people who want to check the exact amount of power consumed by their appliances.

Multimeters are quite popular among electrical engineers and technicians. These devices help them to measure the voltage and current of various electrical circuits. Multimeters are easy to use, and they don’t require any additional accessories.

However, you can find some drawbacks of using a multimeter as well. It has only three measurement ranges. Therefore, it cannot show accurate readings when the load is too high or low.

In addition to this, it doesn’t work properly when the circuit has been disconnected. So, you should always carry a spare battery pack along with you.

Now let’s see which method works best for measuring the power consumption of a fridge. This will then give you an insight to the size of generator you need to be able to power your fridge.

Using A Wattmeter

You can use a watt meter to measure the power consumption. Although wattmeters are not so cheap, they are easier to use.

Here are the steps to measure the power consumption using a wattmeter:

Step 1

Connect the wattmeter to the outlet where the refrigerator is plugged into.

Step 2

Turn off all other electrical appliances connected to the same outlet.

Step 3

Check whether the wattmeter shows 0 W (zero watts). If it shows zero, then the refrigerator is consuming no power. Otherwise, it means the refrigerator is consuming some power.

Measuring Current Draw

To measure the current draw of a refrigerator, you need to connect the multimeter between the power supply and the refrigerator.

Step 1

Plug the multimeter into the wall socket.

Step 2

Switch on the power switch of the refrigerator.

Step 3

Measure the current drawn by the refrigerator.

Note: Make sure that the multimeter is set to read AC volts.

What Size Refrigerator Can You Have In Your RV?

The answer to this question depends upon the type of RV you own. There are different types of RVs available in the market today. They vary from tiny travel trailers to huge motorhomes.

Tiny Travel Trailers

These are usually designed for short trips. The main purpose of owning such a trailer is to enjoy a relaxing vacation. Therefore, they come with very basic amenities like a toilet, shower, sink, etc.

For this reason, many tiny travel trailers come with small refrigerators. However, if you have a large family, you might need more than just a small refrigerator.

Motorhome

A motorhome is a vehicle that has its own living quarters. These vehicles are often used as permanent residences or second homes. They are generally big and spacious. Some of them even have their own kitchens where a normal kitchen fridge can be inserted.

Determining The Right Size Of Refrigerator

To determine the right size of refrigerator for your motorhome or RV, you need to take a look at the following factors:

• Number Of People Living Inside The RV
• Space Available
• Type Of Food Items You Plan To Keep In The RV
• Budget

Conclusion

There are several things that you need to consider before buying a fridge for your RV. First, you need to decide how much space you want to keep inside your RV.

You also need to be aware how much power your fridge will be consuming to make sure that you purchase a generator that will be big enough to support it. A 1,00 to 3,000 watt generator will typically give you more than enough power to run your fridge.

We hope this article has answered all your questions about what size generator you need. Thanks for reading!