kevman
Observer
This is probably a silly question but I've searched a bunch and haven't found much information. (Which usually confirms the silliness.)
Anyway, what is the impact that a DC load can have on the battery while connected to shore power? Do small discharges have an affect on the batteries life? For example, if I had a DC fridge that I wanted to keep on while plugged in at home between trips would this cycling lead to premature battery wear? If the fridge draw was ~2% of the battery bank (4A fridge/200Ah battery) would the charger float stage take care of this draw? If not, the battery would occasionally drop below the voltage cut off and my charger could go back into bulk stage and start another cycle. I've seen cycle life specifications for 30% vs 50% vs 70% depth of discharge but nobody ever mention 5%. Is this because such a small depth of discharge has very little influence on the life of a battery?
Long story short, I'm buying a new fridge and am torn between DC only and AC/DC. The only time I'd ever use AC is plugged in at home between trips when I'd like to keep the fridge on. However if there is no real risk to the battery by running it off DC while on shore power I can save a bit of money by getting the DC only version.
Anyway, what is the impact that a DC load can have on the battery while connected to shore power? Do small discharges have an affect on the batteries life? For example, if I had a DC fridge that I wanted to keep on while plugged in at home between trips would this cycling lead to premature battery wear? If the fridge draw was ~2% of the battery bank (4A fridge/200Ah battery) would the charger float stage take care of this draw? If not, the battery would occasionally drop below the voltage cut off and my charger could go back into bulk stage and start another cycle. I've seen cycle life specifications for 30% vs 50% vs 70% depth of discharge but nobody ever mention 5%. Is this because such a small depth of discharge has very little influence on the life of a battery?
Long story short, I'm buying a new fridge and am torn between DC only and AC/DC. The only time I'd ever use AC is plugged in at home between trips when I'd like to keep the fridge on. However if there is no real risk to the battery by running it off DC while on shore power I can save a bit of money by getting the DC only version.