Real world power usage of the SJRV 85 litre camping Fridge

How much power does the SJRV BC85L use – and how long will your battery last?

If you’re planning a few days off-grid, knowing how much juice your fridge pulls is pretty important. The SJRV BC85L 12 V fridge/freezer is a solid mid-size unit for caravans and campers, with an efficient compressor and around 66 W power draw when it’s running. Let’s break down what that means in real-world use, and how long it’ll run on a 100 Ah or 200 Ah lithium battery.

The specs in plain English

• Size: 83 L total capacity (about 68 L fridge and 15 L freezer)
• Runs on 12 V or 24 V DC
• Uses a Huayi variable-speed compressor for quieter, more efficient cooling
• Listed power draw: around 66 W while the compressor’s on

That 66 W isn’t all day, every day – the fridge cycles on and off. When the compressor is running, it pulls roughly 5.5 amps at 12 volts. The rest of the time it’s barely sipping power.

What it uses in a day

The key factor is how long the compressor runs each day, which depends on temperature, ventilation, and how often you open it.

That’s roughly 480 Wh to 950 Wh of energy over 24 hours. In simple terms, you’re looking at around 40 to 80 amp-hours a day depending on the weather and how you use it.

How your battery handles it

100 Ah lithium battery

A 100 Ah battery holds roughly 1,200 Wh (that’s 100 Ah × 12 V). If your fridge is chewing through 50–60 Ah a day, you’ll use around half to two-thirds of your battery each day. That means you can get through one solid day, maybe two if it’s cool and you’re careful with other gear. On a hot day with lots of fridge use, you’ll probably want to recharge after 24 hours.

200 Ah lithium battery

Double the capacity means double the run time. You’ve now got 2,400 Wh to play with. That same fridge use will only take about a quarter to a third of your battery per day, leaving heaps of buffer for lights, fans, or cloudy days. You could easily run two to four days off-grid without stressing the system.

Real-world example

Let’s say you’re camped somewhere warm, fridge at 4 °C and freezer at –18 °C, opening the door a few times a day. The compressor might run 45% of the time.

• 5.5 A × 24 h × 0.45 = about 59 Ah in a day
• That’s roughly 710 Wh of energy

So on a 100 Ah battery, you’ll chew through about 60% of your capacity.
On a 200 Ah battery, only around 30%.

Add a few lights and a fan, and your daily use might hit 70 Ah, which still leaves you plenty of breathing room with the bigger battery.

Tips to stretch your battery further

• Pre-cool the fridge before you head off.
• Keep it shaded and well-ventilated.
• Don’t leave it half-empty – a full fridge holds temperature better.
• Limit door openings, especially during the heat of the day.
• Hook up solar panels or your vehicle alternator to top up each day.

Recommended solar setup and recharge times

If you want to stay off-grid indefinitely, adding solar makes all the difference. Let’s say your fridge is using around 60 Ah per day. Here’s what sort of solar you’ll need to keep up:

With a 200 W panel, you can comfortably run the SJRV BC85L full time if you’re getting 5–6 hours of solid sun each day. Even with cloud or shade, you’ll usually break even or only dip slightly into your reserve.

As a rough guide:

• A 100 Ah lithium can recharge in about 2–3 hours of peak sunlight with a 300 W setup.
• A 200 Ah lithium will take roughly 4–6 hours to fully top back up from 50% charge.

If you’re planning longer stays or running extra gear like fans, lights, or a pump, go for at least 250–300 W of solar and you’ll hardly need to think about power again.

The takeaway

The SJRV BC85L is a smart, efficient fridge that’s perfect for off-grid setups. Expect it to use around 40 to 60 Ah per day in normal conditions, a bit more when it’s hot.

• With a 100 Ah lithium, you’ll get by for a day or two if you’re careful.
• With a 200 Ah, you’re set for multiple days without needing to recharge.
• Add 200–300 W of solar, and you’re free to camp for as long as you like.

Back to the SJRV 85 litre fridge.