Oh yeah, I was going to post results of my trial run with the solar panel... Well. New post? Not quite yet... Lets just say camping in the redwoods is not conducive to solar power. I had about 2 hours of sun a day, my battery was dead (for starting) after a day. I moved the truck to a sunny spot (almost full day) on day two, still couldn't start it. So, for my trial run, I'd say it was pretty much a flop. Things to consider: I ran party lights off an inverter most of day(night) one, as well as the stereo (low draw) and my ARB. My battery is old, but still "good". Through all this (four days...), the fridge ran fine, beer and perishables were cool and delicious, just couldn't start the truck. So the draw is minimal, and a small solar panel can probably handle the drain from a ARB/engel, etc, refrigerator if it gets full sun for at least 4-5 hours a day. My next step is to figure out if a "deep cycle" Optima-type battery will help with the constant (small) draw this type of appliance needs, and what can still start the truck. I'd rather not do dual batteries, but if that's what it takes...
Anyone else got any ideas?
nial