- Thread starter
- #21
Cool, feel free to post up your set up here
Powering my Fridge with Solar
- Thread starter LandCruiserPhil
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Cool, feel free to post up your set up here
In my truck, I run a system with:
-dual battery system with Odyssey 2150 (100ah) batteries
- magnum energy 1000w pure sine wave inverter/charger (I plug the truck in if I'm not driving it for more than a few days - and everyone thinks it's a hybrid!
- a solar controller with 52W brunton foldable/portable panel (for when I'm parked in remote areas for more than a few days). The panel delivers a rated 3200 mA and even in real world conditions will power the fridge (below) 'forever'
- FridgeFreeze 45L vaccine fridge
-dual battery system with Odyssey 2150 (100ah) batteries
- magnum energy 1000w pure sine wave inverter/charger (I plug the truck in if I'm not driving it for more than a few days - and everyone thinks it's a hybrid!
- a solar controller with 52W brunton foldable/portable panel (for when I'm parked in remote areas for more than a few days). The panel delivers a rated 3200 mA and even in real world conditions will power the fridge (below) 'forever'
- FridgeFreeze 45L vaccine fridge
- Thread starter
- #23
In my truck, I run a system with:
-dual battery system with Odyssey 2150 (100ah) batteries
- magnum energy 1000w pure sine wave inverter/charger (I plug the truck in if I'm not driving it for more than a few days - and everyone thinks it's a hybrid!
- a solar controller with 52W brunton foldable/portable panel (for when I'm parked in remote areas for more than a few days). The panel delivers a rated 3200 mA and even in real world conditions will power the fridge (below) 'forever'
- FridgeFreeze 45L vaccine fridge
Again feel free to post up pictures of your set up
I use a Burton Solaris 25 tri-fold solar panel for my mini off road pop up
I should note, that's the electrical for my FZJ80 described below.
I also have an FJCruiser with a similar set up. It has dual batteries (primary: optima redtop, secondary: optima yellowtop), and a deltran battery tender mounted under the hood (vs the inverter charger in the LandCruiser since an AC power source was already provided by Toyota). It has a solar controller similarly mounted and attached to the secondary battery that powers the winch and fridge.
So basically, I have an easy way to move the fridge and/or solar panel as needed depending on which truck is being used.....
I also have an FJCruiser with a similar set up. It has dual batteries (primary: optima redtop, secondary: optima yellowtop), and a deltran battery tender mounted under the hood (vs the inverter charger in the LandCruiser since an AC power source was already provided by Toyota). It has a solar controller similarly mounted and attached to the secondary battery that powers the winch and fridge.
So basically, I have an easy way to move the fridge and/or solar panel as needed depending on which truck is being used.....
In my truck, I run a system with:
-dual battery system with Odyssey 2150 (100ah) batteries
- magnum energy 1000w pure sine wave inverter/charger (I plug the truck in if I'm not driving it for more than a few days - and everyone thinks it's a hybrid!
- a solar controller with 52W brunton foldable/portable panel (for when I'm parked in remote areas for more than a few days). The panel delivers a rated 3200 mA and even in real world conditions will power the fridge (below) 'forever'
- FridgeFreeze 45L vaccine fridge
The Expedition Portal has some good info on solar panels and fridges. See post #11 from 'elcoyote', which may apply to less sunny areas than AZ, which means you need more panel area than sunny AZ.
Solar panel to recharge battery from fridge drain?
Phil how many watts is your solar panel rated at ? I am guessing 45 watts ?
- Thread starter
- #26
Siemens 55 watt
Just recently out together 2 80W PV panels suitcase style with an mppt controller to maintain the 2 group 31 AGMs in our Kimberley Kamper. We run an Engle fridge, lights and a diesel furnace. Time will tell how it works out.
60 watts should be 'enough' to power the ARB fridge on its own (nothing else) - from memory the ARB fridge draws 2.7 amp @ 12 volt when on.
Southwest (lots of light, but high ambient temp and more cycle time)
Fridge: 32.4 watts x 24 hours x 45% cycle on = 350 watt-hours/day
Panel: 60 watts X 6.0 peak sunlight (intensity adjusted) = 360 watt-hours/day
Pacific Northwest (less sunlight, but less cycle time)
Fridge: 32.4 watts x 24 x 30% cycle on = 233 watt-hours/day
Panel: 60 watts x 4.0 peak sunlight (summer) = 240 watt-hours/day.
So they are in roughly balance under these assumptions.
The cycle time and peak sunlight hours (adjusted for lower morning afternoon intensity) are from the Expedition Portal threads referenced above
Southwest (lots of light, but high ambient temp and more cycle time)
Fridge: 32.4 watts x 24 hours x 45% cycle on = 350 watt-hours/day
Panel: 60 watts X 6.0 peak sunlight (intensity adjusted) = 360 watt-hours/day
Pacific Northwest (less sunlight, but less cycle time)
Fridge: 32.4 watts x 24 x 30% cycle on = 233 watt-hours/day
Panel: 60 watts x 4.0 peak sunlight (summer) = 240 watt-hours/day.
So they are in roughly balance under these assumptions.
The cycle time and peak sunlight hours (adjusted for lower morning afternoon intensity) are from the Expedition Portal threads referenced above
Oh the other difference that occurred to me - fridges wear out faster in the Southwest 
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do tell more at CM ...
- Thread starter
- #32
Now using a super thin (.12"), super light (2.98lbs) 100 watt panel
with a Morningstar controller
on top of my CampTeq
with a Morningstar controller
on top of my CampTeq
Question for you Phil. I am ordering a solar setup a the moment. What is hooked up to the "load" terminals on your controller? Also do you think the PS30 is needed or will the PS15 work?
- Thread starter
- #34
No problem with the PS15. You can get by with a lot less of a controller. I use its feature that provide me with info.
I use the load terminals to measure power usage.
Another solar question for you. I got my PS15 hooked up (still deciding on panel) through my rear fuse panel. What are you doing with the controller during downtime while parked at home? Do you turn it off or leave it on? Have you tested the power draw of the controller? I also have a NOCO gen2 battery charger that I Am going to install that would negate power draws while parked at home.
- Thread starter
- #36
Mine like every other system I set up its set it and forget it. My 80 is never park in the elements and I don't have issues.
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- #38