Solar + ARB 50qt

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theron

theron

Joined
Oct 31, 2013
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Just starting to do some research on flexible solar panels and was hoping y'all would have some insights. I'm heading down to Mexico for an adventure and I'm looking to help keep my deep cycle battery charged.

I know there are a lot of variables, ie: how cold I have the fridge set, how much sun is out that day, ambient temp, etc. but my goal is to at least keep the battery from losing power when I'm parked during the day running my ARB 50qt fridge.

I'm looking for something cheap and simple and easy. I'm looking at this one, have y'all seen a setup that might be better?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/100W-12V-Mo...979?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4ac673ecfb
 
That panel says "semi" flexible. Not sure if it's truly foldable or not. Might be hard to store when not in use.

theron said:
Just starting to do some research on flexible solar panels and was hoping y'all would have some insights. I'm heading down to Mexico for an adventure and I'm looking to help keep my deep cycle battery charged.

I know there are a lot of variables, ie: how cold I have the fridge set, how much sun is out that day, ambient temp, etc. but my goal is to at least keep the battery from losing power when I'm parked during the day running my ARB 50qt fridge.

I'm looking for something cheap and simple and easy. I'm looking at this one, have y'all seen a setup that might be better?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/100W-12V-Mo...979?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4ac673ecfb
Click to expand...
 
Read the thread and the links etc:

https://forum.ih8mud.com/electronic-toys/790761-second-battery-w-pv-panel.html

I personally use and prefer the rigid folding style panels. They are tough, smallish (since they fold in half) and efficiency is good, prices in the US are dropping and they easy to store in the vehicle. They are easy to deploy and point in the general direction of the sun at various times of the day.

A 100W panel should easily keep up with a modern fridge like the ARB. With the fridge stored in non-direct sun and filled with lots of stuff and not being opened all the time, a 100W panel should put a net charge into a battery over a day of sunlight and deal with the full 24 hours.

I have an 80W panel in oz and my last trip we had day temps in the 90 - 100F range over a period of about 2 weeks and the fridge (an OLD Engel) ran 24/7 from my aux battery and the panel kept the battery topped up nicely even when we stayed camped for a few days without starting the vehicle. A new ARB/Engel etc will draw about 60% of the current my old Engel does. So a 100W panel should EASILY deal with the fridge.

Of course you WILL need to move the panel around to face the sun (so 3 or 4 moves/re-orientations per day).

cheers,
george.
 
I've heard good reports about Unisolar film peel and stick panels. But the smallest they make is a 9+ foot 63 watt strip. I'd have to stick it right over the sunroof. How long are our roofs anyway?
 
Rather useless having panels fixed down onto the roof - unless you want to a) park your vehicle in the sun all the time and b) tilt your vehicle towards the sun.

Those film panels are fine for boating applications, for vehicle use the external folding panels with about 20 - 30' of cable work really well and <$200 gets you 100W+ and the charge controller.

cheers,
george.
 
The biggest problem I have with foldable panels is you cant leave them without the fear of them disappearing.:eek:

I power my fridge along with other stuff on a 100W super thin(.12"), light weight panel(2.89lbs) from grape Solar. In the past I have used several of there framed 100W panel with excellent results. Reasonable price with solid performance.
 
LandCruiserPhil said:
The biggest problem I have with foldable panels is you cant leave them without the fear of them disappearing.:eek:

I power my fridge along with other stuff on a 100W super thin(.12"), light weight panel(2.89lbs) from grape Solar. In the past I have used several of there framed 100W panel with excellent results. Reasonable price with solid performance.
Click to expand...

The problem with living around low lifes...

With years and years of camping in oz and very occasionally near other campers I've never had anything stolen or touched. Gear left out, vehicle unlocked with windows/doors open etc. I leave the vehicle keys on the dash when out camping. Different world I guess.

cheers,
george.
 
george_tlc said:
The problem with living around low lifes...

With years and years of camping in oz and very occasionally near other campers I've never had anything stolen or touched. Gear left out, vehicle unlocked with windows/doors open etc. I leave the vehicle keys on the dash when out camping. Different world I guess.

cheers,
george.
Click to expand...

Are you addressing OP question and needs:confused:

I dont view the Mexican people as low lifes just people trying to survive in a poor environment without a lot of opportunity.

Leaving your keys on dash while camping south of the border, not a smart choice.


Old thread on Powering my fridge with solar using a 55watt panel.
 
Last edited:
Yes, I was addressing his needs. Cheap/simple/easy to use. A folding panel does just that. If he wants to bolt it to his roof, he can do that. The rest of the time he can remove it and place it in an optimal location/orientation.

I won't get into the socio-political issues.

cheers,
george.
 
LandCruiserPhil said:
The biggest problem I have with foldable panels is you cant leave them without the fear of them disappearing.:eek:

I power my fridge along with other stuff on a 100W super thin(.12"), light weight panel(2.89lbs) from grape Solar. In the past I have used several of there framed 100W panel with excellent results. Reasonable price with solid performance.
Click to expand...

Phil I like how you have yours mounted to the roof. Any feedback after having the panel up there almost a year?
 
theron said:
Phil I like how you have yours mounted to the roof. Any feedback after having the panel up there almost a year?
Click to expand...

Im assuming you are referring to the Land Cruiser in the link...
I dont think about the panel or my location. I even run that Land cruiser thru the automated car wash with zero issues. I try to set systems up that require no input they just do there job. In Mexico you will be fine with a 100W, clear skys and lots of sun.
thumb.gif
 
My panel is mounted on drawer slides under my roof rack. It can also be removed and an extension cable put on it to move away from truck to see the sun.
 
"I know there are a lot of variables, ie: how cold I have the fridge set, how much sun is out that day, ambient temp, etc. but my goal is to at least keep the battery from losing power when I'm parked during the day running my ARB 50qt fridge."

You set the fridge to the temp you want. I don't know much about ARB, I sell Dometic, but the Dometics have a built in regulator that cuts off the battery supply at 10.4 volts and I would bet that ARB does the same. I have run my CF40 for 12 hours on the battery in my Fj40, parked at camp. No problems and maintained at 32 F. Also, before investing in the flexible panels, investigate Zamp Solar. I use them in my trailers and install them on motor homes and customer's trailers. Winnebago, Tiffin, Starcraft, Jayco and more all use Zamp. New Jayco and Starcraft trailers are pre wired for Zamp. Bosch components assembled in Oregon and rated for 20 years. Compare the price and quality before you commit. Personally, I think that the flexible stuff is way over priced.

P.S. : regards the cloudy days, I set up a display in my shop last year with an 80 watt portable on the building roof and during the rain and SoCal foggy days the Zamp performed flawlessly. As long as the clouds aren't too thick, I doubt you will have any issues.
 
george_tlc said:
Read the thread and the links etc:

https://forum.ih8mud.com/electronic-toys/790761-second-battery-w-pv-panel.html

I personally use and prefer the rigid folding style panels. They are tough, smallish (since they fold in half) and efficiency is good, prices in the US are dropping and they easy to store in the vehicle. They are easy to deploy and point in the general direction of the sun at various times of the day.

A 100W panel should easily keep up with a modern fridge like the ARB. With the fridge stored in non-direct sun and filled with lots of stuff and not being opened all the time, a 100W panel should put a net charge into a battery over a day of sunlight and deal with the full 24 hours.

I have an 80W panel in oz and my last trip we had day temps in the 90 - 100F range over a period of about 2 weeks and the fridge (an OLD Engel) ran 24/7 from my aux battery and the panel kept the battery topped up nicely even when we stayed camped for a few days without starting the vehicle. A new ARB/Engel etc will draw about 60% of the current my old Engel does. So a 100W panel should EASILY deal with the fridge.

Of course you WILL need to move the panel around to face the sun (so 3 or 4 moves/re-orientations per day).

cheers,
george.
Click to expand...

Great post George! This is JUST the real world info i was wanting to hear.

I also have an "oldish" engel fridge and i like to camp for days on the beach where the fridge runs almost constantly. I was trying to decide just how big of a solar panel i needed. I have always heard that you can go ahead and subtract 30% of it's output claim from the beginning. So 80W should be fine for what i need and be small enough to store and move.
 
The type of panel you choose should be appropriate to your use- this was good info for me in improving my ad hoc system. (No affiliation to the company...)

I power an old Engel reefer, charge & run a computer and camera batteries and power house lights on the truck from an accessory battery system. The additional battery is also charged via the alternator which I think is the best way to go- solar and an ability to charge mechanically.

Being able to move the panels off the vehicle is something to consider. Especially in Mexico- we often want to park in the shade to escape the heat since we camp in a rooftop tent. Bring a long cord!

Best,
J
 
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