Solar Panels

[pappy]

I'm getting ready for Baja. One of the issues I've had is draining down the aux battery which runs the Engel fridge. I've thought about getting a 15W solar panel that I can plug into the aux battery to supply about half of the needs when the fridge is running (2A x 12V = 24W), and charge the battery when the fridge is not running.

I've found a panel, but it requires a controller to prevent discharge and overcharge. There is no concern about over charging since I suspect the fridge will be running more than 50% duty if the days are warm. As far as discharge, I can unplug at night.

The only downside is the panel is 4" wider than my roof rack, but I can pack it away when we are moving since I won't need it with the engine running.

Any thoughts? The panel I'm looking at is NPower 15 Watt Amorphous Solar Panel.

 

[evanz80]

I think it sounds like a great idea, and I'll be interested to hear more from any folks who have experience with such things.

 

[Daisy 53]

Paging an Electrical Engineer that works for a solar company....

 

[lurch]

Paging an Electrical Engineer that works for a solar company....

Anyone...

I only have experience with the flexible solar panels that we used on a sailboat that mostly sat in a slip at the marina but the controller was a nice addition in that we did not to worry about it. Just plug it in and "forget about it" + it's only $30

 

[2manycruisers]

I just got off the phone with Larry and he was telling me about the solar charging setup he just put on his Jayco. He got a Kyocera kd135gx-lfbs pv panel and a morningstar sunsaver duo ssd-25 charge controller. Probably overkill for you application, but thought I'd throw it out there.

Are you driving/charging the aux battery every day on those trips? If so, I wouldn't think you would run down the battery in a single day. I think Mike got 3+ days out of his battery in test conditions (in the garage).

 

[Beowulf]

IIRC, Jon is using a motorcycle battery for the aux batt. My testing was with a full size Optima deep cycle.

-Mike-

 

[1911]

There is quite a bit of info on portable solar systems on the Expedition Portal: Power Systems: 12v, Solar, Gen. - Expedition Portal Forum

 

[pappy]

Mike is correct. I'm using a small AGM and I can drain the battery in a day if I'm camped on a beach, especially if the weather is warm and the fridge is running to keep up.

 

[sl33p3]

Mike is correct. I'm using a small AGM and I can drain the battery in a day if I'm camped on a beach, especially if the weather is warm and the fridge is running to keep up.

i bet, especially with all that opening the lid for corona!

 

[pappy]

i bet, especially with all that opening the lid for corona!

BLASPHEMY!!!!!! You will NEVER find a Corona in my hands, sir! I would rather drink a Bud.

My Baja beach suds of choice? Pacifico.

(Actually, I will have a Corona if the establishment doesn't serve the more favorable option.)

 

[sl33p3]

my apologies sir, no disrespect intended... it was the first south of border sud that came to mind. i would agree with pacifico choice as well.

BLASPHEMY!!!!!! You will NEVER find a Corona in my hands, sir! I would rather drink a Bud.

My Baja beach suds of choice? Pacifico.

(Actually, I will have a Corona if the establishment doesn't serve the more favorable option.)

 

[pappy]

You are of course correct, that fridge lid does seem to get lifted more than usual. I don't drink much. But, when in Baja .... it's a different story.

 

[sl33p3]

You are of course correct, that fridge lid does seem to get lifted more than usual. I don't drink much. But, when in Baja .... it's a different story.

it can't help to always be replenishing your supply with warm cerveza bottles to cool down... are they typically refrigerated in the store? need some kind of precooler, like ice or something...

 

[DanS HJ-45]

My Baja beach suds of choice? Pacifico.

Pacifico: it's like Corona, but good!

I've seen the flexible panels used to keep a fridge running, they were sweet. Best part about them was the ability Barry had to pack them back up without having to treat them like eggshells.

Dan

 

[pappy]

it can't help to always be replenishing your supply with warm cerveza bottles to cool down... are they typically refrigerated in the store? need some kind of precooler, like ice or something...

They are purchased cold. The towns are also several hours away from my camp spot so they have plenty of time to chill. When driving I have the cooler turned down to near freezing. When in camp, I bump it up to conserve energy.

 

[sl33p3]

They are purchased cold. The towns are also several hours away from my camp spot so they have plenty of time to chill. When driving I have the cooler turned down to near freezing. When in camp, I bump it up to conserve energy.

holy crap how often do you go to town a few hours away? i'd have to turn around to go back and restock 15minutes after i got to camp! and i wouldn't be in any condition to drive after... so i'd have to just sit there and cry into an empty fridge!!! you and Mike are going to have to trade off "restocking" runs!

 

[Beowulf]

Mike has recently discovered the most outstanding experience of a quality single malt scotch. Said scotch is currently preferred with ice cubes but plans are to try it neat before the Baja trip to see if I can forego keeping a few ice cubes in the fridge. FYI, a really good scotch with a really good chocolate is a combination that now warms the cockles of my heart when I am feeling down. Tonight I am feeling down.

-Mike-

 

[sl33p3]

Mike has recently discovered the most outstanding experience of a quality single malt scotch. Said scotch is currently preferred with ice cubes but plans are to try it neat before the Baja trip to see if I can forego keeping a few ice cubes in the fridge. FYI, a really good scotch with a really good chocolate is a combination that now warms the cockles of my heart when I am feeling down. Tonight I am feeling down.

-Mike-

sounds intriguing, and no ice dependency sounds like a win... i've been enjoying Stone's IPA and garlic stuffed olives... mmm...

ok back to solar panels.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

I use a 55watt quality Siemens panel mounted flat on top of our 100 series with a CF-50 Waeco fridge. We have no problem providing 29° beverages for days during the Mexican summers without starting the LC.
I dont see a 15W panel helping much I would consider to upgrading your panel

 

[pappy]

There is quite a bit of info on portable solar systems on the Expedition Portal: Power Systems: 12v, Solar, Gen. - Expedition Portal Forum

One of the panels listed there, the Sunforce, looks exactly like the one I posted.

I use a 55watt quality Siemens panel mounted flat on top of our 100 series with a CF-50 Waeco fridge. We have no problem providing 29° beverages for days during the Mexican summers without starting the LC.
I dont see a 15W panel helping much I would consider to upgrading your panel

Installing a 55W panel on my 4Runner is overkill, which is why I'm looking at something much more portable. I'm not looking to run the fridge off the panel, only supplement the power it needs to keep the battery from totally discharging on those days I make camp and decide to stay for more than a day.