Thread: What solar panel can I use to charge dual batter

what type of fridge and how many watts does it use and what do you mean for a while , how long ?

Originally Posted by richard4u2

what type of fridge and how many watts does it use and what do you mean for a while , how long ?

It is a Waeco cf40 , Average Power Consumption: 0.87 amps/hr

How long - varying but long enough to be a concern.

I guess I want to know what the maximum size solar I can use in the is scenario and if any one had any recommendations.

Richard

Originally Posted by wbowner

It is a Waeco cf40 , Average Power Consumption: 0.87 amps/hr

So if you run it 24/7 thats approx 20amps per day. With an average of 5 hours effective sunlight, for example, (as in sun high in sky and max effective sunlight) you need your solar to produce 4 amps per hour. So I would suggest a minimum of 80 watt folding panel - this will give a max of around 6 amps per hour but more likely average around the 4 amps you need. If you have an insulated fridge cover you may consider turning the fridge off or down overnight when you are not opening it all the time and ambient air temp is lower, this will reduce the size of panel you need to carry. I use an 80watt folding panel with my Traxide setup and a Waeco CF35.

Originally Posted by Marty110

So if you run it 24/7 thats approx 20amps per day. With an average of 5 hours effective sunlight, for example, (as in sun high in sky and max effective sunlight) you need your solar to produce 4 amps per hour. So I would suggest a minimum of 80 watt folding panel - this will give a max of around 6 amps per hour but more likely average around the 4 amps you need. If you have an insulated fridge cover you may consider turning the fridge off or down overnight when you are not opening it all the time and ambient air temp is lower, this will reduce the size of panel you need to carry. I use an 80watt folding panel with my Traxide setup and a Waeco CF35.

Thanks Marty. Some good points.
Do you use the anderson plug to charge the battery?

Can you recommend one? There are so many on the market.

Richard

I use rich solar brand as found on eBay, 120w folding with waterproof regulator, plugs into my Anderson plug on the rear bar.

When I purchased my first panel about 6 years ago the seller a very knowledgeable solar person told me 80 watts for a 40 litre fridge.

Originally Posted by wbowner

Thanks Marty. Some good points.
Do you use the anderson plug to charge the battery?

Can you recommend one? There are so many on the market.

Richard

I use the Anderson on the rear whether charging by solar or with a battery charger. When parked in the shed for periods longer than a week I plug into 20watt panel on the shed roof to maintain the battery - these RRS use electricity standing still! Mine is just an ebay one - make sure the supplier has 100% feedback and you should be right.

Originally Posted by Marty110

I use the Anderson on the rear whether charging by solar or with a battery charger. When parked in the shed for periods longer than a week I plug into 20watt panel on the shed roof to maintain the battery - these RRS use electricity standing still! Mine is just an ebay one - make sure the supplier has 100% feedback and you should be right.

Marty,
When doing via a battery charger what is the size of it.


Seems like there are a few options if you have the traxide set up

1) Connect a solar to the anderson plug and it will charge the dual battery which will indirectly charge the cranking battery (as indicated in the traxide site that you pointed out in another thread)
2) Connect a battery charger to the anderson plug for the same effect as above
3) Connect using either of the other methods to the white round plug in the back which would charge the the cranking battery and also the dual battery. This has a limit of 15amps I believe.
4) Connect direct to the batteries (but this is not as interesting ).

To explain where I am coming from. I often will stop some where and either not use the car or only do short trips. In the past I have either run a lead through the window if I had 240v available or just disconnected the fridge after emptying it.
I don't want to do this if possible.

Many thanks to yours and other replies. It sounds like an 80w or more would do the job.

Richard