Residential vs Gas/Electric Fridge?
After a set back in our plans, we're back on the trail looking at fifth wheels. I think my last question comes down to which type fridge? We'll have some solar no matter, but since we're looking at a ...
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200amp-hr at 12v is around 2000w-hr of usable power (even with lithium, you can't use 100% of the rating).
With no recharge, you are limited to about 12w average consumption to get a week out of those batteries (not going to happen).
So shady sites are a non-starter as the solar will do nothing. Running the generator at least a couple hours a day is the only way to go a week.
But with a good solar set up (and a site with a clear view of the sun!!!!!), it's certainly possible.
Look at the fridges in question and find the wattage rating (alternatively, they might give amp rating and you multiply by the voltage to get watts...ie: 4 amps @ 120v is 480w).
- Then you need an estimated duty cycle (ie: what percentage of the time is the compressor actually running).
- Multiply the wattage times 24 hours times the duty cycle...that will give you an estimate of the watt-hr you need to replace each day.
For the solar panels, figure around 4 times the rated wattage in watt-hours (ie: 200w of panels will generate around 800watt-hr each day).
Sounds more complicated than it is...just follow thru step by step.
PS: also check for other items that you will be running off battery power (lights, water pump, fans, etc...)
With no recharge, you are limited to about 12w average consumption to get a week out of those batteries (not going to happen).
So shady sites are a non-starter as the solar will do nothing. Running the generator at least a couple hours a day is the only way to go a week.
But with a good solar set up (and a site with a clear view of the sun!!!!!), it's certainly possible.
Look at the fridges in question and find the wattage rating (alternatively, they might give amp rating and you multiply by the voltage to get watts...ie: 4 amps @ 120v is 480w).
- Then you need an estimated duty cycle (ie: what percentage of the time is the compressor actually running).
- Multiply the wattage times 24 hours times the duty cycle...that will give you an estimate of the watt-hr you need to replace each day.
For the solar panels, figure around 4 times the rated wattage in watt-hours (ie: 200w of panels will generate around 800watt-hr each day).
Sounds more complicated than it is...just follow thru step by step.
PS: also check for other items that you will be running off battery power (lights, water pump, fans, etc...)
