Solar panel and fridge
Okay here goes. I have a 12v-120v fridge. It is a Norcold DE 704D model. What I want to know is how much solar do I need to run this fridge. Ask any question you want about the fridge and I will try t...
Forum Discussion
All the above, but also keep in mind for the solar panels to work well you need to always park in the sun. That creates a very hot box in which to live unless you stay in cooler climates. If you park in the shade to keep cool, even partially putting the solar panels in shade can drop the solar output by 90% or more.
Solar is great to augment other power sources, but is very inefficient as a standalone source. If used with a small generator an hour or so a day, and or driving daily, they are great at helping keeping things topped off. But if in the shade, cloudy day, and no other power source, it will deplete the batteries rather quickly and could take more than a couple days to recover and top off the batteries.
Most RV's don't have the roof space to put enough panels to really run all the electrical systems within them. But the solar panels put in enough to reduce the generator or driving time needed to fully recharge. If only running low draw items (USB, LED lighting, CO monitors, low voltage circuits in propane refrigerators, etc, a 100AH battery and a 100W solar with MPPT controller is more than adequate.
As one other reference, I have a 100AH (maybe 110AH, don't remember), a supplemental Dometic CFX28 Danfoss refrigerator (top open cooler style), the factory 3 way refrig I run on propane, and LED lights, 12v TV/DVD, USB chargers, and small 600W invert I use for my laptop. I can regularly get a couple days on the 12V battery and solar setup. But the Danfoss refrig uses about 3-4amps on a 50% duty cycle where the 3 Way uses nearly 11amp at a higher duty cycle.
The 3-way refrig on 12v is awful at regulating temperature to the point that I have to adjust the temp setting multiple times a day. At night it would freeze, and in the day wouldn't cool well enough. So you have to ride the temp setting lowing it when the temps drop, and raising it when the sun and temps start to heat up. The Dometic CFX28 is a set and forget, and will keep everything within a few degrees regardless of the outside temps, all while using far less energy. I use the 3way for cold drinks, produce, and other non-critical foods. Anything critical goes in the CFX28. I love having both as it also doubles my refrigerator capacity.
Hope this info helps.
Solar is great to augment other power sources, but is very inefficient as a standalone source. If used with a small generator an hour or so a day, and or driving daily, they are great at helping keeping things topped off. But if in the shade, cloudy day, and no other power source, it will deplete the batteries rather quickly and could take more than a couple days to recover and top off the batteries.
Most RV's don't have the roof space to put enough panels to really run all the electrical systems within them. But the solar panels put in enough to reduce the generator or driving time needed to fully recharge. If only running low draw items (USB, LED lighting, CO monitors, low voltage circuits in propane refrigerators, etc, a 100AH battery and a 100W solar with MPPT controller is more than adequate.
As one other reference, I have a 100AH (maybe 110AH, don't remember), a supplemental Dometic CFX28 Danfoss refrigerator (top open cooler style), the factory 3 way refrig I run on propane, and LED lights, 12v TV/DVD, USB chargers, and small 600W invert I use for my laptop. I can regularly get a couple days on the 12V battery and solar setup. But the Danfoss refrig uses about 3-4amps on a 50% duty cycle where the 3 Way uses nearly 11amp at a higher duty cycle.
The 3-way refrig on 12v is awful at regulating temperature to the point that I have to adjust the temp setting multiple times a day. At night it would freeze, and in the day wouldn't cool well enough. So you have to ride the temp setting lowing it when the temps drop, and raising it when the sun and temps start to heat up. The Dometic CFX28 is a set and forget, and will keep everything within a few degrees regardless of the outside temps, all while using far less energy. I use the 3way for cold drinks, produce, and other non-critical foods. Anything critical goes in the CFX28. I love having both as it also doubles my refrigerator capacity.
Hope this info helps.
