Solar Sanity check (SSC?)
Fellow drivers of the Fonzie-Class RV, Hopefully sooner than later I plan on adding some boondocking worthy solar panels to the roof of my RV. I've done a ton of research, called a dozen or so comp...
Forum Discussion
WAFlowers wrote:
Remember that a residential refrigerator figured by EPA to run 1/3 of the time, so figure 4-5A for 20 minutes per hour. Best to err on the high side.
As azrving noted it might be better to leave the inverter on and run the fridge all night. With the cooler overnight temperatures the fridge shouldn't cycle as often or as long as during the day.
Before starting I would install a Victron battery monitor and figure out exactly what you use. Then you can size your system appropriately.
Although you might be in "full sun" for 8 hours many of those hours the sun will be at a lower angle (and going through more atmosphere) reducing your solar efficiency. Even here in Florida the standard calculation is 4.4 hours of full (direct) sun despite 8+ hours of sunlight. Also take into account the angle of the sun to the panels unless you install tilting mounts.
Without knowing all the details which a good battery monitor will give you about your current usage (pun intended) it is difficult to say if 400W on the roof will be enough. It might be. And maybe you need 600-800W. You could look at installing four 180-200W panels and use a (more expensive) MPPT charge controller.
Excellent point on the battery monitor. I'm going to drop one in my Amazon cart right now.
Brian
