Solar Panels
I do not have a residential refrigerator. That being said, when I disconnect my rv from the power grid within a week or so my batteries will be dead. I am thinking of getting a solar panel with batt...
Forum Discussion
Padlin wrote:
I take it you are running the fridge on propane as opposed to 12 volts and have a single 12 volt group 24 battery. If so and you can go 5 days before the battery is dead you are using somewhere between 10 and 20 amps a day, depending on what dead means to you. About the same as me.
If it were me I'd add a 2nd battery and go with a 160 watt panel on the roof permanently installed and a 30 amp controller permanently installed. Which is what I have.
You could get away with 120-160 watt portable suitcase that has the controller on the back, but I'd still consider a 2nd battery. Directly connect the panel to the battery/s via the clamps. Roughly 30 foot of cable. The 160 suitcase my brother is bulky and heavy, so much so he doesn't want to lug it around, something like 40 lbs. Just something to be aware of when you're shopping.
Keeping the controller close to the batteries is more efficient, which is why you may want to at least look into having a permanently mounted controller.
Thank you Padlin, that's the kind of info I'm looking for. I'm definitely going with the second battery ASAP. But again- is there any advantage, other than charging my batteries, to invest in solar? Thanks for all the replies.
