Forum Discussion

Explorer

Jul 14, 2021

Dedicated Battery to power cooler, solar re-charged

I recently acquired a powered mobile cooler/freezer which I plan to house in one of the storage bays in my Class A. In this configuration, it can be powered by an accessible AC plug, and will sit on a slide-out tray for ease of access. The cooler measures 33 L x 20 H x 19 Deep.

It can also be powered via DC, and would be an easy fit for the back of my SUV, where I have a DC lighter-type plug for access. DC rated consumption is average of 1.43 Ah/h, and includes 3-stage battery protection system, preventing deep draw, and dead battery.

I'd like to install a separate battery, to power the cooler when vehicle is not running, and set it up so that this battery may be recharged via a portable solar panel (120W). The battery would be encased in a plastic case designed for such purpose, but I'm unsure how to put something like this together. Doesn't seem difficult, just need to know the right components to do so... I'm considering AGM, but open to Lithium for all the reasons one would want it, including fast recharging.

Cooler manufacturer offers a LI 40Ah batter for $850, but for that, I can pick up a 100Ah and hopefully secure the components to achieve my objective...

Anyone done something like this? Sure would appreciate the many voices of experience here... thanks!

13 Replies

2oldman
Explorer II
Jul 14, 2021
40ah 12v Li battery at Walmart, $369
obiwancanoli
Explorer
Jul 14, 2021
Agreed on the variables, and considered that... using house batteries would otherwise be workable, but in cases where vehicle isn't situated for easy access, I'd need a pretty long connection to reach those batteries, an inconvenience I'm hoping to avoid... installing a separate battery, say, in close proximity to the cooler using it, would require no more than the connection that comes with the portable solar panel. Further, when the vehicle is being used and driven, the connecting & disconnecting of said house battery connection would be unnecessary. Greater portability and access to sunlight of the panel is also a potential advantage
CA_Traveler
Explorer III
Jul 14, 2021
Why not use your house battery vs 3rd battery bank? The cooler uses a average of 34Ah per day. So 40+Ah or more for non average days. I'd definitely use a larger Li battery to cover overcast days and a flooded 100Ah battery should be limited to 50% SOC, hence a bigger flooded battery is needed.

I use 66% efficient for solar for 5 hours. So 240W/12V*.6*5 = 66Ah charge per day. I'd want more. And of course solar charging is rather weather dependent.

Lots of variables.