Solar to keep fridge running
Hi, hope I posted in the correct category. We have a new Allegro (very nice) with residential fridge. We sometimes want to park it in storage for a few days between trips. I would like to have en...
Forum Discussion
DrewE wrote:valhalla360 wrote:
So what is the draw when the compressor is running and what percentage of the day is the compressor running.
Until we have a fair estimate for that, any numbers being thrown around are wild guesses that may or may not work.
Let's run some sample numbers and you can update based on your real life numbers:
- Assume 3amps at 120v when the compressor is running
- Assume 50% duty cycle
I realize this wasn't intended to be realistic, but it's worth noting that modern fridges do not use anywhere near 3A running. (Starting power is a different matter altogether.) A not unreasonable rough estimate, lacking any better data, might be around 1 kWh per day or so for an ordinary sized, fairly basic residential fridge. Often the dorm sized fridges do not use very much less energy, despite being much smaller.
An absorption fridge running on AC power uses significantly more energy, maybe around 3-4 kWh per day.
While there are high efficiency models that do better, 3 amps isn't really out of the ordinary. You would think an RV manufacturer would be aware of this but if they are just shoving in the cheapest model that will fit, it could easily be this high.
Also, if the OP will be storing it on a sunny 90 degree day with the air/con off, the duty cycle might be upwards of 75-90% because your average RV acts like a solar oven. (a lot of this comes down to how well insulated the fridge is)
But again, the OP needs to get the numbers off his fridge. Anyone telling him 600w is what he needs is just making a wild guess that could be way too low resulting in the OP wasting a lot of money on a system that doesn't serve his needs.
