solar panels

ticki2 wrote:

DWeikert wrote:

deltabravo wrote:

HMS Beagle wrote:
I'm also curious as to why you would need 500. 200W seems to keep the batteries charged if there is sun, if no sun 500W won't either.

Ditto.

I have 300 watts on my AF, and it's overkill.

Amusing how some seem to think their personal example is typical for everyone.

If I didn't have a DC compressor fridge and a TV/satellite dish I would probably be fine with 100 watts worth of solar. But I do so I'm better with 400 watts. And yes, I get a charge from those panels even when it's cloudy. But I do get a lot more in full sun.

Apparently the OP is trying to run his 3 way fridge on 12v if he is drawing 15a just for the fridge , very inefficient .

I think you confused the OP with me.

Ammonia absorption refrigerators are very inefficient using ac or dc power. They do have the advantage though of being able to run on 3 different sources. In terms of running the fridge on solar/dc the practical inefficiency ends with the added cash outlay for the system that will do it. I don't like finding gas stations and filling propane tanks. Part of my efficiency equation involves my time as well as the cost of buying the fuel.

On a sunny day there is no reason in my mind not to use solar energy to keep the icebox cold. At night or dark days I can switch to propane if the panels can't keep up. When I started researching solar energy for my RV I was surprised how cheap it is. The added cost to invest in a MPPT charger that could handle series as well as parallel wiring and more panels appealed to me. With our setup we can do/upgrade to do limited cooking with microwave, crock pot, run the fridge while it's sunny, run power tools for on the road projects.

For us and our needs/wants 400watts is a jumping point but I have no hesitation to add more if we need them.

To each their own!