Solar Panels

[Bob_Vaughn]

We are thinking of trading our rv to one that has a residential refrigerator and a 1000 watt inverter. How much solar power would we need to keep the batteries charged to run the refrigerator while dry camping......I am also concerned about leaks from where the panels are screwed to the roof......

[pianotuna]

four hundred watts in a sunny climate, eight hundred in a rainy/shady climate.

I've never had a leak from the solar panels.

[stickdog]

We're in the same spot. Going to order a new Landmark with residential fridge and that has been my question. Seems like there is no easy answer. Depends on whether you like sunshine or shade. If boondocking, what other electric draws will you be running. It does seem these new RV's use LEDs for most of the lighting so depending on you night time vision needs that's a plus.
We're not boondockers but we have drycamped a night or two and from what I understand two nights without running much more than necessaries two 12vt battteries will hold you over and allow enough power to run your slides and leveling.
So the question is how big of a battery bank you want, then match the solar to keep it charged.

[Searching_Ut]

It really depends on how much power your particular refriderator uses, and the conditions you camp in. Most of the information I see on the net in regards to soar requirements drastically underestimates in my opinion. You also need to account for other uses such as parasitic draw, lights, tv if you'll be watching that any etc.

For my system euth flat mounted panels I plan on 70 percent of rated output as an average. In the spot I'm in now trees shade part of the panels 3 to 4 hours towards evening. Hasn't made much difference though as we have been getting afternoon rain about the same time of day. It's actally rare that our summer dry camping is in ares/spots where solar haverest is optimal. In the winter we use sothern areas where tree cover and afternoon showers aren't really an issue.
Plan your system for where and how you'll use it

[memtb]

With 600 or so, you should do fine. If doing fall/winter camping you'll need a little generator assistance. Heater run time and short days (less charging) will probably use up your batteries rather quickly. We're running about 800 watts and supplement with the generator daily. 2 to 4 hours daily run time is usually plenty! But, we watch too much tv (the inverter powers up most of the unit when on) and we camp with the low temps in single digits to teens with short nights. The panels simply can't keep up!

[corvettekent]

Use DiCor over the screws and you will not have any roof leaks. Four 6 volt batteries and 600 watts of solar and you will do great.

[Lwiddis]

The fridge uses what when running? That plus your other AH use will determine necessary batteries, then we get to the solar required.