Winter solar sucks lol

[Deleted member 86180]

Battery was full yesterday morning, ran it down to 79% by late last night and now back to this with just the solar. Light tv use and charging iPads and phones only today.

Spring is on the way highly recommend lifepo4 though.

 

[Markd]

I am already getting the green light indication on my Victron MPPT controller that the batteries are full and could be running my AES fridge on 12 volt. My fridge is turned off as the van is not being used but I might have a look at what is involved in connecting the wiring. It will not be easy and a gas bottle lasts a long time, so I don't know if it is worthwhile doing it. If I was a fulltimer I certainly would use the facility.

Adsorption fridges soak juice, small ones run a steady 10A and my fridge-freezer is 15A.
So you wouldn't get long on batteries alone before the gas came back on - however on a sunny day it could well be that you get enough power directly from the panels to run a fridge.
Wiring is fairly straightforward and should be in the instructions that came with your controller.

 

[maingate]

Adsorption fridges soak juice, small ones run a steady 10A and my fridge-freezer is 15A.
So you wouldn't get long on batteries alone before the gas came back on - however on a sunny day it could well be that you get enough power directly from the panels to run a fridge.
Wiring is fairly straightforward and should be in the instructions that came with your controller.

I have looked into it and discounted the idea as I only have a 100 watt panel on the roof. I am considering using the AES output to energise a relay and add some USB sockets. This is the relay I have been looking at.

Mini Make & Break Relay - Normally Open (NO) Contacts, 12V 40A - With Diode

Durite 12V 40A standard/mini make & break, 4-pin NO relay with diode & 6.3mm blade terminals in type B layout. Includes detachable metal bracket.

www.12voltplanet.co.uk

 

[trevskoda]

Switch to a small compressor fridge and run through a smart soft start inverter.

 

[maingate]

Switch to a small compressor fridge and run through a smart soft start inverter.

No problem with the big fridge/freezer Trev. I even got the solar regulator that you are always pushing on the forum. I hope your commission is good. These days many appliances run off a USB supply and extra USB sockets are handy to have.