12 v fridge running on solar ???

johnandneon

Guest
Hi just wondering if my 3 way dometic fridge would work of solar power and if how many watt solar would I need thanks guys :)
 
your fridge 12v element ,depending on model,runs on between 90 and 135w,should tell you on the plate inside.not forgetting you'll get nothing at night and not full efficiency during the day
 
johnandneon said:
Hi just wondering if my 3 way dometic fridge would work of solar power and if how many watt solar would I need thanks guys :)
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No it won't. Solar power on motorhomes is only for recharging batteries due to it's unreliability.

I guess with 500W of solar panels you may be able to guarantee 100W on most days, but only in the day. 100W is enough for many small to medium fridges but you won't fit 500W of panels on most motorhome roofs. If you have three way, far better to use gas when wilding :)
 
The 12v element will only keep the fridge cool if pre-cooled and is only intended for use while driving. If you must use your fridge on solar you could use it on 240v via a sinewave inverter, some mahoosive batteries, and a few solar panels. Dont forget an inverter is only 90% efficient. I worked out that even with my battery bank of 460AH and my two large panels it still was not worth doing unless I was in southern Europe and I still would need to revert to gas at night.
 
One member on here that I know of runs a mains fridge on battery power via an inverter and solar at all times, he will probably be along posting on this, unless he is in darkest Morocco or somewhere wild camping.
 
cheers everyone for the feedback will let you all no what happens :)
 
jezport said:
Compressor fridges can be run more easily on solar than absorption types
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Our Waeco MDC-110 compressor fridge takes around 45Ah in 24 hours, the 2x 80W solar panels will keep up with it on bright summer days. Smaller top opening fridge/coolboxes are quite a bit more efficient I think.

AndyC
 
hiya .no malc i,m here in cold rainy uk. yes i use a 240volt household fridge through an inverter . in summer in fact at the moment its powering my fridge here in the house. and will do all summer .possibly the big deep freeze as well.
in winter i visit spain maroc and portugal the 240v fridge in my trailer will be used. i used to have 3x80 watt panels and a 400amp battery pack but found in the darkest winter days i would have to switch off occasionally at night . now with 6x80watt panels and another 100 or 200 amp battery it works all the time .
as solar is getting so cheap now its a good tool to have it powers my washing machine .
i went for mains as with the inverter i can also power tools as well ,grinders,drills, jig saws etc . you pay alot for 12v fridges i ,m not convinced they are worth it .
you do need good roof space and a good payload . as i have about 3ton its not a problem . and cuts my leccy bills at home .
hope that gives you some thought .
cheers alan.
 
6x80w = 480w. My 500w wasn't a bad guess! But as Alan has done, you also need the batteries to back it up too. For a larger set up like his, it is possible, but not for the average panel van or coachbuilt.
 
kqk said:
we are about to do it , watch this space, panel etc bought
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Why not give us full details of what you propose running and full details of what your battery and panel set-up will be. Either you will have a good system that others might wand to copy, or at the other extreme, you will waste a lot of money on an inadequate system so extra advice might be useful.
 
I find a Sterling charger set up 2x80amp batteries and a 50L compressor fridge to be a good set up that doesnt have to rely on the sun to shine to keep the beers cold. I took the three way gas powered fridge out because it simply doesnt work at all in extreme heat and when you needed it the most.


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jed
 
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