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Solar panel & batteries?

PostPosted: Sun Sep 23, 2012 7:58 pm
by rando18
I'm putting a 100w solar panel on top of my 7x12 CTC.
I have 2 Deep Cycle batteries from costco. I want to run a small
thermoelectric cooler. Is this enough power and can the batteries
be kept inside the trailer?
Thanks in advance for all the replies.
Randy

Re: Solar panel & batteries?

PostPosted: Sun Sep 23, 2012 8:35 pm
by eamarquardt
rando18 wrote:I'm putting a 100w solar panel on top of my 7x12 CTC.
I have 2 Deep Cycle batteries from costco. I want to run a small
thermoelectric cooler. Is this enough power and can the batteries
be kept inside the trailer?
Thanks in advance for all the replies.
Randy


Thermoelectric coolers are power hogs, not efficient, and can only cool about 40f lower than ambient temperature. So, if it's above maybe 78f your food will be in danger of spoiling.

I don't think anyone has ever used thermoelectric plates successfully for camping but I could be mistaken. I'd think twice about your plans. I'd bet a bunch that 100 watts of panels won't keep up.

Hope this helps.

Cheers,

Gus

Re: Solar panel & batteries?

PostPosted: Wed Sep 26, 2012 9:39 am
by rando18
eamarquardt wrote:
rando18 wrote:I'm putting a 100w solar panel on top of my 7x12 CTC.
I have 2 Deep Cycle batteries from costco. I want to run a small
thermoelectric cooler. Is this enough power and can the batteries
be kept inside the trailer?
Thanks in advance for all the replies.
Randy


Thermoelectric coolers are power hogs, not efficient, and can only cool about 40f lower than ambient temperature. So, if it's above maybe 78f your food will be in danger of spoiling.

I don't think anyone has ever used thermoelectric plates successfully for camping but I could be mistaken. I'd think twice about your plans. I'd bet a bunch that 100 watts of panels won't keep up.

Hope this helps.

Cheers,

Thanks Gus.
That helps a lot. Taking thermoelectric coolers off list of options.
Rando
Gus