Solar panel & batteries?

[bikeopelli]

What kind of refrigerator is that and how big do they come in

It's an Edgestar. They come in 43, 60, and 80 quart sizes. I have the 43. At startup it draws about 5 amps, runs round 3.5.
You can see them here

[droid_ca]

It's an Edgestar. They come in 43, 60, and 80 quart sizes. I have the 43. At startup it draws about 5 amps, runs round 3.5.
You can see them here

Thanks bikeopelli I'll have a look I had an idea of getting 2 of them and putting them in a bench seat Do you think that would work?

[eamarquardt]

If the batteries are AGM or "Gel cells", they can go inside.
Wet batteries are a no go.

Jeff

Thanks for the inf Gus. Living in the State of Euphoria sounds nice. Randy

Gus

Nah, living in Euphoria isn't all that it's cracked up to be. Too many "rats in the cage", taxes are too high, too many liberals, too many illegals, and a host of other issues but the weather can't be beat.

The other "State of Euphoria" that I live in is drugs. You can't join me there as I had to promise not to share.

Cheers,

Gus

[accrete]

I too have pondered the solar/battery issue for use with 12 volt coolers such as the Engel and ARB units. I know this post is a bit off topic, but i asked the same questions, though arrived at a different solution...so in the spirit of community i share my thoughts.

In the case of our van conversion we chose to go really simple on the cooling-food side of the build. I could have put solar panels and house batteries into the equation, but after discussing the pros/cons with my wife, and 5 years of experimenting, we most likely will continue with the Engel line of "Deep Blue" ice coolers as we go forward with a CTC build. The reason we chose this is that our trips are about 5 to 7 days between going back into civilization to restock. . . AND the Engel DB line of ice coolers will easily keep food at sub 40 degrees inside our van for 7 days without any power needed with only ~20 lbs of ice. Before loading up with fresh ice on ~day 7 we drain the melted ice water into jugs for non-potable use such as showers, dish/cloths washing, etc.

So for my wife and i, and i suppose many of our readers, the real question is this; How long do you need to keep _food_ at a safe temperature? (sub ~34 to 40 degrees for non frozen items is fine...just like a fridge at home). If your trips between re-stocking is 7 days or less there are non-powered options that you could work into your design without the expense and maintenance a powered fridge brings with it.

Happy building,
Thom

A PS... on batteries? I have AGM batteries inside for my HAM radio gear to run completely off grid. Outside i have two 6 volt deep cycle marine batteries charged by a solar array on the roof of our 38ft mobile suite. : )

[rando18]

From what I've learned from all of you and my own research....
I think a whynter (spelling) refridgerator freezer may be what I need.
They are between $600+ and $700+.
What do you Think of these units?

[OverTheTopCargoTrailer]

What a lively topic we have here

I have my 400 amp hour L16 flooded solar batteries inside the trailer for almost 1 year now.....with 840 watts of solar
I also have not needed to add a drop water or to equalize my batteries yet. I get 12.82 volts at night. and have 1" water above the cells.
My batteries are sitting inside a cabinet directly above the axel & weight 260 lbs - so the tongue is out already, also they can't get stolen as easy.
all my solar equipment is separated from the batteries and not subject to corrosion.
My Batteries are not made into milk shakes or subject to freezing or boiling temps driving down the road on the tongue.
Batteries like the same temp as people 50- 75 deg F

I researching the topic I found that while equalizing @ 15.8 - 16 volts they will only produce 1/2 CU gas hydrogen per minute....
Sure the trailer could blow up....if I can keep it sealed , equalize at 16 volts for 4 hours & start to smoke when checking the batteries....
Its also critical to never let your batteries freeze 0 deg C or boil over at 50 deg C - about 115F ?
When I need to equalize the batteries then.... I will open all doors & windows .... JUST to be on the safe side.
Also you turn off all other loads when equalizing your batteries.

I also have an ARB - 63Q cooler set at 25 deg F ....at that temp setting is keeps the frozen food & ice frozen
and the other food just barely above frozen, it uses between 250 watts 70 deg days to 600+ watts on days over 90 deg
so about 25 to 60 amp hours per 24 hour day , or 10 to 20 amp hours during the night time as its always cooler.
Its a little expensive at $950 ...but also runs supper quiet
I would get another tomorrow if it died

http://overthetopcargotrailer.blogspot.com/

[bikeopelli]

It's an Edgestar. They come in 43, 60, and 80 quart sizes. I have the 43. At startup it draws about 5 amps, runs round 3.5.
You can see them here

Thanks bikeopelli I'll have a look I had an idea of getting 2 of them and putting them in a bench seat Do you think that would work?

Well, most anything will work but you need to consider the entire system for that to happen. Obviously your are doubling your power requirements. So, with both of them running you would be pulling around 7 amps. Just be sure you can 'keep up'.

[bikeopelli]

From what I've learned from all of you and my own research....
I think a whynter (spelling) refridgerator freezer may be what I need.
They are between $600+ and $700+.
What do you Think of these units?

They look to be the exact same unit as the Edgestar.

[droid_ca]

I think as for keeping up a few deep cycle marine batteries and a couple of solar panels on the roof with the possibilities of a wind generator then I should be good and if that is still not enough maybe pick up a Honda generator for recharging the whole system I saw a propane conversion kit on one that looked pretty good

[bikeopelli]

Amazing isn't it... As many completely different solutions as there are projectors, and they all work! I love it!

[bikeopelli]

What a lively topic we have here

I have my 400 amp hour L16 flooded solar batteries inside the trailer for almost 1 year now.....with 840 watts of solar...


http://overthetopcargotrailer.blogspot.com/

840 watts. Wow. How did you do that?

[8ball_99]

From what I've learned from all of you and my own research....
I think a whynter (spelling) refridgerator freezer may be what I need.
They are between $600+ and $700+.
What do you Think of these units?

Think your on the right page. Good compressor 12v fridge,couple of 65 dollar batteries from costco and atleast a 100 watts of solar should get you where you want to be.

If you put the batteries inside I would put them in a compartment vented to the outside. Even better if its sealed off from the inside living space. Will you die in a fire or choke to death on fumes if you don't.. Probably not, but why not just do it right?. I put a cargo box in the floor for mine

[Guy]

Dear Rando,
I have 100w solar, the same deep cycle COSTCO batteries, which are 225amp 6 volt, running a Dometic Refrigerator, my lights, and computer and phone recharging. I have not run my batteries down at all.

[rando18]

Dear Rando,
I have 100w solar, the same deep cycle COSTCO batteries, which are 225amp 6 volt, running a Dometic Refrigerator, my lights, and computer and phone recharging. I have not run my batteries down at all.

Thanks Guy!

[rando18]

From what I've learned from all of you and my own research....
I think a whynter (spelling) refridgerator freezer may be what I need.
They are between $600+ and $700+.
What do you Think of these units?

Think your on the right page. Good compressor 12v fridge,couple of 65 dollar batteries from costco and atleast a 100 watts of solar should get you where you want to be.

If you put the batteries inside I would put them in a compartment vented to the outside. Even better if its sealed off from the inside living space. Will you die in a fire or choke to death on fumes if you don't.. Probably not, but why not just do it right?. I put a cargo box in the floor for mine

Nice job 8ball 99!