Compressor Fridge and Solar Power (1 Viewer)

[mitzimad]

Any fridge will work better with vents compressor or three way will have the same amount of heat to disipate for the same load

 

[Wombles]

And don't forget that with just a little planning, for much of the time you really don't need to run the fridge during the night.
Keep freezer blocks in the freezer and when you turn in for the night move the blocks into the fridge and turn the fridge off.
8+ ish hours of ah saving, every night.

Have always done this even with gas & works well

 

[Wombles]

Has anyone got a van with the compressor fridge? how does it work in practice and how power hungry is it? - we will have a twin 95Ah leisure battery bank and will probably add 100-200w solar - the feedback i’ve had to date indicates this won’t help and the compressor fridges are unsuitable for off- grid camping due to their current draw - somewhere between 50-100A /24hr which is a bit of a blow.

We've been looking at what solar panels are needed to support a 95l compressor fridge with freezer compartment (45 watts) & with 2 x 95ah batteries & one 100w panel it should be ok for 4-9 days without EHU depending on time of year & other usage. If driving during this time then figures obviously improve. If you or anyone wants to see the spreadsheet for this then just PM.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Ranger]

Our 65L Waeco fridge uses around 30 to 35 amps a day at most. We would be put off buying a van with a gas fridge installed.

 

[Wombles]

We've been looking at what solar panels are needed to support a 95l compressor fridge with freezer compartment (45 watts) & with 2 x 95ah batteries & one 100w panel it should be ok for 4-9 days without EHU depending on time of year & other usage. If driving during this time then figures obviously improve. If you or anyone wants to see the spreadsheet for this then just PM.

Just found out thanks to @gerry mcg a 95Ah battery would only really have 47.5 Ah accessible (50%) before the battery is at risk of damage from deep discharge & the spreadsheet figures supplied to us don't take this into account! Looks like one panel is more borderline than we thought (know some do manage with this but depends on usage & how often motorhome is moved) so would suggest two 100w panels are the way to go.

 

[Ranger]

We have a 100w panel on the roof and another freestanding 100w when required with around 300AH of batteries. We just don't have any problems and do use a lot of power also for TV, Sat, Diesel heating and computers.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[gerry mcg]

Just found out thanks to @gerry mcg a 95Ah battery would only really have 47.5 Ah accessible (50%) before the battery is at risk of damage from deep discharge & the spreadsheet figures supplied to us don't take this into account! Looks like one panel is more borderline than we thought (know some do manage with this but depends on usage & how often motorhome is moved) so would suggest two 100w panels are the way to go.

Sorry

 

[Wombles]

Sorry

It's good that sharing info. we can see the full picture That's one the best things about this forum

 

[Life is easy]

I hope this helps everyone who is looking for a simple non mathematical answer....I built own campervan,I live in Scotland and I have no power issues whatsoever running chinese deisel heater,led lights,fans,water tap,18l compressor fridge,and now and again inverter....All this runs perfectly well every day on 320w single solar panel and 2x 230ah deep cycle lead acid batteries.I do not have split charger or b to b charger. Simples

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Life is easy]

I hope this helps everyone who is looking for a simple non mathematical answer....I built own campervan,I live in Scotland and I have no power issues whatsoever running chinese deisel heater,led lights,fans,water tap,18l compressor fridge,and now and again inverter....All this runs perfectly well every day on 320w single solar panel and 2x 230ah deep cycle lead acid batteries.I do not have split charger or b to b charger. Simples

 

[f6c]

Welcome aboard

 

[MisterB]

18l fridge ?? Couldn't you just use 3 AAA batteries?

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Life is easy]

A thoroughbred does not need tonnes of food lol