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Solar panel size with 60ltr ARB fridge???

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  • Solar panel size with 60ltr ARB fridge???

    I have just been looking at the Redarc solar panel sizing calculator and they are saying that I will need to use a 170w or 190w solar panel to run a 60ltr ARb fridge.

    The physical size of this size folding panel is quite large compared to the 140w folding panels on ebay.
    Does the 170w or 190w panel seem like it would be overkill?????
    If anyone has any personal experience with their own panels I would like to hear about it.
    Prado 120 GXL v6 Petrol 2003, Lovell 50mm raised springs -HD Front -Medium Rear, Bilstein Shocks, 600w inverter, Rhino roof rack and tray.

  • #2
    I have used a 100w folding panel with my National Luna 52L weekender fridge. Under ideal conditions the panel pretty much keeps up with the fridge over a 24 hour period. But (pause for effect) shading or overcast conditions means the battery runs down. I posted some actual Ah measurements somewhere here, I will try and find the link.

    I would expect the 60L fridge to pull more current depending on the setting. Also it depends how hot the car is inside and whether the fridge is in the sun.

    I was limited to the 100W panel because my roofrack is/was only 1450 long. Now I have the 150 I am getting a longer rack (1800). I have ordered a 165W folding panel which was on 4wd show special last week (a mate found it and I managed to get the price after the show for both of us). I am buying the panel(s) without mppt controller because the Redarc BCDC1225 has an integral controller fitted.

    Michael
    My 150 build - http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread.php?27423-A-Random-approach-to-a-Bluestorm-150-GXL-D4D-automatic

    Comment


    • #3
      Thanks Mrrandom
      I think that is the main problem, you never know how much cloud you are going to get.
      Prado 120 GXL v6 Petrol 2003, Lovell 50mm raised springs -HD Front -Medium Rear, Bilstein Shocks, 600w inverter, Rhino roof rack and tray.

      Comment


      • #4
        DC watts to amps calculation formula

        The current I in amps (A) is equal to the power P in watts (W), divided by the voltage V in volts (V):
        I(A) = P(W)/ V(V)
        So amps are equal to watts divided by volts.
        amp = watt / volt
        or
        A = W / V
        Example

        What is the current in amps when the power consumption is 330 watts and the voltage supply is 110 volts?
        I = 330W / 110V = 3A
        AC single phase watts to amps calculation formula

        The current I in amps (A) is equal to the real power P in watts (W), divided by the power factor PF times the RMS voltage V in volts (V):
        I(A) = P(W) / (PF × V(V))
        So amps are equal to watts divided by power factor times volts.
        amps = watts / (PF × volts)
        or
        A = W / (PF × V)
        Example

        What is the current in amps when the power consumption is 330 watts, the power factor is 0.8 and the voltage supply is 110 volts?
        I = 330W / (0.8 × 110V) = 3.75A

        So if your fridge draws say 4amps max then multiply that by 12vdc = 48 watts. Allow about the same to charge your battery (AGM would be better due to low internal resistance resulting in quicker charge times) and in the end you would be looking at say 100 watt minimum. You can buy those 120 watt panels.

        Hope this helps.

        Winston.
        Winston.

        White 2009 120 Series D4D GXL manual.

        Comment


        • #5
          I use the 120W Redarc panel for my 60ltr and 40ltr Engel and spent two weeks down south in the middle of nowhere. The panel was more than enough to keep my battery/ies fully charged by the end of the day. By morning, the second battery was down to around 11 volts, but the fridges were still running and once the sun came up I was getting 7+ amps charge.

          I too thought the 150W panel would have been needed but I was pleasantly surprised.

          VXWesty
          [SIZE=1]2011 Crystal Pearl VX D4D Auto, MT ATZ 4 Rib, Full River 105AH / Redarc SBi12 DBS (TJM Tray), CKMA12 Air Comp, Alpine INA-W910R - PDX-5 - Type-R Speakers, Engel MT60FP, Rhino Alloy Platform, Foxwing Awning, Rear 12V Cig and Engel Socket, ARB Deluxe Combi Bar, Safari Snorkel, LF 240 XGT's + HID Upgrade, HB3 (9005) HID Upgrade, Bilstein / Lovells 2" Lift Suspension, Chip-It, Alpine PKG-RSE2 Roof DVD Monitors, Maxtrax, GME TX3540 + AE409L, Avenger TDS 9.5, ARB UVP, ARB Protection Steps.
          [/SIZE]

          Comment


          • #6
            VXwesty,
            What was the ambient temperature during your trip?

            Comment


            • #7
              This might help

              http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread...us-solar-panel

              Michael
              My 150 build - http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread.php?27423-A-Random-approach-to-a-Bluestorm-150-GXL-D4D-automatic

              Comment


              • #8
                I bought a 140watt panel off ebay for $160 including delivery and it puts more than enough power into my 100amp deep cycle battery to charge my 70ltr fridge without running out of power. In saying this I have only tested it at home, I am off to fraser for 5 nights over easter so will let you know how it goes. This is the one I purchased, keep your eye out as they often put them on for less than $200 with free postage

                http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Solar-Pan...item5651e647b9
                2012 4dr JK wrangler, 3.5" AEV lift, AEV mags, 35" muddies, front/rear arb bars, tjm sliders, pioneer platform and some other goodies

                Comment


                • #9
                  Originally posted by amts View Post
                  VXwesty,
                  What was the ambient temperature during your trip?
                  It varied from 30-36 degrees outside over the two week period and it was full sun for most fo the time. Some days we didnt drive at all, but most of the days we may have done 30 minutes to an hour or two of driving which also helped to top up the charge, but even when stationary for a full day the battery recevied a full charge.

                  I did have the panel tilted towards the sun shich gives me an extra 1 amp as opposed to laying flat on the roof rack.

                  VXWesty
                  [SIZE=1]2011 Crystal Pearl VX D4D Auto, MT ATZ 4 Rib, Full River 105AH / Redarc SBi12 DBS (TJM Tray), CKMA12 Air Comp, Alpine INA-W910R - PDX-5 - Type-R Speakers, Engel MT60FP, Rhino Alloy Platform, Foxwing Awning, Rear 12V Cig and Engel Socket, ARB Deluxe Combi Bar, Safari Snorkel, LF 240 XGT's + HID Upgrade, HB3 (9005) HID Upgrade, Bilstein / Lovells 2" Lift Suspension, Chip-It, Alpine PKG-RSE2 Roof DVD Monitors, Maxtrax, GME TX3540 + AE409L, Avenger TDS 9.5, ARB UVP, ARB Protection Steps.
                  [/SIZE]

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Sounds good for those warm temperatures. And as you said, you get better performance out of the panels if you keep it perpendicular to the sun.

                    Also, solar panels wattage is rated at 25degC cell temperature. In most cases, the ambient would need to be closer to 15-20degC less than that to get 25degC at the cell and to fully achieve the rated power generation.

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Originally posted by prado2004 View Post
                      I bought a 140watt panel off ebay for $160 including delivery and it puts more than enough power into my 100amp deep cycle battery to charge my 70ltr fridge without running out of power. In saying this I have only tested it at home, I am off to fraser for 5 nights over easter so will let you know how it goes. This is the one I purchased, keep your eye out as they often put them on for less than $200 with free postage

                      http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Solar-Pan...item5651e647b9
                      I went to Fraser just after New Years, great time.
                      This panel looks good, a bit higher output current than other 140w panels.
                      Did you happen to measure the peak output current when testing it at home??

                      I will be interested to hear how the panel performs.
                      Prado 120 GXL v6 Petrol 2003, Lovell 50mm raised springs -HD Front -Medium Rear, Bilstein Shocks, 600w inverter, Rhino roof rack and tray.

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Originally posted by VXWesty View Post
                        I use the 120W Redarc panel for my 60ltr and 40ltr Engel and spent two weeks down south in the middle of nowhere. The panel was more than enough to keep my battery/ies fully charged by the end of the day. By morning, the second battery was down to around 11 volts, but the fridges were still running and once the sun came up I was getting 7+ amps charge.

                        I too thought the 150W panel would have been needed but I was pleasantly surprised.

                        VXWesty
                        You did we'll running two fridges off the 120w panel, that's good to hear.
                        I may not need to sell the house to pay for the 170w panels.
                        Prado 120 GXL v6 Petrol 2003, Lovell 50mm raised springs -HD Front -Medium Rear, Bilstein Shocks, 600w inverter, Rhino roof rack and tray.

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Matt, I do a yearly 2 week camping trip where we run everything on solar. I have got by with a 130w panel without any problems, however I do run a 200ah AGM battery in my camper so that gives me a buffer if I have a couple of cloudy days.

                          Because the kids are running a few more gadgets I've just upgraded to a 170w panel that is the same size dimensions as my old 130w panel.

                          Beware that the solar controller is as important as the panel so make sure that you get a reasonable quality MPPT controller. I can recommend AntEnergy, I've bought two panels and batteries from him so far and been very satisfied.
                          [B]Steve[/B]

                          2010 Silver GXL Prado 150, D4D Auto, with a few non standard bits

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            I run two Engels, one on freeze, from 2 x 50w BP panels feeding into 2 x N77 Exides and the batteries are usually floating by about 10am. I can then recharge lights, detector batteries, etc.
                            Dave
                            Views expressed are mine alone and are not intended to compromise the integrity of my employer nor offend those who may read such views.
                            Bugger Bali, get out and see Australia before we sell it all to China.

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              BB have you ever seen rain clouds?

                              Just wondering....
                              My 150 build - http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread.php?27423-A-Random-approach-to-a-Bluestorm-150-GXL-D4D-automatic

                              Comment

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