Engel 39lt fridge

Stephen. The set up you have will run that fridge no probs. Hook up the solar if you are stopping for any length of time. Cheers

Hi Stephen,

You may wish to read similar previous posts on this issue, but will agree with the only comment, you should be fine with the set up you have.
I have similar set up and have no issues and I run two fridges, one used for a freezer, noting use the panel when stopping at all times.
Paul

I tried this with my truck, one battery and the solar (120W) and had no issues for a couple of days, noting sunlight is required. Now have changed to two batteries/redarc DC/DC charger, now running at 14 +volts all day.

The responses you are getting are due to many factors, how big are the batteries/what sort lead/acid etc, how old is the alternator, this information can be achieved by going to a auto electrician, a good one also. One whom has done this work previously. Is your best bet

They will assist you to understand what power comes out and what you need to run the fridges etc.. or check out the redarc webpage, if you haven't already and what gear you need.

Good advice is gold when having this gear to run your fridges, dont skimp on good advice or you will be one unhappy chappy

Paul

Your system should work ok with good sunlight.

Hint......... even when you first stop set the solar up so that it is producing power until sundown .

Remember that ambient temps and where you park the vehicle will have an effect on the fridge and solar.

hi Stephen ,
when we were camped along the finke race track in 2014 we sat for 5 nights ,ran the 39lt engel
an lights at night never started the 4wd , my 64w solar panel was connected to the aux battery
which ran the fridge an lights , early avo we would reposition the panel to get the late avo sun
an the fridge an lights worked perfectly
cheers mechpete

Stephen,

I have a 39l Engel. My setup is an 80 watt solar panel which I move around to follow the sun. I have a 100 AH DC battery and a Powertech controller. When we did a bit more bush camping for extended periods I had 2 of the 100 AH batteries. Could have done with probably 120 watt or thereabouts of solar panel.
Anyway, with the single battery and the 80 watt panel we are good for about 2 days without any other power input i.e. plugging into a generator or starting the vehicle. Still good for a bit longer but the battery voltage would get a bit too low for my liking or good battery life.
The other factors that probably caused some issues is that my Engel is about 20 years old and I do like my beer cold so it was working pretty hard.
Apparently the newer fridges are more power economical.

Cheers
Pop

Hot weather is the problem this system works well in normal condition ,we were at Tamworth for the festival my mate had 100w panel it could not kept up we were there for 2 weeks very hot ,but if you run the car and kept it out of the sun you are a chance.

Hi Stephen,


I have 2 40lt engels one as a fridge and one as a freezer I run 2/ 80ah deep cycle batteries and have 2/ 80 Watt solar panels. I can run them all the time without going near a power point. So if you half it 80watts and 80ah will be enough... I also run a tv and lights with it and am in the Top End all of the wet so it is hot as well .....


Cheers Andy
.

My 39 Engel is good for about 2.5-3 days running off a Century Marine Pro, before the battery indicator reports 50% discharge. This is without solar.

Mind you we do drive around and explore a bit when camped up for a few days so it does get a partial charge in the meantime. We got 3.5 years out of this battery so not bad for a couple of hundred bucks.

When we drive we turn the temp of the fridge right down, then put it back up a bit higher when camping. If you have solar you will be fine. If the sun isn't out you can charge the old fashioned way by letting the car idle for a while as I have seen many people do.