solar panel for waeco
Submitted: Tuesday, Feb 18, 2003 at 14:29
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Member - Peter
I am soon to purchase a waco cf50 fridge frezzer I already have a remote power system , but am wondering if any one can recomend a small easy set up solar panel that will also be sutable to run this fridge , also any idea on price (western Australia )thanks
Reply By: firey - Tuesday, Feb 18, 2003 at 19:41
Tuesday, Feb 18, 2003 at 19:41
Peter, Purchased 21lt Engel today and looked at
solar power for that size in flexible matt style but none big enough. Would only buy flexible one because solid panels dont travel all that
well unless mounted on a roof rack etc. Have mate who bleep tered two solid style ones on his travels that were stored in camper trailer. A solid will cost around $800 which is the price of a good 4 stroke gen set. If you know the max amps to run the fridge I found a site on internet to work out solar panel size at extreme 4x4..
Cheers Firey
AnswerID:
13415
Follow Up By: Bruce - Wednesday, Feb 19, 2003 at 11:03
Wednesday, Feb 19, 2003 at 11:03
If your mate had a Uni-solar panel it would not have bleep tered as they are made of steel...I know of a chap who also bought a glass panel ...had it all of two days...then bingo..a pile of useless glass..the old saying ..ya get what ya want and what ya pay for..cheers
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Steve M - Wednesday, Feb 19, 2003 at 22:41
Wednesday, Feb 19, 2003 at 22:41
Buy a decent glass panel as they are better, then save it from damage in in a decent box to protect your invetsment. ALL panel cells are made of silicon (glass) and need protecting, not covering them in camping equipment and doing 4wd jumps.
FollowupID:
7927
Reply By: Steve M - Tuesday, Feb 18, 2003 at 20:31
Tuesday, Feb 18, 2003 at 20:31
I am running a 55L Engels upright and use a 5A nominal (approx 3A really) and have calculated, and experienced, that it is not enough to be totally self sufficient. The panels are about $800 ea but second hand ones can be purchased for around $300 and are 80-90% the power of a new one. (BP Solar supplies,
Perth). I opted for a gen set instead of a second panel for more versatility at around the same price as a new panel. Note : cheap panels will NOT do the job!!
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Member - Peter- Wednesday, Feb 19, 2003 at 10:18
Wednesday, Feb 19, 2003 at 10:18
thanks for the info a rethink is in order I can see Peter
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Reply By: desert - Wednesday, Feb 19, 2003 at 16:23
Wednesday, Feb 19, 2003 at 16:23
Peter, I have the "suitcase" model Solar Port panel set up that opens like a suitcase and then can be adjusted for angle using two small built in legs. It is rated at 90Watts and I run a 50 litre Bushboy 2 speed fridge off it, or rather off the aux. battery with the panel topping that up. On a good day the panel will put 5 amps into the battery. The fridge, on low speed, _Affordable_Storage_Drawers.aspx 2.5 to 3 amps. So you see I am in credit most of the time, until the skies cloud over and I have to start the engine to top up if necessary. Have had the solarPort for 10 years now, no problems and at the time it cost $1100.
AnswerID:
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