60 watt solar, Waeco CF 50, dual battery
Submitted: Tuesday, Mar 11, 2003 at 03:25
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munga
I have just been given some advice from a low voltage specialist
shop in
Brisbane on running a Waeco CF50 on a 60 watt solar panel.
the system quote follows:
Rotronics MH10 Charge isolator solenoid
Delkor DC31 100Ah battery (deep cell)
Waeco CF50
60 watt BP solar panel
My understanding is that the 60 watt panel should keep the waeco (on low fridge setting) runing for about five days before starting up the 4WD. What is everyone's thoughts on this system? Is the quality of these products up to standard, will they be abel to cope with ruff conditions? I am travelling for some time -
Cape York, Gulf track, outback NT, WA etc
Reply By: Peter S - Tuesday, Mar 11, 2003 at 07:51
Tuesday, Mar 11, 2003 at 07:51
A regulator would be a good idea.
Maybe a plasmtronics pr1210 which could be mounted in box on back of solar panel.
assumeing the worst case fridge uses 2ah then simple
1day 24h X 2 =48 ah
solar panel on a good day 3ah charge /hr
so assuming 10 hrs of sunlight you will put 30 ah back
so end
1st day batt 100 ah batt -48 +30= 82 ah
2rd day 82ah -48 +30= 66 ah
3rd day 66ah -48 +30 = 48 ah
4th day 48ah -48 +30 =30ah
5th day 30 ah -48 +30 = 12ah
I have a setup the same but using engle fridge 75 ah batt.
One thing to consider is that batt will not charge fully from car so these figures will be a bit less.
also it will take about 5hrs to recharge battery from car when running (not idiling)
AnswerID:
14811
Follow Up By: Rod - Tuesday, Mar 11, 2003 at 09:38
Tuesday, Mar 11, 2003 at 09:38
Peter
Do you actually get 10 hours of sun @ 100% efficiency from your panels. The best advice I've seen for SE Qld is to assume 5.5 hrs per day. Admittedly, slightly more in Summer.
What is your experience ?
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Follow Up By: Peter S - Tuesday, Mar 11, 2003 at 14:21
Tuesday, Mar 11, 2003 at 14:21
About 8 hours of full charge at this time of year.
Mid summer 12 hours and winter 5-6 hrs.
I also have a second panel for extended stays.
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Reply By: Rod - Tuesday, Mar 11, 2003 at 13:00
Reply By: dougie - Friday, Mar 14, 2003 at 14:23
Friday, Mar 14, 2003 at 14:23
Before going out and spending all that money on solar
Get practical, get a 1 kv inverter from honda, Runs fridge, lights ( savings on gas ) runs on 2 ltres unleaded for 6 hours. will charge car battery when drained runs power for a computo,r camera battery, and will charge your car battery when flat. and thery are quite Youwould hate to have warm beer on a cloudy day.
AnswerID:
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Reply By: Ozy traveling Aussie - Friday, Mar 21, 2003 at 14:34
Friday, Mar 21, 2003 at 14:34
Hi Munga,
I can give you my advice from personal experience and facts, as I have a similar system that you are asking about.
We all have our own oppinion of a good & bad fridge brand.
I would not travel for a long period of time where I have to rely on a fridge..... If I did not have the brand I use now.
My system comprises of the following:
Liemack/Reefer 50 Ltr fridge/freezer
Two X Delcor DC27 deep cycle batteries (smaller version of your quote) wired in parellel
One X 80 watt solar panel
Pirahna battery isolator
Question: is your fridge a fridge/freezer combination...?
Note, the combination of two smaller batteries wired in parellel gives better continual use than one large battery.
I have been "on (off) the road" now for 5 years, (semi-retired) living on beaches for many months at a time and have to rely on my equipment to freeze the fish as it is caught.
The areas where you are going are hot and humid, you need a fridge to quickly cool down food and then cycle, to save
battery power.
Enjoy your trip.....
AnswerID:
15780