Solar Powered Fridge -
Submitted: Wednesday, Jul 29, 2009 at 10:57
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Mandrake
I am just running the Waeco in the back of the Jeep for a couple of days to make sure it behaves itself before heading North in 24 days time..
So I am checking the voltage of the battery every now and then with my trusty
Multimeter .. 80 watt Panel to a 10Amp reg to a 85aH ( see Lex !! ) Battery ..
Started 7.30 pm last night - Battery was 12.7 V and then switched on fridge .
Today has not been a clear sunny day so far and it looks like the fridge is running
well below its rated capacity of 7 Amps in fact it ran last night at 3Amps on startup ...
This morning at work about 10.20 ish Battery showed 13.00 V ( This is good ) ...
Should I disconnect the Panel for half an hour or so and will that give me a "truer" value of the batteries capacity ? or is the fact that it's sitting on 13 V sufficient for me to sit back and relax ?
Cheers
Steve - 24 Days and counting ...
Reply By: Member -Signman - Wednesday, Jul 29, 2009 at 11:02
Wednesday, Jul 29, 2009 at 11:02
I guess if you've got the trusty meter across the battery WITH the panel connected- then you're measuring the input from the panel- not necessarily the battery voltage..
Yes, disconnect the panel and allow the float charge to settle then measure actual battery voltage..
AnswerID:
376643
Follow Up By: tim_c - Wednesday, Jul 29, 2009 at 11:53
Wednesday, Jul 29, 2009 at 11:53
True - also the battery voltage will fluctuate a little depending on whether or not the fridge compressor is actually running at the time you check the voltage.
FollowupID:
644056
Reply By: Mandrake - Wednesday, Jul 29, 2009 at 14:45
Wednesday, Jul 29, 2009 at 14:45
OK - update - switched off Panel and Fridge - waited 50 minutes - voltage 13.07 !!
What can I say ? We is in bizniss !!
Cold beer will be available at
St George - Yeehah or YeehAh ( Andrew - LOL )
Looking good countdown continues ...
Launch in T minus 24 days 14 hours ..
Cheers
Mandrake
AnswerID:
376670
Follow Up By: Maîneÿ . . .- Wednesday, Jul 29, 2009 at 17:05
Wednesday, Jul 29, 2009 at 17:05
Another test is to leave the battery system charge for a few days, then disconnect the solar panel LATE one *evening* (even better 6 AM ) and also RE-connect the ½ full fridge, (which is at "normal" cold temperature, because it's been running on 240v for those same 'few' days) see how long the fridge runs for, aim for 2 days AND nights.
Reasoning, 3 Amps x ~8 hours (33% duty cycle) = 24 x 2 days = 48 out of 85ah (just over 50% capacity) just in case you go somewhere where there is no sunshine for two days, but why would anyone want to go there anyway ??
Will solar panel 'produce' at least same number of Amps in 24 hours as fridge and accessories (lights etc) 'use' in 24 hours ?
If not, your obviously using more power than your producing, you will need to start vehicle occasionally or maybe add a second panel.
Maîneÿ . . .
FollowupID:
644093
Reply By: Fiona & Paul - Wednesday, Jul 29, 2009 at 23:16
Wednesday, Jul 29, 2009 at 23:16
I've been looking at options to replace my 2nd deep cycle battery that lives in the back of the Subaru, and, I've been keeping an eye on lots of information that moves around the
forum.
Yesterday I looked at your site to check out your battery optioons, which seemed to be very
well priced and today I was ready to push the button. Luckilly I checked the messages and on reading your top message I am starting to wonder about all this to and fro stuff that goes on between individuals here.
If you sell this stuff surely you already know the answer to your question, or, are you just a middle man that onsells stuff without too much in depth knowledge of the product.
I need reliable information as my system failed me recently in the middle of Qld, what should I do here if you don't have the answers?
AnswerID:
376764
Follow Up By: Mandrake - Wednesday, Jul 29, 2009 at 23:28
Wednesday, Jul 29, 2009 at 23:28
PM on its way ..
Rgds
Mandrake
FollowupID:
644166
Follow Up By: Maîneÿ . . .- Monday, Aug 03, 2009 at 07:15
Monday, Aug 03, 2009 at 07:15
Paul & Fi
You say you "need reliable information"
Then may I politely suggest, you should ask questions
Maîneÿ . . .
FollowupID:
644696
Follow Up By: Maîneÿ . . .- Monday, Aug 03, 2009 at 07:17
Monday, Aug 03, 2009 at 07:17
Woops
I should have added *start a new thread*
Just to maintain the integrity of this one :)
Maîneÿ . . .
FollowupID:
644697
Follow Up By: Fiona & Paul - Monday, Aug 03, 2009 at 10:06
Monday, Aug 03, 2009 at 10:06
Mainey thanks for your MM's, I didn't post any questions yet as or start a new thread because I want to ask the right questions.
I'm reading up on your stuff (in your profile) which has given me lots of good info and one or two others from back in the
forum, which has pointed me towards another solution with
solar power.
Right now I have time on my side so I'm getting all the information I can so I do have some idea of what I really need and I'm now leaning towards solar.
Regards
Paul & Fi.........
FollowupID:
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