SOLAR PANELS. WHAT WOULD I NEED ?

steveinoz.


maybe of some help.

solar info

regards

If it is the *only* power source available and in NSW then it wil be something like:-

If you don't freeze at all:-

With PWM regulator - 140 to 180W of solar panels
With MPPT regulator - 120 to 140W of solar panels

If you do freeze:-
With PWM regulator - 180 to 240W of solar panels
With MPPT regulator - 140 to 180W of solar panels

Steve,
I can tell you what I use, you make a judgement as to what you may need, it will be LESS than my system, reason being my 70 Lt fridge/freezer _Affordable_Storage_Drawers.aspx ~10 Amps (2.8 ah) and I think your fridge may use less?

I use: ~200 watts Solar panels charging ~200 ah AGM battery system.

I've never (ever) seen the battery system showing below 12.0 Volt

The Solar system must be capable of replacing the Amps being used, when the sun is shinning, eg the Solar system must run the fridge AND also put something into the battery too, on a reasonable sunny day.
That way at sunset your battery system is still fully charged, it will run your fridge and lights all night, next morning the Solar system will again recharge the battery system.
hint; I would get another identical battery to increase the battery capacity.

Maîneÿ . . .

Hi
The responses so far have been good but can you spend the money needed to achieve it straight away and if not you may want to grow to achieve what you need.

I use a simple theory of if you have a compressor fridge and you travel every day start with 60W then add 10W for every day you stay stationary untill you have the capacity to run wholley on solar.

Most single "fridges" should run between 120W and 160W some really efficient one could be less.

Do you have the space to go for it and add it all and if not it may be of benefit both economically and efficiency wise to look at smart charging to maximise your drive time to achieve a higher charge in your batteries and if you have the ability to charge better and quicker you can add another battery with confidence to get you through.

Adding batteries without the ability to charge them is just a waste of money.
Ian

i have a 110 lt waeco fridge in the back of my GQ tray top with power supplied from a 123w panel going to 2 80 ah batteries this has run night and day for near on 4 years and never flattened the batteries, has got down to 11 volts but that is as low as its got.

cheers

steve, i also have a 110lt waeco which runs off a 115 ah with 2 x 80w panels in sequence charging the battery.

cheers,

Lance

I am with Mainey on this. If you want to be totally self sufficient in power you need at least 200w of solar and 200ah of battery.

I have 2x80w solar panels and 200ah of batteries and have found in my travels that most of the time this is fine and doesn't get below 80% charged and is on float most of the time, but in some areas e.g the Kimberlies with hot days and hot nights the fridge can draw around 50 - 60 ah a day. Even with careful management of the fridge and the panels there is no way the panels can keep up. You then have to find 240v somewhere or turn the fridge temperature up. I am going to add another 80w panel and then I should have no troubles. It becomes a very expensive excercise but I think it is well worth doing. Get a good regulator so you know what is going on.

regards,
Bob