Solar panels - large enough?

Greetings. We are getting close to purchasing a Sherwood Suncamper on a 2005 Toyota Hilux 4x4 chassis and cab. This motorhome has 2 x 80 watt solar panels fitted to charge 2 x 100 amp/hr batteries. Motorhome fitted with a 12 v only compressor fridge. Q. are the solar panels large enough to run the fridge( and more) We intend to free camp for several days at the time. We are in Kiwiland and keen to fly across to purchase so we can see the grandies in Margaret River WA more often. Cheers, Case.
Back Expand Un-Read 0 Moderator

Reply By: Maîneÿ . . .- Thursday, Aug 26, 2010 at 19:49

Thursday, Aug 26, 2010 at 19:49
Hope a solar regulator is fitted?
Hope they are AGM DC batteries?

simplistic answer... yes

Maîneÿ . . .
AnswerID: 428530

Follow Up By: Dennis Ellery - Thursday, Aug 26, 2010 at 22:14

Thursday, Aug 26, 2010 at 22:14
Mainey, by DC do you mean direct current?
0
FollowupID: 699259

Follow Up By: Dennis Ellery - Thursday, Aug 26, 2010 at 22:16

Thursday, Aug 26, 2010 at 22:16
Only kidding - I know what you mean but others may not.
0
FollowupID: 699261

Follow Up By: Maîneÿ . . .- Thursday, Aug 26, 2010 at 22:17

Thursday, Aug 26, 2010 at 22:17
Dennis,
I meant AGM *Deep Cycle* Batteries
(sorry)

Maîneÿ . . .
0
FollowupID: 699262

Follow Up By: Maîneÿ . . .- Thursday, Aug 26, 2010 at 22:20

Thursday, Aug 26, 2010 at 22:20
Now they do

Maybe I should have said it was direct current and seen the response :)
never seen an AC battery yet ha ha ha

Maîneÿ . . .
0
FollowupID: 699263

Follow Up By: WATTS2C - Friday, Aug 27, 2010 at 08:38

Friday, Aug 27, 2010 at 08:38
Mainey makes some good points - regulator is essential, despite what some may claim and batteries should be deep cycle.

which part of aotearoa are you from??
0
FollowupID: 699291

Reply By: Crackles - Friday, Aug 27, 2010 at 09:48

Friday, Aug 27, 2010 at 09:48
Yes that system should supply more than enough power for a fridge & several energy efficient lights if the panels are kept generally pointed towards the sun (not parked in the shade), it's not over 38 degrees or it's not raining. Depending on the size & efficiency of the fridge you should expect 3 days running off the batteries alone so asuming they are also connected to the cars charging circuit, even in bad weather they will be topped up after a days drive.
When you say "(and more)" if you intend also running a pump, TV, battery chargers, laptop or a fan ect I'd add up the combined expected power usage of those items to reasess if your system is up to supplying the additional load on top of the fridge & lights.
Cheers Craig..............
AnswerID: 428593

Follow Up By: Member - case h (INT) - Friday, Aug 27, 2010 at 10:23

Friday, Aug 27, 2010 at 10:23
Greetings all, thanks for the replies and feedback. I get a little bit wiser on this site every day. Just joined up as a member as i needed to contribute a little for all the knowledge i have gained in the last 6 weeks or so i have been on this site. We are originally from Holland and came to Tauranga, NZ in 1974. Have lived here ever since. Thanks, Case
0
FollowupID: 699306

Follow Up By: Faulic_McVitte - Friday, Aug 27, 2010 at 16:50

Friday, Aug 27, 2010 at 16:50
"even in bad weather they will be topped up after a days drive." no they wont be charged at all. Hilux charges tops 13.8v and is flat out charging the starting battery. alternator charging of auxiliary batteries does not work. If you want to charge auxiliary battery properly use Ctek 250s
0
FollowupID: 699347

Follow Up By: Crackles - Friday, Aug 27, 2010 at 18:13

Friday, Aug 27, 2010 at 18:13
" no they wont be charged at all............alternator charging of auxiliary batteries does not work."
Alternator charging worked fine on my 1984 Hilux, 1989 Troopy, 1991 80 Series & 2000 model 100 series in fact it's still working today on my 2008 Jeep so not sure how you arrived at that statement unless of course you have a stake in Ctek ;-)
While DC to DC chargers like the Ctek may top up the charge far quicker particually with dis-similar types of batteries, to say they wont be charged at all is simply wrong in my experience.
Cheers Craig...........
0
FollowupID: 699362

Reply By: Member - Robert R1 (SA) - Friday, Aug 27, 2010 at 11:26

Friday, Aug 27, 2010 at 11:26
Caseh,

If you are using the fridge as a fridge you won't have any problems but if you are trying to use it as a freezer in areas which are hot day and night, e.g. the Kimberlies, you may.

If you are in places like Innamincka where it is warm during the day and freezing at night you should be okay. I don't know what Margaret River is like but you might be fine there. Keep an eye on the batteries and don't let them get too flat. You may have to book into a powered site occasionally to let the solar catch up.

You do need to manage your power consumption and battery state carefully. Fridges/ batteries problems and backing caravans into parks seem to create the most stress and arguments.

I have 3 x 80 watt panels and I had problems from Cairns and upwards to the Cape this year with the constant cloudy days. The batteries State of charge got below 70% and I prefer not to let them go below 80%. I booked into a powered site at Loyalty Beach for a few days and that allowed my batteries to recover.

Once the batteries get back in float I turn the fridge to its coldest setting until about 5pm and then back to around -10 C. It helps save the batteries a bit and all the food stays frozen.

Regards,
Bob
And he sees the vision splendid of the sunlit plains extended, And at night the wondrous glory of the everlasting stars. Clancy of the Overflow.

Member
My Profile  My Blog  My Position  Send Message

AnswerID: 428604

Reply By: Faulic_McVitte - Friday, Aug 27, 2010 at 16:46

Friday, Aug 27, 2010 at 16:46
you dont say what brand or size fridge. 2 x 80w solar panels would only keep a small fridge powered. The fridge is probably 80l or 110l and 2 x80w will not be sufficient to power a fridge that size.
AnswerID: 428636

Sponsored Links

Popular Products (9)