solar panels

Submitted: Monday, Mar 26, 2012 at 16:13

ThreadID: 92794 Views:1555 Replies:3 FollowUps:1

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Solar Power

This article covers every aspect of solar and its design and installation in RVs (camper trailers, caravans and motor homes). It shows how much power solar panels really produce,

johno59

I have a standard sized refrigerator in our Jayco 16 ft caravan and I have been told it would require about 12 amps to run. I have been wondering how many solar panels and what wattage would be required. It runs very effective on Galps which might be the cheaper option given the price of panels.Can anyone help? thanks

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Reply By: Member - Boobook - Monday, Mar 26, 2012 at 16:34

Monday, Mar 26, 2012 at 16:34

Use Gas. You can't effectively use batteries and / or solar to power a 3 way fridge.

As a quick calculation you would need - ready for it.

1300w of solar and about 20 x 100 Ah batteries to last a few days.

Tony

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Follow Up By: johno59 - Monday, Mar 26, 2012 at 17:18

Monday, Mar 26, 2012 at 17:18

Thanks everyone for your helpful advice. I really have been getting the run around with this matter. It seems to me that sales people just want to sell,sell and sell me something I don,t need. I have found the Gas has been very effective and the best option financially ( Our Gas bottles are $ 20 to fill from BBQ galore.) WHAT would a small 12 volt TV require? I have a deep cycle battery in this van that seems adequate for a few led light and is charged via the cars battery.

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Reply By: Member -Dodger - Monday, Mar 26, 2012 at 16:34

Monday, Mar 26, 2012 at 16:34

If your fridge is 3 way IE. Gas 240v and 12v it will use too much power to run off solar.
EG. do the sums....
The average battery is around 100 amp hrs so divide this by 12 and you will have the max hrs it may possibly run then figure in the safe amount of discharge which is around 50 percent of battery capacity then @ 12 amps per hr there would only be enough to run the fridge for 4 hrs.

These 3 way fridges run their best when operating from gas so stick with that unless 240v is available such as in a caravan park.

Solar is usually used to recharge or maintain battery's for light power etc.

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