[Rob_Mac]

Jeff

You are the man that may be able to help in my predicament. In my van I have 2 110amp leisure batteries being charged by a heavy duty split charge relay ( at least 5mm wires).

This set up has never let me down but then I cover large distances through my working week. Here's the question.

I have a small counter top fridge in my van, which keeps food fresh, whilst I am working away. I put this on for a couple of hours in the morning and a couple of hours at night but I am getting food turning. What size solar panel would be required to have this fridge kept running all the time.

Rob

[windowswashed]

15 watt solar panel generating 15 watts of power = 1 amp under ideal conditions.

15 watt solar panel generates 735 watts (49 amps) = (15W x 7hours/day x 7 days /week)

Place ice liquid tray in fridge in addition to keep fridge cooler without using power from solar panel at night.

[Rob_Mac]

Windows

Are you replying to me that a 15 watt solar panel will keep the battery topped up to a point where it will not deplete, if I keep the fridge on all day and night?. I also run the lights and TV off the same batteries. These are also wired to run my wfp set up as well. So if I bought a 30 watt that would be more than enough?

Rob

[windowswashed]

I can't think straight at the mo as I'm suffering from man flu, (sorry), ask me tomorrow.

[leapstallbuildings]

First of all Is your battery charger just a normal run of the mill charger or is it a 3 stage Intelligent  one? The reason for asking this is that a normal charger will pump out the full 3amps for the full period its being charged were as an intelligent one will pump out the 3 amps for less than an hour then it switches into its second stage and reduces its out put for the last 10% of charge, once the battery has reached its full charge then the charger will only switch on just to keep the battery topped up and its less than .5 of an amp to keep it topped up.

Your calculations are correct given your table? Do yourself a favour and by the intelligent type charger and you will reduce your charging bill by over 2 3rds if not more. Not only will you be reducing your energy bill but you will also prolong the life of your battery because of a much better charging procedure.

Thank you for your input Jeff.  I will check out the issues that you mebtion.

[jeff1]

Jeff

You are the man that may be able to help in my predicament. In my van I have 2 110amp leisure batteries being charged by a heavy duty split charge relay ( at least 5mm wires).

This set up has never let me down but then I cover large distances through my working week. Here's the question.

I have a small counter top fridge in my van, which keeps food fresh, whilst I am working away. I put this on for a couple of hours in the morning and a couple of hours at night but I am getting food turning. What size solar panel would be required to have this fridge kept running all the time.

Rob

Rob have a look at the back of your fridge and get the specs of the fridge then we can maybe tell you a little more.

I'm assuming its a 3 way one for caravans? if it is have you thought about running it on the gas supply? a small bottle of gas will last you several months