Smallest panel to run a 32L Fridge? Or add another panel to my camper setup/

So we are going camping for two weeks this time. On this Monday. My camper is sorted with all the solar equipment and will last the two weeks. But I keep my beer fridge in the back of the car, a 32L Engel. This runs soley off the aux battery which is a 105AH Deep cycle, or there abouts. I was thinking to either get another smaller panel to connect to the car, maybe around 80w. Purely for size really. Or, I then had a thought of putting the 32L fridge in with the 75L Combi that runs off two 105AH batts and then add in the other 80W panel? If I do choose the latter path, can I run two different specced panel setups into the one controller? BCDC1225.
I suppose I could actually do both, well not at the same time, but set up right I can chose.

I know the bigger the better but adding more panels equals more space taken up. Hence the thought, whether its good or not, on the smaller panel.

Cheers.

Well on the other hand you have two independent systems... one which could be cranked up (down C) to keep the refreshments at the proper temp and not worry about the butter.

Me... considering a 32 Engel draws bugger all and I like a fridge in teh car at all times
Assumption 1 - the Car gets a bit of running around when camped.
I'd leave the 35 litre in the car and run a lead from the Camper to the Car at night
The Car Aux and Camper battery bank will happily run both fridges

Assumption 2 - the Car gets a almost zero running around when camped.
I'd leave the 35 litre in the car and either:
run a 50 watt panel on the vehicle to keep the Aux up
or
still run a lead from the Camper to the Car and use the camper array

For this particular trip, assumption 2 will be the closer scenario. Could I also use say a 50 or 60W panel of a different brand/ specs etc in conjunction with my existing 180W setup if ever need be?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mudski

For this particular trip, assumption 2 will be the closer scenario. Could I also use say a 50 or 60W panel of a different brand/ specs etc in conjunction with my existing 180W setup if ever need be?

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Yes, but I wouldn't really bother.
I reckon 180 watts of Solar into a BCDC 1225 and 300 AH's of battery bank will be poo poo loads of zap juice.

Be careful you don't exceed the max solar input into the BCDC1225.
I wouldn't add solar capacity past 240 watts without asking Redarc what the limit is (I haven't been able to find it in their specs).
It may not matter a rats and the unit may not have a limit as such but I would ask them.

I have a short 5 metre lead with Andersons at each end that I plug from my van to my Truck whenever it is parked up and that works for me IE I have my camp refridgeration and my vehicle refridgeration without juggling things around.

ET I think, but am not 100% certain that if you exceed the capacity of the BCDC’s solar handling capacity it just wastes the extra rather than frying the BCDC.

Mudski, if you are heading out via Ballarat way next Monday I’ve got a folding 100w panel with regulator & crocodile clips you could borrow for your trip if you wish. It’s in a padded carry bag.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Cuppa

ET I think, but am not 100% certain that if you exceed the capacity of the BCDC’s solar handling capacity it just wastes the extra rather than frying the BCDC.

Mudski, if you are heading out via Ballarat way next Monday I’ve got a folding 100w panel with regulator & crocodile clips you could borrow for your trip if you wish. It’s in a padded carry bag.

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Thanks Cuppa. But we are heading east. I might get a 80W panel with reg I think as last time we went camping, it was quite hot and the fridge in the car drained the battery in a couple of days. So I think to be safe I'll get one, with a cheap(ish) reg and when I have time get another BCDC1225 to replace the SBI12 in the car.
I appreciate the offer though.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Cuppa

snip...

ET I think, but am not 100% certain that if you exceed the capacity of the BCDC’s solar handling capacity it just wastes the extra rather than frying the BCDC.

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I reckon so as well.
All that will probably happen is the voltage rises towards open circuit but I'm curious to know now...

Park your Patrol in the shade wind all windows down a tad for air flow ,
no lower than your visors ,remove two drinks at a time.
I did this in 30 degree humid conditions and didnt even touch my Aux battery after three days

Battery was a 115 wet cell Trojan,. Make sure fridge is full all the time
40 ltr Engel

I run a 60l that goes all the time in the car with a 70watt panel on the roof rack
when we did the simmo i had a 32l in the car as well as a freezer mind you we travelled
every day and the dctodc took care of them but when stopped or parked up the solar
took care of them works for me