I had the same problem rainsey, genny running for ages currently saving for a bigger charger :)
http://www.fridge-and-solar.net/gen_charge.htm
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I had the same problem rainsey, genny running for ages currently saving for a bigger charger :)
http://www.fridge-and-solar.net/gen_charge.htm
Hey thanks for that link. Have not seen it before and it confirms what I have discovered as well.Quote:
Originally Posted by Drew
Personally, before solar I was going to buy a 35 amp charger. Now I have the solar setup and a very grunty DC -DC charger, the 7 amp charger will probably stay as I plan to only need it in emergencies.
Over the past 3 years I have done 2 trips over to middle of WA and last year Cameron Corner / Innaminka / Cunnamulla and back. Each time after about the 3rd day of camping we had to spend a day at a caravan park just to get a powered site to keep the fridges running.
Now ... Hopefully, no more:)
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I left the engel in the car last weekend and it was not kind to the battery, took all night to get to 3/4 charge. I even thought it was charging the main as well :(
So the 7amp charger is going in the garage and the 25amp will be for the trips away coz i don't want to be left hanging when trying to charge 240ah in the van :(
I swear by solar - except on overcast days. lol.
I've got 2 x 120w BP solar panels on the roof of my pod and they serve their purpose, well. My 2nd battery got down to about 65% by this morning, due to my car being serviced yesterday and me leaving my fridge freezer connected, and we still have a few hrs of sunlight left over here today and it's up to 93%.
I keep forgetting my 95lt Evakool Fridge/Freezer sucks up more juice than a smaller fridge/freezer. It doesn't help that I have a small power leak somewhere, either. lol
Rossco
A great book to read is Solar that really works by Collyn Rivers.Quote:
Originally Posted by Drew
I bought a copy ( 3rd edition ) from Jaycar. Read this and you will learn every thing you need to know.
One thing he states is not to have more battery capacity than you have solar.
But ... Some has to be better than none. I have a Waeco CF 40 in my truck and I habitually leave it on 24 x 7. More than once I did what you have done.
Not sure where you live and what your solar hours are like, but I am guessing your Engel probably draws about 4 amps when pumping and a pofteenth of nothing when it is not. Once it gets up to temperature depending the ambient temp, and your batteries are full, you would not need a large panel on the roof to trickle charge your batteries.
Oh, another thing. If you do not have one, get a cover for your fridge. The more insulation you can give it the better.
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Have a cover for the fridge, I'd hate to see it without one. Seriously, I thought vacuum cleaners suck :)
I finally found that spreadsheet.
http://www.campertrailers.org/solar_spreadsheet.htm
Good one, thanks for that.
As stated on the spreadsheet it does not cover the use of MPPT controllers. IMO you would be mad not to use one as they really allow you to suck the most out of the solar array.
Re the table on solar hours, yep spot on and for my area at least very accurate.
Kindest regards
Rainsey
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FWIW here is another site with a couple of folks which are very respected in the marine community in 12vdc living. Learning and reference books are "Living on 12 volts with Ample Power" and "Wiring for 12 volts" by Ample Power.
www.amplepower.com
'Technical Documents' tab
I have both books, old editions, and they are excellent although they have a marine theme there is a lot of information to gain from the site itself. Doing about 35K NM of offshore sailing including Seattle to Sydney we're transitioning to land cruising and self sufficiency is a fundamental theme to both. I plan on building systems in the caravan and tug (4.2 now but considering, no stones please, a Iveco Daily 4x4) as we prepare to cast off our land lines. Solar potential here is 'spectacular' versus where a lot of our cruising was done and the possibilities extensive IMHO.
Yay got my new 25amp charger.... Noice !! :)