Quote:
Originally Posted by petefoss
I'm still debating with myself about a 200 watt solar system basically to support the residential fridge when we go to model airplane events that don't have power where we camp for several days at a time. On the flip side we often need AC anyway. One real test will be Oshkosh this summer with 10+ days of only generator power.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by petefoss
We do have the Magnum generator auto start so its more a convenience and noise thing vs.a NEED. Which is why I'm still debating. I also suspect my attitude would change if the two coach batteries weren't crap that needs replacing. Right now they will run the fridge for about an hour off the inverter.
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You should look at fridge energy rating. Larger RV residential refrigerators (the models built for houses) use well over 1 kWh of energy daily (many around 2 kWh), and 200 Watts of solar panels won’t be enough. A rough estimate for 200 Watts of solar panels may be around 600 Watt-hours daily, and as far north as Oshkosh maybe less. Obviously you’d need good batteries regardless since they would need to power fridge for most of day/night.
Some of the new smaller RV-specific residential-type compressor refrigerators use much less power and should make it much easier to power solely with solar (provided favorable sunny weather conditions). Even so, the 10-cubic-foot DC compressor refrigerators require ~ 1 kWh, which means you’d need at least 300~400 Watt solar just to power fridge.
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