View Single Post
Old 12-01-2014, 05:06 AM   #4
scrubjaysnest
TrailManor Master
 
scrubjaysnest's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Big Bend area, Florida
Posts: 2,120
Default

A look at the numbers is the concern. If the compressor frig draws half, say 6 amps@ 12 volts that is 72 watts times 24 hours that is 1728 watts. The panels at best will produce 128 watts times 6 hours = 768 watts. There for the batteries have to make up the difference of 1728 - 768 = 960 watts.
If the batteries are 225 aH @ 12 that is 2700 watts. Since we really don't want to go below 50% soc that is 2700 times .5 = 1350 watts. 1350 watts minus the 960, which is a deficit is 390 watts for lights and pumps and the heater maybe. This is why we prefer the three way absorption refrig. That 960 watt deficit per day is hard to make up.
The above example is best case. Throw is cloudy or rainy days and it gets worse. One has to be very conservative to get by on solar alone. We are right at the ragged edge with 180 watts. This means we don't use the fresh water tank and pump, a couple of 2 1/2 gal jugs for water. Use the furnace to take the chill in the morning, not run all night. All LED lighting. Also careful position of the solar panels. Out west in the dessert its not so bad but on the east coast or in WA or OR one will have to really look at it closely.
__________________
Axis 24.1 E 450 chassis, 6 spd tranny. GVWR 14500# GVCWR 22000 # GW(scales) 12400 #
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

mods: 2- 100 watt solar panels, on roof, 300 watts portable



“They who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.” Benjamin Franklin
scrubjaysnest is offline   Reply With Quote