solar panels

j and v kids · Member

solar panels

justcruisin01 · Guru

j and v kids wrote:
is there any one out there that could help me deside what type and size solar pannel to buy we have a 80 lt fridge freezer around 3.5 amp per hr in our 4wd and would like to run it off a battery and top up the power with a solar pannel Help us !!!!!!!!!!!!

I have a 70ltr fridge freezer in car that we run as a freezer @ 5amps /hr.

I run 2x 120watt folding panels onto 2x100 amp hr batteries.

It all depends on the ambient temp, run as a fridge will use a lot less power than as a freezer. In cooler temps & a perfect day one panel will keep it going, add serious temps, adding foods/drinks etc to make it work harder or as a freezer then the two panel system is the go, particually if the weather is not so favorable.

Been in the NT for 6 weeks fishing in extreme temps & adding fish to freeze the two keep up very well.

JC.

Muso · Veteran Member

Once you have worked out how many amps you will draw in a 24 hour cycle you will need to double it for your battery capacity. It is recommended to only draw about 50% from the battery.

Next you will need solar panels than can put back the amps in approx. 6 hours (depending where you are and where you site the panels).

There is no point in having 500 amps of battery capacity if you can't put the power back. As you will see, it's a bit of a balancing act.

Muso · Veteran Member

Hi John, have sent you a private message explaining how I worked my system out. Twice I have tried to edit my previous post and it said I didn't have the privelage or something. confuse

PeterD · Guru

Muso wrote:
Twice I have tried to edit my previous post and it said I didn't have the privelage or something.

How long was it between posting the message and your attempt to edit it? I think you only have a short time where it is possible to edit a post.

snap1946 · Senior Member

Muso wrote:
Hi John, have sent you a private message explaining how I worked my system out. Twice I have tried to edit my previous post and it said I didn't have the privelage or something.

hi muso

could you send it to me too please

cheers snap

-- Edited by snap1946 on Monday 25th of June 2012 07:46:01 AM

Muso · Veteran Member

Hiya Snap

Twice I have tried to edit my post, but it says I cant edit my own post (what the??) Anyhow, I will explain how I worked my system out.

I have a Waeco 50L dual zone fridge set at minus 10c and the room temp was around 22c.

Fridge draw = 4 amps when running

Run time = 6 mins running - 14 mins standing (this varies according to ambient temp, but the lid was not opened at all during this test)

Cycles = 6 mins+14 mins = 20 mins or 3 cycles per hour.

6 min running x 3 cycles/hr = 18mins/hr

4 amps when running divided by 60 mins x 18 mins/hr = 1.2 amp/hr x 24 hrs = about 29 amps/24 hrs.

SOLAR PANELS - portable 120 watt @ 7+amps

AGM BATTERY - 120 amp capacity

I tested the solar panels direct output and it was showing over 7 amps.

6 hrs of sunlight x 7 amps = 42 amps is the max I will get in the daytime.

In best conditions I should get 42 amps during the day then

Deduct 29 amps consumed during day/night it would leave a bonus of about 10+amps.

As you can see, I am running this system very "close to the bone" as it were. Even though the battery and the solar panels can run my 12v system, during sunlight hours my system barely "banks" any extra for "a rainy day" (literally)

Good luck

barina · Guru

Looking for a supplier / fitter of fixed Solar panels and also portable ones, in the Newcastle area please

jimricho · Guru

barina wrote:
Looking for a supplier / fitter of fixed Solar panels and also portable ones, in the Newcastle area please

Solar Power Australia (also trading as Solar Online) is located at Warners Bay in the Newcastle/Lake Macquarie area. I have not had any dealings with this firm so I'm not in a position to pass comment on any aspect of their business beyond advising of their existance.

barina · Guru

Thanks, it is for my son, who lives up there and travels around with 8 dogs to dog shows all over NSW. Will pass it on.

jimricho · Guru

barina wrote:
Thanks, it is for my son, who lives up there and travels around with 8 dogs to dog shows all over NSW. Will pass it on.

It's located in an industrial area on Hillsborough Road, probably less than a kilometre from the dog showground. http://www.solaronline.com.au/solar-panels.html