Jewel wrote:

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Hi all, I am slowly outfitting my IMAX van as a camper home.

After much research I have decided to purchase an Engel MT45FC-P 40lt fridge/freezer combi. 

The stats say the DC power consumption is... Variable from 0.5 to 2.7 AMPS Maximum. 

At the moment I can't put solar panels on the roof as I am waiting for a euro pop top to be imported from Germany.

My question is,

Will I be able to use a portable or suitcase type of solar charger to keep the fridge going when I am free camping?

What battery would I need to connect the solar to?

Hope my questions are not too simplistic, but unfortunately my mind is.

Cheers,

Jewel

 

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 Hi Jewel 

No quick easy answer 

& do not be fooled by the Specs for the fridge

It will actually draw the MAX current when ever it is actually running

Many factors involved include:

 

[a]Ambient temp surrounding the fridge

fridge  thermostat setting[how cold you run it ]

[c]warm loading

but for fridge use [not freezer] you can expect around min of 48Ahrs per 24hrs

To maintain that you would need ,at the very least ,a 140W panel ., but that would not have capacity to spare to replace power used from the battery when little solar power input, so a larger panel is required

What size Auxillary battery do you have ??

Don't know about Engel. I've only ever had Waeco. Marine and mobile.

My 50, then 80ltrs. kept in rear of Patrol then D-Max.
run off one 80w panel if mobile. On roof of vehicle.
Bit have cable that I can couple up to van supply\panels if req,d.

6 to 7 a when started. run between 2 to 2.5a When up and running. Full.
1\2 empty uses a lot more.
Get fr up and stabilised with engine running.
Solar with decent battery will run it o.night comfortably then.

ALSO.
I went to Industrial Insulation suppliers.
Bought 1 and a half mtrs of 17mm Hard Duct lagging. Silver backed.
Cut and fitted round fridge incl a fold back top for it.(80ltr unit)
Fridge formed condensation on it's lid in rear of Patrol it was that efficient.
Really does make fridges work\hold cold better.

Extra Insulation is the secret to best efficiency with those things in vehicles.
Try it.

Hi Jewel 

Sadly many fridge makers play around with current ratings to make their fridge look good BUT do not tell you what they are based on

The only rating that really counts is the WATTS rating 

Divide that by 12 & you get the current the fridge draws while running flat out.

The actual total Ahrs per day will then depend on conditions of use such as I outlined in previous post

No, the Engel site does not list Watts and the 0.5 to 2.5 Amps is misleading.   The 2.5 Amps makes sense if the compressor runs continuously for an hour.   You can confidently know that the fridge has used 2.5 Amp Hours for that continuous compressor run time.   The 0.5 makes sense if the compressor ran for 20% of the hour (12 minutes) while drawing 2.5 Amps (current).   Real time use of energy by a compressor fridge is determined by Duty Cycle as the time running and the time when the compressor is not running.   In 40 degree weather, my 40 litre runs for up to 80% of the hour, in cold weather, as low as that 20%. Of the hour.   The energy draw across time can be measured, but difficult because you need some sort of logger, but experienced owners work on 12 AH per 12 hours in about 20 Degree ambient.   That's the figure I suggested earlier.   If you had a 80 -100 panel in good sun on the vehicle start battery all day, the start battery should be plenty capable of powering the fridge overnight and still start the vehicle in the morning.   That is the experience of many, many Engel owners I know.

Iza

Jewel wrote:

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Thanks oldtrack, I will keep that info in mind.

I went back to the Engel website and it doesn't say anything about WATTS. ???

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 You should find it on the fridge plate

Depending on fridge model between 36 & 48W from memory

hi jewel
There are many reviews on the net about fridge amp consumption
Smaller engels draw cool 30--60 ah hot per 24hr period
heavy use ...opening often ,,,in the sun or hot car ,,,freezer operation


at least one 120 amp agm or better yet a lithium
50% allowable usage out of an AGM battery 120ah =60ah available
Amp replacement
240 volt 25amp charger ok on a 1kv gene
solar 160w absolute min 200watter ideal
ah production in a 24hr period AVERAGE
160w 38ah
200w 48ah

Peak sun hours = 100% sun/ solar  intensity 
[peak sun hours in winter4.5 hrs summer 6.5hrs ] average 5.5hrs

200watts per 100-120ah batt gives good recharge performance

Having xtra solar gives some buffer for overcast days also

-- Edited by swamp on Tuesday 11th of July 2017 09:14:55 PM

-- Edited by swamp on Tuesday 11th of July 2017 09:17:08 PM

Jewel.

Not (chuckle) wanting to start a Holden\ford, debate.

But. as proven over decades.
The Danfoss Compressor fridge\freezers. (Waeco.Vitrif etc)
Are much more fuel efficient than the Engel Swing Motors.
As much as their owners like to say to the contrary.

I'd be looking at a Compressor over a Swing Motor, Specially if wanting to spend more time off track.

ALSO.
Most with sense, Also carry a small generator. (Ask any motorhome owner)
Then when sun minimal you have genny with a min,, 20a AC Charger
Mine is 40a 4 way floater. (10a 7 way in van.)
I carry a 3.8kva. but run Air cond. Microwave. oven, elect heater, etc.
If not wanting aircond etc.
a 1\2 to 1 kva will run most things.
Buying most electrics "Inverter" driven makes it easier too.

Read some 4wd. Camping. Marine forums relating to fridges first.
Nice little single Malt or two. feet up.
and peruse........Even the net forums. "Whirlpool" is a good stater.

hi got the same engel.:} to make room i got a lightweight tradies style trailer. 2x200 panels on it, 180amp lithium battery, 1500 watt inverter.

leaves heaps of room in van and can store reclining chairs, fishing stuff etc in lockable trailer.

the battery/inverter lets me run jug toaster induction cooktop microwave laptop phones lights and shower pump.

i use engel as freezer and freeze coke bottles which i put in evakool esky which is my fridge, only open engel every 3 days and swap bottles, get food out.

i can cook in total fire bans which are more frequent.