I have recently purchased the above Engel and was wondering which option to use when free camping. I am not very savvy when it comes to 12 volt bits and pieces so am asking for advice.
I wonder if I need to install a standalone battery in the back of the tug at considerable expense for 12v supply to the fridge or carry the Engel inside our large and roomy rig and connect it to the house batteries when we are travelling and free camping?
I have 2 x 105h Calcium batteries connected to 3 solar panels and I also have a generator but hardly ever carry it.
My question is:
Would I have enough 12v power and resupply to run the Engel from the house batteries especially when free camping as we do not free camp for any longer than 5 days. Should I add an extra portable solar panel for extra supply to the house batteries. If you don't think I would be able to do this then I suppose my only other option is to fit a stand alone battery in the back of the tuck.
Obviously when I have access to electricity the Engel would then be plugged into that.
So .... would my house batteries be able to carry the extraload from the Engel or not?
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Cheers
Col
(Picture of my beloved Molly (2003 - 2016) who loved the travels as much as I do. RIP old girl. Gone but never forgotten).
Hi; I can free camp and have done for the last couple of years. I have 2x Engle fridges and one is used as a freezer, as well as 240 Watts of solar on the roof that feeds a 30 Amp solar controler followed by 1x 220 Amp deep cycle battery. Every thing in my caravan is 12 Volt, bar the micro wave and a/c for these you have to use 240 Volts mains. All of the lighting is 12 Volt led lighting, same with the television and satilight receiver. I never have had a problem with this set up and the battery voltage is normaly down to about 12.6 Volts early in the day and back up to full charge by lunch time. We just came back from free camping for a week in South Tasmania and all worked as it should. Cold food and beer, plenty of lighting and entertainment at night.
Cooking is by gas and also have a gas BBQ same with the hot water that also uses gas.
With using just 1 Engle fridge and the size of your battery and solar, i do not think you will get your self into trouble. Try your set up @ home and do a couple of dry runs , that way if you get your self into trouble ( ?? ) you are close to mains power.
On another note while my caravan is at home, it is the solar panels that look after my house battery and have not used mains power to keep the house battery charged. the only load on the battery is the radio memory, satilight receiver in standby and the television that is also in standby. Weekly checks have the house battery at full capacity ( 13.7 Volts ).
Hi; I can free camp and have done for the last couple of years. I have 2x Engle fridges and one is used as a freezer, as well as 240 Watts of solar on the roof that feeds a 30 Amp solar controler followed by 1x 220 Amp deep cycle battery. Every thing in my caravan is 12 Volt, bar the micro wave and a/c for these you have to use 240 Volts mains. All of the lighting is 12 Volt led lighting, same with the television and satilight receiver. I never have had a problem with this set up and the battery voltage is normaly down to about 12.6 Volts early in the day and back up to full charge by lunch time. We just came back from free camping for a week in South Tasmania and all worked as it should. Cold food and beer, plenty of lighting and entertainment at night.
Cooking is by gas and also have a gas BBQ same with the hot water that also uses gas.
With using just 1 Engle fridge and the size of your battery and solar, i do not think you will get your self into trouble. Try your set up @ home and do a couple of dry runs , that way if you get your self into trouble ( ?? ) you are close to mains power.
On another note while my caravan is at home, it is the solar panels that look after my house battery and have not used mains power to keep the house battery charged. The only load on the battery is the radio memory, satilight receiver in standby and the television that is also in standby. Weekly checks have the house battery at full capacity ( 13.7 Volts ).
HI
Need details on batteries are they crank bats or deep cycle of some sort ??.
Do you no the Amp hr or the R.C. [reserve capacity] is it 105Ahr??
Solar total wattage of all panels ??
Any idea of the solar charger specification amps etc ??
A 40ltr can use upto around 40Ahr in 24 hrs . Your system should be able to handle it easy but need to answer the above Questions to confirm .
My 28 litre fridge uses about 15AH per 24 hours in 35°C but I have added extra insulation, rewired it from 16awg to 12awg, new efficient cooling fan & fan baffle to stop condenser air recirculating.
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Procrastination, mankind's greatest labour saving device!
50L custom fuel rack 6x20W 100/20mppt 4x26Ah gel 28L super insulated fridge TPMS 3 ARB compressors heatsink fan cooled 4L tank aftercooler Air/water OCD cleaning 4 stage car acoustic insulation.
Its possibly ok ? If solar is charging batteries by 11 am you should be fine . Just check battery condition in the morning ? Nothing like seeing the green fully charged led light flashing early in the morning. Its the solar that counts although
Battery storage gets you through the night or overcast days .
