Solar panel to power fridge

Post by **paulw** » 13 Jun 2006, 15:29

My 3 way fridge like most peoples works fine on mains, good on 12v when on the move but is only just OK with gas! How do i or can i use a Solar Panel to operate the fridge when parked up. My camper dos'nt have a cig lighter by the way.
Any info would be good. Thanks

Post by **Mocki** » 13 Jun 2006, 15:39

you would need to completely cover your roof with solar panels to 1/2 run your fridge, it isnt viable..........

get it seviced, if it works on leccy it'll work on gas if its right........

either way it would be cheaper to buy a new fridge than that many solar panels

Post by **cumbriankeith** » 13 Jun 2006, 15:51

Fridges draw about 8 amps typically. To get that sort of power (8 amps x 12 volts= 96 watts) from a solar panel you will need to spend many hundreds of pounds!
2 of these

would do! And you'd need a battery or two to hold the energy for when the sun don't shine very strongly including overnight!

I would advise forgetting solar - it doesn't make sense for a fridge. Our fridge will make ice running on any of the power sources. I suggest you check yours is working properly - functioning and fitted correctly - gas burner, ventilation of vanes at back etc.

Post by **"WEAZLECHIN"** » 13 Jun 2006, 19:37

solar fridge? NO CHANCE. you could try one of those portable wind farms out at sea!!!

Post by **paulw** » 14 Jun 2006, 07:41

OK i get the message !! i thought it may have been a stupid question the minute i put it on the forum, but hey if you dont ask and all that.
Will drag the fridge out and give it a service..
Thanks for your replys.

Post by **cumbriankeith** » 14 Jun 2006, 09:02

Paul
There's a few useful pages about fridges on the Swift Caravan Owners club website.[/url]

Post by **bigbluebus** » 14 Jun 2006, 11:16

from personal experience, the 75w amorphous solar panel I had on my van at glastonbury 2 years ago was great.

I had 2 of them coleman / electrolux 12v cool boxes plugged into a small leisure battery and they ran for at least 2 1/2 days solid with the help of the solar panel. (may have lasted longer than that, they were still running when I ran the engine)

Struggle to run 1 cool box for 1 day solid without it

so ner

Post by **Horza** » 14 Jun 2006, 11:24

Struggle to run 1 cool box for 1 day solid without it

Especialy if it's set to keep the milk and beer hot!!

Post by **bigbluebus** » 14 Jun 2006, 11:31

*whistle*

Post by **jed the spread** » 14 Jun 2006, 11:33

i thought it may have been a stupid question the minute i put it on the forum

it wasnt a stupid question.if you dont know then ask.i do all the time.

jed