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Solar panel to power fridge
Posted: 13 Jun 2006, 15:29
by paulw
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
Posted: 13 Jun 2006, 15:39
by Mocki
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
Posted: 13 Jun 2006, 15:51
by cumbriankeith
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.
Posted: 13 Jun 2006, 19:37
by "WEAZLECHIN"
solar fridge? NO CHANCE. you could try one of those portable wind farms out at sea!!!
Posted: 14 Jun 2006, 07:41
by paulw
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.
Posted: 14 Jun 2006, 09:02
by cumbriankeith
Paul
There's a few useful pages about fridges on the Swift Caravan Owners club website.[/url]
Posted: 14 Jun 2006, 11:16
by bigbluebus
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
Posted: 14 Jun 2006, 11:24
by Horza
Struggle to run 1 cool box for 1 day solid without it
Especialy if it's set to keep the milk and beer hot!!
Posted: 14 Jun 2006, 11:31
by bigbluebus
*whistle*
Posted: 14 Jun 2006, 11:33
by jed the spread
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