35AH Battery for powering 12V Engel Frig?

[Josie'slandcruiser]

Hi all,

A question for you 12 volt/solar gurus: Would a battery like this one be a viable option for powering a Engel 12V frig overnight (12 hours) then be re-charged via solar panels and/or a vehicle 12V system?

https://www.batteryspace.com/sealedleadacidbattery12v35ahla-12v35ah.aspx

Thanks for any feedback/comments/suggestions.

Alan

 

[BigSwede]

The short answer is probably.

Generally, it is recommended not to deplete a lead-acid battery beyond 50% of its capacity to avoid overly shortening battery longevity. Starting at 35 ah, that leaves 17.5 ah available. Engel has told me my 40 qt. fridge will average a 1 amp draw. So for your 12 hour overnight you would have sufficient capacity... but not a lot to spare.

Of course, the 1 amp average will vary with ambient temperature. Also, over time your battery capacity will decline even if you keep to the 50% rule, so at some point in the future you may come up short on power.

 

[e60ral]

No

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[SoCal Tom]

Sun down to sun up ( from a solar perspective) is more like 16 hours. I’m with the others, there is zero wiggle room with that battery. If I were staying at RV parks with power, then that battery would be ok. But for off grid I would want at least 2x.
Tom


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[Happy Joe]

Listen to the naysayers on this one; I use a 35 AH for lights, stereo, etc.; It will power a fridge over night but not for a weekend. even a day and overnight was sometimes iffy when its warm/hot... Actually gave up and went to a good ice powered cooler for better performance.

I keep waiting for the battery to get too old/wear out so I can go bigger. I base camp for up to a a week or more and even a 100AH is unlikely to work for me... solar is a no go due to shade.

Enjoy!

 

[IdaSHO]

Sun down to sun up ( from a solar perspective) is more like 16 hours.

Weather, shade, time of the year, location on the map, even temperature play a big role into just how productive daylight hours are.

Sure, sun up to sun down may be 8 hours, but actual usable sun in that time may very well be less than an hour or two.

 

[IdaSHO]

I keep waiting for the battery to get too old/wear out so I can go bigger. I base camp for up to a a week or more and even a 100AH is unlikely to work for me... solar is a no go due to shade.

Sounds like a simple ground array would solve your problem.

I'm in the process of adding some to our setup.

200watts of 24V panels on the roof

4 50watt panels can and will be deployed when we find the need to hide in the shade, or cannot find enough exposure with just the roof panels.

 

[Josie'slandcruiser]

Hi all,

Thanks for the replies. So it seems something like this would be a better choice:

https://www.amazon.com/Renogy-Battery-Marine-Off-grid-Applications/dp/B075RFXHYK

The problem with this battery is the weight (66 lbs.) Would like to find one around 35-40 lbs. with a sufficient amp hour rating.

Alan

 

[Happy Joe]

Sounds like a simple ground array would solve your problem.

I'm in the process of adding some to our setup.

200watts of 24V panels on the roof

4 50watt panels can and will be deployed when we find the need to hide in the shade, or cannot find enough exposure with just the roof panels.

Actually, no; there is too much shade/too little open sun in the areas where I like to camp (except Moab Ut. every year or 2). Tried up though 300 watts of panels (4x75) no worky, even 2x50 watters are problematic.
If trying to use solar I inevitably end up chasing the sun; because the shade moves, when there is enough unshaded area to even do that.
...here is a typical camp pic;

Unimproved/primitive National forest/BLM land; 4wd often necessary for access.

So far the best solution, for me, seems to be a very small, relatively, fuel efficient (less fuel inefficient) generator to recharge the battery...I may go close to a week between vehicle starts. However generators have, suboptimal, issues all their own... (have an Yamaha 1600watt; too much just to charge batteries, IMO; looking at a 900 watt propane powered Ryobi).

...so far; Ice is better for me... Start the vehicle once every 5 days or so to go get supplies, incl. ice (Pelican ice chest).

Enjoy!

 

[DaveInDenver]

Hi all,

Thanks for the replies. So it seems something like this would be a better choice:

https://www.amazon.com/Renogy-Battery-Marine-Off-grid-Applications/dp/B075RFXHYK

The problem with this battery is the weight (66 lbs.) Would like to find one around 35-40 lbs. with a sufficient amp hour rating.

Alan

A 100 A-hr would be a good choice, will run a fridge for a couple or maybe several days. I have a group 27 that's rated for 92 A-hr that will run my Engel MT45 for about 3 days of typical use. There's not much you can do about physics here but one option is lithium batteries. Your weight-to-power ratio is much higher, about 30 lbs gets you a 100 A-hr battery. Of course the cost is a problem, it's gonna be about 4x or 5x the price per A-hr.