ENGEL Fridge - solar panel question

arcteryx

Adventurer
What about this one? Would this generate enough power? 60W seems like it would, although it may be pushing the limits. The price is really good though.

I want one for my engel too, so interested in this thread
 

UK4X4

Expedition Leader
Sizing panels for batteries and equipment is a bit of an art form....
here's a basic calculation for an Engel


2.7amps at 12 Volts = 32 watts correct- however its the amp hours per day you need to look at not the instantaneous value

Lets say the compressor runs every other hour for an hour--

2.7 amps for 12 hours is 32 amp hr's per day

So in order for a solar panel to fully power the fridge for 24 hrs ....

you need the panel to produce 32 amphrs per day....

Now diferent places on the planet have diferent "solar power" than others, google "Solar maps"

lets take a good solar place rated at 5 hrs

So I have to produce 32 amphrs in 5 hrs = 6.5 amps per hour required

6.5 X 12 = 78 watts of solar panels required.....

Now add in loss and safety factor....100 watts should keep you going .....

Loss= rated power V's actual-loss in the cables, loss in the charger, loss in the panels, connections etc etc

Safety factor---current draw and efficiency of the fridge will also depend on other factors, setting temperature, contents, ambient air temp, sat in the sun
sat in the shade, with a breeze , without..

there are so many variables that have a effect that most systems are usually specified larger than required.


If you look in Oz companies sell kits for the engel - anywhere between 80 and 120 watts
 
Last edited:

voyageur

Adventurer
Thanks UK4X4

Thank you very much...

I have found a couple of 80 watt systems that would wind up being around $600.00, with the charge controller.

"Lets see. The fridge cost $600.00 plus panels and battery, $600.00, etc. Thats about $1,200.00. Our old ice chest cost $50.00. How many bags of ice at $2.00 per bag wold it take to equal $1,150.00. Hmmm, around 575 bags of ice." Said my spouse with a twinkle in her eye.

:suning:​

"Yes Honey, but we won't have anymore soggy food"... I stammered.

"House Byotch" (She is still employed, I am retired and do all the house stuff. Hence the nickname)...
 

Dale

Adventurer
maybe a helpful tip: on coolers

I have found maintaining coolers to be a little tiresome on long trips. If I had the available funds I would purchase a refridgerator and solar panels. I can't swing the $1200+/- at the moment so one method I use for keeping a cooler cold without having to drain melted ice is to partially fill up several Nalgene bottles (or similiar containers) and freeze before a trip. As the water unfreezes I can use for drinking, cooking, etc. Then when I get an oppurtunity to purchase another bag of ice, I refill the Nalgene bottles. I also throw a blanket over the cooler while in the car, does it help? I'm not sure but I like to think so.
 

Dale

Adventurer
Oh shoot, I didn't mean to hijack thread. I was just throwing out a helpful hint for those who are still using coolers. Sorry!
 

JIMBO

Expedition Leader
:sombrero: Thats not a thread hijack, it's a comparison that is ALWAYS brought up when considering SOLAR PANELS, just normal

Anyway, I've been very satisfied with my 60 watt panel for the trailer battery,cooler,lights CD/DVD

Course, my wife doesn't take her hair dryer on our camping trips either

:coffeedrink::Wow1::safari-rig::safari-rig: JIMBO
 

UK4X4

Expedition Leader
My calc is an example- you'd have to measure actual consumption over time
to be accurate

If you miss a bit each day, but are back in town before it goes flat, depending on the size of battery in amp hours...a 60watt would extend the life quite far.

200amphr battery say you only want to drop to 50%, thats 100 amp hrs of
engel usage

ie 3 days capacity

If you add in 60 watts for 5 hrs a day you'll add in 25 amphrs per day

so you require 32 (guestimate) you make 25 from the panel and loose 7 from the battery.

So you extend your trip out from 3 days to 14 days before your battery is at 50%.

Thats theoretical in practice deduct 30% and you'll be around 9 days.


The actual performance V's the theoretical varies from panel to panel and manufacturer to manufaturer.

Chargers too, some are more efficient than others, if your batteries old...deduct 50%...

Its dificult to be exact without testing the gear...........my latest system will be here this week and I'll be testing it for a week to see where I am in practical terms before it gets installed.

Have fun !
 

Corey

OverCamping Specialist
So in all recommendation, you still would say go for a 60 watt setup even if only trickle charging the main battery that the fridge is hooked to for say a week long or less trip?

I still have the second battery as backup to start the rig if need be, but I do ot want to drain the main one if some type of panel can keep it topped off during the day time.
The only draw on it would be the ARB fridge and the rigs alarm LED flashing.
 

JIMBO

Expedition Leader
:rolleyes: Hard to say for EACH individual use


So in all recommendation, you still would say go for a 60 watt setup even if only trickle charging the main battery that the fridge is hooked to for say a week long or less trip?

I still have the second battery as backup to start the rig if need be, but I do ot want to drain the main one if some type of panel can keep it topped off during the day time.
The only draw on it would be the ARB fridge and the rigs alarm LED flashing.

All I know is that my 60 watt solar, works for me and as I said, I trickle charge the VEHICLE battery, when not in use

The 60 watt pnl, doesn't TRICKLE CHARGE and needs the controller, you're going to have to decide for YOURSELF which is needed

You've been given a lot of info-take a chance

:coffee::wings::safari-rig::safari-rig: JIMBO
 

teotwaki

Excelsior!
Thank you very much...

I have found a couple of 80 watt systems that would wind up being around $600.00, with the charge controller.

"Lets see. The fridge cost $600.00 plus panels and battery, $600.00, etc. Thats about $1,200.00. Our old ice chest cost $50.00. How many bags of ice at $2.00 per bag wold it take to equal $1,150.00. Hmmm, around 575 bags of ice." Said my spouse with a twinkle in her eye.

:suning:​

"Yes Honey, but we won't have anymore soggy food"... I stammered.

"House Byotch" (She is still employed, I am retired and do all the house stuff. Hence the nickname)...

Start by buying a $400 Edgestar fridge and just one surplus foldable or rigid panel.
 

voyageur

Adventurer
Teotwaki. I already bought the ENGEL. I am not familiar with the other brand but it's too late anyway. I appreciate the tip.

Voyageur
 

Corey

OverCamping Specialist
Great info.
What temp outside and what temp was the unit set to?
Fridge is always set to 2 degrees Celsius which is around 35.6 degrees Fahrenheit, safe for food zone.
http://www.texloc.com/closet/cl_cel_fah_chart.html
This is without the T bag cover too.
I have one, but I have never put it on the fridge.

Temps outside were in May here last year, so perhaps never over 65, hard to say.
It was Memorial Day weekend and I stayed home, it was to nasty to camp.
Parked the rig after work on Friday afternoon, and my rig did not move until Tuesday morning to go to work.
It fired right up on an almost two year old battery.
 

jnaut

Observer
What about this one? Would this generate enough power? 60W seems like it would, although it may be pushing the limits. The price is really good though.

I want one for my engel too, so interested in this thread

Yowza... is it just me or are prices dropping on these things?
 

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