Hey guys, been lurking around a while taking it all in and got some questions about a setup I'm thinking about.
I'm going to be spending a lot of time in the back of a full size truck with 6.5' bed for work and camping and I'm planning a whole setup in the back with bed and storage underneath and I need a sustainable solar powered fridge system. I'd like this to be able to run off the battery and solar only. ***I am however thinking about adding the second battery to the engine compartment to be able to be charged via alternator and getting an isolator so that it doesn't drain the primary starting battery, but that's another issue for another time. I'd like to charge cell phone and laptop through an inverter as well and aside from that power consumption will be minimal.
I've been reading up and looking and so far I'm thinking:
30-45 qt. Norcold or Dometic
12v battery in the 120-150 Ahr range
100w Renogy solar kit with MPPT controller
Looking for input all around. I'm a bit of a boyscout so I'd rather spend a bit more now to know I have what I need than to guess and hope. I live in a fairly mild climate where the temperature outside stays between 50-90 most of the time.
1. Which of these fridges is most efficient? Or is there another manufacturer I should consider?
2. Suggestions on batteries, 12v or 6v might be better?. (I've thought about two 6v in series but space is at a premium and, I may be wrong here but I'm thinking 120-150 Ahr from a 12v should be doable and provide the capacity I need just not sure the charging method is good for the 12v).
3. Solar power, should I consider more, 200w maybe?
4. What else am I missing? Battery cables and gauge?
Thanks
I'm going to be spending a lot of time in the back of a full size truck with 6.5' bed for work and camping and I'm planning a whole setup in the back with bed and storage underneath and I need a sustainable solar powered fridge system. I'd like this to be able to run off the battery and solar only. ***I am however thinking about adding the second battery to the engine compartment to be able to be charged via alternator and getting an isolator so that it doesn't drain the primary starting battery, but that's another issue for another time. I'd like to charge cell phone and laptop through an inverter as well and aside from that power consumption will be minimal.
I've been reading up and looking and so far I'm thinking:
30-45 qt. Norcold or Dometic
12v battery in the 120-150 Ahr range
100w Renogy solar kit with MPPT controller
Looking for input all around. I'm a bit of a boyscout so I'd rather spend a bit more now to know I have what I need than to guess and hope. I live in a fairly mild climate where the temperature outside stays between 50-90 most of the time.
1. Which of these fridges is most efficient? Or is there another manufacturer I should consider?
2. Suggestions on batteries, 12v or 6v might be better?. (I've thought about two 6v in series but space is at a premium and, I may be wrong here but I'm thinking 120-150 Ahr from a 12v should be doable and provide the capacity I need just not sure the charging method is good for the 12v).
3. Solar power, should I consider more, 200w maybe?
4. What else am I missing? Battery cables and gauge?
Thanks
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