Ok, here's the setup. I've got an ARB fridge and a 100 watt panel. I'm using the main battery on the truck. Solar panel is rack mounted and removable.
The truck will be parked in the shade so I can put the solar panel out in the sun. Let's say 50 - 100 ft away.
The DC voltage drop is too​ much unless I use some fairly heavy wire. If I put a small battery and inverter with the panel, I can bump up to 120v AC for the 100ft run to the truck (less than 1% drop with 16awg vs 35% drop @ 12v).
So, does the parasitic draw and the 12v - 120v - 12v conversion out way massive cabling? I can't be the first to try this, and I'm having trouble finding no-load ratings on 12v inverters. (And all this before taking about pure sine vs modified sine).
Discuss
The truck will be parked in the shade so I can put the solar panel out in the sun. Let's say 50 - 100 ft away.
The DC voltage drop is too​ much unless I use some fairly heavy wire. If I put a small battery and inverter with the panel, I can bump up to 120v AC for the 100ft run to the truck (less than 1% drop with 16awg vs 35% drop @ 12v).
So, does the parasitic draw and the 12v - 120v - 12v conversion out way massive cabling? I can't be the first to try this, and I'm having trouble finding no-load ratings on 12v inverters. (And all this before taking about pure sine vs modified sine).
Discuss