Power Pack Build Help

[0writer]

Hi All,

I've read a few articles on the forum and found them useful but I'm still needing some help. I am looking to build a portable power pack that can be charged by mains and solar with the intention of using it for expeditions.

The main device that will be used as part of the setup is a Dometic Fridge @ 12v (http://www.dometic.com/enuk/Europe/...ation/Portables/products/?productdataid=90170).

I need some help with the calculations as thats my weak point.

At the moment I "think" I should start with a 12V deep cycle 110ah battery, a 30amp charge controller, 1200w inverter and a 100w solar panel thinking that this would give me approx 24 hours runtime. Anything else connected to the setup would/might be a single 12v led strip and a mobile charger.

Could anyone provide any help on my numbers or advice?

Thanks,

 

[wrcsixeight]

Absorption fridges are best run on propane, not 12 volts, which is intended to be used only with the engine running.
A 12 volt compressor fridge is a better idea, though not silent.

The specs on that site say it will consume 170 amp hours on 12 volts in 24 hours.
My 1.8 cubic foot compressor fridge uses less than 20 amp hours in 24 hours at the same ambient temps.

If you insist on running that fridge, do it on propane. If you insist on running it on 12 volt battery power only, get about 450 watts of solar and about 350 amp hours of storage, and that is just for the fridge.

Also there is no point in getting an inverter to run JUST the fridge, as it runs on 12 volts. Maxing out a 1200 watt inverter on just one battery will work for about 5 minutes before the low voltage alarm sounds, on a good day.