Why have a solar charger in an all electric?

[jwmaustin]

So with today's technology why would you have a solar battery charger creating a few amps when your residential refrigerator is requiring tens of amps on a constant basis?

[vsheetz]

Originally Posted by jwmaustin

So with today's technology why would you have a solar battery charger creating a few amps when your residential refrigerator is requiring tens of amps on a constant basis?

Many of us using adequately sized PV system successfully on RV with RR.

Agree if small PV system providing only a few amps, RR is larger impact to power budget.

Additionally, RR is not constant draw. Varies with / without compressor running. Ice maker turned off will reduce RR power consumption.

[Crasher]

Our small 640 watt system puts 34 amps into the batteries at peak and can over the course of the day provide enough power to support the RR. I have considered doubling the wattage with four more panels, but it isn't necessary for our needs.

[docj]

Originally Posted by jwmaustin

your residential refrigerator is requiring tens of amps on a constant basis?

Not sure where you got this info from. Our Samsung fridge is rated at ~100W average power usage over 24 hours. That's an average load of <9A at 12V. Yes, the actual power consumption is higher when the compressor is running but from an electrical energy perspective the only thing that matters is average power consumption.

A 100W solar system operating in full sunlight and with no losses would be able to roughly handle the average power consumption of the fridge. Obviously, a somewhat larger system would be better, but the small one isn't as undersized as it might seem.

[computerguy]

Originally Posted by docj

Not sure where you got this info from. Our Samsung fridge is rated at ~100W average power usage over 24 hours. That's an average load of <9A at 12V. Yes, the actual power consumption is higher when the compressor is running but from an electrical energy perspective the only thing that matters is average power consumption.

A 100W solar system operating in full sunlight and with no losses would be able to roughly handle the average power consumption of the fridge. Obviously, a somewhat larger system would be better, but the small one isn't as undersized as it might seem.

x2
There is so much misinformation out there.
My Samsung is similar rated at 1.1 amps at 110v. That seems to be a max asit usually draws less.
I also leave the ice maker off while boondocking

[Lv2Roam2]

Bill
It's my view that WBGO's 100W panel makes a good storage battery charger - we haven't found it reliable for much else. We do have an add'l 1400W PV system that runs the entire coach minus A/C and electric hot water/heat.

[Crasher]

Rather than go to the expense of adding another 640 watts of solar, I purchased a Honda 2kw generator along with a 40 amp smart charger for less than $1000. When boon docking, I'll set the honda off 75' by a tree or cactus and run it from 5pm till 10. Can't hear it running and will run for 8 hours on less than a gallon of gas. I have other uses for it besides. This allows us to keep the ice maker on, watch movies, make coffee and anything except using the induction cook top and AC's. Works for us.

[okcnewbie]

Originally Posted by jwmaustin

So with today's technology why would you have a solar battery charger creating a few amps when your residential refrigerator is requiring tens of amps on a constant basis?

You didn't quite do your homework. Even so, solar is a very good way to charge batteries. Most MH's sit idle and solar would be a great way to charge but not overcharge your batteries.

As said by others solar and enough batteries can keep residential refers running long enough for many folks.

[jwmaustin]

Originally Posted by okcnewbie

You didn't quite do your homework. Even so, solar is a very good way to charge batteries. Most MH's sit idle and solar would be a great way to charge but not overcharge your batteries.

As said by others solar and enough batteries can keep residential refers running long enough for many folks.

Yes, I could have been more exact but my point was a general one. Some others responded to that:

The factory supplied solar units are good enough for storage charging if you don't run anything when stored. But for those who store under roof that isn't much help. So my bottom line was that most of the solar systems installed as a "standard" option aren't worth too much because they don't help enough when camping and a certain percentage don't help when stored because of a carport, garage, etc.

Bill

[Casuall454]

Factory installed while in Florida 2017 RV Super Show

Solar panels (Dual-100 watt) with Morningstar SunSaver Duo solar panel charge controller

Was enough to "carry" the frig and TV with out running generator.

[vsheetz]

Originally Posted by jwmaustin

Yes, I could have been more exact but my point was a general one. Some others responded to that:

The factory supplied solar units are good enough for storage charging if you don't run anything when stored. But for those who store under roof that isn't much help. So my bottom line was that most of the solar systems installed as a "standard" option aren't worth too much because they don't help enough when camping and a certain percentage don't help when stored because of a carport, garage, etc.

Bill

With your added clarification that you are speaking to the typical small factory installed PV system, I agree - it's often meant only as a battery maintainer while in storage with a open view of the sky.

[C.Martin]

If you have a propane fridge...and your coach gets stuck somewhere...you probably don't panic and remove everything from the fridge....do you?

If you have an "all-electric" coach with a residential fridge...you have to make some decisions.

1) run generator (AGS)
2) plug-in
3) get solar

We have a 928aH battery bank...464aH usable.

Sitting idle...just clocks, webcams, QI charger, and fridge running...we avg about 10.9 a/h of DC pwr to run the inverter and parasitic loads.

So we have a bit less than two days of sit time. The solar can easily replace this draw each day.

We may add two more panels...we'll have plenty to do other things with during the day...and run fans, etc...

We can set our gen to start/stop on many different ques. A time que could have it start, and heat the espresso machine, and hot water..,,run long enough for breakfast and showers and shutdown. That would probably be the only time it will need to run.

Looking forward to not jumping from power pole to power pole....freedom!

Get ya some!!

[Rkesselus]

Originally Posted by vsheetz

Many of us using adequately sized PV system successfully on RV with RR.

Agree if small PV system providing only a few amps, RR is larger impact to power budget.

Additionally, RR is not constant draw. Varies with / without compressor running. Ice maker turned off will reduce RR power consumption.

Is there on this forum where one can find out what all the initials mean. PV, RR???? I am 74 not exactly dumb but dumbfounded about all the lingo. Richard

[jrwitt]

Originally Posted by Rkesselus

Is there on this forum where one can find out what all the initials mean. PV, RR???? I am 74 not exactly dumb but dumbfounded about all the lingo. Richard

RR = Residential refrigerator

Don't know about the PV