Factory solar for 12v fridge?

[ardvark16]

I ordered a trailer with the 12v fridge. Booked 3 nights next fall for dry camping. I am thinking I should just get the solar package from the factory. If I get the overlander package and add an additional panel will that be enough to keep a 12v fridge running. I believe this trailer comes with a dual battery setup to begin with. It’s an Eagle HT. They don’t know much about solar at the dealerships other than “it’s an upgrade we don’t sell much of”.

[Jim_HiTek]

I think you should hold off until you get to Quartzsite and have the solar experts there advise you. If a dealer tells you they rarely install that option, don't expect a quality job at a reasonable price.

You 'booked' dry camping? I've not heard of that before. Usually dry camping spots are readily available all over the US. Especially in the west where there's millions of acres of federal land where dry camping is free and available practically everywhere.

You can also dry camp for free at many federal or state parks, or at parks in small towns (mid west and east portion of country) and at Walmarts all over the place. No reservations needed.

[iluvuk]

Originally Posted by ardvark16

I ordered a trailer with the 12v fridge. Booked 3 nights next fall for dry camping. I am thinking I should just get the solar package from the factory. If I get the overlander package and add an additional panel will that be enough to keep a 12v fridge running. I believe this trailer comes with a dual battery setup to begin with. It’s an Eagle HT. They don’t know much about solar at the dealerships other than “it’s an upgrade we don’t sell much of”.

You need to know the wattage of the fridge....how much it generally draws in amps or watts, often on the label or in the manual. Then you need to know the size of your batteries in amp hours. Then you need to know the size of the solar panel in watts. Once you have that data, you can make some calculations (or we can help you calculate) regarding the estimated draw down of your batteries and how long they will last. Of course, it also depends upon how sunny it is outside, and other electrical loads. I have a small 12v fridge on my boat and it drains one entire deep cycle 12v battery each day to the point the fridge shuts off about 18 hours or so depending upon how often I open the fridge and how hot it is outside.

[ardvark16]

Originally Posted by Jim_HiTek

I think you should hold off until you get to Quartzsite and have the solar experts there advise you. If a dealer tells you they rarely install that option, don't expect a quality job at a reasonable price.

You 'booked' dry camping? I've not heard of that before. Usually dry camping spots are readily available all over the US. Especially in the west where there's millions of acres of federal land where dry camping is free and available practically everywhere.

You can also dry camp for free at many federal or state parks, or at parks in small towns (mid west and east portion of country) and at Walmarts all over the place. No reservations needed.

Very informative. Thank you.

[twinboat]

Originally Posted by Jim_HiTek

You 'booked' dry camping? I've not heard of that before. Usually dry camping spots are readily available all over the US. Especially in the west where there's millions of acres of federal land where dry camping is free and available practically everywhere.

.

Dry camping is very popular in Federal and State parks in the Eastern US.

One example is the Federal CGs on the Outer Banks. Only Origan Inlet has some sites with power.

You pay for a spot without electric and you share a water faucet with 6 to 10 other spots. Dump sites are found on the way out of the CG.

Its typically less the $12 a night for a dry site.

[twinboat]

You may be better served by a cheap 1000 watt, quiet generator, just for battery charging one or twice a day.

If you want AC, you need a bigger generator.

[ardvark16]

I got a spot with nada. Assateague. Just a spot. 3 nights. So I just need to make sure the 12v fridge stays charged. I have a Honda gen that I can use. Instead of adding solar to keep it charged I looks like I should just run the gen a couple of hours a day.

[Mark_K5LXP]

Did you book that with sunshine? Otherwise, your ice cream might get mushy. I'd budget for a generator before solar panels.

Mark B.
Albuquerque, NM

[vito.a]

The classic mistake is to confuse amps with watts. A 100 watt panel will only produce 5-6 amps for a few hours per day.
Almost all factory/dealer installed solar panels are just expensive battery maintainers.

You can do much better for both price and performance installing the system yourself.

[twinboat]

Originally Posted by ardvark16

I got a spot with nada. Assateague. Just a spot. 3 nights. So I just need to make sure the 12v fridge stays charged. I have a Honda gen that I can use. Instead of adding solar to keep it charged I looks like I should just run the gen a couple of hours a day.

Watch them ponys, they will push in and eat your goodies right off the table.

[ardvark16]

So use a genny. Got it. We have solar panels on a trailer at work and it never stays charged. I probably should’ve known.