31 replies to this topic

[CougarCouple]

We have a 3-way Norcold fridge in the 2007 FWC Keystone Camper. It is original and was factory installed. It has the optional 12 v fan which helps on hot days. It works great on propane and 110 V. If it is already cold it holds temp OK on 12 V. We have learned that the pilot will occasionally blow out if we go over 65 mph but we typically leave it on propane all of the time unless plugged into shore power. We have a remote thermostat with wireless readout in the cab of the truck so we can monitor the temp when driving. The propane lasts more than 7 days rain or shine even with some cooking on the propane cooktop and some heat from the propane heater at night..

We also have a Dometic CFX-28 12v refrigerator/freezer behind the center console in the extended cab area of our truck. It works well too.
I would not consider switching our 3-way refrigerator in the camper to a 12 v refrigerator.
If I were converting from an icebox the choice is less clear. If I already had propane but not solar I would lean towards the 3-way.

If price was not a consideration I would put in >250 W of solar and a 100 Ah LiFePO4 battery and probably go with a 12 V refrigerator. Our trips are often more than 12 days in duration and we frequently have experienced several consecutive cloudy or foggy days on our trips. Also we like to camp in forest areas and in combinations these conditions challenge complete reliance on solar.

Hi ckent323
At the bottom of your post you mentioned 250 solar and 100 ah lith. battery.
I’m asking how you got to that combination, as that’s the way I’m headed? Thanks Russ

[ckent323]

Russ,

 

Based on my experience I think 100 Ah of usable battery capacity is adequate.  We rarely use more than 40 Ah a day and typically around 30 Ah to 35 Ah.  So 100 AH gives about 3 days of use even with very little solar recharging.

A 100Ah LiFePO4 battery is about the same size as a group 27 (or maybe group 31) FLA battery but only weighs 30 pounds, I think that is a convenient size.  While it is an expensive purchase when compared to an equivalent deep cycle AGM set up I think it is a more attractive option now that the LiFePO4 batteries are becoming mainstream.  Consider that two high quality 6V deep cycle AGM batteries with 200 Ah each would be required to provide equivalent usable capacity and they cost around $300 each ($600 for a pair) and a pair weigh a bit more than twice as much (around 66 pounds).

For solar production I assume some cloudy days and maybe some shade daily cutting down production.  We have found that 200 Watts is OK, particularly when we are moving around a lot.  But we have camped for successive days a couple of times when the solar was not quite keeping up with daily use due to shading/weather.  Therefore, I advocate more solar than 200 W if one can afford it. However, that is based on our use and others undoubtedly will have different needs.  I used a number of 250 watts as a sort of threshold based on our experience rather than a particular solar panel combination.

I do like the idea of the lighter semi flexible panels and while more expensive the significantly lighter weight means less load on the camper roof and less lifting effort needed by me.  I have seen 100 W and 160 W flexible panels.  The 160 W semi flexible panels seem like a good option but they are not cheap.  I have seen solid panels in 100 W 150 W and 200 W (I think the 200 W require a 24 V controller).  Of course other sizes exist but for our campers these seem to be the most typical sizes

An approach is to start with one 100 W, 150 W or 160 W panel or even a 200 W panel and then see how it does in your setup.  Assuming you already have or buy a solar controller that can handle more power you could always add another panel later if the cost is too much up front.

 

I hope that clarifies my comments and thinking a bit better.

 

Regards,

Craig

Edited by ckent323, 27 June 2019 - 06:47 PM.