Solar panels for RP177

The Free Piston Sterling Cooler I got at ReStore was a great find and I almost wish I had picked up two of them. These were used by drug companies to transport medications (no biological or radiological materials) that required reliable temperature control. Even with temperatures in the 90's, it will reliably chill to +/- within a couple of tenths of a degree to 4C which is right about 39F. On top of that, it is much more energy efficient than the thermoelectric cooler and I have been able to run it overnight in my vehicle without it killing the battery. Unfortunately, these are horrendously expensive and only seem to be available from TwinBird in Japan. The model I got is listed as a "Vaccine Transport Box." The model I would get if I wanted one now would be the SC-C925 Portable Freezer Cooler which is listed on the Twinbird site https://fpsc.twinbird.jp/products/detail.php?product_id=104. Mine can't freeze but this one can. Unfortunately, it is listed at Sample Price:  $1200, shipping not included. It would definitely keep your beverage of choice cold though.

Thermoelectric is at best good for 40 degrees below ambient temperature. That means if it is 90F outside, about 50F inside the cooler is about the best you can expect.This is for the Coleman 40-Quart PowerChill listed on Walmart.com. From my experience, it is pretty accurate.

"Chill or warm your food and drinks at the office, in your dorm room or on the road in a Coleman 40-Quart PowerChill Thermoelectric Cooler with Power Cord. As an iceless cooler, it chills everything inside to 40 degrees below the surrounding temperature. Just plug in this 40-quart thermoelectric cooler into your outlet at home (with a separate adaptor) or in your vehicle with the included power cord, and the quiet, long-lasting motor will do the work. It comes in an attractive gray color that will fit in most anywhere. It's large enough to hold 44 cans and works as a chest or upright like a small refrigerator with a door that converts to open from either side. This Coleman thermoelectric cooler will help make traveling to potlucks and outdoor picnics easier and more convenient. However you position the cooler, a tray shelf keeps everything organized."

The part about warming is incorrect for this model. It will run an auto battery down overnight as I experienced once.  It draws up to 10A when running. It isn't just Coleman. Igloo's equivalent model specifies that it cools up to 38 degrees below ambient. I expect it draws about as much power as the Coleman model.

Listen to these folks. They know from what they speak. And do your homework.

I have a 100W HQST panel and a 200 Watt Renogy Suitcase. I have two Renogy Voyager controllers.

If I could do it all over again right now, I would buy 3 HQST 100 watt panels, make my own 200 watt suitcase, probably still buy one HQST Voyager (because they are waterproof) and shop an mppt controller. It's clear to me now that HQST sells the same products Renogy does...cheaper.

For me, portable is the only way to go right now because:

1) Any day now an Oliver Elite II and GMC truck is gonna show up in my driveway. The Oliver is coming with 400W factory installed w/4 Battleborns and my 300W portable will be great for running ice cream maker and live bait well in back of truck!

2) I really don't see payback in permanent RPod solar install. I don't thing you'll get it back. Take it with you.

3) I can use my 100W panel on roof of TV for towing solar boost to pod batteries or to make folks on I95 think I have a solar powered 4Runner!

4) I can use either the 200W suitcase or 100W panel to charge our electric fence battery which is too far away for AC power. I can also keep a small thermoelectric fridge cleverly hidden in the brush that wife doesn't know about. It's bear proof.

I went with a suitcase design instead of mounted panels so I can "track" the sun (ie. I pick up and move the panels).  I have two sets of 10 gauge MC4 cables (10' and 30') so I can also connect them end to end as well so the panels can be up to about 40' from the pod if needed.  I can connect them in series or in parallel.

If I find this is not enough, I think the next just would be 2 x 6V golf cart batteries.  Would be about 3x the power in the one 12v battery I have now.

If I was REALLY serious about boondocking, I would be going lithium though...but that would also require new trailer electrical conversion too...big$$.