Solar power for fridge
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Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
Forum Discription: Ask maintenance questions, share your podmods (modifications) and helpful tips
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10854
Printed Date: 22 May 2025 at 2:35am
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Topic: Solar power for fridge
Posted By: js555
Subject: Solar power for fridge
Date Posted: 29 Oct 2017 at 1:44am
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Hi all, I bought a 178 last december and I am so happy. I want to run the fridge with solar, I am not familiar with any of these things. I could not run the fridge on battery the other day as I was on a 7 hour trip. Any ideas or reasons why ? But I would love to save battery and run the fridge, but it seems that the fridge will not run on battery mode. Is there a reason for this ? So what wattage and amperage would I need to run the fridge and the TV ? How many batteries would I need and would I need an inverter to make it 120 V's ? Any help would be appreciated. Best JS• |
Replies:
Posted By: JandL
Date Posted: 29 Oct 2017 at 10:21am
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Refrigerator on DC draws around 11.00 amps. It would take many solar panels to power the refrigerator. I would recommend running it on propane if you don't have AC available. I can't run my refrigerator on DC while driving because the wire from the truck battery to the RV socket is only 12 gauge. The truck alternator can not supply the needs of the truck and refrigerator at the same time, so I run on propane ------------- JandL 2013 Honda Ridgeline 2012 177 2 Paynes in a Pod |
Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 29 Oct 2017 at 10:34am
------------- bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 29 Oct 2017 at 12:05pm
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Just run on propane. It will run for 5-6 weeks on a single 20 pound tank. The battery bank and solar panel requirements for "running on solar"just can't be done on a 17 foot trailer with 8 sq feet of flat roof.. and will cost 1/2 as much as the Pod did. ------------- |
Posted By: fwunder
Date Posted: 29 Oct 2017 at 12:48pm
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I agree with the above comments. Solar powered fridge just doesn't make a lot of sense. Propane is the way to go. However... An earlier discussion involved gallons of Vodka. I therefore, do recommend a solar powered blender! Strawberry Daiquiris for everyone!   ------------- 2014 RPod 178 => https://goo.gl/CV446f - MyMods and Buying Habits 2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6 Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks! |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 29 Oct 2017 at 1:15pm
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Ha! A must for every camping trip! ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: Keith-N-Dar
Date Posted: 29 Oct 2017 at 1:20pm
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And I was feeling pretty smug for adding a solar battery maintainer to our Pod.
------------- Keith-N-Dar Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers) 2011 R-Pod 177 2010 Ford F-150 |
Posted By: sailor323
Date Posted: 07 Nov 2017 at 7:49am
 but I just use a 12v blender |
Posted By: lostagain
Date Posted: 07 Nov 2017 at 8:57am
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Margaritas with ice crushed by hand requires no electro/mechanical equipment whatsoever. Just smash the ice inside a towel with a crescent wrench, or what ever blunt objet is handy, put the ingredients in a mason jar, shake, and serve. For those who are purists, use a good tequila, lime juice, triple sec or Contreau [depending on your budget], and salt along with your manually crushed ice. --- no margarita mix stuff. Yuck! ------------- Never leave footprints behind. Fred & Maria Kearney Sonoma 167RB Our Pod 172 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost |
Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 07 Nov 2017 at 9:53am
The ampacity of 12 AWg is not really the issue. Ampacity is a fire safety rating based on the allowable temperature rise at a given current. Voltage drop is the real issue for us. One half to one volt drop at 120V has little effect but it has a huge effect on a 12V charging system. The TV's charging system limits the alternator output to ~13.5V as measured at the TV battery. By the time this suffers the drop in the long #12 wire it delivers very little current to the TT battery and appliances. Most TVs only deliver 10A max to the TT and much less most of the time. ------------- Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |