Fridges / power / campers

1
Just wondering if anyone has experience with 240 v connected to your campers and is it handy.

Obliviously at caravan parks and or when parked at home your car deep cycle can be kept topped up with the likes of a 240 charger.

Since fitting a 80 ltr Waco 12V / 240V cabinet mounted fridge/ freezer and a 200w 24 v solar Pannel and associated controler I find my fridge if left on tends to drain my battery in a day or so if sitting in my drive way and then .....there is hot beer.

Basically I'm finding my fridge must draw more than my solar can deliver.

Has any one had similar issues.

I'm contemplating hooking up 240V and either connecting my fridge directly to that as well as a charger for my deep cycle battery.

Hamish



Sent from my iPhone
2
Do you have an Aux battery?

From: HamishD <dobson_hamish@yahoo.com.au>
To: "Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com" <Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Saturday, 1 June 2013 10:00 AM
Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Fridges / power / campers
 
Just wondering if anyone has experience with 240 v connected to your campers and is it handy.

Obliviously at caravan parks and or when parked at home your car deep cycle can be kept topped up with the likes of a 240 charger.

Since fitting a 80 ltr Waco 12V / 240V cabinet mounted fridge/ freezer and a 200w 24 v solar Pannel and associated controler I find my fridge if left on tends to drain my battery in a day or so if sitting in my drive way and then .....there is hot beer.

Basically I'm finding my fridge must draw more than my solar can deliver.

Has any one had similar issues.

I'm contemplating hooking up 240V and either connecting my fridge directly to that as well as a charger for my deep cycle battery.

Hamish

Sent from my iPhone
3
Yes. 

Solar Pannel connects to a solar controller that in turn connects to the aux battery.

Cr80 waco then connects to aux battery.

I just looked up Waco instruction manual and it refers to having to fit a rectifier if trying to connect the fridge direct to 240 V. Sounds like the fridge compressor might only ever be designed to be driven by a 12 v motor.

The rated current is 5.9A at 12 V for the fridge.

Sounds like I might be best off wiring in 240V and then leaving a 240v smart 12v charger always connected to the aux bat so when at home and possibly not getting enough hours of light to the solar Pannel then the aux battery can be kept topped up via 240V.

Hamish

Sent from my iPhone

On 01/06/2013, at 10:25 AM, greg esposito <gregespo73@yahoo.com> wrote:

Do you have an Aux battery?

From: HamishD <dobson_hamish@yahoo.com.au>
To: "Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com" <Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Saturday, 1 June 2013 10:00 AM
Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Fridges / power / campers
 
Just wondering if anyone has experience with 240 v connected to your campers and is it handy.

Obliviously at caravan parks and or when parked at home your car deep cycle can be kept topped up with the likes of a 240 charger.

Since fitting a 80 ltr Waco 12V / 240V cabinet mounted fridge/ freezer and a 200w 24 v solar Pannel and associated controler I find my fridge if left on tends to drain my battery in a day or so if sitting in my drive way and then .....there is hot beer.

Basically I'm finding my fridge must draw more than my solar can deliver.

Has any one had similar issues.

I'm contemplating hooking up 240V and either connecting my fridge directly to that as well as a charger for my deep cycle battery.

Hamish

Sent from my iPhone
4
Yes you do need a rectifier. They are available from caravan and 4wd stores. See attached pic of mine.
How big is your aux batt? A fully charged battery of an appropriate size should run your fridge for more than a day even without solar. I would recommend crunching the numbers re amp draw and capacity to see if you are in the ball park.
5.9 amps seems a little high. That will probably be the on current, what you have to consider is that the fridge won't be on 100% of the time thanks to the thermostat. Too high a thermostat setting can also cause high amp draw. One thing I have found makes a big difference to amp draw is making sure the fridge can draw the coolest air possible and also expel the hot air as well. I run built in chargers on both my main and aux. Greg E

From: HamishD <dobson_hamish@yahoo.com.au>
To: "Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com" <Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Saturday, 1 June 2013 10:41 AM
Subject: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Fridges / power / campers
 
Yes. 

Solar Pannel connects to a solar controller that in turn connects to the aux battery.

Cr80 waco then connects to aux battery.

I just looked up Waco instruction manual and it refers to having to fit a rectifier if trying to connect the fridge direct to 240 V. Sounds like the fridge compressor might only ever be designed to be driven by a 12 v motor.

The rated current is 5.9A at 12 V for the fridge.

Sounds like I might be best off wiring in 240V and then leaving a 240v smart 12v charger always connected to the aux bat so when at home and possibly not getting enough hours of light to the solar Pannel then the aux battery can be kept topped up via 240V.

Hamish
Sent from my iPhone
On 01/06/2013, at 10:25 AM, greg esposito <gregespo73@yahoo.com> wrote:
Do you have an Aux battery?

From: HamishD <dobson_hamish@yahoo.com.au>
To: "Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com" <Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Saturday, 1 June 2013 10:00 AM
Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Fridges / power / campers
 
Just wondering if anyone has experience with 240 v connected to your campers and is it handy. Obliviously at caravan parks and or when parked at home your car deep cycle can be kept topped up with the likes of a 240 charger. Since fitting a 80 ltr Waco 12V / 240V cabinet mounted fridge/ freezer and a 200w 24 v solar Pannel and associated controler I find my fridge if left on tends to drain my battery in a day or so if sitting in my drive way and then .....there is hot beer. Basically I'm finding my fridge must draw more than my solar can deliver. Has any one had similar issues. I'm contemplating hooking up 240V and either connecting my fridge directly to that as well as a charger for my deep cycle battery. Hamish Sent from my iPhone
5

A 200 watt panel will make on average 16 amps at 12 volts per hour for 4 to 5 hours per day if facing north, or about 70 to 80 amps per day. The 80 l Waeco will use 8 amps per hour when running. If it runs 50% of the time it will consume 8 times 12 or 96 amps per day. You need a second solar panel.
Cheers
Doone Wyborn

On Jun 1, 2013 10:00 AM, "HamishD" <dobson_hamish@yahoo.com.au> wrote:

Just wondering if anyone has experience with 240 v connected to your campers and is it handy.

Obliviously at caravan parks and or when parked at home your car deep cycle can be kept topped up with the likes of a 240 charger.

Since fitting a 80 ltr Waco 12V / 240V cabinet mounted fridge/ freezer and a 200w 24 v solar Pannel and associated controler I find my fridge if left on tends to drain my battery in a day or so if sitting in my drive way and then .....there is hot beer.

Basically I'm finding my fridge must draw more than my solar can deliver.

Has any one had similar issues.

I'm contemplating hooking up 240V and either connecting my fridge directly to that as well as a charger for my deep cycle battery.

Hamish

Sent from my iPhone

6
Thank you for your advice.

That's a bummer then.

I have a luggage tub fitted above my front two seats that looks like my only space left to fit an additional Pannel.

Alternatively maybe I should consider a larger Pannel.
Bit disappointing as I purchased it less than 12 months ago.
Because I'm running a Westfalia roof there is a limit to the area available. 
I definitely can go wider and longer than my current Pannel.

Hamish


Sent from my iPhone

On 01/06/2013, at 2:52 PM, Doone Wyborn <doone.wyborn@gmail.com> wrote:

A 200 watt panel will make on average 16 amps at 12 volts per hour for 4 to 5 hours per day if facing north, or about 70 to 80 amps per day. The 80 l Waeco will use 8 amps per hour when running. If it runs 50% of the time it will consume 8 times 12 or 96 amps per day. You need a second solar panel.
Cheers
Doone Wyborn

On Jun 1, 2013 10:00 AM, "HamishD" <dobson_hamish@yahoo.com.au> wrote:
 

Just wondering if anyone has experience with 240 v connected to your campers and is it handy.

Obliviously at caravan parks and or when parked at home your car deep cycle can be kept topped up with the likes of a 240 charger.

Since fitting a 80 ltr Waco 12V / 240V cabinet mounted fridge/ freezer and a 200w 24 v solar Pannel and associated controler I find my fridge if left on tends to drain my battery in a day or so if sitting in my drive way and then .....there is hot beer.

Basically I'm finding my fridge must draw more than my solar can deliver.

Has any one had similar issues.

I'm contemplating hooking up 240V and either connecting my fridge directly to that as well as a charger for my deep cycle battery.

Hamish

Sent from my iPhone

7
400watts of solar for a 80l fridge! Where did you get the 8amps per hour spec? I haven't done the numbers but this smells wrong to me. What's also important is if Hamish is going for endless days self sufficiency or a couple of days at a time. Greg E 

From: Doone Wyborn <doone.wyborn@gmail.com>
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Saturday, 1 June 2013 2:52 PM
Subject: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Fridges / power / campers
 
A 200 watt panel will make on average 16 amps at 12 volts per hour for 4 to 5 hours per day if facing north, or about 70 to 80 amps per day. The 80 l Waeco will use 8 amps per hour when running. If it runs 50% of the time it will consume 8 times 12 or 96 amps per day. You need a second solar panel.
Cheers
Doone Wyborn
On Jun 1, 2013 10:00 AM, "HamishD" <dobson_hamish@yahoo.com.au> wrote:
 
Just wondering if anyone has experience with 240 v connected to your campers and is it handy.

Obliviously at caravan parks and or when parked at home your car deep cycle can be kept topped up with the likes of a 240 charger.

Since fitting a 80 ltr Waco 12V / 240V cabinet mounted fridge/ freezer and a 200w 24 v solar Pannel and associated controler I find my fridge if left on tends to drain my battery in a day or so if sitting in my drive way and then .....there is hot beer.

Basically I'm finding my fridge must draw more than my solar can deliver.

Has any one had similar issues.

I'm contemplating hooking up 240V and either connecting my fridge directly to that as well as a charger for my deep cycle battery.

Hamish

Sent from my iPhone
8
Ok

I will hook up a multi meter tomorrow and put hot beer in fridge and turn it on flat out and then record the Amps drawn.

Bellow is link for my fridge specs from waco- I have a cr-80
On page 53 it states its rated for 5.9A at 12 V with a average power consumption of 48w.


Hamish
Sent from my iPhone

On 01/06/2013, at 4:15 PM, greg esposito <gregespo73@yahoo.com> wrote:

400watts of solar for a 80l fridge! Where did you get the 8amps per hour spec? I haven't done the numbers but this smells wrong to me. What's also important is if Hamish is going for endless days self sufficiency or a couple of days at a time. Greg E 

From: Doone Wyborn <doone.wyborn@gmail.com>
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Saturday, 1 June 2013 2:52 PM
Subject: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Fridges / power / campers
 
A 200 watt panel will make on average 16 amps at 12 volts per hour for 4 to 5 hours per day if facing north, or about 70 to 80 amps per day. The 80 l Waeco will use 8 amps per hour when running. If it runs 50% of the time it will consume 8 times 12 or 96 amps per day. You need a second solar panel.
Cheers
Doone Wyborn
On Jun 1, 2013 10:00 AM, "HamishD" <dobson_hamish@yahoo.com.au> wrote:
 
Just wondering if anyone has experience with 240 v connected to your campers and is it handy.

Obliviously at caravan parks and or when parked at home your car deep cycle can be kept topped up with the likes of a 240 charger.

Since fitting a 80 ltr Waco 12V / 240V cabinet mounted fridge/ freezer and a 200w 24 v solar Pannel and associated controler I find my fridge if left on tends to drain my battery in a day or so if sitting in my drive way and then .....there is hot beer.

Basically I'm finding my fridge must draw more than my solar can deliver.

Has any one had similar issues.

I'm contemplating hooking up 240V and either connecting my fridge directly to that as well as a charger for my deep cycle battery.

Hamish

Sent from my iPhone
9
Hamish, that figure is supplied to help you work out what size wiring circuit to fit. This is off waeco's site.
It is saying 2.1amp/hr at 32deg. Your 200w panel should be ample. You can only get 5ish hours of good usable light in Aus. If the panel is  mounted fixed on your roof it won't even get that. That said if you are starting the day with a charged battery and a cold fridge and end the day with a flat battery and a warm fridge something is very very wrong.

From: HamishD <dobson_hamish@yahoo.com.au>
To: "Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com" <Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Saturday, 1 June 2013 4:23 PM
Subject: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Fridges / power / campers
 
Ok

I will hook up a multi meter tomorrow and put hot beer in fridge and turn it on flat out and then record the Amps drawn.

Bellow is link for my fridge specs from waco- I have a cr-80
On page 53 it states its rated for 5.9A at 12 V with a average power consumption of 48w.


HamishSent from my iPhone
On 01/06/2013, at 4:15 PM, greg esposito <gregespo73@yahoo.com> wrote:
400watts of solar for a 80l fridge! Where did you get the 8amps per hour spec? I haven't done the numbers but this smells wrong to me. What's also important is if Hamish is going for endless days self sufficiency or a couple of days at a time. Greg E 

From: Doone Wyborn <doone.wyborn@gmail.com>
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Saturday, 1 June 2013 2:52 PM
Subject: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Fridges / power / campers
 
A 200 watt panel will make on average 16 amps at 12 volts per hour for 4 to 5 hours per day if facing north, or about 70 to 80 amps per day. The 80 l Waeco will use 8 amps per hour when running. If it runs 50% of the time it will consume 8 times 12 or 96 amps per day. You need a second solar panel. Cheers
Doone Wyborn
On Jun 1, 2013 10:00 AM, "HamishD" <dobson_hamish@yahoo.com.au> wrote:
 
Just wondering if anyone has experience with 240 v connected to your campers and is it handy. Obliviously at caravan parks and or when parked at home your car deep cycle can be kept topped up with the likes of a 240 charger. Since fitting a 80 ltr Waco 12V / 240V cabinet mounted fridge/ freezer and a 200w 24 v solar Pannel and associated controler I find my fridge if left on tends to drain my battery in a day or so if sitting in my drive way and then .....there is hot beer. Basically I'm finding my fridge must draw more than my solar can deliver. Has any one had similar issues. I'm contemplating hooking up 240V and either connecting my fridge directly to that as well as a charger for my deep cycle battery. Hamish Sent from my iPhone
10
Hi Hamish,
With a 200W panel (which is what I'd like), you should have no trouble bush camping and keeping the beer cold, assuming you have good sun for the duration.

When driving, I'm also assuming your alternator charges the camping battery as well.
 
I learnt a very good lesson last year about keeping the fridge cold and keeping the battery charged while camped for a day or three, assuming good sun each day.
Leaving my single 75W BP solar panel lying flat on the roof, my 20 year old solar system couldn't keep the frig cold and flattened the camping battery pretty smartly. Once this happens, it's very hard to recover from that situation while bush camping.

My roof mounted solar panel is in a frame with the provision to tilt the panel to a number of different angles. So far I've not yet seen another syncro with this solar panel capability. 

To solve my problem, what worked was going to the effort of tilting the solar panel directly at the sun when camped and following the sun during the day. By days end I had a cold frig and an adequately charged camping battery. Big difference. Then I'd turn off the frig for overnight and turn it back on when the sun rises to the tilted solar panel already facing, doing its job, me probably still in bed.

It's probable that later technology solar panels/regulators than mine will produce more energy.

Cheers.
Ken




To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
From: dobson_hamish@yahoo.com.au
Date: Sat, 1 Jun 2013 16:23:20 +1000
Subject: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Fridges / power / campers

 

Ok

I will hook up a multi meter tomorrow and put hot beer in fridge and turn it on flat out and then record the Amps drawn.

Bellow is link for my fridge specs from waco- I have a cr-80
On page 53 it states its rated for 5.9A at 12 V with a average power consumption of 48w.


Hamish
Sent from my iPhone

On 01/06/2013, at 4:15 PM, greg esposito <gregespo73@yahoo.com> wrote:

400watts of solar for a 80l fridge! Where did you get the 8amps per hour spec? I haven't done the numbers but this smells wrong to me. What's also important is if Hamish is going for endless days self sufficiency or a couple of days at a time. Greg E 

From: Doone Wyborn <doone.wyborn@gmail.com>
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Saturday, 1 June 2013 2:52 PM
Subject: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Fridges / power / campers
 
A 200 watt panel will make on average 16 amps at 12 volts per hour for 4 to 5 hours per day if facing north, or about 70 to 80 amps per day. The 80 l Waeco will use 8 amps per hour when running. If it runs 50% of the time it will consume 8 times 12 or 96 amps per day. You need a second solar panel.
Cheers
Doone Wyborn
On Jun 1, 2013 10:00 AM, "HamishD" <dobson_hamish@yahoo.com.au> wrote:
 
Just wondering if anyone has experience with 240 v connected to your campers and is it handy.

Obliviously at caravan parks and or when parked at home your car deep cycle can be kept topped up with the likes of a 240 charger.

Since fitting a 80 ltr Waco 12V / 240V cabinet mounted fridge/ freezer and a 200w 24 v solar Pannel and associated controler I find my fridge if left on tends to drain my battery in a day or so if sitting in my drive way and then .....there is hot beer.

Basically I'm finding my fridge must draw more than my solar can deliver.

Has any one had similar issues.

I'm contemplating hooking up 240V and either connecting my fridge directly to that as well as a charger for my deep cycle battery.

Hamish

Sent from my iPhone

11
Dear Ken and All,

Am 01.06.2013 11:17, schrieb Ken Garratt:

My roof mounted solar panel is in a frame with the provision to tilt the panel to a number of different angles.

For efficiency reasons, I'm currently playing with the same thoughts.

So far I've not yet seen another syncro with this solar panel capability.

Here some pictures of such a system in use. Sorry the website seems to be in German only. The guy who produces these 'Solarmounts' (Dirk) is a regular contributor to the German syncro group (IG 16) and I've seen him posting in English several times. Apart from that, if I could be of help in case somebody would like to find out more, please let me know.

Joachim
South-West Germany

12
Sorry, should have included the link: http://www.relleumdesign.de/html/solarmount.html

Am 01.06.2013 13:14, schrieb Joachim Dietlicher:

Dear Ken and All,

Am 01.06.2013 11:17, schrieb Ken Garratt:

My roof mounted solar panel is in a frame with the provision to tilt the panel to a number of different angles.

For efficiency reasons, I'm currently playing with the same thoughts.

So far I've not yet seen another syncro with this solar panel capability.

Here some pictures of such a system in use. Sorry the website seems to be in German only. The guy who produces these 'Solarmounts' (Dirk) is a regular contributor to the German syncro group (IG 16) and I've seen him posting in English several times. Apart from that, if I could be of help in case somebody would like to find out more, please let me know.

Joachim
South-West Germany


13
Hi Hamish
 
I agree with Ken,on my big 16000 k trip last year to Kimberley I only used a roof mounted fixed 80 watt solar cell plus alternator to house battery and always got cold beer using 40 litre chest fridge.
 
On our trip (wife and I)  Sydney/Port Augusta,Ayers/Alice Tanami desert track.Kununurra,Gibb river rd,Mitchel falls,Broome,West coast ,Nullabor and home.
Two months was way to quick ,but gives me a reason to go back. 
 
Conditions; Could have done it in 2wd as it was dry the whole time.Only take road condition advice from someone that was there less than 2 weeks previously and get weather reports since.This covers both corrugations and river heights.
 
Preparation:
All of that that has been posted,plus. 
 I filled my inverted spare wheel under the front with a full ,tough ,20 litre water bag for extreme emergencies. Hose blow out !
5 x 10 litre fuel plastic fuel containers on roof arguably safer than steel (no spark) plus 3 x 10 litre water containers plus alloy spare wheel.
Plus 2 x 10 litre water on front bumper. The above only filled for desert crossings.Sitting on 90kph in desert I used a lot less fuel than planned. Total average for trip of 14.5 l/100
Tools and spares are limited by your ability but remember that if you have the spares/special tools then most mechanics can fit them.
 
A MUST HAVE ........NRMA Premium Care  and the phone no of a reputable spares supplier eg Tooleys in Sydney or your mechanic.Plus Etka  on laptop, ask Ken.
There are several flat bed trucks roaming around the Kimberly,but none carrying Syncros.
.
Problems we had:
Corrugations 2000+k of them. Tanami track and Gibb River Rd/Mitchel Falls  2000k of 8/10 corrugations. Wolfs Cr crater 9/10 and El Questro resort 10/10, we turned around so bad.
After doing the Mitchel falls 500k detour we found both new OME rear shocks leaking and a torn front universal boot. Ignored  the shocks and Duck taped the boot till Broome 500 k away.
A phone call to OME and Tooleys plus the local excellent 4wd workshop had us back on the road in 4 days of NRMA accomodation.
 
All up a most fantastic trip.
 
Tyres. Only go with NEW  'soft rubber'  AT LT tyres.
Thought about a SPOT EPIRB but not required unless off roading.  These roads although rough are main highways carrying 2 or 3 cars an hour.
Clean air filter /oil at every opportunity.
 
If you've only got a month then I would suggest straight across to Kimberley ,Gibb River Rd,Mitchel falls ,Broome and back along Highway 1 taking in Purnalulu (Bungle Bungles)a rough rd but good fun.
Heaps to see and a great journey.
 
Hope this helps
Cheers Graham
 
 
----- Original Message -----
From: HamishD
Sent: Saturday, June 01, 2013 4:23 PM
Subject: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Fridges / power / campers

 

Ok

I will hook up a multi meter tomorrow and put hot beer in fridge and turn it on flat out and then record the Amps drawn.

Bellow is link for my fridge specs from waco- I have a cr-80
On page 53 it states its rated for 5.9A at 12 V with a average power consumption of 48w.


Hamish
Sent from my iPhone

On 01/06/2013, at 4:15 PM, greg esposito <gregespo73@yahoo.com> wrote:

400watts of solar for a 80l fridge! Where did you get the 8amps per hour spec? I haven't done the numbers but this smells wrong to me. What's also important is if Hamish is going for endless days self sufficiency or a couple of days at a time. Greg E 

From: Doone Wyborn <doone.wyborn@gmail.com>
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Saturday, 1 June 2013 2:52 PM
Subject: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Fridges / power / campers
 
A 200 watt panel will make on average 16 amps at 12 volts per hour for 4 to 5 hours per day if facing north, or about 70 to 80 amps per day. The 80 l Waeco will use 8 amps per hour when running. If it runs 50% of the time it will consume 8 times 12 or 96 amps per day. You need a second solar panel.
Cheers
Doone Wyborn
On Jun 1, 2013 10:00 AM, "HamishD" <dobson_hamish@yahoo.com.au> wrote:
 
Just wondering if anyone has experience with 240 v connected to your campers and is it handy.

Obliviously at caravan parks and or when parked at home your car deep cycle can be kept topped up with the likes of a 240 charger.

Since fitting a 80 ltr Waco 12V / 240V cabinet mounted fridge/ freezer and a 200w 24 v solar Pannel and associated controler I find my fridge if left on tends to drain my battery in a day or so if sitting in my drive way and then .....there is hot beer.

Basically I'm finding my fridge must draw more than my solar can deliver.

Has any one had similar issues.

I'm contemplating hooking up 240V and either connecting my fridge directly to that as well as a charger for my deep cycle battery.

Hamish

Sent from my iPhone

14
Hi there Joachim
Have you bought from these guys?
Looking at your email I see your in Germany?

I can't see any English translation.

What a smart concept.

The hinge points could be easily posted. And the prop mechanism could be made locally.

Hamish.

Sent from my iPhone

On 01/06/2013, at 9:18 PM, Joachim Dietlicher <joachimdietlicher@email.de> wrote:

Sorry, should have included the link: http://www.relleumdesign.de/html/solarmount.html

Am 01.06.2013 13:14, schrieb Joachim Dietlicher:
 

Dear Ken and All,

Am 01.06.2013 11:17, schrieb Ken Garratt:
 

My roof mounted solar panel is in a frame with the provision to tilt the panel to a number of different angles.

For efficiency reasons, I'm currently playing with the same thoughts.

So far I've not yet seen another syncro with this solar panel capability.

Here some pictures of such a system in use. Sorry the website seems to be in German only. The guy who produces these 'Solarmounts' (Dirk) is a regular contributor to the German syncro group (IG 16) and I've seen him posting in English several times. Apart from that, if I could be of help in case somebody would like to find out more, please let me know.

Joachim
South-West Germany


15
Graham

Valuable words.
Thank you very much!
Best regards

Hamish.

Sent from my iPhone

On 01/06/2013, at 10:18 PM, "Graham Adams" <g.adams2@bigpond.com> wrote:

Hi Hamish
 
I agree with Ken,on my big 16000 k trip last year to Kimberley I only used a roof mounted fixed 80 watt solar cell plus alternator to house battery and always got cold beer using 40 litre chest fridge.
 
On our trip (wife and I)  Sydney/Port Augusta,Ayers/Alice Tanami desert track.Kununurra,Gibb river rd,Mitchel falls,Broome,West coast ,Nullabor and home.
Two months was way to quick ,but gives me a reason to go back. 
 
Conditions; Could have done it in 2wd as it was dry the whole time.Only take road condition advice from someone that was there less than 2 weeks previously and get weather reports since.This covers both corrugations and river heights.
 
Preparation:
All of that that has been posted,plus. 
 I filled my inverted spare wheel under the front with a full ,tough ,20 litre water bag for extreme emergencies. Hose blow out !
5 x 10 litre fuel plastic fuel containers on roof arguably safer than steel (no spark) plus 3 x 10 litre water containers plus alloy spare wheel.
Plus 2 x 10 litre water on front bumper. The above only filled for desert crossings.Sitting on 90kph in desert I used a lot less fuel than planned. Total average for trip of 14.5 l/100
Tools and spares are limited by your ability but remember that if you have the spares/special tools then most mechanics can fit them.
 
A MUST HAVE ........NRMA Premium Care  and the phone no of a reputable spares supplier eg Tooleys in Sydney or your mechanic.Plus Etka  on laptop, ask Ken.
There are several flat bed trucks roaming around the Kimberly,but none carrying Syncros.
.
Problems we had:
Corrugations 2000+k of them. Tanami track and Gibb River Rd/Mitchel Falls  2000k of 8/10 corrugations. Wolfs Cr crater 9/10 and El Questro resort 10/10, we turned around so bad.
After doing the Mitchel falls 500k detour we found both new OME rear shocks leaking and a torn front universal boot. Ignored  the shocks and Duck taped the boot till Broome 500 k away.
A phone call to OME and Tooleys plus the local excellent 4wd workshop had us back on the road in 4 days of NRMA accomodation.
 
All up a most fantastic trip.
 
Tyres. Only go with NEW  'soft rubber'  AT LT tyres.
Thought about a SPOT EPIRB but not required unless off roading.  These roads although rough are main highways carrying 2 or 3 cars an hour.
Clean air filter /oil at every opportunity.
 
If you've only got a month then I would suggest straight across to Kimberley ,Gibb River Rd,Mitchel falls ,Broome and back along Highway 1 taking in Purnalulu (Bungle Bungles)a rough rd but good fun.
Heaps to see and a great journey.
 
Hope this helps
Cheers Graham
 
 
----- Original Message -----
From: HamishD
Sent: Saturday, June 01, 2013 4:23 PM
Subject: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Fridges / power / campers

 

Ok

I will hook up a multi meter tomorrow and put hot beer in fridge and turn it on flat out and then record the Amps drawn.

Bellow is link for my fridge specs from waco- I have a cr-80
On page 53 it states its rated for 5.9A at 12 V with a average power consumption of 48w.


Hamish
Sent from my iPhone

On 01/06/2013, at 4:15 PM, greg esposito <gregespo73@yahoo.com> wrote:

400watts of solar for a 80l fridge! Where did you get the 8amps per hour spec? I haven't done the numbers but this smells wrong to me. What's also important is if Hamish is going for endless days self sufficiency or a couple of days at a time. Greg E 

From: Doone Wyborn <doone.wyborn@gmail.com>
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Saturday, 1 June 2013 2:52 PM
Subject: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Fridges / power / campers
 
A 200 watt panel will make on average 16 amps at 12 volts per hour for 4 to 5 hours per day if facing north, or about 70 to 80 amps per day. The 80 l Waeco will use 8 amps per hour when running. If it runs 50% of the time it will consume 8 times 12 or 96 amps per day. You need a second solar panel.
Cheers
Doone Wyborn
On Jun 1, 2013 10:00 AM, "HamishD" <dobson_hamish@yahoo.com.au> wrote:
 
Just wondering if anyone has experience with 240 v connected to your campers and is it handy.

Obliviously at caravan parks and or when parked at home your car deep cycle can be kept topped up with the likes of a 240 charger.

Since fitting a 80 ltr Waco 12V / 240V cabinet mounted fridge/ freezer and a 200w 24 v solar Pannel and associated controler I find my fridge if left on tends to drain my battery in a day or so if sitting in my drive way and then .....there is hot beer.

Basically I'm finding my fridge must draw more than my solar can deliver.

Has any one had similar issues.

I'm contemplating hooking up 240V and either connecting my fridge directly to that as well as a charger for my deep cycle battery.

Hamish

Sent from my iPhone

16
Hi Greg can you explain the purpose of a rectifier? Is it to allow you to have the fridge wired into both the aux battery and or 240V mains and it therefore manages the switch over automatically for supply power 12 /240v?

Hamish 

Sent from my iPhone

On 01/06/2013, at 12:45 PM, greg esposito <gregespo73@yahoo.com> wrote:

Yes you do need a rectifier. They are available from caravan and 4wd stores. See attached pic of mine.
How big is your aux batt? A fully charged battery of an appropriate size should run your fridge for more than a day even without solar. I would recommend crunching the numbers re amp draw and capacity to see if you are in the ball park.
5.9 amps seems a little high. That will probably be the on current, what you have to consider is that the fridge won't be on 100% of the time thanks to the thermostat. Too high a thermostat setting can also cause high amp draw. One thing I have found makes a big difference to amp draw is making sure the fridge can draw the coolest air possible and also expel the hot air as well. I run built in chargers on both my main and aux. Greg E

From: HamishD <dobson_hamish@yahoo.com.au>
To: "Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com" <Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Saturday, 1 June 2013 10:41 AM
Subject: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Fridges / power / campers
 
Yes. 

Solar Pannel connects to a solar controller that in turn connects to the aux battery.

Cr80 waco then connects to aux battery.

I just looked up Waco instruction manual and it refers to having to fit a rectifier if trying to connect the fridge direct to 240 V. Sounds like the fridge compressor might only ever be designed to be driven by a 12 v motor.

The rated current is 5.9A at 12 V for the fridge.

Sounds like I might be best off wiring in 240V and then leaving a 240v smart 12v charger always connected to the aux bat so when at home and possibly not getting enough hours of light to the solar Pannel then the aux battery can be kept topped up via 240V.

Hamish
Sent from my iPhone
On 01/06/2013, at 10:25 AM, greg esposito <gregespo73@yahoo.com> wrote:
Do you have an Aux battery?

From: HamishD <dobson_hamish@yahoo.com.au>
To: "Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com" <Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Saturday, 1 June 2013 10:00 AM
Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Fridges / power / campers
 
Just wondering if anyone has experience with 240 v connected to your campers and is it handy. Obliviously at caravan parks and or when parked at home your car deep cycle can be kept topped up with the likes of a 240 charger. Since fitting a 80 ltr Waco 12V / 240V cabinet mounted fridge/ freezer and a 200w 24 v solar Pannel and associated controler I find my fridge if left on tends to drain my battery in a day or so if sitting in my drive way and then .....there is hot beer. Basically I'm finding my fridge must draw more than my solar can deliver. Has any one had similar issues. I'm contemplating hooking up 240V and either connecting my fridge directly to that as well as a charger for my deep cycle battery. Hamish Sent from my iPhone
<IMG_4141.JPG>
17
Exactly Hamish. It will automatically switch the fridge to 240v when you plug in shore power. How many amp hour aux battery have you got? When going away I always have the fridge turned on (240v) and stocked the night before. My 90litre Vitrifrigo will run on my 90ah agm for more than a day without charging. Another thing worth investigating is at what minimum voltage your fridge will cut out. The compressors in our fridges (danfoss bd35) usually have an adjustable low voltage cut out.  Greg E

From: HamishD <dobson_hamish@yahoo.com.au>
To: "Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com" <Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Saturday, 1 June 2013 10:42 PM
Subject: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Fridges / power / campers
 
Hi Greg can you explain the purpose of a rectifier? Is it to allow you to have the fridge wired into both the aux battery and or 240V mains and it therefore manages the switch over automatically for supply power 12 /240v?

Hamish 
Sent from my iPhone
On 01/06/2013, at 12:45 PM, greg esposito <gregespo73@yahoo.com> wrote:
Yes you do need a rectifier. They are available from caravan and 4wd stores. See attached pic of mine.
How big is your aux batt? A fully charged battery of an appropriate size should run your fridge for more than a day even without solar. I would recommend crunching the numbers re amp draw and capacity to see if you are in the ball park.
5.9 amps seems a little high. That will probably be the on current, what you have to consider is that the fridge won't be on 100% of the time thanks to the thermostat. Too high a thermostat setting can also cause high amp draw. One thing I have found makes a big difference to amp draw is making sure the fridge can draw the coolest air possible and also expel the hot air as well. I run built in chargers on both my main and aux. Greg E

From: HamishD <dobson_hamish@yahoo.com.au>
To: "Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com" <Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Saturday, 1 June 2013 10:41 AM
Subject: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Fridges / power / campers
 
Yes. 

Solar Pannel connects to a solar controller that in turn connects to the aux battery.

Cr80 waco then connects to aux battery.

I just looked up Waco instruction manual and it refers to having to fit a rectifier if trying to connect the fridge direct to 240 V. Sounds like the fridge compressor might only ever be designed to be driven by a 12 v motor.

The rated current is 5.9A at 12 V for the fridge.

Sounds like I might be best off wiring in 240V and then leaving a 240v smart 12v charger always connected to the aux bat so when at home and possibly not getting enough hours of light to the solar Pannel then the aux battery can be kept topped up via 240V.

Hamish
Sent from my iPhone
On 01/06/2013, at 10:25 AM, greg esposito <gregespo73@yahoo.com> wrote:
Do you have an Aux battery?

From: HamishD <dobson_hamish@yahoo.com.au>
To: "Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com" <Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Saturday, 1 June 2013 10:00 AM
Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Fridges / power / campers
 
Just wondering if anyone has experience with 240 v connected to your campers and is it handy. Obliviously at caravan parks and or when parked at home your car deep cycle can be kept topped up with the likes of a 240 charger. Since fitting a 80 ltr Waco 12V / 240V cabinet mounted fridge/ freezer and a 200w 24 v solar Pannel and associated controler I find my fridge if left on tends to drain my battery in a day or so if sitting in my drive way and then .....there is hot beer. Basically I'm finding my fridge must draw more than my solar can deliver. Has any one had similar issues. I'm contemplating hooking up 240V and either connecting my fridge directly to that as well as a charger for my deep cycle battery. Hamish Sent from my iPhone
<IMG_4141.JPG>
18
Hi Hamish. I've posted a few pics of my tilting solar panel on my tin top syncro. It's a 130w kyocera and runs my 55litre engel for days on end with no problems at all. My solar controller records daily input. I ran it flat on the roof for 4 years and was recording about 35ah per day input on average. With the panel now tilting and of course oriented north at camp i easily get 55ah in per day. My fridge draws about 2.5 amps or about 25 to 30 ah per day. My storage is a 100ah agm deep cycle battery.
When doing your sums bear in mind that 12v solar panels actually work closer to 18v so using the base formula amps equals watts divided by volts a 120w solar panel at 12v would put out 10amps but at 18v puts out about 7amps at best. One technique we use when the weather is hot is to run the fridge say 4/5 during the day and freeze some bottled water then turn it down to2/5 at night and let the frozen bottles do their job. This also reduces the number of times the fridge turns on during the night which can be disturbing when youre sleeping next to it. Bill

--- In Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com, HamishD <dobson_hamish@...> wrote:
>
> Hi there Joachim
> Have you bought from these guys?
> Looking at your email I see your in Germany?
>
> I can't see any English translation.
>
> What a smart concept.
>
> The hinge points could be easily posted. And the prop mechanism could be made locally.
>
> Hamish.
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> On 01/06/2013, at 9:18 PM, Joachim Dietlicher <joachimdietlicher@...> wrote:
>
> >
> >
> > Sorry, should have included the link: http://www.relleumdesign.de/html/solarmount.html
> >
> > Am 01.06.2013 13:14, schrieb Joachim Dietlicher:
> >> Dear Ken and All,
> >>
> >> Am 01.06.2013 11:17, schrieb Ken Garratt:
> >>>
> >>> My roof mounted solar panel is in a frame with the provision to tilt the panel to a number of different angles.
> >>
> >> For efficiency reasons, I'm currently playing with the same thoughts.
> >>
> >>> So far I've not yet seen another syncro with this solar panel capability.
> >>
> >> Here some pictures of such a system in use. Sorry the website seems to be in German only. The guy who produces these 'Solarmounts' (Dirk) is a regular contributor to the German syncro group (IG 16) and I've seen him posting in English several times. Apart from that, if I could be of help in case somebody would like to find out more, please let me know.
> >>
> >> Joachim
> >> South-West Germany
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
19
Thanks bill.
I like the ideas of the frozen bottles.
Smart thinking.

I'm yet to test out my solar Pannels in decent sun conditions. Today I got carried away finishing making my cupboards. In the next day or two I will measure my set up and post it's results.
Hamish.

Sent from my iPhone

On 02/06/2013, at 9:57 AM, "Bill" <marg_bill@westnet.com.au> wrote:

> Hi Hamish. I've posted a few pics of my tilting solar panel on my tin top syncro. It's a 130w kyocera and runs my 55litre engel for days on end with no problems at all. My solar controller records daily input. I ran it flat on the roof for 4 years and was recording about 35ah per day input on average. With the panel now tilting and of course oriented north at camp i easily get 55ah in per day. My fridge draws about 2.5 amps or about 25 to 30 ah per day. My storage is a 100ah agm deep cycle battery.
> When doing your sums bear in mind that 12v solar panels actually work closer to 18v so using the base formula amps equals watts divided by volts a 120w solar panel at 12v would put out 10amps but at 18v puts out about 7amps at best. One technique we use when the weather is hot is to run the fridge say 4/5 during the day and freeze some bottled water then turn it down to2/5 at night and let the frozen bottles do their job. This also reduces the number of times the fridge turns on during the night which can be disturbing when youre sleeping next to it. Bill
>
> --- In Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com, HamishD <dobson_hamish@...> wrote:
>>
>> Hi there Joachim
>> Have you bought from these guys?
>> Looking at your email I see your in Germany?
>>
>> I can't see any English translation.
>>
>> What a smart concept.
>>
>> The hinge points could be easily posted. And the prop mechanism could be made locally.
>>
>> Hamish.
>>
>> Sent from my iPhone
>>
>> On 01/06/2013, at 9:18 PM, Joachim Dietlicher <joachimdietlicher@...> wrote:
>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Sorry, should have included the link: http://www.relleumdesign.de/html/solarmount.html
>>>
>>> Am 01.06.2013 13:14, schrieb Joachim Dietlicher:
>>>> Dear Ken and All,
>>>>
>>>> Am 01.06.2013 11:17, schrieb Ken Garratt:
>>>>>
>>>>> My roof mounted solar panel is in a frame with the provision to tilt the panel to a number of different angles.
>>>>
>>>> For efficiency reasons, I'm currently playing with the same thoughts.
>>>>
>>>>> So far I've not yet seen another syncro with this solar panel capability.
>>>>
>>>> Here some pictures of such a system in use. Sorry the website seems to be in German only. The guy who produces these 'Solarmounts' (Dirk) is a regular contributor to the German syncro group (IG 16) and I've seen him posting in English several times. Apart from that, if I could be of help in case somebody would like to find out more, please let me know.
>>>>
>>>> Joachim
>>>> South-West Germany
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
20
Hamish,

Sorry for the wait and yes, I have bought from Dirk. Procedure was very smooth and Dirk is a very nice guy (have met him at several syncro gatherings before). Have not yet installed the 'Solarmount' but will probably do so soon.

You are right, I live in South-Western Germany and there's no English version of the website. If I can be of any help, please let me know, either through the group or by direct email.

Joachim

Am 01.06.2013 14:28, schrieb HamishD:
Hi there Joachim
Have you bought from these guys?
Looking at your email I see your in Germany?

I can't see any English translation.

What a smart concept.

The hinge points could be easily posted. And the prop mechanism could be made locally.

Hamish.

Sent from my iPhone

On 01/06/2013, at 9:18 PM, Joachim Dietlicher <joachimdietlicher@email.de> wrote:

Sorry, should have included the link: http://www.relleumdesign.de/html/solarmount.html

Am 01.06.2013 13:14, schrieb Joachim Dietlicher:

Dear Ken and All,

Am 01.06.2013 11:17, schrieb Ken Garratt:

My roof mounted solar panel is in a frame with the provision to tilt the panel to a number of different angles.

For efficiency reasons, I'm currently playing with the same thoughts.

So far I've not yet seen another syncro with this solar panel capability.

Here some pictures of such a system in use. Sorry the website seems to be in German only. The guy who produces these 'Solarmounts' (Dirk) is a regular contributor to the German syncro group (IG 16) and I've seen him posting in English several times. Apart from that, if I could be of help in case somebody would like to find out more, please let me know.

Joachim
South-West Germany