Enough power?

smitty · Aug 22, 2015

I was wondering if you guys think a 150w pannel w/ mppt controller (and 110ah or 150ah battery) would be enough to run a truckfridge tf51 as well as a little led lighting and charge a laptop/phone/camera? Maybe a portable fantastic fan, but it will be early fall in the rockies, so not so sure I'll even use it. Being that temps will be cooler, I'm also hoping the fridge won't consume as much energy.

I'm taking a trip to colorado soon and would love to bring the van along and spend an extra week out there roaming the rockies. However, money is going to be limited as the trip will be soon. I plan to add another 150w panel and another battery when I get back.

I'm just not sure how to see what the solar output will be as there's no way to know what the weather will be like.
If sunny, I'd guess I could get around 80ah from the panels..give or take. 150w/14=10.7*7hours=74.9. That would give me enough to charge 50% of the battery of the 150ah or enough to charge 50% of the 110ah and hopefully give me some more power to use early afternoon to charge my electronics.

Does this seem feasible, or am I in dreamland?

Thanks for any opinions/advice!

Optimistic Paranoid · Aug 22, 2015

A 150 watt panel puts out 150 watts under absolutely ideal test conditions. These conditions - which no one ever sees - ensure that all panel manufacturers are reporting the same thing.

In the real world, you are lucky to see 80% of that, even in bright sunshine, although up at high altitude in CO, under clear skies, you may get closer to that 100% than most of us will see on our rigs.

adjust your numbers with that 80% figure.

Regards
John

akrvbob · Aug 22, 2015

It should do it. I power more than that with 190 watts quite easily.
Bob

highdesertranger · Aug 22, 2015

like Bob said it should work. what's the power consumption of your refer? I run 2 Engel refers off of 2 80watt panel and 2 marine batteries(I believe they are 110ah). so if you divide mine by 2 you get a 80watt panel and a 110ah battery running 1 refer. btw I have enough left over for occasional lap top charging, cell phone charging, etc. highdesertranger

smitty · Aug 23, 2015

Thanks for the replies OP, Bob, and HDR.

I am thinking about this fridge, but haven't purchased it yet.
http://www.truckfridge.com/tf51.html

SternWake · Aug 23, 2015

That TF51 will consume about 15 to 20 Amp hours in 24 hours in 75F ambient temps and minimal lid openings.

Make sure the cooling unit vents are not restricted, and the vehicle does not turn into a 120 degree oven in midday sun.

How much you use the Laptop will either make or break 150 watts of solar, assuming you have lots of sunlight thoughout midday
These too can vary in the amount consumed by model and the tasks performed.

My several year old Dell will consume 2.5 to 4 AH per hour just online, but if I start streaming video this goes upto 5.5.

Do a 'car adapter' search for your make and model number laptop. These will save at least 15% of your battery power compared to running an inverter to power the laptop provided power brick.

On your power brick there will be some ratings.

volts x amp = watts.

That is the maximum output of the power brick, not what the laptop will always draw. The car adapters only issues are the Ciggy plugs themselves. When asked to pass 75+ watts for extended periods they will heat up and waste battery power and eventually fail. Better Ciggy plug designs exist and can be installed on the power cord
This one claims to be rated for 20 amps:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00G4RYWF2/ref=s9_hps_bw_g263_i9

I'd love to see the design of this in person and do some 20 amp testing of that claim, but they do appear pretty burly.

I have a Blueseas version rated for only 12 or 15 amps that I've never put into service.

I now personally use 45 amp Anderson powerpoles on anything that requires a connector. My 8 ciggy receptacles are largely unused, and only pass 1.1 amps when I do use them.