What watt will work, we wonder

[nature lover]

Hello from Pennsylvania. Another electrical question. I just got a teaser deal from Amazon. Great price on a portable 120 W solar panel. I think I wanted more wattage but 120 and this price is not bad. The problem is it’s 18 V. My refrigerator is 12 V. What say ye?

 

[Weight]

The panel operates through the charge controller and charges a 12 volt battery. The fridge operates from the battery.

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

All '12V' solar panels will put out 16 to 19 amps.

Does the portable panel have an integral charge controller?
Do you have a battery?

A refrigerator 'can' be run without a battery BUT you need to run it through a charge controller to ensure that you don't fry the refrigerator electronics AND the refrigerator will only run when the panel is putting out enough energy (5 or 6 hours a day).

 

[nature lover]

I have to go back to see if the panel enclosures includes a charge controller. I know one is needed and had intended to put it closer to my batteries as recommended by some. I have to have the fridge for several medications. And since I prefer parking under a shade tree to camp. I have to goTo a portable panel. Eventually I’d like a rooftop panel to supplement the portable panel and have that rooftop panel working when I am driving rather than just reply on the alternator to charge while I am driving. Every time I think I know what I need to know about this electrical system I realize that I am confused and questions come up.

I just went back to the Amazon ad and cannot find a mention of a charge controller so I assume it’s not there. Good for me because I want to charge controller near the batteries when I’m running a portable on a long wire

So if I’m understanding the advice handed out here the panel is 18 volt but it will charge a 12 V system and of course it’s the refrigerator that requires to 12 V so I should be good to go. I was just confused and questioning if the 18 V panel was compatible with the 12 V system I am installing. Thank you so much for everyone who replied without you guys I would be lost and maybe I am still lost God bless us all everyone