ENGEL Fridge - solar panel question

[voyageur]

I think this doable but I would like advice from someone who actually knows.

Scenario:

I just bought an ENGEL 35 from a lead on this forum (Craigslist).

I just bought a pair of 5 watt solar panels (from a list member) that daisy chain, for a total output (dependent on sun) of 10 watts.

Literature says ENGEL consumes 2.5 watts.

Does that mean I can hook my ENGEL to my Optima, hook my solar array to my Optima and basically as long as I have sun, expect to keep this fridge cold, all for free?

If not... What am I missing?

Thanks to everyone that responds. I will standby and take my answer off the air.

[AndrewP]

I think this doable but I would like advice from someone who actually knows.

Scenario:

I just bought an ENGEL 35 from a lead on this forum (Craigslist).

I just bought a pair of 5 watt solar panels (from a list member) that daisy chain, for a total output (dependent on sun) of 10 watts.

Literature says ENGEL consumes 2.5 watts.

Does that mean I can hook my ENGEL to my Optima, hook my solar array to my Optima and basically as long as I have sun, expect to keep this fridge cold, all for free?

If not... What am I missing?

Thanks to everyone that responds. I will standby and take my answer off the air.

Isn't it 2.5 (actually 2.7) AMPS? So that's over 30 watts when running. Since it doesn't run all the time, the total average consumption of power will be a bit less.

[voyageur]

It is amps not watts...

Same question Andrew, will it work? Dang! I thought I had it all figured out. Wish I understood OHM's law instead of OMMMM's law.

Thanks,

David

[JIMBO]

THE ENGEL CAN DRAW FROM 0 TO 60 WATTS AND YOU CAN'T ADD UP TRICKLE CHARGING SOLAR PANELS, TO MAINTAIN A BATTERIES TOP, CHARGED CONDITION

YOU NEED AT LEAST ONE 40 WATT PANEL/CONTROLLER, FOR LIGHT DUTY AND HEAVIER BEYOND THAT

SORRY FOR THE CAPS

JIMBO

[AndrewP]

It is amps not watts...

Same question Andrew, will it work? Dang! I thought I had it all figured out. Wish I understood OHM's law instead of OMMMM's law.

Thanks,

David

That's OK, James Lucas thought the same way and look how far it took him...


More seriously, I've often though of using a small cheap panel to spare the battery during trips, like when parked for an extended period. 10 watts might be enough to extend the battery from a couple of days to say 5, and that would be extremely helpful.

Try it and report back. Unfortunately those panels get pretty expensive as they start to make real power.

[voyageur]

I knew it was too good to be true.

Well time to go shopping again. I guess I could use my Powerflex set up (10WATT) to charge my cell phone or something like that.

Same question, different approach. If I run my 'Overy engine for 15 minutes a day (twice a day) to charge my Optima, will that keep the ENGEL cooling, until I can find (and afford) a 40 watt PVC and still start my engine?

David

[voyageur]

We are doing an overnighter this weekend. I will set the Powerflex up to trickle through my cigarette lighter and see how it does as far as keeping it a little longer. I will have a second vehicle in case it doesn't work and I have to jump-it. I'll post the results...

Voyageur

[Corey]

I am curious too.
I want a solar panel not to hook my ARB fridge to, I plug it into a 12v socket that is live all the time to the battery.

I just want a panel to keep the battery topped off when camped for a week.
I have ran my ARB solid for five days max on my battery, and the rig started right up on the fifth day no problem with no prior starting of the engine.

[JIMBO]

Using a trickle, solar pnl for the vehicle battery, is a GOOD IDEA, take advantage of the sun, when you're not driving somewhere

I always trickle chg, my off-road vehicle battery -whenever- but I still use my 60 watt pnl, for the TRAILER battery, I use for EVERYTHING

A lot of these expeditioners use dual battery systems and I'm sure they're great for their travels, I just never threaten my vehicles battery when off-road, usually my wife and I-far/far away

15 minutes a couple times a day won't save your battery, if you drop the battery down below 12.7 volts, so mind your P's and Q's

[voyageur]

Thanks Corey. Thanks Jimbo. I appreciate the information. I will just keep my 10W panels for a constant trickle.

I am going to start looking for a PVC too. I understand I will need a charge controller. Any suggestions as to source? Manufacturer? Cost?

Thanks I owe you a beer. Now it will be cold - with no ice. Very cool I think...

Voyageur