Author Topic: Started my setup, solar panels, fridge etc.  (Read 2930 times)

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Offline slowtrip

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Started my setup, solar panels, fridge etc.
« on: June 21, 2015, 11:24:17 AM »
With the delivery of my CT imminent, I have started to acquire those things deemed necessary to convince my wife that camping is a GOOD thing.

I just bought a Waeco CF50 fridge, 120W folding solar panel kit, and deep cycle battery.  Have them running on the back deck now.  The fridge sure cooled down fast (but then it IS Winter).  Love the padded case the fridge comes with. 

My wife immediately grabbed a bottle of wine to make sure it fits in the fridge.  Sure it does .  Seems impressed :)
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Offline gronk

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Re: Started my setup, solar panels, fridge etc.
« Reply #1 on: June 21, 2015, 11:36:13 AM »
All set up......are you going to camp on the back deck tonight ??   ;D
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Offline slowtrip

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Re: Started my setup, solar panels, fridge etc.
« Reply #2 on: June 21, 2015, 11:37:42 AM »
All set up......are you going to camp on the back deck tonight ??   ;D

Not quite that keen, although the hammock is right next to the fridge.   Not that that was just coincidence either  :cheers:
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Offline slydar

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Re: Started my setup, solar panels, fridge etc.
« Reply #3 on: June 21, 2015, 03:30:27 PM »

My wife immediately grabbed a bottle of wine to make sure it fits in the fridge.  Sure it does .  Seems impressed :)

well she's into the swing of it now - you'll never go back to buying ice again! depending on the type of car you have, the fridge and battery may well end up in the back permanently like our little 35l is, with the solar panel on the roof rack. set up with a marine deep cycle and solar controller its handy for when you finish working outside and don't feel like going inside for a coldie (and another chore)

what sort of controller do you have? if you don't mind I may suggest for extended camping another panel around the same as you have now to keep the battery topped up in overcast weather - our 2 x 95 watters through a 15A controller keep our battery topped up enough to support the 50l waeco for three full days of overcast weather in summer while other people are anxiously shifting their panels around and looking skyward for a gap in the clouds, and have the battery fully charged in 3-4 hours on the first sunny day afterwards
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Offline tracker

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Re: Started my setup, solar panels, fridge etc.
« Reply #4 on: June 21, 2015, 03:34:42 PM »
With the delivery of my CT imminent, I have started to acquire those things deemed necessary to convince my wife that camping is a GOOD thing.

I just bought a Waeco CF50 fridge, 120W folding solar panel kit, and deep cycle battery.  Have them running on the back deck now.  The fridge sure cooled down fast (but then it IS Winter).  Love the padded case the fridge comes with. 

My wife immediately grabbed a bottle of wine to make sure it fits in the fridge.  Sure it does .  Seems impressed :)


 If da wine bottles fits and wifey is happy.........Happy trails to you.......

                             Cheers Tracker.
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Offline slowtrip

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Re: Started my setup, solar panels, fridge etc.
« Reply #5 on: June 21, 2015, 05:53:53 PM »

what sort of controller do you have? if you don't mind I may suggest for extended camping another panel around the same as you have now to keep the battery topped up in overcast weather - our 2 x 95 watters through a 15A controller keep our battery topped up enough to support the 50l waeco for three full days of overcast weather in summer while other people are anxiously shifting their panels around and looking skyward for a gap in the clouds, and have the battery fully charged in 3-4 hours on the first sunny day afterwards

I don't know what brand the controller is.  The kit is the one from Waeco.   Tentworld have a special on them at $450 and BCF price matched.

The controller has YC-1210 on it, and here's a link to the manual https://www.getawaeco.com.au/files/Solar_Controller_User_Manual.pdf
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