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Solar DC power for refrigerator


geO

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Does anyone use the DC setting for the refrigerator while boondocking?  I understand the 17-18amp draw on the batteries but the Zamp system can keep up with the demand on a bright sunny day. Doing a test now and so far impressed.

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The fridge is much more efficient on propane as opposed to either AC or DC.  Like you, I tried it once on DC just to see what would happen.  Unfortunately, I got a bit busy doing other "stuff" (like fishing) and forgot that I still had it on DC.  Thankfully I caught it in time before the batteries were totally depleted (50% lead acid), but, other than using it on DC for places where the use of propane is prohibited or perhaps while driving if one is opposed to using propane while going down the road, what's the use?

 

Bill

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2023 Ford F150 Lariat 3.5EB FX4 Max Towing, Max Payload, 2016 Oliver Elite II - Hull #117 "Twist"

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The Zamp system is a work horse and my test has been going on for 4 hours and my batteries are 100% fully charged. This image shows total amp hours used and the zamp controller showing amps coming in. Notice the blue light on the controller is off because the batteries are 100%.

IMG_0084.thumb.jpg.eec319db3e31fe2c7ff11d97baccbb7b.jpg

IMG_0085.thumb.jpg.5d89a1fcfdef16a5c0527073808f709a.jpg

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Impressive results.  I've always run ours on Propane.

Steve, Tali and our dog Rocky plus our beloved Storm, Maggie, Lucy and Reacher (all waiting at the Rainbow Bridge)

2008 Legacy Elite I - Outlaw Oliver, Hull #026 | 2014 Legacy Elite II - Outlaw Oliver, Hull #050 | 2022 Silverado High Country 3500HD SRW Diesel 4x4 

 

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Just to clarify, I do not have the Zamp system and I have a DC compressor fridge, so my questions are just out of curiosity.

 

If your display shows power usage, how much did you find that a day of fridge use consumed? What were the environmental conditions during your test, outside inside temps, I take it you just switched an already chilled fridge to DC only?

 

It is definitely interesting, as the amount of power required for DC to generate to the heat needed to run the ammonia process should be fairly sizable.

 

So, if nothing is running, what do you find the max output of the Zamp system to be?

 

Thanks

 

Edit: Just came across this

 

Screenshot_20180401-072641.thumb.jpg.c11166ce7f6aa522c2b5d8a84df23711.jpg

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Randy


One Life Live It Enjoyably


2017 F350 6.7L SRW CC LB


2015 Oliver Elite II Hull #69

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We use DC when driving but otherwise always propane.  Good to know the Zamp solar can handle the load for a few hours if I forget to switch over ?.

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Yvonne & Doug


2017 Legacy Elite II, twin bed


Hull #223


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Yvonne & Doug -

 

I assume that you use some method of reminding yourselves that you are on DC for the fridge.  The cost of forgetting can be fairly expensive let alone maddening - the food in the fridge plus the batteries plus inconvenience.

 

Bill

2023 Ford F150 Lariat 3.5EB FX4 Max Towing, Max Payload, 2016 Oliver Elite II - Hull #117 "Twist"

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Just to clarify, I do not have the Zamp system and I have a DC compressor fridge, so my questions are just out of curiosity.

 

If your display shows power usage, how much did you find that a day of fridge use consumed? What were the environmental conditions during your test, outside inside temps, I take it you just switched an already chilled fridge to DC only?

 

It is definitely interesting, as the amount of power required for DC to generate to the heat needed to run the ammonia process should be fairly sizable.

 

So, if nothing is running, what do you find the max output of the Zamp system to be?

 

Thanks

 

 

 

 

 

The power usage was only .01 amp for the entire test. The zamp system seems to adjust amps in according to need. Once I turned the fridge off dc the charge controller dropped from 16 amps to about 2amp. Conditions were under pure sunny skies with out door temp in the mid 70's. Battery temp was 22c.  The fridge was chilled prior to testing and set on cool setting 3. According to the charge controller the system brought in 69.3 amps during test. Hope this helps and thanks for the link you posted.

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Mark -

 

You might already know this but ....    The current fridge in the Oliver has an "automatic" setting.  When using this setting it will default to 120v and then to propane if no 120v.  AS soon as 120v is available again it will automatically switch back.  In order to get to 12v you must move the switch to that setting and once placed there it will stay on 12v until you move the switch back to "automatic" or to "propane".

 

Bill

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2023 Ford F150 Lariat 3.5EB FX4 Max Towing, Max Payload, 2016 Oliver Elite II - Hull #117 "Twist"

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I'd want to add the battery state of charge into the logic.  If you can intercept the wires from the fridge control panel this should be doable.  Get an Arduino and program it to prefer 120V, then 12V > 80% SOC, then propane.

 

Sure no problem!  Just add it to the list.....................

2018 OLEII #344   |   2018 Ford Expedition

 

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