27 TECH TIPS OFF GRID POWER POWERING AIR CONDITIONERS AND RESIDENTIAL FRIDGES Solar power and lithium battery technology have revolutionized the way people travel in recreational vehicles. The pair make a game-changer, offering more freedom and the ability to enjoy modern conveniences wherever you park, and a greener, more sustainable way to explore the great outdoors. But off-grid energy comes with its limitations, especially with power-hungry appliances like air conditioners and residential refrigerators. This article will touch on the types of travelers, and the base-level recommendations for their mobile power system. REFRIGERATOR TYPE EST. AVERAGE USAGE (PER HOUR) EST. PER DAY USAGE (50% RUN TIME) 120V AC HIGH-EFFICIENCY 12V DC 25 AMPS 10 AMPS 120-AMP HOURS 300-AMP HOURS Keeping the food in the fridge cool is my main concern. One 200-watt panel produces about 7 – 10 amps of current in perfect conditions. Even when that solar panel is paired with a 100Ah Lithium battery, it’s impossible to run a 120V fridge without killing the battery over the course of a day. You will want to have full batteries at the end of the day, keeping your lights on as well as your fridge running when no solar power is generated. Remember, the battery bank is like the gas tank. The bigger the gas tank, the more power available to use. The more panels, the quicker those batteries refill with usable power. With a minimum of 600 watts of solar, customers should be able to produce enough power to run a 120V fridge during the day and have a bit of extra to make sure the batteries are full in the evening. Battery Chemistry – Choosing the Right Type Lithium batteries are quickly becoming the preferred option among RVers. With double the available capacity of traditional lead-acid, these batteries offer more freedom as well as the ability to power larger appliances, even if for a short period of time. In our example, the 100Ah Lithium battery can keep the 120 V fridge going for around ten hours. Adding a second battery doubles that time for a high efficiency 120V AC fridge. Adding Solar How many panels are needed to stay on top of the power used, and not deplete the batteries? Eva Mitic, marketing manager, Go Power! | Dometic Remember to verify your amp draw with your appliance. This will vary greatly by manufacturer and model. OFF GRID POWER POWERING AIR CONDITIONERS AND RESIDENTIAL FRIDGES Solar power and lithium battery technology have revolutionized the way people travel in recreational vehicles. The pair make a game-changer, offering more freedom and the ability to enjoy modern conveniences wherever you park, and a greener, more sustainable way to explore the great outdoors. But off-grid energy comes with its limitations, especially with power-hungry appliances like air conditioners and residential refrigerators. This article will touch on the types of travelers, and the base-level recommendations for their mobile power system. REFRIGERATOR TYPE EST. AVERAGE USAGE (PER HOUR) EST. PER DAY USAGE (50% RUN TIME) 120V AC HIGH-EFFICIENCY 12V DC 25 AMPS 10 AMPS 120-AMP HOURS 300-AMP HOURS Keeping the food in the fridge cool is my main concern. One 200-watt panel produces about 7 – 10 amps of current in perfect conditions. Even when that solar panel is paired with a 100Ah Lithium battery, it’s impossible to run a 120V fridge without killing the battery over the course of a day. You will want to have full batteries at the end of the day, keeping your lights on as well as your fridge running when no solar power is generated. Remember, the battery bank is like the gas tank. The bigger the gas tank, the more power available to use. The more panels, the quicker those batteries refill with usable power. With a minimum of 600 watts of solar, customers should be able to produce enough power to run a 120V fridge during the day and have a bit of extra to make sure the batteries are full in the evening. Battery Chemistry – Choosing the Right Type Lithium batteries are quickly becoming the preferred option among RVers. With double the available capacity of traditional lead-acid, these batteries offer more freedom as well as the ability to power larger appliances, even if for a short period of time. In our example, the 100Ah Lithium battery can keep the 120 V fridge going for around ten hours. Adding a second battery doubles that time for a high efficiency 120V AC fridge. Adding Solar How many panels are needed to stay on top of the power used, and not deplete the batteries? Eva Mitic, marketing manager, Go Power! | Dometic Remember to verify your amp draw with your appliance. This will vary greatly by manufacturer and model.
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