Hi all, can I just have some advice. I'm putting my caravan on a seasonal pitch which I've never done before. When we leave the pitch we have to unplug from site services. All I'm wondering is if I leave a few bits in my fridge (nothing in the ice compartment) could a solar panel keep it ticking over if it was on a low setting? It's probably been asked before so please direct me to info if I'm mithering!
I'm afraid the short answer is no. A fridge element is about 125W it is going to take a big panel to supply the power 24/7. Thats without thinking about how you are going to wire it up. You would probably be better running on gas just keeping it ticking over.
What kind of fridge is it? What country is it in? My answer is probably no anyway, unless you've got a compressor fridge with some big solar panels and batteries.
As the above have said jellikin its a no go even if it ran the fridge in the day it would go off at night.
Take a coolbox frozen down with the fridge stuff in and put the fridge on gas until frozen down as it brings the temp down quicker on gas.Then change to electric.
You could run it from a battery charged by a solar panel for a short time each day although the length of time would most likely be too short to hold it down at a decent temperature. If the fridge door isn't opened it may work.
You'd need to control the time it's on to make sure the battery doesn't over discharge and get damaged. Perhaps a voltage operated relay may do it.
A bit complicated for the odd bit of butter in it though because not much would last more than a week anyway. I don't think it's very practical.
Thank you for all your replies. So now I shall get used to carting an ice box backwards and forwards. I'm sure the hubby will let it stay on gas occasionally so his beer is chilled for when we arrive on a Friday night! 😜
Thanks again xx
We've got the same issue. Not sure I'd risk leaving the fridge on gas for 3-4 nights with noone there (I'd assume thwt the insurance would be invalid too, but I'll have to check).
Does anyone else leave their fridge running on gas?
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Topic: Fridge/solar?
