Simple Solar System - powering a freezer

[mdyucca]

Recently installed solar on my Gladiator. A few months ago, I purchased Iceco, 35 quart, dual zone freezer. The first few times using the iceco I would run out of battery using, in combination, my Jackery 290 and Iceco battery pac.

For the solar I didn't want to tie into the vehicle electric system as when in the middle of the desert the last thing you want is a dead start battery. I know a solar system can be wired to charge the vehicle battery as well as power any electrical components being used. However, I wanted to leave the trucks electrical system separate from the auxiliary solar electric system.

Using a Renogy 120 watt anti shading solar panel and 100 amp hour lithium battery I have been able to produce enough electricity to run my Iceco freezer indefinitely. I went out for four days and when I came home I was still making ice and my solar system battery was at full charge! And best of all my food did not get soogy from ice melting.

I also installed a 400 watt inverter for 120 volt application.

I am in Southern California with about 350 days of sunshine. I will keep the Jackery and Iceco battery pack for backup if we ever get any rain.

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[LoneWolfUSMC]

Looks good. Hopefully this weekend I can get my 200W Renogy panel installed on my Alu-Cab Canopy. I am using a Bluetti AC200L to run my IceCo APL55. In my Silverado, it was generally self-regenerating unless I had a couple of days of bad weather. In the truck, I just charged from solar although I had a lead I could connect to charge from the vehicle’s 12V if needed. In the Gladiator, I am installing a Bluetti Charger 2 to manage the charging between solar and alternator. It is supposed to disconnect and not allow the system to pull down the starting battery. It also allows for “reverse charging” if I need to charge the vehicle battery from the AC200L or solar.

 

[DavenFla]

As you can see in my avatar I use solar on my small travel trailer. I also use a 50 amp MPPT-DC-DC charger controller that allows me to utilize the Jeep's 240 amp alternator for charging my 4-100 a/h batteries while driving. The MPPT for your set up doesn't have to be more than 20 amps. Consider this for your system.
https://offgridstores.com/products/renogy-12v-20a-dc-to-dc-battery-charger

 

[mdyucca]

Bluetti has some nice premium equipment. You’ll be able to run a construction crew out of you power system!

As you can see in my avatar I use solar on my small travel trailer. I also use a 50 amp MPPT-DC-DC charger controller that allows me to utilize the Jeep's 240 amp alternator for charging my 4-100 a/h batteries while driving. The MPPT for your set up doesn't have to be more than 20 amps. Consider this for your system.
https://offgridstores.com/products/renogy-12v-20a-dc-to-dc-battery-charger

The charger will most likely be next.

 

[DavenFla]

Bluetti has some nice premium equipment. You’ll be able to run a construction crew out of you power system!

The charger will most likely be next.

It's especially helpful when driving distances between camping-fishing-hunting locations. I utilize a 60 amp -12vdc breaker where my connection is made to the Jeep, better than a fuse IMO. In addition the connection is through a 50 amp Anderson connector.

You seem to have a good handle on your set up.

 

[Ding gus]

+1 for bluetti. Their stuff scales really well even for full home use and very portable. Saves a lot of headaches with noisy generators.

 

[Blade1668]

Looking good, I'm likely to be changing mine around in future to the bed. In same place. Since I added a passenger to my Gladiator.

 

[Bird Dog]

I use an Anker cooler that has (2) 100a/h onboard batteries. It is VERY efficient. On longer trips, if needed, I simply use a 12v cable to run the cooler. Once at my destination a 100w panel recharges the cooler batteries.

 

[T-Rock]

Recently installed solar on my Gladiator. A few months ago, I purchased Iceco, 35 quart, dual zone freezer. The first few times using the iceco I would run out of battery using, in combination, my Jackery 290 and Iceco battery pac.

For the solar I didn't want to tie into the vehicle electric system as when in the middle of the desert the last thing you want is a dead start battery. I know a solar system can be wired to charge the vehicle battery as well as power any electrical components being used. However, I wanted to leave the trucks electrical system separate from the auxiliary solar electric system.

Using a Renogy 120 watt anti shading solar panel and 100 amp hour lithium battery I have been able to produce enough electricity to run my Iceco freezer indefinitely. I went out for four days and when I came home I was still making ice and my solar system battery was at full charge! And best of all my food did not get soogy from ice melting.

I also installed a 400 watt inverter for 120 volt application.

I am in Southern California with about 350 days of sunshine. I will keep the Jackery and Iceco battery pack for backup if we ever get any rain.

Nice setup! Where did you get those solar panel brackets to attach to your cap roof rack?

 

[mdyucca]

Nice setup! Where did you get those solar panel brackets to attach to your cap roof rack?

The mounting brackets are a combination of two components from Amazon:

1. Spartan solar panel Z bracket
2. Fanmao 3X3 12 gauge brackets

The 3X3 angle brackets were sized, cut and drilled to fit as needed.

 

[T-Rock]

The mounting brackets are a combination of two components from Amazon:

1. Spartan solar panel Z bracket
2. Fanmao 3X3 12 gauge brackets

The 3X3 angle brackets were sized, cut and drilled to fit as needed.

Thank You

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