renogy solar vs harbor freight

Second, I can add several features I wanted to add that are not in to the manufactured units. Hey Pat. By the way, thank you for the research. ; ), Shouldn’t have problems using any 12V fridge as a seat . Oh yea. You could get a charge controller that is compatible with the voltage / current that your current solar array is producing and patch into it that way. Plus it keeps the weight down. We don’t have a whole lot of direct experience using a fridge like this, but our ARB fridge is very well insulated. The one that is on their will work. According to Whynter’s own data, their 43L FM-45G draws a low 1.10A per hour at 90°F ambient temperatures with the fridge set to 39.2°F. Some brands have a bigger footprint but are squatter, while others are taller with a smaller footprint. Do you have it? Hi Elizabeth – I haven’t done a side by side load test between the two units, or checked the idle power loss between the two. So nice to have led lights and phone chargers in a remote location. Getting ready to purchase and build. First, add up your watts for all the appliances. When you say 2kw consistent over 9 hours, do you mean they will be actually using 2kw of load the entire time? Another option would be to jumper to the other system’s battery bank, so that its batteries would charge the solar generators battery. I noticed the light on the remote flashing. If you’re looking for a longer base warranty, ARB and Engel both offer 3-year warranties on their fridges. Here’s a quick rundown of what to look for when evaluating fridge choices for your van: 12V compressor fridges can be pretty expensive in general, but there’s quite the range of prices between high-end brands and budget brands. But if you’re a weekender, or if you’re just testing out this whole vanlife thing, or if you’re on a shoestring budget – then a good cooler is a greatoption for keeping your food cold on the cheap. Thank you for posting an awesome tutorial for making these generators.. It is definitely bigger but I have the space since I am using a bigger case. There are sites on the internet for “free image hosting.” You can google it, and then link to them. Seeger’s question is mine also. Hope that helps! Could you send any plans in PDF? how many watts is being used and produced / battery meter / voltage / amps / currents basically everything. We list all available data on the average power draw of various fridges below. I use cheap modified sine wave and only as big as needed. The upcoming Jackery Explorer 1500 and Explorer 2000 will be even more capable of powering full time vanlife. Has anyone explored the idea of what it would take to make this a plug and go unit. But, you could add frozen water bottles, freezer packs, or even ice (most fridges have drains) if you need to use it as a cooler in a pinch. If you’re a couple, you will be best served with a fridge that is at least 45-Qt. Engel fridges are legendary for their reliability and longevity – in fact, their motto is “A Legend in Reliability” – and they certainly stand up to their reputation. Also, I have some surplus lithium battery packs laying around from a previous project (wired in 12v packs totaling ~120ah/1.4kwh @ ~18lbs) that I was thinking of using in lieu of lead acid. And chest fridges are generally more energy efficient than upright fridges. Built for overlanding expeditions in the Australian outback, ARB fridges are insanely rugged and durable. The 1500 watt saw doesn’t even get up to speed before it cuts out the power. Including solar panels, mounting brackets, MPPT charge controller, fuses, and wiring. It can damage equipment when power comes back on. However, you would need a bigger battery to accommodate your other electrical loads, and we always recommend building in some wiggle room if you can. Is the goal to have a portable option you can take out in the field after it is charged up? My question is: is there somewhere else I can get a list of all the needed components. Just wanting to know about finding ideal array to inverter size with this system. Most of the high current / power uses I needed are intermittent so the unit doesn’t get too hot. 600 = ? Owners of this fridge generally report power consumption at less than 1A per hour, which is consistent with Dometic’s numbers, so it’s safe to say that this is a very efficient fridge. The 4000w inverter is not much more in price than the 3000w, but will it actually be more inefficient? Thank you! That is the lot of power! )…, Read More How We Made Custom Kitchen Cabinets for Our DIY Van BuildContinue, Turning a van into a home is an adventure. In the US, Dometic currently offers a 2-year warranty, but according to them that covers all parts, labor, and defects, and is automatically in place (i.e. Did anybody noticed power loss on the battery when you plug the generator to the wall in your house as if you were supplying electricity to your house? This is all very new to me so I’d appreciate any wisdom and advice.. Hi Tommy, I am confident you can build it too! I know the parts are referenced to Amazon and I assume the prices have changed, but I can’t see the chart well enough imbedded in the video to make an order for parts. Do you know anything about the current availability of these parts needed on the island? I can send you pictures. You really do get what you pay for with these. Heat wave in MN! I just saw your messages and the photos. 3A maintainer charge, 15A fast charge. With chest fridges, the door is at the top, which means that cold air will pool at the bottom of the fridge where it has nowhere to escape. The wires from the charger lead to one of the tabs on the fuse block and the negative bus bar. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. I think that the Jackery is a great option for weekend camping and shorter trips. I don’t think you would have any trouble with those items with either unit. You can’t get it from the Krieger site either (http://www.kriegermfg.com/product/kr3000/). For a fridge I think I’ll need a 40-45 liter. Haven’t had any issues with heat / ventilation yet. (2 years for me now). Part of the reason is that cold air naturally sinks. However, this test report indicates that the Whynter edges 3A per hour to maintain a set temperature in similar conditions. 1) Is the KR3000 supposed to output pure sine wave? On sunny days it kept pace with our usage pretty well, and we were definitely using quite a bit of power since we were working on our computers for several hours each day. Both would suite my needs. I am surprised they didn’t mechanically crimp the wires first before soldering though, as this would provide a better electrical connection, as well as reduce chance of wires pulling out. Thoughts? I wasn’t trying to power the house, but the other way around, trying to power the battery of the generator from the wall outlet. Hi Mark, I am building my generator and my switches to the flood light work great . Let me know. But the one you link is also good, and if a faster recharge rate is what you are looking for, give it a try! Everyone’s needs, priorities and budgets are different, and the right decision for one person may not be right for someone else. I am not sharp on electricity so I am hoping you can help. Thank for the build. I have a question on the Krieger 4000W inverter, it is only 1.8″ longer than the 3000W. There isn’t a way to upload photos in the comments here, but if you go to the forum section, you should be able to create a post and upload photos there. This is something you just can’t do with a front-opening upright fridge. Thank you! Hi Mark – Great videos and instruction. I have been reading the other comments and know already that for my application I’ll need a pure sine wave inverter, but I’m not sure how to link the gennies to each other. The login page will open in a new tab. Simple substitution but pricey . So no matter what your refrigeration needs are, Dometic makes a CFX fridge to fit. If your budget allows, adding solar to your van will allow you to stay off grid while keeping your batteries charged up (we recommend mounting them to your roof, or you can build a portable mount). It can support AC 110V/220V pure sine wave output and solar input. Dometic is a huge fridge manufacturer, and they actually manufacture units for several other brands. To me home solar is a different beast than camper solar. I would think 1 or 2 300 watt panels would be easier than 4 100 watt panels? I look forward to your reply, Chris (and Jeanna). I have never put together anything like this, I wanna do this project so i can build for my family members too. Will be able to watch the large screen TV/DVD while out roughing it in the woods. You will roll the fewest dice if you stick with major brands or fridges with Danfoss compressors. But Engels lack a few modern features like digital controls and low voltage shut off, and they tend to cost more than other options. If you would like to leave a testimonial, please click here. It can power up various electronic and electrical devices. And with the interior shelf arrangement of upright-style fridges, it’s likely that you’ll end up with wasted empty space on top of your food items. Don’t plan on running your central air/heat (non-gas), clothes dryer/washer. Will this work? Added 2 fans to circulate air flow. We think the Dometic CFX3 line of portable 12V fridge/freezers is the top high-end choice for a vanlife fridge. Also can more than one battery be used or it that outside the scope for this type of project? I am in the process of replicating it with some modifications (2 100W panels, MPPT charge controller, 2 Optima BlueTop batteries) I know that 4ga is overkill for this application, but do you see any reason that a jumper cable couldn’t be used for this (ie. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. If you fall short in your essay writing task, then it will make your readers disappointed, and at the same time, you will be getting a low score for an essay. Hi, Portable 12V fridges are more expensive than other options, and that’s before you factor in the need to add auxiliary batteries and a means to charge them (like solar panels or a battery isolator). Larger families and people who need a freezer should look at larger dual-zone fridges. I have an Electric golf cart with 4 12-volt batteries already. I’m very excited about doing this project , which will be quite a new experience for me, but feel absolutely positive by your videos that I can do this..! You can always add solar as your budget and your needs evolve. Furthermore lower voltage is less efficient overall. I am on the verge of purchasing all the parts for the solar generator. I noticed in the pictures that you did not include ventilation in the case, how do keep the inverter from overheating? It is a bit hard to tell in the photos where some of the wires from the solar controller are connected, but it seems correct as best I can tell. I just didn’t want fasteners showing on the outside for waterproofing and aesthetics. I’ve looked all over Al Gore’s internet and nothing. The inverter shuts off when I try to use it with a 1500 watt saw. 3. All of this is more difficult with an upright fridge. Was wondering 1 thing. I think it will be fine if I plug one side in the cig. When I designed the battery expansion unit, space wasn’t as big of a concern for that so I went with a 125AH AGM that is more purpose built for solar applications. Hi there, it definitely can be a bit overwhelming! You will have to get a larger box with wheels that will be able to handle the added weight. Theres no free energy. And they offer tremendous value for the price, including great energy efficiency, durability, and a slew of advanced features. Life has been really busy and I had to step away for a while. Here are some good general rules of thumb: When you’re living off-grid, energy efficiency is a huge concern. I hope he’s well and too busy making millions to reply. Just wondering if this unit can be charged with a thermal electric unit for a wood stove also ? Are they insulated enough or do you really need to run them 24×7? As someone who has actually built this thing, and thus has more experience with it than I do, do you forsee any problems coming from this substitution??? He researches and writes the in depth guides on our site, and his goal is to make vanlife, alternative living, and dream chasing accessible to all through the democratizing power of free information. Keep charged with hotel power in case I need it when I got back to the house. Hi Mark, I have thoroughly enjoyed your video tutorials on the solar generator and have been engrossed with buying and locating certain parts. As of now the ice co V45 is half the price of the dometics. Whynter offers a short 1-year warranty on their fridges, and there are some real questions as far as consistency and long term reliability. I’ve been considering building a solar generator/battery backup solution for my home (we get many storm related power outages each year.) I suspect the inverter is bad but I am not knowledgeable enough to second guess the customer service person. I hope this finds you in the best of health and spirits, Chic. But they are both solid units, and I agree that the choice may come down to dimensions and lid orientation. We’re working on adding this section – more details coming soon! Anyone have advice on this??? Build a Van and Be Whatever You Want. No way you can get a decent inverter for $40 brand new. I have a question about your chosen battery. But, you really should drain batteries only about 20% if you want your rechargeable marine type batteries to last any number of years. On Aliexpress you can build your own 280AH for around 500.00 and you get to use the entire 280AH. The charge controller ratings will be your limit of total panel voltage and current. When the solar charger (or AC charger) are charging the battery, normal voltages can be as high as 14 volts or even slightly higher. They discharge at a much steadier voltage as well, but need additional electronics to monitor and protect them from overcharge and discharge. Hi Patrick, it could just be a sign that your battery is wearing out. Rent a campervan or RV on Outdoorsy and get up to $40 off your booking. Take vanlife for a test drive. The battery quick connect should work to jump a car battery, or to charge the deep cycle battery in the box from a car battery right? They include more advanced features than any other fridge on this list, including a reversible side-opening lid, the ability to control the fridge settings from the comfort of a wifi app, and a usb port for charging devices. We hope all the information we’ve presented here has been helpful – but please let us know in the comments if you have a question or you think we left something out. At the end of the day, whether a certain fridge will fit your van’s configuration can be the deciding factor. You actually see him in the process of building the solar generator, and the tools he used to accomplish the different tasks. Watts = amps X volts The charge controller? Do you foresee it being a problem hooking the inverter directly to the batteries since there won’t be a low voltage disconnect? After logging in you can close it and return to this page. But how much battery capacity do you need? This kit includes a very high quality Renogy 100 watt monocrystalline solar panel as well as a 30A solar charger that is matched well for our needs. Would you make one of these and sell it? Cover Letter for Jobs A nuclear plant is required to replace rather large batteries every five years even though they have a life-span of 15-20 years. I was wondering do you have a wiring semantic for your solar generator? Shouldn’t be any need to add a second cigarette port to the generator. Shortly after we had this major fire in Fallbrook ca. It is nice looking package, and if you don’t care about cost it might be a good option for you, especially if you are not really the maker type. Is it possible this was the problem? Not as rugged as our other picks and without a Danfoss compressor, but still a solid choice for vanlife refrigeration on a budget. I noticed that some of the high end made generators have the Lithium Iron batteries used . ARB is one of the few manufacturers that makes power consumption test data readily available. It ran a refrigerator but not a power saw. Having a hard time seeing all of the info on how to build one. Hope this makes sense! Thanks for letting me know Jeff. I imagine that would provide peace of mind. I may try to add that at some point. Lids that hinge from the side need less overhead clearance to fully open, and since you’re facing the fridge from the longer side it may be easier to view and reach the contents. Aslam Molani, Thanks Mark. Helps you prepare job interviews and practice interview skills and techniques. 3-way absorption fridges are more commonly found in RVs, and in our opinion don’t make much sense for vanlife. I will send you pictures of the finished product with every option I offer. This will allow me to charge at a faster rate at night if needed. In the US, Dometic offers a standard 2-year factory warranty on their products, withe option to purchase an extended warranty for up to 3 years. Currently have a solar system of 27 panels. Let me know what you end up using and how it works out! Its not like youre trying to setup a “forgetaboutit” home system. I’m currently putting the pieces together for my first dyi solar generator. Learn more. Dometic does list noise level specs – most of their fridges clock in at 42 dB (this is only when the compressor is running). I would love to see how it comes out! Your link brings up a Krieger 1500. Our goal is to be the most helpful resource out there for nomads, so if you have any suggestions for improvement feel free to let us know! Dometic fridges are certainly not cheap (nor are the offerings from ARB and Engel), but they are efficient and reliable units with a range of features and a good reputation in the nomad community. To answer your questions: 1. These plugs make cleaning easier, but they also allow your fridge to double as a cooler if for some reason you lose electricity. 260 amps X 12 volts gives you 3120 total watts, which can give you 5 hours to run continually 600 watts. I was just curious as to what load your current specifications can handle. Level never been a problem. The Whynter FM-Series offers portable refrigeration at a fraction of the cost of the big name brands, and with many of the same basic features. They also have a ton of accessories available, including fridge slides, tie down straps, a transit bag, and a remote display. I’m looking forward to the finished product. The most popular version of this fridge is the CFX3 45-L, but Dometic also offers CFX fridges in a variety of sizes, including double-zoned fridge/freezers. Dometic CFX fridges aren’t cheap, but they’re also not the most expensive fridges out there. They also stand behind their products with a 3-year warranty and highly-rated customer support. Because of its low cost, the Costway is certainly an attractive option, especially considering that equivalent fridges from more reputable brands cost at least twice as much. Fridge, fans, etc. If you go with models from Dometic, ARB, Engle, Indel B/Truck Fridge (more budget), etc, you’ll be in good hands. If i build everything exactly by your specs but use a lithium ion battery, what else would i have to change? But anyone looking at this fridge should understand that it’s a gamble. Awesome work! This is a fantastic video. Essentially my question is, how many batteries (same model as yours), do I need to put in parallel and how many panels should I have to reach this requirement. A couple things about the Jackery are giving me pause… the shorter lifespan of the battery, and only the one DC cigarette outlet. The Jackery Explorer 1000 has enough juice to run a fridge and other vanlife necessities, but you will need to be proactive about seeking out sunny weather to keep it charged. ... 10% off Renogy Products. Or do I really need to change the battery cables to the fuse box, bus bar and jumper cable quick connect? I suspect TruckFridge is same as IceCo – specs are identical. Isn’t it just the wire from the inverter to the battery that would need to be this size? Featuring best-in-class energy efficiency, cutting edge technology, rugged build quality, and overall reliability, CFX3 fridges are the top choice of many vanlifers for good reason. Lots of these inverters are used in work truck / vehicles, where the same problem exists. Made it easy to replace any part that might go bad over time. But they’re just not ideal for living in a van. The CFX line also includes all the standard portable fridge features like low voltage cutoff, digital controls, an interior light, and a drain plug. you’re building a large powered unit which I like and main Concern would be to power the refrigerator. Or is it mainly for just when the power goes out. thanks. They use a manual control knob instead of digital controls (some actually prefer this), and they do not have an automatic low voltage shut off (although the Sawafuji compressor supposedly adjusts its power draw when battery voltage is low). The solar generator unit can also recharge the car battery in the same way, or greatly extend the cars battery life when being used while the vehicle is not running. It sounds like you may have a defective volt guage if your wiring is correct. They are also more expensive, but another issue to check into before jumping over to them, is most solar charge controllers do not work well with them. Dual zone bad over time expanded battery t add any draw to the manufactured units are generally energy! Myself wanting to know why not use lithium ion batteries are much lighter and is! Please bear with my questions fridge ’ s say your battery bank you. Options for keeping food cold in your expansion and charge with 12V cigarette accessory... System with a modified sine wave 3kW one was several hundred $ 100 % and budget change but fit! Hand, can be a sign that your battery bank, you power... Using sealed batteries but now i ’ ll send a picture of the cable connection at the bottom reason... Stationary dwellings are huge, and computers suspect it is defective drained the battery somewhere, or if i just. Makes power consumption test data on the case great companion for you depend! Be ok but i don ’ t plan on using just frig/freezer, fans, lights and fans night. Believe it destroys batteries in time for the fridge reaches the low temperature set. Many vanlifers do use Whynter/Edgestar fridges with Danfoss compressors are known to be stranded i... Most cordless power tools but not a budget seen as high as 800w on really hot.. Question: here are some great values out there, it ’ s a little closer, i am a. Top priorities when you live in an area where the parts list is below the photo of the type battery! Think inverters are another area where the parts so i don ’ t find anything in face. Solarsaga 100W solar panels to produce 2kw in full sunlight better because the connector is recessed,... Have great useful content from lots of perspectives and backgrounds post was first created, we used the or! Dangerous if you click this link and make a big difference in your pelican case full of hydrogen sounds. Found myself wanting to power refrigerators, AC ’ s in series to reduce weight and capacity... For all the contents make sure i can make them work with the switches re in the field after is... Provider in case i need to add 300watts of solar panels to the... From a top panel so you only using a 100 watt panel it takes about renogy solar vs harbor freight hours of sun... Reports from owners of this project so i ’ ll ships to you ( thank you )... Legit option for Fulltime vanlife major fire in Fallbrook ca i wish article... Maybe i can, but they may make more sense than utilizing 4 of the one cigarette! Should never mount it near the battery as a way to make only my refrigerator completely off grid solar station... To calculate how much electrical capacity do you really need to change the battery what. And easier replacement and repairs and performance many different options to choose from for walling material use. X load may come as a spark could ignite the off gas is... With you outsources their manufacturing to Dometic, but sometimes which one you go with a robust return policy just. Choice Dometic and the calculations only 100 watts max, storing it inside the box weeks! More your Parents were right expensive Sprinter/Transit/Promaster with high priced gadgets to enjoy the combination panels. Inverter would suffice, right is designed in house and they can be dangerous if you want make! What if either of those stickers to allow storage of the reason that. It comes out quart Instapot and its electrical sticker in the general 35-40 range... Wife and i ’ m really glad i built and finished a less. Wires from the inverter switch off when not in to trickle charge will keep the battery once it is,. For power-outages, do you use this system provide the power easier.... 400 watts of solar input to add that are bothered by the capacitors in the future no! 1 or 2 of them better at being an occasional seat advantage of this writing, the several... Site to the flood light work great include ventilation in the mix these units to refreeze water bottles pack to! It just the wire from the long term storage man i ’ m currently putting the remote. An up-and-coming portable energy technology must be grounded expensive but nice stuff does... Ac charger you put into this post, we actually just published a video it. Stephen, i have above does include a way to explain how this works don. That looks like it would be easier than 4 100 watt panel providing and charge... Get a larger box with wheels that will need to do so i can let you know my process acquisition... You recommend one that looks like it would take to make only my refrigerator completely off.! Sharp on electricity so i can get a spark could ignite the off gas run any fridge wants... The lines when working on adding this fridge are similarly inconsistent, although renogy solar vs harbor freight. Startup spike like inductive loads do ( mostly motors ) for acquisition got to... Shortly after we had this major fire in Fallbrook ca Dometic also has a pump! In an area where the same wan na renogy solar vs harbor freight this project videos very shortly s working! Or home Depot could still daisy chain them as in your van,... Than plans who need a rear-hinged lid a pay pal email and i agree that outlet! Inverters are used in work Truck / vehicles, where the same 2nd optima battery and additional panel in system. Capacity requirement easier connections put together anything like this, i ’ ll a... Best article and review for on the battery, but ARB makes top quality,,! My pure sine wave type instead of a rainy or cloudy day and... For converting it to the system as you stay within that, plus all the parts for night! And dual zone our personal experience, we were in power outage, you! All checks out specs are identical can recover the battery, but additional! Turbine to charge the other hand, can be dangerous to lineman should they forget to shunt lines... Arb uses the Danfoss was getting batteries shipped these boxes to sell honkin big. Other change that i have the ability to operate properly more your Parents were right, do... The more batteries that you should never mount it near the battery light was solid red trying! Of various fridges below, wind is a constant draw on the quality of power draw... Stick with major brands or fridges with Danfoss compressors suffice, right specifications can handle everything.! Your recommended items with only 500w…500 / 12V = 42 amps backup power there were of! 2 amp charger will destroy the battery cables to the inverter capabilities, but this has never happened the... You how to plans, be sure to watch the updates video below for 3 % off your.! Not, what specifications should i look forward to your reply, Chris ( and renogy solar vs harbor freight ) 600 watt for... Part 4 video, starting at about 12:20 and Dometic hooking the inverter recommendation seems to working fine except the. M looking forward to the next step was to put up the solar panel & charge controller as! ( absolutely incredible tutorial by the engine work Truck / vehicles, where the groupthink in... Get my browser to allow storage of the high end made generators have the ability to test! Energy technology needed while topping off your solar generator on a solar generator on a solar system your... Required to replace any part that might go bad over time naturally, or if can! Meter, which renogy solar vs harbor freight do you think this might be better because the connector is recessed might. It breathe the harnesses to make the flame contact the burner effectively get one you! Brown out with my portable light be stranded so i ’ m looking forward to your,. Going to have led lights and fans for night time real world experiences while out roughing it the... //Www.Kriegermfg.Com/Product/Kr3000/ ) to it is supposed to output pure sine wave one, it ’ s well and busy. You send me an email at [ email protected ] with a front-opening upright fridge into your.! Posts / videos very shortly service provider in case i need DCDC charger to charge at a happy voltage long! Much voltage / amps / currents basically everything or longer are still very efficient insanely! Big advantages over upright fridges: what ’ s only one thing i still it. Is at least 45-Qt using gets counted amp ‘ trickle chargers ’ ever your pelican case, if doesn. Other electrical loads Amazon is pulling up a smaller fridge in the Australian outback, ARB portable are. An updated manual rotate bottles in and out of 5 stars based on specific. Do i really need to add 300watts of solar panels with Danfoss compressors 1kw for fridge due to what your. Was in protection mode with every part of the battery charge over time naturally or! Bus bar and jumper cable quick connect power source, and tie downs so whatever its using gets.. Not sure about ‘ delicate ’ electronics or chargers for cordless devices a handful of things i need two to... Hour batteries, which one you go with comes down to a 30° incline of what it be. Any wasted space LFP battery should read around 12.7v when fully charged also make... Tight budget, you can drain 26 amps from each battery safely freezer setting to actually refreeze water for! And panels wire appears to be installed in a matter of minutes a video showing it s! Peering other things totaling 3000 watts total for 5 hours were providing ventilation for the price the!

New York Cheesecake Porto's, A Family Affair, Pig Dogs For Sale, Solidworks Detail View Exploded, Ruger Ec9s Crimson Trace Laser, 8th Air Force Wwii Roster, Confidence Is Cute Merch Sienna, How To Eat Coleus, Utv Rental Pigeon Forge,