Solar panels

Grandpa Don

Grandpa Don

Super Active Member
Sep 5, 2018
2,022
Southern California
Grandpa Don

Grandpa Don

Super Active Member
Sep 5, 2018
2,022
Southern California
BikeNFish said:
I've see a few good reviews on the Alpicool brand fridges on YouTube.
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You know honestly, I think they are all pretty much the same as far as reliability goes. It's a matter of how much to you want to spend and what is your favorite brand. I did do a lot, about 3 months on and off, of research on them before purchasing the Alpicool. I just couldn't make up my mind. Then I saw a video by "Slim Potatohead" a well known camper guy on You Tube. He had a smaller Alpicool for about a year, but decided it was too small for his needs. He trusted the brand enough to upgrade to the Alpicool C40. That was good enough for me. I ordered one minutes after watching his video. I got it within 4 days.
 
Last edited:
Chris I

Chris I

Member
Sep 2, 2020
97
Portland, OR
There are "solar generators" that can run air conditioning units, and take enough solar to keep the battery charged during regular use, but you probably won't like the price:
https://www.kickstarter.com/project...Fqd2fbi0cb2ET1Ir1nzRGaJ43W0BmiTgaAvDyEALw_wcB

We use an EcoFlow River Pro with extra battery (1400mAh of total capacity) to run our AC fridge, and it's good for about 3 days with no solar input. A good 12V fridge is going to last a bit longer, leaving you with some juice to run other things. If you are dead-set on running AC, your only cheap option is going to be a gas generator. Note that some people do use a combination of gas generator and a battery like the Ecoflow, to reduce the time spent running the generator. The EcoFlow River can charge fully in about 2 hours, so you can run the generator to power your AC and charge the battery, but your fridge is plugged into the EcoFlow. When you shutdown the generator for the night, the EcoFlow will run the fridge from battery.
 
Phil Waltz

Phil Waltz

New Member
Jul 26, 2020
3
Colorado
If you're shopping for solar panel I'd highly recommend Renogy. I was initially considering Harbor Freight and when researched felt like Renogy is much better product - more solid construction, more adaptable. I bought a 100 w foldable panel that included controller capable of adding another 100w, Harbor Freight did not compare. Although bit more expensive, are often good deals (friend recently bought 200w for price of 100w) and if you get referred by a friend, you get a discount and they get a referral rebate. take a look!
 
OR_scott

OR_scott

Member
Mar 20, 2021
21
I got the Alpicool LGCF55 with the LG compressor for camping and the Alpicool C9 for beverages in my SUV. I’ve had real good experience with both so far. The C9 goes off-roading a lot and is constantly making me smile with super cold refreshing bubbly waters. The little things in life. The SUV has a dual battery system w/solar and I also have a lithium battery pack I can use. The Popup also has solar. I rarely ever use the Inverter. Almost everything is 12volt by my design. Only thing I use Inverter is for the Nespresso machine when I need a latte!
But power management for a refrig depending on the type should not be an issue.
 
Dom Zou

Dom Zou

Member
Jul 29, 2021
16
Phil Waltz said:
If you're shopping for solar panel I'd highly recommend Renogy. I was initially considering Harbor Freight and when researched felt like Renogy is much better product - more solid construction, more adaptable. I bought a 100 w foldable panel that included controller capable of adding another 100w, Harbor Freight did not compare. Although bit more expensive, are often good deals (friend recently bought 200w for price of 100w) and if you get referred by a friend, you get a discount and they get a referral rebate. take a look!
Click to expand...
Indeed, seems like Renogy sells lot of devices on their own website, but recently their logistics may go wrong somehow, many people did not receive their package.
 
Chris I

Chris I

Member
Sep 2, 2020
97
Portland, OR
Dom Zou said:
Indeed, seems like Renogy sells lot of devices on their own website, but recently their logistics may go wrong somehow, many people did not receive their package.
Click to expand...
I suspect that could be on FedEx. Renogy shipped my panels next day, but FedEx delivered a week after the initial estimated delivery date, after sending the panels two states in the wrong direction. They delivered one panel at noon and then another at 10pm. They were on the same truck.
 
Dom Zou

Dom Zou

Member
Jul 29, 2021
16
Chris I said:
I suspect that could be on FedEx. Renogy shipped my panels next day, but FedEx delivered a week after the initial estimated delivery date, after sending the panels two states in the wrong direction. They delivered one panel at noon and then another at 10pm. They were on the same truck.
Click to expand...
So it took 7 days on shipment, I presume it is a normal situation?
 
OR_scott

OR_scott

Member
Mar 20, 2021
21
I suspect Renogy like all global traders are having trouble with logistics delays. Could be getting chips to their manufacturers or even getting delivery into the US. Covid is still causing huge delays.
 
bruce wayne

bruce wayne

Member
Jun 16, 2020
45
chris, i see you have an aliner scout. i have a ranger 12. it is set up for solar from the factory. do you know if i would still need a controller?
thanks
bruce
 
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