Separate solar system for fridge?

706jim
706jim Solar Expert Posts: 519 ✭✭✭✭
in Off Grid Solar & Battery Systems #1
Got a call from a friend today who has decided to get rid of his propane fridge and buy an electric one to replace it. He has a 660 watt system on his roof with 4 GC's powering a TV, lights, water pump and satellite dish. He has two more as yet uninstalled 330 watt panels and is thinking of making a completely separate system of 660 watts to power the fridge exclusively. I told him that if it were me, I'd add the new panels to his existing system giving him around 1300 watts and forget about the separate system. I figure with the intermittent loads that he has, he would have a better chance of keeping his batteries up with the larger array during times of limited sun hours.

I told him I'd post this query to see what others think about his concept of a separate fridge system.
Island cottage solar system with appriximately 2500 watts of panels, 1kw facing southeast 1.3kw facing southwest 170watt ancient Arco's facing due south. All panels in parallel for a 24 volt system. Trace DR1524 MSW inverter which has performed flawlessly since 1994. Outback Flexmax 80 MPPT charge controller four 467A-h AGM batteries. Insignia 11.5 cubic foot electric fridge 1/4hp GSW piston pump. My 31st year.
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  • mike95490
    mike95490 Solar Expert Posts: 9,583 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #2
    Add the new panels to the existing, but maybe needs an additional controller for the extra amps
    Powerfab top of pole PV mount | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
    || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
    || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

    solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
    gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister ,

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  • Photowhit
    Photowhit Solar Expert Posts: 6,006 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #3
    I'd agree with you, and as Mike said, check to see if the charge controller can handle the additional panels and the panels compatibility with the other panels.
    Home system 4000 watt (Evergreen) array standing, with 2 Midnite Classic Lites,  Midnite E-panel, Magnum MS4024, Prosine 1800(now backup) and Exeltech 1100(former backup...lol), 660 ah 24v Forklift battery(now 10 years old). Off grid for 20 years (if I include 8 months on a bicycle).
    - Assorted other systems, pieces and to many panels in the closet to not do more projects.
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