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Sphere



Member Since: 26 Apr 2013
Location: Midlands
Posts: 725

United Kingdom 2015 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 USW Keswick Green
Solar charger for fidge wireing
I have purchased a 60w solar briefcase to run my fridge when in camp for extended times. I already run a split battery.

Currently it’s going to be wired up with the croc clips it came with onto the battery. I assume it would go onto the aux battery?
Post #708231 20th May 2018 6:54pm
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John P



Member Since: 26 Dec 2013
Location: West Sussex
Posts: 317

United Kingdom 2012 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 SW Corris Grey
I connect mine to the aux battery, and seems to work well. I also have the 60 watt briefcase style solar panel.
Post #708317 21st May 2018 8:48am
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miker



Member Since: 13 Sep 2015
Location: Surrey
Posts: 1763

United Kingdom 1999 Defender 110 Td5 CSW Rioja Red
Assuming the fridge is fed from the aux battery then yes.
Post #708329 21st May 2018 10:16am
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Cupboard



Member Since: 21 Mar 2014
Location: Suffolk
Posts: 2971

United Kingdom 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 HT Corris Grey
Quite a few split charge relays are dual sensing so it wouldn't matter which you connected it to.

There would be no harm in connecting it to the primary battery, it would just charge that then close the contacts to charge the other one. The only slight snag is that a 60W panel won't keep up with a fridge indefinitely. Extend the run time yes, forever no.
Post #708369 21st May 2018 2:26pm
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Sphere



Member Since: 26 Apr 2013
Location: Midlands
Posts: 725

United Kingdom 2015 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 USW Keswick Green
Running a blue sea set up and was wondering if I attached it to the main battery it would keep that topped up and then the aux which the fridge runs off, not that I should run the main one down with the interior lights really.

Interested to see what extra it will give me. Currently can get nearly 48 hours off the battery and think 4 days is the most I can see needing but you never know! Will see this weekend as got 3 nights static.
Post #708437 21st May 2018 7:18pm
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MadTom



Member Since: 10 Sep 2013
Location: Olomouc
Posts: 622

Czech Republic 1999 Defender 130 Td5 HCPU Baltic Blue
If the fridge is powered from aux battery, than add the solar also to aux. When charging main battery and then the aux, you are wasting lot of power from your expensive solar - to charge the main battery (there is no need to charge it, if you not use it to power other things than starting the engine), to power the dual battery system (it take some power) and to power the big relay connecting main and aux batteries together.
Wasting power from solar is a bit expensive. "Drobek" = The Small One - Discovery 2, "Blufínek" = The Blue Thing - Defender 130, and for me at least Ford Mondeo Smile
Post #708526 22nd May 2018 6:05am
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Sphere



Member Since: 26 Apr 2013
Location: Midlands
Posts: 725

United Kingdom 2015 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 USW Keswick Green
Well didn’t go quite as I hoped. Set up and lasted about 36 hours before the low battery warning started beeping. Was still working the next morning (50 hours or so) but was dropping below the 10v so continually swiping on and off. Thought it was the solar charger however after a good run battery alone lasted only 12 hours or so???

Thinking battery has lost its capacity but it’s a good quality duel purpose only 12 months old so if it is I am a little disappointed.
Post #710221 31st May 2018 7:46pm
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Cupboard



Member Since: 21 Mar 2014
Location: Suffolk
Posts: 2971

United Kingdom 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 HT Corris Grey
Out of interest, what battery is it and what's the capacity? It's not an Optima is it?
Post #710268 1st Jun 2018 8:23am
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Sphere



Member Since: 26 Apr 2013
Location: Midlands
Posts: 725

United Kingdom 2015 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 USW Keswick Green
Not a optima used a Valtra 75ah.

Wanted to fit two optimas however seamed a shame to replace the main battery when it was good so added in the Valtra. Slightly bigger capacity than the optima and always been very happy with them up to now. Maybe should have just gone with the optima set up but not convinced.

Starting to wonder what size solar I would need to run the set up full time?
Post #710325 1st Jun 2018 6:56pm
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