Skibane
San Antonio, TX
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Basically, you're trading one set of compromises for another set.
You gain faster cool-down and better hot weather cooling performance.
You lose the ability to boondock in shaded campsites or rainy weather without running a generator to keep your food from spoiling.
Cost considerations:
1. Cost of 12V compressor fridge
2. Cost of extra solar panels to run it
3. Cost of extra batteries to run it
4. Cost of generator and battery charger to keep it running under sunless conditions
There's also a convenience consideration: Whenever sunlight isn't available, you have to set aside some time to run the generator - You can't just leave it running unattended.
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valhalla360
No paticular place.
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Joined: 08/19/2009
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Skibane wrote:Basically, you're trading one set of compromises for another set.
You gain faster cool-down and better hot weather cooling performance.
You lose the ability to boondock in shaded campsites or rainy weather without running a generator to keep your food from spoiling.
Cost considerations:
1. Cost of 12V compressor fridge
2. Cost of extra solar panels to run it
3. Cost of extra batteries to run it
4. Cost of generator and battery charger to keep it running under sunless conditions
There's also a convenience consideration: Whenever sunlight isn't available, you have to set aside some time to run the generator - You can't just leave it running unattended.
I think the reason you are seeing a shift is because solar systems have come down so much in cost.
20yrs ago a solar system that would handle a 12v fridge might have cost $800-1000 just in parts and realistically would have required a permanent installation that could add a few hundred more. Now you can get the parts for $200-300. If you don't want to do a permanent install, portable solar panels are easily obtained (which also negates a lot of the shading issues).
Tammy & Mike
Ford F250 V10
2021 Gray Wolf
Gemini Catamaran 34'
Full Time spliting time between boat and RV
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Bobbo
Wherever I park
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valhalla360 wrote:I think the reason you are seeing a shift is because solar systems have come down so much in cost.
That price drop may be illusory. In August of 2021 I bought a solar panel for my Airstream. (Airstream's design requires a specific panel size to fit on the roof.) At that time, I paid $290 for it. This week I priced THE SAME PANEL FROM THE SAME COMPANY at $490 each. Oof.
Bobbo and Lin
2017 F-150 XLT 4x4 SuperCab w/Max Tow Package 3.5l EcoBoost V6
2017 Airstream Flying Cloud 23FB
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valhalla360
No paticular place.
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Bobbo wrote:valhalla360 wrote:I think the reason you are seeing a shift is because solar systems have come down so much in cost.
That price drop may be illusory. In August of 2021 I bought a solar panel for my Airstream. (Airstream's design requires a specific panel size to fit on the roof.) At that time, I paid $290 for it. This week I priced THE SAME PANEL FROM THE SAME COMPANY at $490 each. Oof.
Anything airstream has an inflated price, so not really a good example but even $490 is much cheaper than you would have paid 10-15yrs ago.
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Bobbo
Wherever I park
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valhalla360 wrote:Bobbo wrote:valhalla360 wrote:I think the reason you are seeing a shift is because solar systems have come down so much in cost.
That price drop may be illusory. In August of 2021 I bought a solar panel for my Airstream. (Airstream's design requires a specific panel size to fit on the roof.) At that time, I paid $290 for it. This week I priced THE SAME PANEL FROM THE SAME COMPANY at $490 each. Oof.
Anything airstream has an inflated price, so not really a good example but even $490 is much cheaper than you would have paid 10-15yrs ago.
Not bought (nor priced) from Airstream. This was HTTP://AMSOLAR.COM but made by Zamp to fit an Airstream.
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pianotuna
Regina, SK, Canada
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Ridiculous pricing at Amsolar.
Regards, Don
My ride is a 28 foot Class C, 256 watts solar, 556 amp-hours of Telcom jars, 3000 watt Magnum hybrid inverter, Sola Basic Autoformer, Microair Easy Start.
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Bobbo
Wherever I park
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I am open to other venders if you have one to suggest.
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JRscooby
Indepmo
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A friend had a Truckmate installed when he bought his brand new '99 Pete. Truck and fridge 12 YO, and well over a million miles on it when he parked in a Dallas area truckstop, in Aug. He had to catch the bird home. The truck had been there for 4 days when I got there to deliver the load. I knew he only had the same starting batteries I had, so I was planning on jumpstart. When the Cat fired up, I knew the fridge must of shut down. Grabbed a trash bag to clean it out. Opened it up, stole a fudge bar, and pulled out.
I don't know much about the power demands, but there is no shade in a truckstop, if the fridge can work on starting batteries under that condition I can't see where RV with solar would have problems.
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valhalla360
No paticular place.
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Bobbo wrote:valhalla360 wrote:Anything airstream has an inflated price, so not really a good example but even $490 is much cheaper than you would have paid 10-15yrs ago.
Not bought (nor priced) from Airstream. This was HTTP://AMSOLAR.COM but made by Zamp to fit an Airstream.
Yeah, but if they know it's for an airstream, they know they can inflate the price.
But again, that's still dirt cheap compared to 20-30yrs ago for a solar system.
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Sionel09
Hamburg, Germany
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Yes, 12 volt compressors are becoming more popular in small travel trailers. They have a few advantages over absorption refrigerators, such as being able to cool down faster and being more energy efficient. However, there have been some teething problems reported with them, such as noise level and durability. If you're considering a 12 volt compressor refrigerator, make sure to do your research to see if it's the right choice for you.
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