Struggling w/ The Cost To Upgrade Power System

[dirtanddogfur]

FWIW, I am in SLC and have just started a similar project.



Just received my 200aH Li Time battery. Planning on starting there . . . .

[WhitH]

I second all the sentiments here. If you are willing and able to do some of the work yourself you can come in way under the amount quoted with a solid setup. Get a DC/DC charger and hook the solar up to that along with your cranking/van battery and your house battery bank. These DCDC's make it much easier that I think it probably used to be. Your biggest challenge will probably be deciding what of the old wiring set up can be used and what needs to be decommissioned.

[Big_ern_101]

Originally Posted by 1der

Your fridge is using 83 amps in about 36 hours? When it is running it is likely drawing a current close to 5 amps. This would imply you are drawing about 2.3 amps per hour with the fridge running a duty cycle of 40-50%. That is about right.

2 amps per hour over 24 hours= 48 amps per day.

Just checked last night, ARB Elements fridge draws 3.2 amps when the compressor is running as reported by my shunt.

I get 3 full days (72 hrs give or take) out of it pretty easy off 84 AH when its just me and the wife and we are using it like responsible people -

When we go to a bro event and we are drinking Busch Lattes like a howitzer going through shells at the Battle of the Bulge, we can get a good 36+ hours out of the same 84AH, and thats doing some pretty heavy lifting like cooling down multiple 30 racks from ambient. It holds 2 30 racks and a 12er so we try to alternate back and forth - one cold one cooling. We also cool to 32 or 34F, way below normal fridge cold, because the only thing better than a cold Busch Latte is a very cold Busch Latte.

[86Scotty]

I approve of this post! ^^^^^^

[posplayr]

Even though it is pretty easy to measure the current draw for whatever reffer you have, the duty cycle will vary according to (outside) ambient temp and the insulation you have.

Further, the current draw will be "night and day" at night. (literally)

[kbeefy]

Originally Posted by Big_ern_101

Just checked last night, ARB Elements fridge draws 3.2 amps when the compressor is running as reported by my shunt.

I get 3 full days (72 hrs give or take) out of it pretty easy off 84 AH when its just me and the wife and we are using it like responsible people -

When we go to a bro event and we are drinking Busch Lattes like a howitzer going through shells at the Battle of the Bulge, we can get a good 36+ hours out of the same 84AH, and thats doing some pretty heavy lifting like cooling down multiple 30 racks from ambient. It holds 2 30 racks and a 12er so we try to alternate back and forth - one cold one cooling. We also cool to 32 or 34F, way below normal fridge cold, because the only thing better than a cold Busch Latte is a very cold Busch Latte.

Depending upon ambient Temps, I usually get 48-72 hours running my ARB 50qt on a 100aH lead acid. I set mine to 28F if I'm going to be into it often, about 34F for traveling. The upper shelf usually stays above freezing for perishables, but the main compartment makes some tasty frosty beverages!

I made the mistake of camping at 'Mogfest' in 2015 and it was 100F high ambient for several days. Usually I would pack up and leave, but I didn't that time. My Edgestar ran constant almost 24h trying to keep up, my 100aH lead acid only lasted 24h. That's when I added solar. And swore never to camp above 90F again.

[Big_ern_101]

Back on track, 100AH is going to be plenty for a weekender or someone who moves frequently. 200AH would be the absolute max I could see someone needing for a few days unless you are trying to run power tools or an induction cooktop or slow cooker.

A Renogy 100AH battery ($600), 50A DC-DC charger ($300), a Shunt ($100) some wiring, and you are good to go.

[posplayr]

Originally Posted by Big_ern_101

Back on track, 100AH is going to be plenty for a weekender or someone who moves frequently. 200AH would be the absolute max I could see someone needing for a few days unless you are trying to run power tools or an induction cooktop or slow cooker.

A Renogy 100AH battery ($600), 50A DC-DC charger ($300), a Shunt ($100) some wiring, and you are good to go.

Speaking of cheap solutions, substitute the 100 amp-hr LiPO battery with a couple of 100 amp-hr AGM batteries and something like this setup and you are all set.

Efficient 5m 12V 140A Dual Battery Isolator System Kit with Heavy-Duty Cables for RVs, Trailers, 4WD, UTVs, Boats - Durable & Versatile Power Solution

https://www.temu.com/5m-196-85in-diy..._id=vm32knbl1z

[1der]

Glad you guys have it all worked out - for your usage profiles

[BCam]

Both LiTime and Chins are well-reviewed "budget" priced LiFePO4 batteries. The prices aren't as much higher than AGMs as they were a couple of years ago. Beware of some cheap LiFePO4 batteries. Personally I would stick to ones that have been favorably reviewed by Will Prowse at:

https://www.youtube.com/@WillProwse

https://diysolarforum.com/

His reviews generally involve full teardowns that often uncover critical defects.

Be aware that LiFePO4 batteries can be damaged by charging at temperatures below 32°F so make sure whatever you get has low temperature charging protection. Note, this is not the same as low temperature protection. Low temperature protection protects against discharging below -4°F which can also damage the battery.

Many LiFePO4 batteries, especially low cost ones advertise low temperature protection that doesn't include low temperature charging protection so be very careful.

I know LiTime makes models with low temperature charging protection but I'm not sure all their models have it. I'm not sure about Chins.