Why you want solar panels with a 12 volt Refrigerator

In this Two-Minute Tech Tip Tuesday, Todd from the National RV Training Academy dives into an essential topic for RV owners—solar panels and how they interact with your RV’s 12-volt refrigerator. This week, we’re on location, discussing solar installations and addressing a question from Doug Hanwell.

Doug’s Question:

“Our panels on the roof never stop charging if the sun is up, whether we’re driving or sitting. My concern is with some of the bad reviews of 12-volt refrigerators.”

How Solar Panels Charge and Work in an RV

Doug’s question touches on a fundamental aspect of solar power in RVs. As Todd explains, solar panels can potentially produce power whenever the sun is shining—what he refers to as “sunstrike.” It doesn’t matter whether your RV is moving or stationary; if sunlight hits the panels, they can generate electricity.

However, it’s essential to understand that electrons in your RV’s electrical system are “lazy.” This means they won’t move unless there’s a demand for power. If your solar panels are constantly charging, it indicates there’s a continuous demand somewhere in your RV. This could be:

• Charging your house batteries.
• Powering a 12-volt appliance, like your refrigerator.

Todd points out that if your solar setup was installed correctly, there should be a disconnect switch. This switch allows you to manually stop your solar panels from sending power if needed, but Todd questions why you would want to do that. After all, you’ve invested in solar panels to maintain your power supply!

Solar Panels and 12-Volt Refrigerators

Doug’s concern about 12-volt refrigerators is quite common. Many RV owners have seen negative reviews about these appliances, often tied to issues with power supply. The key thing to remember is that 12-volt refrigerators rely entirely on your RV’s battery when there’s no solar input. And here lies the potential problem:

When you’re driving or parked in the sun, your solar panels are actively either charging the batteries or powering appliances directly. But at night or on overcast days, your refrigerator runs solely on battery power. If your battery runs out of charge, it could lead to the refrigerator’s compressor shutting down or malfunctioning, which is the root cause of many complaints.

The Solution: Sufficient Supply for Your Demand

Todd emphasizes the importance of adding sufficient supply to meet your RV’s energy demands. There are two primary ways to achieve this:

1. Increase Solar Panel Capacity: Adding more panels increases the amount of power generated during the day, reducing the strain on your batteries.
2. Increase Battery Capacity: By adding more batteries, you create a larger reserve of stored energy for nighttime use or cloudy days when solar panels aren’t as effective.

If your 12-volt refrigerator is pulling all the power from a single, undersized battery, you’ll quickly find yourself running out of power. Todd advises RV owners to do the math and figure out how long their current battery setup can support their appliances.

Key Takeaways

• Solar panels generate power when sunlight hits them, regardless of whether the RV is moving or stationary.
• Electrons in your system only move if there’s a demand, which could be charging your battery or powering appliances.
• A 12-volt refrigerator is heavily reliant on battery power, especially at night when solar panels can’t produce energy.
• Bad reviews for 12-volt refrigerators often stem from insufficient battery capacity or poor power management.
• To ensure adequate power, consider adding more solar panels and additional batteries.

Final Thoughts

If you’re worried about your 12-volt refrigerator or are experiencing power issues in your RV, evaluate your solar setup and battery capacity. These simple changes can ensure that your RV remains powered and your appliances continue working smoothly, regardless of the time of day.

That wraps up this Tech Tip Tuesday! If you have questions or want more information, drop a comment below. Don’t forget to hit that subscribe button to stay updated on all the latest tips and tricks for your RV adventures!

Why you want solar panels with a 12 volt Refrigerator