Feedback on appropriate power and fridge size, single person
Posted by blackcatwizard@reddit | overlanding | View on Reddit | 23 comments
I've done a lot of reading here and on the manufacturer's sites and am currently planning on an EcoFlow Delta 3 or Anker Solix C1000 and a BougeRV CRPro30 or CR23 with a 200W solar panel (potential alternator charger down the road)
I'll be powering the fridge primarily, but will also use the power unit to charge a laptop, Switch 2, and potentially a small portable AC/heat unit later.
Any other single/solo people - have you used a 23qt and do you find this to be enough room, or would you recommend going with the 30qt?
Do you think these battery options are overkill or about where I want to be? It seems I could get 2-3 days in the fridge no problem with one of those units from what I've read here. I think I'll also get the optional battery for the BougeRV which will help to mitigate any concern with running low on whichever unit I go with (they're both just a touch over 1000Wh).
fpssledge@reddit
Trying to follow your plan here. But a couple things to highlight. I have solar, a dc charger, and a lithium battery.
A solar panel wattage will never get you the wattage you expect. Let's say it's 100w panel. You'll probably only get like 80w unless conditions are perfect and your panel is freshly clean. I'm almost always trying to find some wind/shade when I camp. But if I'm in the sun I'm happy my solar gets to do the job.
A fridge will use something like 60w when the compressor is running and it isn't necessarily running all the time. Numbers wise you'll probably feel ok but that's assuming you're topped off on the charge before dark. I've ran starlink with my fridge all night and will get below have charge.
Your plans are probably ok but you should expect car charging during the day. I don't think everyone needs to get a dc to dc charger but if you're doing all the work you expect and want to run a bunch of gear, and want a fun project, get a dc to dc charger. This bypasses your in-vehicle metering and lets your alternator charge your battery much faster. Like way faster. So much id recommend doing this before solar. Running your vehicle for 20m will likely get you way more wattage than solar over a few hours. I'm planning on downsizing my solar panel for a hood solar because I'm lowering my expectations on solar for my rig.
I mostly am a one-man camper but try and take family when I can. It isn't like these compressors change much for fridges between the space inside the fridge. It's about the same energy consumption for the cooler weather 20l vs 40l. I'd recommend go on the larger side. It's just easier throwing in that big ketchup bottle or whatever else. I can pack smaller but it takes more thought and effort tetris'ing everything in a smaller fridge.
NickleDaPup@reddit
Do you regret having solar on your rig? Regrets probably the wrong word but if given the chance to redo your build would you still add solar?
fpssledge@reddit
I mean a basic solar panel doesn't actually cost that much. I don't regret trying. I think it's just more than what i actually need and more than most people need. That said, if I ever parked rv style for a day and worked remote, I'd probably love stationary power. Since I'm always driving at least once a day for at least a few hours, and my dc charger powers really fast, solar just isn't super needed.
blackcatwizard@reddit (OP)
Awesome, thanks. Size is a huge consideration (I'm in a '19 Veloster Turbo Tech) but either will fit, it's just a matter of tetris'ing the rest. and the extra room it would give me. It's sounding like the 30qt might be the better/safer option and really most of the additional space is vertical.
Good points on the solar vs charger. It's practically the same price for the C1000 + 200W solar or C1000 + alt. charger, so as much as I like the idea of solar the charger might be the better option especially if/when I absolutely need to get it charged back up.
fpssledge@reddit
For sure. Also worth noting if it gets overcast your solar is nearly useless. Like i said if you plug into the 12v plug in your car that's something. So don't feel like you have to buy extra gear. But the dc charger can catch up your battery much faster. Keep in mind you may have to configure the chargers to actually trip charging at a lower voltage. Modern cara have smart alternators that adjust voltage and aren't always outputting high at all times. I had to toggle my renogy charger to trigger the charger at something like 12.6 volts instead of the default 13.3 volts or whatever it was. My truck alternator would raise and lower on its own
blackcatwizard@reddit (OP)
Yeah initially I was thinking solar + 12V while driving around, see how that goes to start and get the alt. charger later if needed. I'd read elsewhere about having to change in amounts so I'll have to keep an eye on that as well. I don't know whether I've got a smart alternator or not so something I'll have to check out (someone else in this thread mentioned it being a potential problem with alternator chargers?)
majicdan@reddit
My present Dometric is Propane, 120v, 12v. This is my third camper with this design. I like options.
PNWoutdoors@reddit
I have a 37qt for just me and it's perfectly fine. It would also work if I am holding the food for another person, but three people would probably be too many.
To answer your question, I would not go with the 23, go with the 30.
I previously had a 30 and it was good, but replaced it because I wanted a dual zone.
With my 37 I get 2-3 days of fridge time as long as it's pre-cooled with an Ecoflow Delta 2. One thing you will want to get is the Ecoflow Alternator Charger. There is no faster way to charge the battery up with your vehicle than that (up to 800w, input speed customizable within the app).
If you get the optional battery for the BougeRV, you can find them on eBay (generic) for significantly less money, around $70. It would give you around 10-12 hours or so of fridge time if your Ecoflow got to zero.
Ozatopcascades@reddit
My 3rd year running a BougeRV 30qt fridge (on ECO setting) powered by an EcoFlow Delta 3. The 30qt is the right size for 1-2 people.
Ozatopcascades@reddit
I use a 180w solar panel and upgraded with the 800w alternator charger this year.
Realistic-End4896@reddit
I have the CRPRO 21 and the c1000. I would go with the 30 qt if I had to do it again and if you have the room mostly to fit more drinks to keep cold. I ended up getting the expansion battery for my c1000 and the Bluetti charger one. So I’d probably go with a 2kwh powerstation. I feel like an alternator charger or solar is a must especially in hot environments they make your fridge run constantly and the bouge RV battery will only last a couple hours. An example I went on a day trip to the lake wondering if I should take my c1000 but decided not too thinking the bougeRV battery that fits in the compartment would be enough but in the almost 90f degree weather it only lasted about 4 hours. But on another trip camping on the beach in the mid 60s and low 50s I moved my fridge from the bed of my truck and put it in the cab overnight and I think I still had 70% in the morning.
blackcatwizard@reddit (OP)
Ok awesome, all goo things to know. Thanks
CalifOregonia@reddit
I run a 1,000 Wh EcoFlow with a 200w solar panel and the EcoFlow 800w alternator charger. With that much charging capacity I have very little need for a larger battery. I run a 55L fridge and charge other devices on hot days without issue, battery rarely dips below 50% overnight.
Solar vs DC to DC both have notable pros and cons. Alternator is ideal if you plan on moving every day (or camping a lot without sun). Solar is a better choice for base campers.
AUsedUpNapkin@reddit
I have a bougerv 40qt fridge and wouldn’t want anything smaller or bigger than that. I have two jackery united the 500 and 1000wh. The 500 can run my fridge for a weekend maximum with no solar. I run it off the dc outlet in my truck so it charges off the alternator. I have a 175w solar panel feeding the bigger jackery and I cycle them both out and I’m usually good.
My recommendation would be a 1000ah battery and a 40qt ish size fridge. Get a 200 watt portable panel. Plug the battery into your dc outlet in your car and when you get to camp set up the solar panel on a sunny spot. This should handle anything you’d want to do as far as charging phones, laptops, and running a fridge. It also leave a little room for expansion if you ever upgrade or get a different rig. I’d recommend getting an iceco fridge if you think you are going to do this for a long time. Plastic fridges can warp a little, especially cheaper ones. My bougerv lid is warping and letting cold air out after about 4 years of use
lucky_ducker@reddit
I have a Bluetti AC180 (1152wH) and a generic 20L fridge. I've been out solo camping for as long as 8 weeks at a time. I've never felt like I needed more fridge capacity, but I have run the Bluetti down to 20% a time or two. My uses are similar to yours - in addition to the fridge I'm charging laptop, drone and drone controller, flashlights, USB fan etc.
Research before getting an alternator charger. A lot of vehicles (including mine) have "smart alternators" that are controlled by the car's ECM, and bad things happen if you install an unmonitored load on it. I have to be content with the 90W or so I can get from the car's 12V outlet, a 200W solar panel, or (very occasionally) shore power.
Shmokesshweed@reddit
As long as the system can see that there's power coming out of the battery and you keep it in line with what your alternator max is by not consistently going over like 70% of max capacity, you should be fine.
blackcatwizard@reddit (OP)
Ok, interesting note about the 'smart alternator' that I wasn't aware of.
Hell-Yea-Brother@reddit
I have a 30qt BougeRV fridge and it holds everything I need for solo trips. I always recommend buying a little more than you need. Your future self will thank you.
blackcatwizard@reddit (OP)
Yeah having a bit more space unused is better than needing it later an not having it. Starting to lean toward the 30qt.
spetrone@reddit
"potentially a small portable AC/heat unit later." I don't believe there is such a device as a "small AC" That would totally alter your power needs.
DepartmentNatural@reddit
Get the 30qt or step up to the next size if you have the room.
cookerz30@reddit
Makes groceries a heck of a lot easier.
mcrsft3brDev@reddit
I may have some relevant experience here. I run my setup a little larger, as I've got an Anker EverFrost 2 40L fridge, however I am running an Anker C1000 as my base power supply.
Total setup: Anker C1000 + BP1000 expansion battery EverFrost 2 40L fridge Victron 12/24 DC to DC converter (in place of the then-unavailable Anker alternator charger) with 4awg wires running to the battery and rear seatbelt vehicle ground, switch-controlled to my Auxbeam switch panel. Xt60i cable connected to Victron unit to charge up power bank and/or fridge when needed. (I get a consistent 283w charging with the vehicle running)
I've been using this setup for well over a year, including multiple trips to Moab, running the entire White Rim and a week long trip to run Rimrocker and stay in Moab/Canyonlands. These have functioned incredibly well, I get nearly 4 full days of fridge life on Eco mode with two batteries in there, I can easily power Starlink power laptop charge devices and even use an electric kettle for 2 days stationary, and charge my C1000 + expansion battery + fridge in 4-5hrs of vehicle on time.
One, and really the only caveat I've ran into, and the only one I'm really looking to solve for myself here, is I believe (AI suggested) the Anker C1000 MPPT controller treats anything less than 24v input as 12v, which limits charging output to less than 300w. With me getting 283w I'm operating at about the highest output I can get with this Victron 12/24 unit. To up the possible output closer to the 600w max input for the C1000 I believe I have to go to a Victron 24/48 unit to get above 400w charging output.