HALLMARK 6X12 CONVERSION

[Tommy B]

Yes the cooler is running and the maxx air fan is on also. But on the lowest setting.

This is the actual cover for my unit. Amazon seller wanted $65.00. Wal-Mart for $31.45. That's to good to pass up but will not arrive until the 17Th.

Let you know how it goes this afternoon.

[flboy]

Great. Anxious to hear how it did all day with the sun out and where the battery is at when you get home.

I'd do the Walmart deal also given the big price difference! Are they the same covers? Pics show vent holes in different places?

Sent from my SM-G935P using Tapatalk

[Tommy B]

The fist cover I showed was $45.00 but it was for the next smaller model. I almost ordered it by accident. This is definitely for my unit.

Dometic CFX-65DZUS Portable Electric Cooler Refrigerator/Freezer - 61 Liters .

I have to leave work early at 1pm. If things look bad I will throw a cord out there but I don't think it will be necessary. I think the Dometic will shut off if the battery level gets below maybe 11.1 volts but I don't remember for sure what I set it at. Don't want all that beer getting warm!

Let you know.

[flboy]

If it is good when you get home, let it run until sundown to see what battery voltage is.


Sent from my SM-G935P using Tapatalk

[Tommy B]

absolutely. let her run.

Nothing like free electricity. Cover ordered. AUG 17th I believe. Then we can compare results here.

Now if only I could get free beer.

[Tommy B]

its 1:30 and cloudy and I just got home. Have to run to vets office. Its sprinkling. I thought it read 12.8 as I opened the door and the sun was shinning briefly.

It reads 12.5/12.6 volts now and the cooler is 31/35 f all in 10 minute interval.
It really helped to deploy the awning and have some circulation. Its not nearly hot like yesterday.
I will be back shortly. got to run

[flboy]

It appears the battery charge made progress since this morning with the fridge and fan on. There is still 4 or 5 hours of light. This is good.

Sent from my SM-G935P using Tapatalk

[Tommy B]

So it is 6 pm. Compare yesterday with to day.
Stuck at 12.5 volts. Cooler 31-35 f always.
But its partly cloudy this afternoon. Battery % fluctuates between 54 and 74 Or there about.
Almost better than yesterday but than bam, clouds.

I don't want to wait this out for a few volts and be bad in the AM. So I hooked up the Champion because that's old gas from our last trip and I needed to run it.
Meter read 100% in 20 minutes now @13.1

my two cents? Just like you said Don. Break even on good sun. Throw in clouds and Yes the max fan ran but made a .10 diff.

IDK?
But I like it!

[John61CT]

Those bank SoC percentages aren't at all accurate, I'd ignore that completely and either use a SmartGauge or worst case hydrometer SG.

Voltmeter accuracy is not as important since volts don't tell you much anyway, but it would be good to sort that out as well, calibrate against a known-good DMM.

[Tommy B]

Hey John. Yeah Don also said to not trust that % reading. I can see why.

This morning read 12.4, cooler 31 f and the compressor was not running at that moment. The maxx air fan was as was the cooler on all night.

Today I will not touch anything and leave it as is until tomorrow morning. Worst case the battery dips below 12 volts by morning. The cooler will still run until 11.1 Then I will cease the experiment until the cooler cover arrives and see what kind of difference it makes.

Don, although I can not afford it right now, what would be best to give the system more umphh. Another battery or another Panel? I am just curios. I am very happy with what I have. Still have to get that awning too.

Just like a boat! Sucks up money like a vacuum. I would like to do so much more but cannot afford it all.

[flboy]

Tommy, I'd recommend two healthy batteries first. The solar will make sure they stay healthy when parked in the yard and will contribute when camping. You can always top off the battery charge with the gen given you may not always be in the sun anyhow. In my opinion, you need the battery capacity more to run things overnight and most of the day without stressing the single battery. A second panel would be after the batteries. Icing on the cake. :-)


Sent from my SM-G935P using Tapatalk

[Tommy B]

Ok Don. Thank You. What I can start on cheaply is to make room for a second battery there but I will have to think about how to mount it. Another 2x9 I guess. Turn the batteries so they run length wise and side by side. Maybe. Let me know if you have any ideas. Wish I could get away from the wood but that costs a lot of money. The wood looks so home made! Just not right. But hell it works.

Give one final report tomorrow on that voltage.

[John61CT]

Batteries are storage, how many days can you ride out no charging, IOW with solar poor weather .

The panels are your input, need to be enough to **in average winter conditions** replace 125% of the max you take out per day.

Or a little gennie, run in the morning, lets you get away with less of both.

[flboy]

John61CT.. right on..

Tommy, you may consider taking off one of the 20lb propane tanks and then you would have room for the second battery. Also can turn the batteries long ways in addition to tighten it all up. Can keep the spare propane tank in the truck bed. Easy enough to switch out when needed?

Sent from my SM-G935P using Tapatalk

[Tommy B]

Yes on the propane tanks! I only need one now as I am using the small bottles for the little buddy heater. They are more than enough and Now I refill those too. Awesome Idea Don. I may not be able to utilize that double bottle holder but I think it was $35.00 or so. great idea! I will look into a single tank holder.

Thanks guys for the input!

Two batteries would get me through the night no problem.