As most of you know (or can tell by the photos) we carry a solar panel with us on most, if not all of our trips.
We currently use an 85w BP solar panel which at peak gives us 4.72 amps. The 60ltr Engel at peak draws ~4.5 amps (I don’t have any literature handy for the exact figure) so the solar panel puts in just a tad more than the Engel takes out.
This is fine for the time being and when we’re not filling the fridge to capacity, but what happens when we do?
I think the answer will lie in getting two 80w panels and bridging them. This way we’re only increasing the depth of the panel by several centimetres, so not a lot of additional space is required but the power gained is doubled. This should hopefully allow us to go rufn it for longer periods of time without the need to head back to the closest power point to recharge.
The only kink in my plan? Clouds. Damn clouds. Short of carrying a generator, there isn’t a lot that can be done without the sun. But to be honest, who wants to go camping when it’s cloudy or raining?
