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2 way fridge extended use

shlilesshliles Member Posts: 3
in Air Conditioning & Refrigeration
Hello all.  I'm a newbie, so excuse the lack of basic knowledge, but i have a 320s 2021 with a 2 way fridge and am headed out to boondock for 10 days.  The area I'm headed is heavily treed, which is great for shade, but not for charging the solar and keeping the fridge running.  How do you maintain cold fridge temps if parked in the shade?  THANK YOU
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  • AnOldURAnOldUR Member Posts: 1,568
    edited July 25
    A solar suitcase with a long cord to reach an unshaded area where you can chase the sun.

    We were at this primitive campground, Twin Peaks in Colorado for ten days. Batteries topped off before noon each day.


    Stockton, New Jersey
    2020 nuCamp T@B 320S * Jeep Wrangler
    (47,171 towing miles through the end of 2024)
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  • HoriganHorigan Member Posts: 761
    If you don’t have access to sun, as is often the case in the PNW, you’ll need a generator to charge the battery. Depending on your battery size, you’ll only get 1-4 days in full shade. 
    Rich
    2019 T@b 400
    2013 Toyota Highlander 3.5L V6
    Bellingham WA
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  • shlilesshliles Member Posts: 3
    THANKS AnOldUR...again, i'm showing naivete, but how do you connect the solar suitcase to the battery?  I thought there was an exterior input, but I don't see it.
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  • BinghiBinghi Member Posts: 369
    Or turn off your refrigerator and use an ice chest to cool your food and drinks. Without the constant power drain of the refrigerator, your battery or batteries might make it for the entire 10 days.
    2021 400 BD / 2016 VW Touareg / Austin, TX
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  • AnOldURAnOldUR Member Posts: 1,568
    @shliles Our 2020 320S did not come with an external solar port. It wasn't that difficult to add one to the side of our tongue box and wire it to the battery.
    Stockton, New Jersey
    2020 nuCamp T@B 320S * Jeep Wrangler
    (47,171 towing miles through the end of 2024)
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  • Basil48192Basil48192 Member Posts: 411
    I have a 2021 and use a 200 watt suitcase model, added a port, and a second solar controller.  It's not difficult but, depending upon when you're leaving it might be a stretch. 

    A quicker option would to buy a suitcase panel with its own controller.  That way, you could just set it up and connect to your battery with the alligator clips that it comes with....super easy.  I'm guessing your battery is in the propane tub.  Depending on how far you are from sunlight, you may just need to buy and extension for the alligator cable.    

    I bought this Renogy model and have been very happy with it.  It comes with a controller and alligator clips.  You can always add a port later if you like.  I bought a second Victron controller because I like the bluetooth function and...they say there are less losses if you mount the controller closer to the battery.



        

    Good luck!
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  • pthomas745pthomas745 Administrator, Moderator Posts: 4,247
    edited July 25
    These Dokio kits are dead simple to use, and you can simply connect directly to the battery with battery clamps.  We can have you running with these in minutes.
    Edit: link corrected!

    2017 Outback
    Towed by 2014 Touareg TDi
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