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qhumberd
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2 way fridge extended use

shliles
shliles 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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Comments

  • AnOldUR
    AnOldUR Member Posts: 1,725
    edited July 2025
    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
    60,865 camping miles through the end of 2025

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  • Horigan
    Horigan Member Posts: 863
    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
    2025 Toyota Highlander 2.4L Turbo
    Bellingham WA
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  • shliles
    shliles 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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  • Binghi
    Binghi Member Posts: 402
    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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  • AnOldUR
    AnOldUR Member Posts: 1,725
    @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
    60,865 camping miles through the end of 2025

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  • Basil48192
    Basil48192 Member Posts: 437
    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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  • pthomas745
    pthomas745 Administrator, Moderator Posts: 4,527
    edited July 2025
    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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