2017 Factory Solar and Large Fridge (TB GT)

[Pez Vela]

Can anyone tell me why the solar charger putting out 5 amps can not keep up with the Fridge drawing 1 amp.

When I start the Fridge when plugged in to Shore power it seems to draw 1 amp according to the display.

The batteries will drop to about 75% from 100%. 5 amps is more than 1 amp?

[Pahaska]

My 2018 fridge (yes, I know mine is a bit different) draws 4.7 amps average, measured by the Goal Zero 1000 when the compressor is running (fridge only, freezer turned off ). Mine is the same compressor that is in the 2017, so I would expect somewhere near the same draw in both cases.

My measurement is with the Goal Zero hooked directly to the 12v fuse bus with the master switch at the door turned off. It includes any parasite loads.

So figure the fridge draw is close to 5 amps at the best. Because a resistor is used to set the compressor running speed, a given fridge can pull much more than that depending on the resistor installed. Even a 10 amp draw is not impossible.

[Pahaska]

One more thing: I notice that you show 1 AC amp usage. That could be as much as 1.5 amps and still display 1 amp. One AC amp equals 10 amps at 12v. One and a half AC amps equals 15 amps at 12v. The conversion loss is probably about 25%-30%, so your fridge could very well be pulling as much as 10 amps.

[Titus]

And one one more thing: My Atkinson Sunexplorer solar controller readout seemed to be little more than a random number generator. If you want a better indicator of current I suggest adding a BMK and upgraded remote to the Magnum charger/invertor and/or change the solar controller.