To calculate a more realistic total days of backup power for a trickle charging backup solar generator.
What size solar generator do i need to run a refrigerator.
This one consumes 7 10 amps operating at 115 vac volt ac power.
Batteries are needed to store the power that the refrigerator will use at night or when clouds block the sun.
Now the answer to the question how much solar power do i need to run a refrigerator is not a simple answer because it is not a simple.
A label found at a refrigerator.
If you have a backup generator a generator specifically designed to power a home or a business in the event of a power outage that will often be able to deliver as much as 15 000 watts.
The average american home uses about 25 000 watts of energy daily or 1000 watts each hour.
A device called a charge controller will smooth the flow of power from the panels to the battery.
A solar power setup suitable for refrigerator use requires several devices in addition to solar panels.
This is more than enough power to keep a refrigerator running.
For example if your refrigerator demands 800 watts pick a generator capable of powering 1 000 watts so that you are not running your generator at full capacity at all times.
If it takes days to fill up your battery your solar generator won t be of much help especially if you rely on it often.
The first step to choosing the best portable solar generator is to determine how much power you need to run the devices that are important to you in an outage.
Alternatively you can purchase a solar generator with the amount of watts you need.
To select the correct size generator you decide if both refrigerator and freezer are to start at the same time.
Check out our solar generator guide.
For this example you will need at least a 1 100 watt solar generator.
Ok so you now know a trickle charging backup solar generator will last longer than its rated battery energy capacity.
In such a case you would need a generator with at least 8 400 running watts to run your mig welder.
If you want a powerful solar powered generator get high wattage solar panels as well.
This defines the hours of power lost per day.
But how much longer exactly.
Well a typical portable generator a gas generator for example will provide anywhere up to 10 000 watts.
If so you would need 1 800 x 4 7 200 watts.
Second you need to verify that your solar generator can provide the wattage needs of your refrigerator.
Inverter ratings the manufacturer s label on most.
To run this refrigerator you will need an inverter that can handle 600 watts for long periods and a surge of 1 800 watts for a split second.
Subtract 8 from your battery recharge time.