Not a Taco Question but I bet someone can help...

I have a new 12V refrigerator. It says the draw is 60 watts. How many ah (amp hours) do I need to run it for 12 hours on battery? To clarify I am looking to purchase a solar generator like a jackery and want one just big enough.

The conversions confuse me as I do not know electricity.

Thanks for any help.

 

You can’t/shouldn’t run that on your car battery when it’s off.

 

@3JOH22A

 

I am not planning to. I am looking to understand how big a solar generator I will need.

 

I don't know the math well...

But that is enough to drain the truck battery pretty quick (if the truck is off).

You could just un plug it when the truck is off.

 

Prob 100watts. Also you only “generate” peak solar for maybe 3-5hrs of the day

https://www.anker.com/products/b175...MI242JyYbz_AIVrQytBh34kA2GEAQYAyABEgIyhvD_BwE

 

Theoretically 60 Ah assuming there are no losses.

 

Oh, ok. We assumed it had to be truck related because it's in the truck section of the forum.
Try asking in the off topic or diy/home improvement section or whatever it's called.

People there will definitely know the answer.

 

On paper….

 

Is it really running that entire time? I bet its pulling 60W when the compressor is running, which isn't going to be continuous.

 

I agree with this. It will not run all the time. I just want an idea of options and opinions.

 

The answer seems simple to me. If the fridge draws 60w then you need 60w solar panel, not accounting for efficiency, the amount of sunlight, etc

That said, assuming you are referring to your truck battery and your truck battery is not a deep cell, running its charge down significantly on a regular basis is going to limit its life.

 

Aren’t most solar generators listed by watt hours? 60w for 12 hrs is 720Wh. Jackery makes a 500Wh and 1000Wh. Assuming that it isn’t running the full 12 hrs a 500 would probably work.

 

Thanks for elaborating. Your original question was not clear to me.

 

Depends on the ambient temp. It'll run more when its hot. Does the manual give any guidance here?

Some examples and such:

Watts = Amps * Volts

Amp-Hours = Amps * Time

60 watts * 12V = 5A

5A * 12 hours = 60 Ah

Running it at 50% duty would make you burn 30Ah every 12 hours.


In watt hours -

60W * 12hours = 720Wh

720Wh * 50% duty = 360 Wh

 

Maybe this will help.

https://footprinthero.com/amp-hours-to-watt-hours-calculator

 

On my 614wh oukitel It will use like 30% a day to keep my fridge running. I have a 100w portable solar panel that I throw on the roof or windshield during the day and it will recharge to 100% in 3 hours of sunlight. In the summer I can just put it on the dash inside.

The initial cool down takes more juice, but usually I do that at home or on the drive.

 

You just cleared it up for me. I was getting lost in some of the comparisons to amp hours and watt hours.
Thanks!

 

Perfect! Thanks for the experience information. I just ordered a 510wh device and that should do it for me. I anticipate plugging in the fridge and the battery pack to 12v or the 110 outlet when I am driving during the day and if sitting having a solar panel as you described.

Thanks again!