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Stacey007



Member Since: 25 Sep 2015
Location: Cheshire
Posts: 3693

United Kingdom 
What have I done wrong / solar / battery
Hello

So I tried my solar panel, feeding the leisure battery and charging a 12v fridge and led light this weekend.

All seemed to work well and fine until I unplugged everything and noticed the in line fuse from the little control panel had melted ๐Ÿ˜ณ

So the set up is:-

120w solar panel with control unit on back, from this it has crocodile clips direct to battery.

From the battery I have a pre wired control unit with a switch, usb and cigarette lighter socket.

The inline fuse I think was 5amp. The fridge was plugged in using the cigarette lighter.

Why would the fuse holder melt?


Thanks in advance ๐Ÿ‘



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Post #777098 11th Jun 2019 6:16pm
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Martin
Site Admin


Member Since: 02 Apr 2007
Location: Hook Norton
Posts: 6463

United Kingdom 2015 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Montalcino Red
What power/current does your fridge draw?  1988 90 Td5 NAS soft top
2015 D90 XS SW
Post #777104 11th Jun 2019 6:48pm
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Stacey007



Member Since: 25 Sep 2015
Location: Cheshire
Posts: 3693

United Kingdom 
This isn't the fridge I will be using was just handy to test..

However it's similar, this is the one I will use.

https://www.outwell.com/en-gb/ecommerce/ac...4l-12v-new

I cannot find the specifications though..

I'm googling now to find out
Post #777113 11th Jun 2019 7:35pm
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Stacey007



Member Since: 25 Sep 2015
Location: Cheshire
Posts: 3693

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All I can find is consumption 24watts .


Does that help?


Thanks
Post #777120 11th Jun 2019 7:57pm
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LandRoverAnorak



Member Since: 17 Jul 2011
Location: Surrey
Posts: 11240

United Kingdom 2013 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 USW Orkney Grey
24w is less than 2amps, which is suspiciously low for that type of fridge. Regardless though, the fuse should blow before the holder melts (obviously). That suggests it could be a poor connection which has increased resistance enough to generate heat. Darren

110 USW BUILD THREAD - EXPEDITION TRAILER - 200tdi 90 BUILD THREAD - SANKEY TRAILER - IG@landroveranorak

"You came in that thing? You're braver than I thought!" - Princess Leia
Post #777129 11th Jun 2019 8:17pm
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Force64



Member Since: 02 Jan 2014
Location: Gatwick
Posts: 196

United Kingdom 2005 Defender 90 Td5 SW Tonga Green
need to put simple charge controller in place.

https://www.bimblesolar.com/offgrid/chargers/solar30 Defender Td5 XS90
Post #777141 11th Jun 2019 9:05pm
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Stacey007



Member Since: 25 Sep 2015
Location: Cheshire
Posts: 3693

United Kingdom 
Hello

The solar panel has this at the back and the leads from this go to the battery with crocodile clips.




So the solar was charging the battery and the fridge and led light were plugged into the cigarette socket and usb at the same time.


Hope that makes more sence
Post #777149 11th Jun 2019 9:44pm
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Martin
Site Admin


Member Since: 02 Apr 2007
Location: Hook Norton
Posts: 6463

United Kingdom 2015 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Montalcino Red
Could well be a cheap and nasty fuse holder.

As it's toast now anyway replace the fuse holder with a decent proper automotive blade fuse holder.  1988 90 Td5 NAS soft top
2015 D90 XS SW
Post #777151 11th Jun 2019 9:57pm
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Stacey007



Member Since: 25 Sep 2015
Location: Cheshire
Posts: 3693

United Kingdom 
Thanks, I was more concerned I'm doing something fundamentally wrong... I already have a new / better fuse holder that takes the blade fuses๐Ÿ‘

Should I leave it at 5amp or use a higher fuse?

Thanks
Post #777153 11th Jun 2019 10:01pm
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Martin
Site Admin


Member Since: 02 Apr 2007
Location: Hook Norton
Posts: 6463

United Kingdom 2015 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Montalcino Red
You'll soon blow a 5A fuse as it's the on the feed to your whole panel.

What's your total load likely to be on the panel? Is it going to be 40A (2x "20A" sockets). And if so is the supplied wiring sufficient for that.  1988 90 Td5 NAS soft top
2015 D90 XS SW
Post #777154 11th Jun 2019 10:05pm
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Stacey007



Member Since: 25 Sep 2015
Location: Cheshire
Posts: 3693

United Kingdom 
Thanks Martin


The biggest item I guess is the fridge, then it will be for phones and tablets

So I think 30 or 40 amps would be ok?

Thanks agian
Post #777193 12th Jun 2019 7:31am
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mrd1990



Member Since: 16 Aug 2012
Location: Wales
Posts: 598

Wales 2000 Defender 110 Td5 CSW Epsom Green
Use this formula: 120w / 12v = 10 amp Thumbs Up

30amp would be 360w which is far above your usage and more importantly your gauge of wire.

If the fridge says 24w, it probably averages 24w but in an on/off cycle controlled by a thermostat. The actually wattage when on could be around 100w.

Add 12w for 2 phones/tablets, 10 amp should be fine, 15 amp if you must. Thumbs Up
Post #777432 14th Jun 2019 8:18am
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