I'm no expert, but I'm sure these guys can help you out.  They have been good for 12V stuff in my 4WD.

http://www.12volt.com.au/

We travelled with friends for 6 months out bush and thats all they had  - 2 panels into a PL solar reg which controlled everything.   $$ to set up, but will last a long time.

Cheers Pete

go online to Jaycar electronics, they willpost too you and have good stuff. They got a branch in Perth as well.

http://www.jaycar.com.au/

http://www.jaycar.com.au/productResults.asp?MID=3&SSUBID=843&SUBCATID=1004&keyform=CAT2#3

I would say you would need about a 80 watt panel and they normally throw the reg in for free

Check out their catalogue, from memory there is a whole range of solar cells, regulators etc https://www.whitworths.com.au/main_pdfcat.asp and I think they send it to you.

Some very good information to trawl through on this web site..

Cheers

Dale

http://www.caravanandmotorhomebooks.com/articles/index.htm

I got the one in the link i attached last year for steep point . We ran 2 40lt engel's on freeze for 10 day's , no problems.

The one i got was 130w, he now has the panel in 160w. I spent a long time researching and found this to be one of the best deals.

The guy seling them upgraded the regulator to a water and dust proof one afer problems with the origonal ( most come with the cheaper version )

He also upgraded the aligator clips and fitted Anderson 12v plugs. I had no prob's with the order and recieved it quick and in good condition. I'm about to get another panel so we can run 4 engel's plus led lights , phone charger etc.

I figure for the same price as a good gen set it is great. No fuel to carry, no oil changes and no ear plugs to get some sleep .

The mono crystal are the best IMO, they keep sending a charge even if they are partialy shaded. The muti crystal panels will not send charge if a couple cell's are shaded.

I'm no expert JMO after looking into them and talking to people with diferent set ups. Some shops will tell you a 80w will do the job ( and prob will ) But i would get the largest watt panel you can aford and that is practicle to store while you travel.

Cheers Grant.

 http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/BOSCH-160W-BEST-FOLDING-SOLAR-PANEL-12V-200AH-AGM-BATTE-/290467535752?pt=AU_Solar&hash=item43a136db88

I would go for 120Watts .

Remembering that you will probably get around 8-9 hrs of sunlight each day and the fridge, depending what you have it set on will draw maybe up to 4 amps.

The panels have to not only have to charge the battery but at the same time run the fridge....Hope that makes sense.

And of course during the rest of the time(night) the fridge is running soley off the battery.

A friend is using 120w,s and so far the setup has worked well for him

Good luck with whatever you go with and also best wishes chasing the barra's.

Terry 

I've got a 120 watt panel which i picked up on E bay about 12 months ago from a mob over east . always like to buy local when i can but in this case price difference was way to much for what i wanted . It's a fold up with regulator and i use it with the x2 battteries i've got on my camper trailer to run fridge 60 ltr , lights and kettle extra . With postage and canvas bag from memory it was around $460.00 which you'll find is about half the price than stuff over here . Panels are germany made and the bloke makes them up him self . You've got work out what your power need is to determine your panel size eg normal fridges are about 2-3 amps per hour , 100-120 panel will be put back around 7amps per hour .Also a good investment is a amp meter which is conected in between panel and battery and can be fitted after you got your panel , this tells you how much power your using and also how much power is going from your panel back in to the battery .For around $20 good piece of mind thing when your out that your panels are working effecently and not find out when the batteries are dead . Mike Burns From Mandrake solar power (formerly Solar Steve ) come out to our club a few months back and showed his wares , Pretty well price for the quality and knows his stuff .Google his contacts and have a word with him .

A simple equation is 12Volts devided by the total watts a panel/system produces gives you the max amps

120W :12V=10amps

60Watts:12V=5amps etc.

If you know what the fridge/freezer or whatever draws then you know what to get in minimum panel generation plus some for safety and deterioration plus charging off batteries on top.

Hope this helps.

Thanks to all you guys for the information.

Even more confused now, with 10 different reccomendations

I will keep on researching and see what deals I can get

Thanks for the PM's too

http://www.homeof12volt.com/shop/index.php/page/shop/flypage/product_id/482/category_id/23bc96bbeed4295f0aae2d2db5a43f92/offset/0

http://www.homeof12volt.com/shop/index.php/page/shop/flypage/product_id/267/category_id/23bc96bbeed4295f0aae2d2db5a43f92/offset/0

I have found these, which seem to be the best value for quality / durable units with a good warranty and comes with carry bag and regulator.

I am thinking of getting the larger size, as the Pilbara heat may put extra strain on the 80watt model.

There are cheap versions on ebay

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/120w-Solar-Panel-Power-12v-Camping-Charger-Generator-/110708379995?pt=AU_Solar&hash=item19c6bbd15b

Does anyone have some advice?  I dont mind spending the money for the top quality gear, but when I can get something less than half the price........ hard to decide

I would probably purchase a better regulator to achieve "float" charge, as I doubt the cheap ebay model would be good enough?????????

Still learning

thanks again for your replies

Maybe profitable to do a search on Ebay, (very easy done), world wide for the same item but for a better price if you deceide that this what you want to purchase.

I found that LED waterproof lights here in Aus were $46 +PP while I could get the very same product from HK for $12 incl PP.

Latest catalogue from Whitworths is available now to send away for. That's got a heap of gear in it that you will need.

Cheers

Dale

https://www.whitworths.com.au/main_Freecat.asp