Arb fridge

[martnH]

I have been using cfx 65 for the past two years. Works great and itvery engergy efficient and has its own low voltage cutout

Dual battery wise, I use a simply relay style system. I drive a tdci defender and my car doesn't have a smart alternator. The voltage at my starter battery with the engine running is always above 14v. Often around 14.2 to 14.4v.

Because I have good voltage and my alternator output is 150A. That's the reason I didn't go DC to DC charger, unless I buy a commercial one rated at 100 amps...
Cheers

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[martnH]

What is the best way to keep the fridge on if you don’t have a rear outlet in your vehicle? My 2014 FJ has everything for off-roading (crawl etc) from the factory but no outlet in the back...

I cut the cigarette plug on fridge wire and put on Anderson plugs... That's way it won't come loose and better yet not voltage drop with proper wise

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[charliedontsurf]

Do like I did in my FJ Cruiser.
Install a dedicated 12v plug in the rear, run 8 gauge wire to a fuse about a foot from your battery.
Mine is hooked to my aux battery though with the blue and gray wires you can see below.
Run the wire behind the right side panel, and drill a hole for a plug.

You can see the single plug below the ARB one gallon air tank.
The other two 12v plugs are wired up to thinner wire that will not support the startup voltage my National Luna fridge requires.
I tried with those plugs, but the compressor in the fridge would not even start.

Very nice! Electrical work is a little bit beyond my skill set and I don't feel 100% comfortable doing it. I'm hoping I can find someone local who knows what they're doing to help me out. What do you do to keep the fridge cool when your vehicle isn't running? I'm thinking maybe a Goal Zero setup. It can double as an emergency supply of power when we have power outages here down in FL during hurricane season.

 

[Corey]

Very nice! Electrical work is a little bit beyond my skill set and I don't feel 100% comfortable doing it. I'm hoping I can find someone local who knows what they're doing to help me out. What do you do to keep the fridge cool when your vehicle isn't running? I'm thinking maybe a Goal Zero setup. It can double as an emergency supply of power when we have power outages here down in FL during hurricane season.

Thanks!
These fridges are very efficient, and in the past I have ran the fridge for around four days without even starting up the rig on the starting battery.
I do run solar now, and it keeps the aux battery topped off.
With my old school ARB fridge I ran for years, it was hooked up to the starting battery, and since putting the new fridge in September of last year, it is powered by my aux battery.

 

[charliedontsurf]

Thanks!
These fridges are very efficient, and in the past I have ran the fridge for around four days without even starting up the rig on the starting battery.
I do run solar now, and it keeps the aux battery topped off.
With my old school ARB fridge I ran for years, it was hooked up to the starting battery, and since putting the new fridge in September of last year, it is powered by my aux battery.

Ahh gotcha! I was hoping to avoid a dual battery setup for now. I'm thinking I'll buy a setup from Goal Zero and keep the fridge plugged into that when the FJ isn't running. Do many people run their setup that way?

 

[Corey]

Ahh gotcha! I was hoping to avoid a dual battery setup for now. I'm thinking I'll buy a setup from Goal Zero and keep the fridge plugged into that when the FJ isn't running. Do many people run their setup that way?

Not sure, as you should be OK to run your fridge on the stock battery as long as you start it every few days.
That is what I did with the old fridge.
And if you are not going to use, just turn it off.
Also get yourself one of those small lithium battery jump starters to carry in your rig.
If you kill the battery, you can jump start your rig.

 

[charliedontsurf]

Not sure, as you should be OK to run your fridge on the stock battery as long as you start it every few days.
That is what I did with the old fridge.
And if you are not going to use, just turn it off.
Also get yourself one of those small lithium battery jump starters to carry in your rig.
If you kill the battery, you can jump start your rig.

Good advice thank you. Should I worry about replacing my stock battery with a more robust one in your opinion?

 

[Corey]

Good advice thank you. Should I worry about replacing my stock battery with a more robust one in your opinion?

You are welcome.
Depends on how old your stock one is.
I ran my old fridge off the stock Panasonic battery for years.
But if you will be camping too with the fridge, look into running at least a 60 to 100 watt solar panel to help keep the starting battery topped.
Lotta good solar stuff out there now, and some are as easy as just hooking up clips to your battery.

 

[krick3tt]

Mine also lives in the LR. unplugged from the aux battery and with the lid propped open with the handle. I also keep a container of baking soda in it when not in use to absorb any lingering possible odors. I clean it after each trip with rubbing alcohol (same stuff we use to clean glass around the house) It is always fresh and ready for the next use.
I plug into a 120V outlet the night before to chill it and put in chilled or frozen items.
It is great not to have soggy food and water splaying around off road. Thinking of getting or making an insulating jacket for it, just because. Usually run it at 37F on trips, plenty cold to keep the food fresh and the beer chilled. The closer to the walls your beer is, the colder it stays.

Happy trails

 

[TwinStick]

I cut the cigarette plug on fridge wire and put on Anderson plugs... That's way it won't come loose and better yet not voltage drop with proper wise

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What size & model # of Anderson power pole plugs did you use ? For what size wire ? I have the 350 amp ones with 2/0 welding cable for a quick disconnect for the 2nd battery in our Power Wagon. Awesome product ! I would like to do this to our 2 ARB fridges. Simple, easy & uber reliable under any circumstances.

Thanks

 

[ajmaudio]

powerwerx.com ... check it

 

[TwinStick]

Yes, I have done business already with them. Thats where I got my Anderson 350 amp Power pole plugs.

martnH,

What size & model # of Anderson power pole plugs did you use ? For what size wire ? I have the 350 amp ones with 2/0 welding cable for a quick disconnect for the 2nd battery in our Power Wagon. Awesome product ! I would like to do this to our 2 ARB fridges. Simple, easy & uber reliable under any circumstances.

What size/gauge wire is the ARB 12v plug ?

Thanks

 

[ajmaudio]

I know you didnt ask me but...
The sb50 is a shrunk down version of what you already have.. a bit big still.. but convenient. Otherwise you would want a pp30 or pp45 for 12 or 10 gauge wire. Housings are the same if memory serves? Just pick contacts based on wire size, termination style, and plating preference...

 

[TwinStick]

That's why I asked what the wire size is, on the ARB 12v plug. I want to cut the end off & install an Anderson plug. Don't want to buy something for the wrong gauge wire. Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Bear in NM]

My ARB 12 volt plug is smaller than 10, no problem with the PP30. But even with 10, you can get the PP30's to work. I have done it with 10 without the Anderson crimp tool, but once I started down the solar path, the tool was an obvious solution. With 10, you have to "peel" up the socket part of the prong to get the 10 into it, but the crimp tool still makes a perfect crimp. And the 10 plastic sheathing on many wires makes for a snug fit into the back of the connector, but the upside is that you get some strain relief for the wires.

Craig