ARB 50qt Fridge in a JKU?

[Power Wagon Family]

I am purchasing an ARB 50qt fridge soon and plan to strap it in the back of my 2012 Jeep JK.U.R. Two requests…
1st, can jeep jk unlimited folks with an ARB fridge post up some pics of there set up for me to get ideas.
2nd, I have a factory 12v outlet in the back should I use that? From what I have read I hear it is better to run a direct line to the battery and install another 12v outlet and I should upgrade the jeeps battery to a good deep cycle.
Please educate me on this my family of three typically camps for 2-4 days and I am looking for a set up that will run the fridge all night/day off the jeep. During the day we normally drive exploring for a few hours so I think that would be enough to charge the jeep battery each day. I am also open to the idea of hooking up a solar panel during the day if the jeep is parked. Ideas??
:Wow1:

 

[cobound]

I ran a direct line to the back, dedicated to the fridge, same size as yours. Ran it through my firewall on the passenger side, under the plastic all the way back to the driver side rear seat. Worked great. Used a Morenco plug. We spent 10 days in CO a few weeks ago, four of us. Camped, drove daily, never had a charging issue. Also fit a Coleman steel belted cooler and a bag for each of us in the back. These Jeeps have great room!

Don't have any pix, but I place it on the driver side with the latch at the rear.

Love my fridge, had it a couple years now. Haven't bought ice since! Best I've ran it w/out charging is 2 days...I've used it with my red top but have since gotten a yellow in the Jeep and as a backup. I built a backup battery box for it that I use in another vehicle, or for when I want to leave it behind at camp.

Be sure to test the temp before you head out...get it right with stuff in it cuz it'll freeze or not cool enough if you don't. Read up n that, plenty of info around on it.

Good luck, if I find pix of mine I'll post.

B

 

[HillbillyfromAL]

Mine's not in a Jeep but I'll second running a dedicated line and outlet. They larger cable will help prevent voltage drop, and that will keep fridge from shutting off prematurely. Your gonna love the fridge by the way. I have had mine in the back of my Discovery for over a year now.

 

[Power Wagon Family]

Thanks for the responses so far! I just ordered the connector that was recommended but I was wonder what gage wire should I use and if I need any sort of inline fuse?
Thanks again and would love to see some pictures.

 

[ventura911]

I also ran a direct line to the back and added a fuse block back there, just in case. Pics can be found in my build thread: http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/72945-Expo-Daily-driver-JK-build-(Pic-heavy)

 

[orangeTJ]

Used a Morenco plug.

Marinco is the actual name of the company. Don't settle for anything less. They are top notch

http://www.marinco.com/product/12-volt-receptacle

 

[Power Wagon Family]

Ventura911
I read your build thread a few days ago, great set up by the way! I got some sweet ideas but if you could go into more detail on the wiring gage and fuse set that would give me some better understanding again I am clueless when it comes to electrical.

 

[DefectiveMonk]

The power socket inside the center console is wired directly to the battery and will supply 13 amps. The ARB cord will reach from the back of the Jeep if you run it under the back seat. I routinely leave it plugged in overnight (12-14 hours) and haven't had any problems. The power socket conveniently located in the rear won't power the fridge or much else.

 

[Power Wagon Family]

Wow I am surprised to hear the factory center consul outlet will work! I may run a direct line still and integrate the outlet into my rear storage unit I am trying to design. Thanks for the input Monk its good to hear I can run it that way till I get the back built.

 

[ventura911]

Ventura911
I read your build thread a few days ago, great set up by the way! I got some sweet ideas but if you could go into more detail on the wiring gage and fuse set that would give me some better understanding again I am clueless when it comes to electrical.

I wish I could, but I'm electrically challenged, too, and had it done. Basically, though, I've got a fuse block in the back with a socket off of it to the fridge. I went this way to add other electrical items, like the water pump and cargo light, but if I was just doing the fridge, I would've been fine with the ARB (or equivalent) wiring harness from the battery to the fridge.

 

[JIMBO]

:sombrero: Ya gotta getta trailer-I've been running my ENGEL for over 5 years off of the trailer battery (same OPTIMA) and a 60w solar panel-

That way I never jeopardize the vehicle battery power, there are "dual" battery setups to insure that, but I use the trailer for much more anyway-

I had some trouble with the ENGEL 12vdc, but fixed and she won't draw very much DC current anyway, especially if you start with a small block of ice inside, to help maintain the cooler internal temps--it's worked for a week in summer temps, for me-and the battery is still "AMPIN"

I carry a lot in my JKUR and the ENGEL/ARB/LUNA-etc takes up quite a bit of room, so I don't keepit in there !

Good luck

:costumed-smiley-007:wings: JIMBO

 

[PNWINFERNOPRO]

I removed the driver's side rear short seat; replaced with a poly cutting board platform and Slide Lock. I'm 6'5", so no one can sit behind me anyway

Fridge is a first generation ARB 40qt; basically an Engel MT45. Fits and works perfectly.

Ran a dedicated, fused line directly from the aux battery. Kept the cigarette lighter plug end, with a 10' extension. This allows for the fridge to be removed at camp and placed in my teardrop trailer side tent; powered by the Jeep.

 

[dp7197]

I ran the dedicated ARB wiring for my fridge. It has an in-line fuse, big wire, and allows you to use the Hella feature of the plug by removing the red-tip which you need for a normal 12-volt plug. While I use to use the stock rear 12-volt plug from Jeep, it is no comparison to the ARB wiring kit and what the fridge should have.

I ran mine through the passenger-side firewall, under the door trim, and then installed the socket on a custom bracket attached to the passenger-side rear seat bracket. This keeps the plug behind my fridge where the wire is.

My fridge attached to the ARB slide, and while there is really no wasted space above the fridge, the slide does not allow me to fully open the fridge due to the hardtop.

 

[HillbillyfromAL]

Thanks for the responses so far! I just ordered the connector that was recommended but I was wonder what gage wire should I use and if I need any sort of inline fuse?
Thanks again and would love to see some pictures.

Get a fuse block and put it close to your battery, but easily accessible. That will allow you power multiple devices and give you a fuse to protect everything. The fridge doesn't really draw too many amps so don't put a 20amp fuse on it if it's a dedicated line. It should have a 7.5 or 10 amp fuse max. As far as wire gauge 12ga should plenty sufficient, or 10ga if you wanted to power more than the fridge or have 2 outlets. Hope that wasn't too late.

 

[Power Wagon Family]

JIMBO,
Would love a trailer I almost bought a used tentrax on here and then it sold and I regret it now. I love those little tentrax… one day I will have one. Got to love solar I have a off road pop up (fullsize) and have a goal zero solar panel I use to charge the battery on that and so far it works great.

Bubblegoose1,
Nice set up with the seat removal! I need the seat or I would consider that option. I also read somewhere about a guy taking the large back seat section out and replacing it with another small section and putting the frig in the gap in the middle but that sounded like a lot of fab work.

Dp7197,
What a nice set up in the back of your jeep! I really like the aluminum idea some more details on it please. So I think I want to run the direct line and use a fuse block so if I want to add anything else back there I have the power and don’t need to run more wires. The people using fuse blocks are you guys getting marine grade ones? Any brands I should look at?