ARB Fridge Q

[ryguy]

Can I get away with running a new ARB fridge off my stock Ac outlet in the back of my fj with a stock battery without trouble? I'm getting the fridge as a gift and would like to use it right away but since I work in the auto industry money for a dual set up is far away. I understand I can't venture on any long expeditions without complications but I would like to run the fridge for a long weekend. Any feedback is much appreciated.

 

[Corey]

The 08s came with 12v in the rear?
Mine only had the 110v, and a friend and I added in two 12v outlets in the rear.

Yes, I have ran my ARB fridge for a total of four days without starting the rig off of the Panasonic stock battery, but that is as far as I would push it.

I run dual batteries, but I also use a solar setup to keep the batteries charged up when camping and running the fridge, tent lights, ect.

 

[stevenmd]

Your stick outlet should be fine; however, I upgraded mine in the back of the rangie for less than $20. I used a marine quality outlet with a cap to keep the elements out when it is not plugged in.

As for your battery, how old is it? How long are you going to be away from your truck? If you are able to start it up every so often to charge the battery, you will be fine. I always carry one of those jump starter boxes just in case. I do not run a dual battery system.

As long as you don't have eggs to freeze, I recommend lowering the temperature a few hours before you go to bed, then turn it off for the night. Your items should stay relatively cold until morning.

 

[ryguy]

Sorry is an ac115v 400w in the back

 

[ryguy]

My battery was replaced before I bought my truck in feb. of this year with a toyota true start(interstate). The factory one died from lot rot, the truck sat for a year unsold(you can imagine the deal I got on it tho).
The longest my truck would sit would be a full day. I do carry a duracel 600 just in case.

 

[discotdi]

with a stock non deep cell batt. my Engel will usually kill the batt. in two days. That said I don't do the turn off at night trick that might give you another day. Just as a side note the engel and ARB fridges are not made to be used with an invertor.

 

[Dave Bennett]

Yes, I have ran my ARB fridge for a total of four days without starting the rig off of the Panasonic stock battery, but that is as far as I would push it.

I run dual batteries, but I also use a solar setup to keep the batteries charged up when camping and running the fridge, tent lights, ect.

4 days with or without solar? I saw your post about your solar setup, very nice!

I can go 3 days/nights with the fridge on using my Odyssey PCT-1700MJT. That is with no solar charging, and I wouldn't chance it any longer than that.

The specs on the OEM Toyota battery are actually pretty respectable (compare them to an Odyssey or other bling brand and you'll see they are a solid battery for a stocker - I still have mine and keep it charged as a backup JIC), when I was running my Engel off of the OEM it ran 2 days/nights no problemo.

 

[ryguy]

Just as a side note the engel and ARB fridges are not made to be used with an invertor.

Would that be a problem?

 

[Corey]

4 days with or without solar? I saw your post about your solar setup, very nice!

I can go 3 days/nights with the fridge on using my Odyssey PCT-1700MJT. That is with no solar charging, and I wouldn't chance it any longer than that.

The specs on the OEM Toyota battery are actually pretty respectable (compare them to an Odyssey or other bling brand and you'll see they are a solid battery for a stocker - I still have mine and keep it charged as a backup JIC), when I was running my Engel off of the OEM it ran 2 days/nights no problemo.

Before solar.
This was out in my driveway one time during a four day holiday.
Started right up for work Tuesday morning, and the rig had been parked since coming home from work Friday.

Thanks, I really like the solar setup.
Very disappointed too with Optima.
I had read all the negative stuff about them since they sold out, and it is true.
Even with my dual system charging it, the battery sits at 10.5v right now.
Taking it back to exchange it for a new one later, but I will try to find another one that will fit in the mount that was made exclusively for that style of battery.

Would that be a problem?

You only have power back there when the vehicle key is on.
Plus the ARB/Engel fridges are not as efficient at 110v as they are running on 12v.

You might want to do the dual 12v outlet mod like I did, and have full time power there.
I will dig up the install thread.
http://www.yotatech.com/50513787-post131.html

 

[Dave Bennett]

I ran a full scale power connection from the main battery (fused) into the cabin. It can power anything we need back there, right now it only feeds the Kenwood amp since the Engel will be residing in the FlipPac soon.

 

[ryguy]

Nice write up! I did have a tech wire my outlet hot when I got the truck, but your setup seems cheap and relatively easy. Thanks for the info.

 

[Corey]

Thanks.

I also moved my fridge from the back where I use to have it, it is now behind the drivers seat.
No back seats for me.
I also converted the lid over on the fridge, that should be in my sig file below.

 

[ryguy]

I took your advice Corey and installed a 12v outlet above my 115v on my fj.

I just ran a wire to the main fuse box under the hood with an inline fuse and the ground for the tail lights.

Can someone tell me what amp fuse to run? I need it to power a new ARB fridge. I put a 20amp fuse in there temporarily,

 

[Corey]

Cool, looks great.
I find I use one most of the time for the fridge only, but when camping I run the second one for the 12v light in my roof top tent.

I believe I have a 15 amp fuse in the BlueSea aux. fusebox.
It should be in my thread I posted earlier.

To lazy to look, watching SG Atlantis before Eureka comes on
Big Sci-Fi nut here.

 

[ryguy]

Thanks again Corey