Engel Fridge

[Conrad_Turbo]

I've used a "Koolatron" (pulls 4.5 Amps) thermoelectric cooler last year and realized how useless it really is on battery power. I had it connected to a Optima Red top (I didn't have a deep cycle battery at the time) and after the drive to the lake, the Koolatron would run just fine for a few hours before the low batt alarm would go off. I would start the car and let it run for 15mins, shut it off and the low voltage alarm would go off after 20mins or so... Needless to say the cooler was packed with ice shortly after.

That experience was at a campground where we could opt to buy ice, the fiance and I plan on doing a lot of wilderness camping and won't have the option to buy ice.

I'm looking at an Engel fridge (draws 0.5 to 2.5 Amps) and just wondering about discharge times. I plan on connecting it to a large deep cycle battery, for example sake a D31M Optima Blue Top (155amp reserve capacity, 75amp capacity (c/20 rate)), and just wonder when it will require the truck to be fired back up to charge the battery.

We tend to set up camp for long periods of time (3-5 days) so driving to our next destination doesn't happen for quite some time. What's the longest you have powered an Engel fridge (off what capacity battery?) before needing to fire up the vechicle?

 

[Martyn]

Conrad

Most people can run an Engel 45 liter for 3 days off a group 31 AGM battery. The longest I have gone is 5 days, but I'm very careful about shading it from direct sun, keeping it full, and not opening the lid for very long.

I would recommend using an insulated Transit Bag with your fridge to make it more efficient.

 

[Connie]

We use the transit bag, which helps a lot, but we can still only get 2 days off of an Optima yellow top without running the truck again. We are installing solar panels (The Juice Box 64, available from Adventure Trailers) to eliminate the need to run the truck if we are stopped for awhile. With this option we can run the fridge, radio, laptop etc. indefinitely.

 

[Martyn]

We use the transit bag, which helps a lot, but we can still only get 2 days off of an Optima yellow top without running the truck again. We are installing solar panels (The Juice Box 64, available from Adventure Trailers) to eliminate the need to run the truck if we are stopped for awhile. With this option we can run the fridge, radio, laptop etc. indefinitely.

Connie brings up a few good points here.

Not all batteries are created equal. Optimas have less lead in them than DEKA batteries and don't have the same power. It's the lead that matters.

The condition of the battery is also significant. A battery will hold less of a charge as is ages. We have started using The Battery Bug, a small gauge you put on a new batteries that keep track of their efficiency over time.

Solar is a wonderful option, but it's also expensive. My preference if you have room would be to move from a single deep cycle to a double, and then add the solar if needed.

 

[AndrewP]

I can often get close to 3 days on a group 31 blue top and still have enough to restart my truck. As mentioned, it is important to keep it shaded and out of the sun. The more you open it, the more it runs as well.

Even though the Engel takes 2.7 amps when the motor runs, it usually isn't running, so you can strech out how long it will go. DO keep it shaded, and keep the interior of the truck open so it doesn't heat up in the sun.

 

[4RunAmok]

The thing that kills batteries over time is called Sulfation.

Battery lead will sulfate. The deeper the sulfation into the lead, the less charge the battery will hold. Until it is no good, and won't hold any charge.

A lot of us who let vehicles and boats sit suffer from this because of a lack of charging going back into the battery, small hidden voltage draws, etc.

A quick fix for this are the small solar panels available at the auto parts stores. Not enough to run an accessory on, but enough to prevent sulfation.

 

[Martyn]

The thing that kills batteries over time is called Sulfation.

Battery lead will sulfate. The deeper the sulfation into the lead, the less charge the battery will hold. Until it is no good, and won't hold any charge.

A lot of us who let vehicles and boats sit suffer from this because of a lack of charging going back into the battery, small hidden voltage draws, etc.

A quick fix for this are the small solar panels available at the auto parts stores. Not enough to run an accessory on, but enough to prevent sulfation.

Yes I'd agree with you. As most off road trailers sit in the owners yard or garage when not being used we recommend a marine grade smart charger http://www.adventuretrailers.com/12volt_solar.html

Once the battery is fully charged the charger switches to maintenance mode. Looking after the battery in this way extends is useful life. A small solar panel will help by keeping the battery topped off, but it lacks the maintenance feature.

 

[4RunAmok]

Exactly.

However the small panels I'm talking about, such as these, are like maintainence only anyway:
http://www.solarcharger.com/s.nl/it.A/id.64/.f?sc=2&category=113

 

[tdesanto]

Get the transit bag.

I have the Optima 31M Blue Top that you're interested in. Run time depends on the weather (temperature). When it's hotter, I can only go about 1.5-2 days and still crank the car over, but probably not more than that. In the cooler climates or winter, you could probably go even more.

Get a dual battery setup and consider the Oddysey batteries. A lot of people swear by them. You can get them here.

I like the Hellroaring dual battery system...but plenty others are happy with the solenoid-style setups too.

 

[Conrad_Turbo]

Thanks for the input! I am not brand loyal (although I do have 2 Redtops in my other vehicles) when it comes to deep cycle batteries...I would be looking for something with the most capacity for my dollar, I just used the Bluetop as a common example.

The fridge would be mounted in the truck and would be kept in the shade with the windows cracked for airflow. I know there are a lot of variables to how long a battery will last, but knowing it's a few days is pretty good.

Once you have to restart your truck after a few days, how long does it take to charge up the batteries to let the vehicle sit for another few days?

As with Martyn if I don't have enough capacity, I will most likely get a 2nd battery (I guess 3rd in this case since I don't want the fridge running off the main battery) and worse case would be going to the solar panels.

 

[Bad Voodoo]

We are installing solar panels (The Juice Box 64, available from Adventure Trailers) to eliminate the need to run the truck if we are stopped for awhile.

Details, details (??).

Instead of a dual-battery system I'm considering a single Odyssey or Deka for my FJC in combination with a solar solution of some sort - was hoping for some flexible or roll-up panels that could be deployed to the hood of the vehicle when camped to trickle-charge the main during the day, but I don't think I'll be able to generate enough wattage to fully recharge with these sorts of panels. Would love to deploy a rigid 80 watt panel for some real fun, but would hate for it to be tossed about in the back while I was wheeling.

Nevermind me. Thinking out loud.

 

[taugust]

Details, details (??).

Instead of a dual-battery system I'm considering a single Odyssey or Deka for my FJC in combination with a solar solution of some sort - was hoping for some flexible or roll-up panels that could be deployed to the hood of the vehicle when camped to trickle-charge the main during the day, but I don't think I'll be able to generate enough wattage to fully recharge with these sorts of panels. Would love to deploy a rigid 80 watt panel for some real fun, but would hate for it to be tossed about in the back while I was wheeling.

Nevermind me. Thinking out loud.

Try here:

http://www.solarworld.com/PowerFilmRollable.htm

Not a cheap solution but would work.

 

[gjackson]

Details, details (??).

The Juicebox 64 is a new product from AT. It was in the gear issue of OJ, and there will be more coverage later. Basically a set of 2 panels that fold up into a case. They provide 64 watts of power at 12v. The unit is portable, so you can move it around for best sun. I'm hooking them up to my optima yellowtop house battery and hoping for infinite stationary camping time. That being said we only usually run the fridge and the computer.

cheers