Fridges and just one battery

[DONSIRI]

What's people's experiences with running fridges in only the main battery? In interested in getting something with the low voltage protection and wondering how well they work to protect the main starting battery.

[chris0375]

There was been multiple threads on this. Usually ending in a big disagreement. Some say that you must spend $1500 on the most complicated dual battery system and some saying they get away with adding a new plug.

Really need more details of your requirements. Fridge size, fridge type, climate, length of time fridge is on and car is off, etc etc

[layback40]

Simple rule ~ turn car off, turn fridge off. Turn car on, turn fridge on.

[LeighP]

You can pick up an ARCPAK or similar battery box system a lot cheaper than some for the dual battery systems for cars....I use one for camping power, works well.
Just a thought....

[GMEMUD]

For a long time I only used the starter battery to run a 60ltr evakool but carried a SCA el cheepo jump starter pack "just in case". I'd run the car for a bit last thing at night and start car first thing in the morning and if leaving fridge at camp whilst out driving around would leave the jump starter behind plugged into fridge, worked "OK" but not great, constant draining of starter battery killed it early.
Then moved to an ABR Sidewinder Flyer battery box for ease of transferring from one car to another with a Optima yellow top in it, much better as it has a low voltage cut-out relay in it so not draining starter battery. Have since added a Ctec DC_DC charger and it has improved it again as I now have a little 21ltr Engel sitting on the back seat going full time.
If you use your head a bit it is surprising what you can get away with, and as budget allows you can improve as necessary, just have a good think about what you will be needing as you build up a better system.

[bleetnblurt]

a friend of mine runs a solenoid that when the car is off his external battery pack runs the fridge , when the ing turns on the system reverts to car battery. and charges the system , I personally run a solar panel on the roof and it is totally separate from the cars system, (bought a battery pack solar panel and use a trickle feed battery ) both ways work well. I chose to use a battery box and made a battery system for it, even though it has the shut off if the battery starts to get too low , I don't trust them .

[Nanook]

Like Leigh said pick yourself up an Arkpac battery box or similar. It negates the need for duel batteries in the vehicle and it's portable.

When I'm on the beach, I'll run my 50L Ironman on the starter battery (I have a 800CCA Optima Red Top) but still turn it off when the car is off. A coke bottle full of frozen water helps keep everything cool and you can drink it later once it defrosts.

If I'm camping, I'll transport the fridge in the car (having it running overnight on 240V). Once camp is set, it gets transferred over to the camper trailer's battery.

I've run it set on -02C for 5 days without a worry on the trailer's 300Ah battery.