Main battery directly charging fridges

[wk2blackhawk]

Hi guys,

We have a 2014 GC I'm looking at running our fridges directly from the main battery only would be while driving. One is a 3 way chescold and the other a waeco. Are their any issues with this? I have been told they can draw up to 15amps for the chescold and 3-4amps for the waeco.

Cheers for any help you can give.

[Sterling Sal]

Hi,

As the Jeep only has the one battery, much better idea to buy an ARK-Pack or similar and run your fridges off that.

Would probably be okay only whilst driving, but wouldn't take the risk. They do use a lot of amps. Check with a multimeter.

The Jeep runs a lot of electronics, plus the diesel uses a bit of juice.

We use the ARK-Pack plugged into the fridge via an Anderson plug. Lasts 3 days when camping.

Cheers,
Sally

[wk2blackhawk]

Sorry Sally I should have explained better. This would only be while travelling to the campsite after that we have batteries and gas for the 3 way. Just wanted to see if the standard battery could hold these fridges while travelling.

[Sterling Sal]

Hi WK2blackhawk,

Yes, I understood you!

Whilst travelling, yes, you should be fine running the fridge. Winches are run whilst the car is running and the batteries seem to be ok.

But personally, I would leave the car battery just for the car and not risk any potential problems running a fridge from it. It is a different story with a dual battery set up! Only having one battery always worries me when you want to run accessories from it!

The powered battery boxes are too easy to store in the car!

But yes, it should be fine whilst running.

I just wonder if you will get any voltage drop though? We always get some from the 12 volt system when running our caravan fridge.

If you put some Techni Ice frozen sheets into the fridge to cool it first, that should help. We do that with ours both portable and in the van.

Let us know how you go.

Cheers,
Sally

[chris0375]

I would run new wires directly from the battery with a relay that engages when the ignition is on. No chance of flattening it.

I don't see why the op needs the extra expense, weight and complexity of another battery if they only want to use it whilst driving.

Family had a similar set up in a patrol that went around Australia. No issues at all simply swap to gas when stopped.

[Benn0]

I guess the only potential issue with direct wiring is that if the fridges do draw too much, the Jeep is likely to chuck a hissy fit, as opposed to a patrol.

I run a chescold 3 way from the rear lighter plug no problem, I think it is restricted to 13 amps.

[Benn0]

Some good discussion here:

http://www.expandasdownunder.com/thr...-lessons.4703/