Sunday, Mar 19, 2006 at 14:06
We recently bought 2 x Coolpower 36
packs from Fridge
Shop @ $220 each. Used them on high country trip for 2 weeks, running Waeco CF-40 (in its insulating cover). The
power packs use AGM batteries. We didn't get the expensive cable to link the two
power packs (72 a/h fixing kit), but it is normally thrown in with some packages.
We also got a Waeco RAPS-12 wiring kit, wired straight from battery. It has two sockets, one Hella and one cig lighter. That was
well worth the money.
We camped 7 nights at one site (on Davies Plain). We only used the CoolPower
packs to run the fridge. (We have a small jump starter pack, which ran other things like airbed pump, and charged rechargeable batteries in our lanterns etc.) We turned the fridge off overnight and kept the temp between 0 and 5 deg (thermometer with probe is invaluable), alternating the
power packs. The weather was sunny each day, tops between 20 and 30 deg. Nights were cold (down to about -4 one night). Some days we didn't go anywhere, some we drove for 2 - 5 hours. When driving we plugged the fridge into the vehicle 12v accessory socket and the two
power packs into the Waeco RAPS-12. One
power pack plugged into the Hella socket and the other into the cig lighter socket on the RAPS outlet.
By the end of the week, both
packs had gone from about 12.9v (about 85%) to 12.2v (about 40%). I found that the
power pack plugged into the Hella plug charged a lot faster than the other one. They both charged up sufficiently with a long day's driving. The one plugged into the Hella socket would charge from say 40% to 70-75% in about 4-5 hours' driving, the other one half that.
I would say that this was just enough for this kind of trip. The wiring upgrade kit was essential. This setup would be fine if driving more frequently. For longer stays, or in very hot conditions, or if the fridge is used as a freezer, I would look at larger
power packs/dual batt system (e.g. 120 a/hr AGM) and/or solar panels.
Note that only one of the CoolPower
packs came with a plug that could be used in either Hella socket or cig lighter socket. The other one only had a cig lighter plug. Worth asking before ordering.
If you go this route I would also suggest getting a good lightweight portable 2-stage or 3-stage 240v AC battery charger, to charge up the
power packs before leaving and when staying in town.
A portable pack means your fridge is not tied to the car all the time, but it is more of a hassle than a good dual battery system.
Hope this helps.
AnswerID:
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