Steve replied:

Be careful!! The 1200 amp is the Cold Crank amps it can deliver for jump starting. This is for a VERY short period of time. From memory the Thumper has a capacity of 40 amp hours, so would run your fridge for about a day without recharging. The idea of recharging at the Staion would be fine.
Another way would be to fit a 2nd battery and a 78 series Landcruiser Alternator (110 amps) so would charge your batteries on minimal running - nice solution but expensive.

Jeremy replied:

The Blue Apple Power packs are great !, in fact Weaco has just taken over the company. In your situation its perfect coz you don't have the room to fit d-batts, you can charge it with both the 240v charge kit or the 12v from the car although i would recomend upgrading the wire and fit a good hella plug or similar to cope !, this is due to the fact that cig lighters tend to handle the load but not the heat generated from it and can in extream cases burn down your vehicle. I work at Opposite Lock and fit, sell and use these power packs all the time and for your situation you are on the right track.

Ray replied:

Hi Patrick,

The rating you describe would be CCA and not amp hours, as suggested by a previous responce. In your situation not needing to start a vehicle a true deep cycle battery would be much better. Some claim to be both but are very much a comprimise. It sounds like you will be running the battery down past the suggested limit and then recharging which is no good for any battery but a deep cycle will handle it a little better. A good deep cycle battery with a very simple purpose built wiring harness for your fidge will be a significantly cheaper alternative. If in fact you want to have both then even a top of the line sealed battery like the Trojan or Odessy (spelling maybe wrong) will be better and cheaper, but granted not as convienent. On the subject of charging I've just done a fair amount of research into the best methods. Using one step boost chargers (the cheap ones) are the killers of most batteries they are the ones that generally boil batteries. The other option is dearer but will help your battery last much longer, they are 3 stage switch mode chargers. If you would like a copy of the info I've tracked down on the various chargers let me know.

Mike replied:

Patrick, apart from the reply I've sent you at O/lander, 2 points; 1;what if the service station refuses to recharge you for some reason, 2;please don't inflict a generator on other campers trying to enjoy the beauty and tranquility that I hear Morton Island is. I have come across generators before, in beautiful locations and I have always wondered if people want that noise, why they don't just stay in the city. Sorry to sound agressive, but I don't believe anybody should upset the tranquility of others with these noisy smelly devices. By all means hire a solar panel and let's all enjoy the bush. Happy trails, Mike.

MARK replied:

MATE YOU SEEM TO BE COMPLICATING THINGS A BIT. WHAT YOU SHOULD HAVE DONE WAS BUY AN AUTOFRIDGE IN THE FIRST PLACE AND YOUR SINGLE BATTERY SETUP WOULD SUFFICE. ONCE FROZEN UP THE FRIDGE ONLY NEEDS TO RUN TWO HOURS OF A MORNING AND TWO HOURS OF A NIGHT TO HOLD ITS TEMP. I'VE HAD ONE FOR FOUR YEARS NOW AND IT HAS BEEN AWESOME.

Russ replied:

Patrick, I have a thumber and swear by it. It is fitted into the tray of my Hilux. Have been away twice this year for 2 weeks at a time and have not had to charge it from 240 V. I have an inbuilt charger fitted, run my Engle fridge, lights for camper trailer and shower off it. No probs. No worries about fluids spilling, can be carried out if you need to, so versitile. Have been running my own tests over time, ran the fridge for 2 days (out of the vehicle) before it went flat. Just ran a versa light for 52 hours and it was dimming, but still burning. Will continue to run different tests, but I am very happy with it. Read the info on it, ring the manufacturers in SA, they are very helpful. I reckon it will outlast (from what I hear) other batteries.
Give it a fair go.

Viki replied:

Patrick-
We've got a Pathfinder Ti '99 model and our mechanic put a dual battery system in OK! Side by side - made his own cradle. Check around a bit more maybe? (We're in Hobart, BTW....)
Viki