running 12v fridge while travelling
Submitted: Monday, Oct 21, 2013 at 20:35
ThreadID:
104815
Views:
10421
Replies:
4
FollowUps:
7
This Thread has been Archived
ricky vw
can i run an electrical lead straight from my alternator to 12v fridge in caravan.or should i run it to my 100w agm battery then to the fridge thru anderson plugs.i was hoping the former was possible then i wouldn't have to worry about running battery down if i forget to unplug.and what size fuse would i need.can anyone please help me.
Reply By: Ross M - Monday, Oct 21, 2013 at 20:57
Monday, Oct 21, 2013 at 20:57
ricky vw
There are many ways you can connect a fridge. If you are worried about flattening the AGM because you forget, then if it is connected to the alternator it will flatten the start battery quicker and then NO START.
Some sort of relay/solenoid which is voltage controlled is a sound idea. Called VSR's Voltage Sensitive Relay, which pull in after the start batt has had a bit of charge and it disconnects the two if the voltage gets down to a set level and therefore protecting your start battery.
You don't say what type of fridge it is: 3 way power hungry item or compressor fridge which us about 1/4 of the 3way fridges.
Your needs and wiring cables and any auto safety items will depend on the type of fridge to a large extent.
Fuses? They need to protect the wiring if a short happens to the negative. ie, both ends of the charge cable for safety.
A bit more info and others will have solutions/suggestions.
Get ready for the avalanche.
AnswerID:
520135
Follow Up By: ricky vw - Monday, Oct 21, 2013 at 21:11
Monday, Oct 21, 2013 at 21:11
thanks for that
Ross.its a power hungry one but i just need it for traveling just to keep it reasonably cool then on to gas or 240v.i'm not very experienced and are just new to this traveling biz.
FollowupID:
800541
Reply By: Member - John and Val - Tuesday, Oct 22, 2013 at 07:54
Tuesday, Oct 22, 2013 at 07:54
Ricky,
There's good advice above.
I would add one suggestion. Provide the fridge with its own wiring - both positive and negative - from the engine bay to the fridge. (And include a fridge switch in that line as suggested above.)
Your fridge draws about 12-15 amps continuously when on 12 volts and consequently there will be significant voltage drop in the wiring. If you were charging the auxilliary battery through the same line, this voltage drop would seriously reduce the charging available to your aux battery.
I assume that you already have a voltage sensitive relay and fuse under the bonnet. I'd connect the fridge wiring after that relay and fuse, where the present aux battery wiring takes off. Note that it is important to provide some means of switching the fridge circuit off when stationary, as otherwise the fridge will be permanently connected to the aux battery - a fridge switch would be ideal, or a relay (headlight relay would be good) activated by the ignition switch.
Cheers
John | J and V
"Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted."
- Albert Einstein
Lifetime Member My Profile My Blog Send Message |
AnswerID:
520158