Running 12volt fridge

Submitted: Monday, Jan 30, 2006 at 17:33

ThreadID: 30256 Views:2076 Replies:4 FollowUps:6

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emgirl

I have a jayco dove and im selling my 4x4 to bye another and dont want to wire the old one up for twin batterys to run the frigde in the van but im going on a 6hr
trip son and dont know if i can run the fridge straight off the single batt with just leads back to the van can any one help me

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Reply By: slow mower - Monday, Jan 30, 2006 at 17:42

Monday, Jan 30, 2006 at 17:42

I regularly run an Engel 40 litre of a single battery whilst travelling 6 - 8 hr trips. NO problems whatsoever.

AnswerID: 151856

Reply By: Member -Dodger - Monday, Jan 30, 2006 at 17:45

Monday, Jan 30, 2006 at 17:45

Should be ok as long as you do not stop the motor whislt the fridg is on 12v.
Your alternator should handle the extra load easily.
Fridges on 12v if three way (not Compressor) use up to 12amps.
Normal headlights and tail use about 30amps give or take a few so if it is in daylight NO WORRIES just make sure that the lead is fused and can take the current.

I used to have a handle on life, but it broke.

Cheers Dodg.

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AnswerID: 151858

Follow Up By: emgirl - Monday, Jan 30, 2006 at 18:40

Monday, Jan 30, 2006 at 18:40

thanks Dodg
so if i run say 16amp leads fused from the car batt to van batt it should all be good

FollowupID: 405443

Follow Up By: Member -Dodger - Tuesday, Jan 31, 2006 at 07:43

Tuesday, Jan 31, 2006 at 07:43

The way I suggested was to the fridg only. I did not realise that you had a batt in the van.

I used to have a handle on life, but it broke.

Cheers Dodg.

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FollowupID: 405568

Reply By: 4145derek - Monday, Jan 30, 2006 at 18:17

Monday, Jan 30, 2006 at 18:17

Hi there emgirl

I need more info. You can't answer this question without knowing more. Your food will spoil and the Beer will be warm.

What fridge ?
3 way Electrolux ?
What is the vans battery capacity ?
Is the battery in good condition and will it be fully charged ?
Is the trip 6 hours with stops ?
When you get there can you charge the battery for the trip home ?

If all is as I assume you will totaly kill the battery, shorten it's life and have warm beer.

Give me a ring if you like. 0404 097 627

Derek

AnswerID: 151865

Follow Up By: emgirl - Monday, Jan 30, 2006 at 18:36

Monday, Jan 30, 2006 at 18:36

Hi Derek
it is a 3 way Electrolux old but recond. the vans battery is a 100AH trojan new. there mite be one stop on the way and im staying at a powerd site so charging the batt when i get there will not be a problem
i need to know if i need to run a set of leads from the cars batt to the vans batt to help so as i dont damage the vans batt as i dont have the twin system set up in the car

FollowupID: 405442

Follow Up By: 4145derek - Monday, Jan 30, 2006 at 18:46

Monday, Jan 30, 2006 at 18:46

Thats good info.

My advice is to charge the battery and get the fridge nice and cold before you leave on 240v and you won't have a problem. Topping up on 240v 1/2 way is a good idea.

No need for extra wire etc. The Trojan 100ah is a very good battery and the fridge will draw 8 to 10 amps continuous as they are not thermostat controlled.

Enjoy your trip.

Regards Derek from ABR

FollowupID: 405447

Follow Up By: 4145derek - Monday, Jan 30, 2006 at 18:47

Monday, Jan 30, 2006 at 18:47

When you need that new system in the new 4wd give me a ring.

FollowupID: 405449

Reply By: Mike DiD - Monday, Jan 30, 2006 at 18:53

Monday, Jan 30, 2006 at 18:53

"so if i run say 16amp leads fused from the car batt to van batt it should all be good"

That depends on what you mean by "16amp leads".

If you mean leads with "16 amps" printed n them you will be seriously disappointed - all it means is that the insulation won't melt if you run 16 amps through them.

Assume there is 8 metres from Main Battery to CT Fridge (or Battery) so you will have 16 metres of wire (supply and earth). If it is 8Ga (4mm diameter of copper, rating=56amps) then you will have 16 x 0.0025 ohms = 0.04 ohms. Assume an additional 0.02 ohms across connectors and fuses. Total 0.06 ohms

So at 10 amps you will have a voltage drop of 0.6 volt between Main Battery and CT Fridge (or Battery). If your Alternator can maintain 14.2 volts at the Main Battery, then you will have 13.6 at the CT - enough to maintain charge or slowly charge any battery.

Mike

AnswerID: 151879