Fridge in a RAV4
Submitted: Wednesday, Nov 28, 2007 at 22:27
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dropowar
Hi everybody, I'm new here and have searched the forums to no avail. My better half and I and are planning to drive from
Newcastle to
Darwin, via
Adelaide in December. I've got a 40 L Engel fridge (new model) that I plan to put in her 2002 RAV4.
Even though we'll be driving around 8 hours most days I don't trust the stock battery to keep the fridge powered over night and still start the car in the morning.
As I see it there are two options (taking my car, or buying another 4WD aren't options).
1. Install a dual battery system
2. Replace the standard battery with a deep cycle battery, and run the fridge through a low voltage cut out.
My preference is for option 2, as I need to keep the weight down given the GVM of the RAV.
Any advice on this matter will be greatly appreciated. I've scoured the net and not been able to find anything about dual battery set-ups in or fridge installations in RAV4s.
Cheers
Reply By: Sand Man (SA) - Wednesday, Nov 28, 2007 at 22:59
Wednesday, Nov 28, 2007 at 22:59
Running the fridge through a low voltage cutout will still drop your battery's voltage to 11.6 or 30% (left) capacity.
You would be much safer with option one.
You could use a portable battery system such as the Thumper, Outbavk, or Urban from Blue Apple, which has an in-car charging kit, or a system from ABR.
For just overnight running of the fridge, something in the order of a 48 A/h Urban (without jump start capability) will give you enough power and is cheaper than the high capacity units.
Home of 12 Volt (Blue Apple)
AnswerID:
274145
Follow Up By: Member - Roachie (SA) - Wednesday, Nov 28, 2007 at 23:04
Wednesday, Nov 28, 2007 at 23:04
I agree with everything that Sandman has said......but would also add that it is very unwise to replace your starter battery with a deep cycle type. They are not designed for starting a motor and it would not last you very long when asked to fulfil that duty.
Have a great trip......
Cheers
Roachie
FollowupID:
537594
Follow Up By: nowimnumberone - Thursday, Nov 29, 2007 at 19:56
Thursday, Nov 29, 2007 at 19:56
i have to disagree with you there roachie
i had a deep cycle type batery in the patrol for years.
used it as a starter batery all that time.
the patrol was a pig to start would have to wind it over for more than a minute some times but it did it time and time again for years.
after the patrol it was used as a second batery to run the fridge
sat around work for 12 months as a booster batery
sat around here for the last 6 months untill a week ago where i took it to work and charget it.
now being used as a starter in the sons car.
still as good as the day i bought it nearly 5 years ago
cheers
FollowupID:
537816
Reply By: Member - Stephen L (SA) - Thursday, Nov 29, 2007 at 07:48
Thursday, Nov 29, 2007 at 07:48
Hi dropowar
There is another option without changing anything under the bonnet. Engel produce 2 portable battery packs that can be charged from the main car battery when driving. When you are stopped overnight, this pack will run your fridge and keep it going all night without any fear for a flat main battery to your vehicle.
You are also able to run other 12 appliances from this pack.
When you trip is over, take the battery pack out of your vehicle and things are back to normal. The battery pack can be placed anywhere inside your vehicle, as they are a completely sealed unit.
Cheers and safe driving
Stephen
AnswerID:
274164
Reply By: Member - Davoe (Yalgoo) - Thursday, Nov 29, 2007 at 09:40
Thursday, Nov 29, 2007 at 09:40
A RAV 4 takes FA power to start
the standard batterys are generally not overly built for that sort of thing
- if you can fit the biggest battery you can fit in 650-700cca would be more than adequate for what you are talking about
500cca will also do the job
Dont go to deep cycle you dont need it
for peice of mid those battery packs for jump starts are available cheaply and will be more than adequate for a jump if neccessary
AnswerID:
274186
Reply By: Member - Mainey (wa) - Thursday, Nov 29, 2007 at 10:23
Thursday, Nov 29, 2007 at 10:23
You say you only need for this (one) trip, so you probably don't want to spend unnessary cash on something you may not use in the future ?
Cheap way is to use a battery cut-out switch then you have plenty of power to start Rav4 next morning. If the battery gets to the low setting the fridge is cut out of the electrical system and will not be harmed because it's an Angel, the food will still remain cold for those few hours.
Next best is to go get a elcheapo Heavy Duty battery and replace your Cranker battery, OR wire it in parallel with the original Cranker battery, OR better still get a Deep Cycle SLA Deep Cycle battery and replace the Cranker with it, (take the Cranker with you) I've been using a 6 yo Delkor DC battery as my Cranker for ~2 years with-out hassles, in it's first 4 years it was my Auxiliary battery running my fridge etc.
AnswerID:
274194
Reply By: TerraFirma - Thursday, Nov 29, 2007 at 15:10
Thursday, Nov 29, 2007 at 15:10
You should use a portable battery however you have a few options, for example you can buy your own battery box which has 12V Cig Lighter adapters etc etc and you can put your own AGM battery in it. You could do this for no less than $250.00 and get an 80-100AH battery in the box , far more powerful than your little off the shelf portable power packs. A little bigger and more clumsy,l not to mention heavier, however you would have the power to fun fridge, lights and other accessories off the one battery. Otherwise a small power pack would run the fridge for a while but not much else..
AnswerID:
274235