High Amp Wiring - Fridge and other Accessories.
Submitted: Saturday, Jan 08, 2011 at 20:38
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BigGav
Hi everyone.
I have been scouring through the archives trying to find a few answers to some of my questions. I didn't find what I was after so I thought I would ask before I buggered something up.
I have a Suzuki Grand Vitara that we used to tow our little 6x4 canopied trailer with all
our camp kit in it. We are at the point where we want to power our fridge, either in the back of the car, or possibly in the trailer. We have a Bushman Fridge that is a few years old and works like a charm and in our old Patrol I had a Dual Battery set up and heavy gauge wiring already fitted to the rear and that worked great. Now with the new Lil Truck, I want to setup so that I can, as I mentioned, run the fridge either in the back of the car or in the trailer, and also some lighting in the trailer.
What I want to know is..
1- are there any considerations I need to have for the Engine Management Computer in the car. I have heard al sorts of storied about jump starting and causing computer issues, so I don't want to compromise my Lil Truck.
2- I also read that most of the wiring methods indicate that the High Load wiring is run through a relay so that it is only powered when the ignition is on. Is this necessary ?
3- Does any one know what sort of load is drawn by a Bushman Fridge ?
I look forward to any answers.
Cheers.
Gavin.
Reply By: paulnsw - Sunday, Jan 09, 2011 at 09:09
Sunday, Jan 09, 2011 at 09:09
If you want a quality setup that importantly works and fully charges your battery use a Ctek D250S or D250S DUAL which incorporates a solar regulator.
Use a 100Ah or 120Ah deep cycle AGM battery.
All you do is hook two wires from your main start battery to the Ctek D250S and two wires from the Ctek D250S to your battery. Nothing else needed. The battery isolator is included in the Ctek D250S. This is the only method to satisfactorily fully charge and maintain your auxiliary battery.
Suggest you look to the D250S Dual if you ever want to add solar, or best option to maintain battery at
home is with 20W solar panel connected to the D250S Dual.
AnswerID:
441203
Reply By: Sand Man (SA) - Sunday, Jan 09, 2011 at 10:12
Sunday, Jan 09, 2011 at 10:12
Gavin,
If you are not installing an auxiliary battery I would strongly recommend you include a low voltage cutout device in the circuit to the fridge.
Waeco are the only fridges I know of that have a built-in cutout to protect your battery from running flat.
The better solution is to install a portable power pack in the rear of your vehicle to run your fridge from.
ABR Flyer is an excellent solution to suit your needs both now and for future expansion, such as running to a camper trailer, etc.
The flyer comes complete with wiring, built-in isolator etc. to provide a great solution. The only other requirement is an AGM (non spillable) deep cycle battery to put in the box.
I would not run a fridge such as the Bushman off the starting battey, at least without a cutout device to protect the battery from excessive drain.
I have no interests with Derek at ABR apart from being a satisfied customer.
ABR also have a
Battery Protector for a good price, although I changed the plug and socket over to a "Merit" style solution which I think is superior to a "standard" cigarette type plug and socket.
Bill.
AnswerID:
441220
Follow Up By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Sunday, Jan 09, 2011 at 12:22
Sunday, Jan 09, 2011 at 12:22
Gday Bill,
From the Bushman website:
"Battery protection to prevent excessive discharge. The unit is designed to cut out if battery output falls between 10-11V. Cut In/ Cut Out voltages can be varied upon request to suit customer needs. "
Cheers
Phil
FollowupID:
713202
Follow Up By: Sand Man (SA) - Monday, Jan 10, 2011 at 07:02
Monday, Jan 10, 2011 at 07:02
Hey there Phil,
Good info mate, although 11 volts cut out sounds too low. The battery is getting too flat and if is your sole one, may not start the vehicle.
Bushman would definitely need to adjust the voltage up a bit IMO.
11.6v is regarded as most suitable cut out voltage, which still leaves the battery level at 30% or there abouts.
Bill.
FollowupID:
713341
Follow Up By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Monday, Jan 10, 2011 at 18:34
Monday, Jan 10, 2011 at 18:34
Gday Bill,
Yeah, they set it low so its unlikely to do the Waeco thing and cut out because of voltage drop on standard thin vehicle wiring.
Cheers
phil
FollowupID:
713456
Follow Up By: BigGav - Wednesday, Jan 26, 2011 at 11:45
Wednesday, Jan 26, 2011 at 11:45
Thanks everyone for your info. Running off of the ONLY / Cranking battery is a short term option, so I will be looking for a secondary battery at some time in the future. All I am after is the ability to keep power up to the fridge, mostly whilst driving, and for short term / overnight stays. So I will suck it and see how it goes.
Cheers everyone.
and Happy Camping.
FollowupID:
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