35 replies to this topic

[SunMan]

Good to know. I have wondered if the cover was more for the protection of the fridge than to insulate it. Now that the sting of the initial purchase has worn off the cost of a cover doesn't seem so bad.

[Ted]

I just installed a Engel SR70 in our camper. We have two AGM batteries and usually roll during the day, so we're not adding solar. First test in the driveway once installed was to turn the fridge on to setting 3, or middle temp. Ambiant temp was mid to high 90's. Camper was in the sun. Down to 38 degrees within four hours. Checked it the next morning, a total of 18 hours. Ice tray in freezer section was frozen. Battery monitor showed yellow while the fridge was running, but showed green once it was turned off. Will give it a camping test this weekend. Whether ARB, Engel, or whoever, seems like the electric only fridges are the way to go.

I love passing out popsicles when camping when its hot out.

Looking forward to pulling this one off.

[pods8]

Please do, very interested. Just camped for 2 days using the cig lighter vice the inverter and would prefer mounting one near the battery to avoid the cord running front to back.

I got these two types in, I don't really like the fit with the ARB plug when it would come to road vibration. They would work fine standing still though. I'm going to use the type on the right for the power ports in my new camper.


To stick with the standard plug unmodified it'd probably be best to try and get a merit socket rather than a cig socket (you take that red piece off the stock plug to make the switch). I've only seen a few listed up on ebay while quickly searching so far:
http://cgi.ebay.com/12v-DC-power-MERIT-socket-fridge-Light-extension-/390212682711?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item5ada7d03d7

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Merit-socket-motorcycle-BMW-TRIUMPH-YAMAHA-HARLEY-/180563837919?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_100&hash=item2a0a7183df

However I'm leaning towards splicing in a set of SAE 2 prong connectors in the cord (with an inline fuse to replace the one in the main plug, they sell the connectors with heavier gauge wire available). Which will allow me to remove the stock plug to plug into a similar SAE 2 prong wire hardwired to my aux battery. When I want to take the fridge elsewhere I can plug the stock cig plug back in and use that with normal cigarette power locations.

[K7MDL]

My personal favorite for indoor 24VDC and 12VDC is the Anderson Powerpole. Standard is red and black for our 12VDC systems and it is also a standard for interconnect in ham radio usage so our radios might get power from others in emergency times. They do come in other colors. The smaller housing choices are 15 and 30 amps. Crimp or solder contacts, your choice. Easy to put together.

http://www.andersonp...connectors.html

These are carried by a lot of places, and also at local electrical supply houses and some of them in my local hardware store even. I buy them buy the bag since I use so many. For more weather resistant situations I often use the SAE however. Eastern Beaver and others (like solar suppliers) supply a bulkhead mount version with 12 or 14GA wire pigtails. Good for solar panel exterior exits. If you like weather sealed inline connectors you might look at the Sumitomo MT line like this page has
http://www.easternbe...M-MT/sm-mt.html
These like many are crimp type. Also you can get SAE molded pigtails with weather plugs from that supplier.

http://batterytender...al-harness.html An easy local source for these for most folks is a motorcycle store. Fuse, SAE plug and weather cover for about $7.50, all molded with ring terminals at one end. This was meant for putting on each vehicle battery in your garage.

While on the Battery Tender accessory page I just spotted this 100amp bulkhead connector that might be interesting for cabinets and solar http://batterytender...ug-black-1.html Overkill for a fridge, but might be convenient.

[SunMan]

I got these two types in, I don't really like the fit with the ARB plug when it would come to road vibration. They would work fine standing still though. I'm going to use the type on the right for the power ports in my new camper.

Thanks, I think I like the one on the right too. It would work fine for me as the fridge rides in the back seat while we are on the road and doesn't go into the camper until we are done driving.

[Desert Rancher]

The 2 pole connectors can be found at some hardware stores, order online/ship to store:

http://www.doitbest....-sku-589802.dib

The cigarette type are at West Marine, stainless steel and waterproof.

[pods8]

My personal favorite for indoor 24VDC and 12VDC is the Anderson Powerpole.

We need to meet up, I'd like to see the powerpole connectors in person.

Right now I was just leaning towards the SAE 2 poles, this place has them with 12ga pigtails and good pricing: http://www.solarsell..._extensions.htm

Thanks, I think I like the one on the right too. It would work fine for me as the fridge rides in the back seat while we are on the road and doesn't go into the camper until we are done driving.

What were you planning to plug the fridge into for driving in the truck though?

Those plugs run $3.9 on digikey plus shipping, or you can get a similar one from westmarine locally but they run ~$12. Seems like a decent plug for most 12v stuff but again I found it finicky in terms of fit with ARB plug so keep that in mind.

[SunMan]

What were you planning to plug the fridge into for driving in the truck though?

Those plugs run $3.9 on digikey plus shipping, or you can get a similar one from westmarine locally but they run ~$12. Seems like a decent plug for most 12v stuff but again I found it finicky in terms of fit with ARB plug so keep that in mind.

There is a stock 12V cig lighter plug in the back seat of my DC Tundra so it works great for travel. In theory I could just leave it in the truck as the ARB has a low voltage cut off but I would prefer to have nothing drawing off of my truck battery while boondocking.

Not surprised at the Westmarine pricing.

[MarkBC]

However I'm leaning towards splicing in a set of SAE 2 prong connectors in the cord (with an inline fuse to replace the one in the main plug, they sell the connectors with heavier gauge wire available). Which will allow me to remove the stock plug to plug into a similar SAE 2 prong wire hardwired to my aux battery. When I want to take the fridge elsewhere I can plug the stock cig plug back in and use that with normal cigarette power locations.

Hope this isn't too off-topic...but this photo prompted me to post this wiring-related "by the way":
On my recent camp on Pine Mt I was going to set up my solar panel (free-standing, not permanently mounted) and plug it into the receptacle I installed on the underside of my camper -- I use the type of connector shown in this photo. However, I discovered that the male tip on the end of the panel cable had broken off inside the female receptacle in the camper wall...must have happened last time I disconnected it on my last trip. This probably happened because I wasn't careful and just yanked it out, maybe off-axis -- not saying there's anythng wrong with this type of connector, and I'll replace it with same. Fortunately, I was able to pull the tip out of the hole with needle-nose pliers, so I don't have to replace the glued-in receptacle, just the part on the end of the cable.
Just thought I'd point out what can happen if not careful.

[pods8]

There is a stock 12V cig lighter plug in the back seat of my DC Tundra so it works great for travel. In theory I could just leave it in the truck as the ARB has a low voltage cut off but I would prefer to have nothing drawing off of my truck battery while boondocking.

You could just rewire that plug with a fused line to the aux. battery side of your seperator. I didn't realize you already had a plug back there you were using.