WHATS THE BEST WAY TO WIRE UP A CAR FRIDGE/FREEZER,

[bucketofbolts]

just after some advice on wiring up a car fridge, it has a narva style plug,

whats the best way to wire them up,

cheers ray

p.s it is a 3way fridge, but just after some ideas on wiring it up on 12v while travelling,

[Turbz]

Any other info ? Do you have a second battery ? If so is it in the front or rear ? If you don't have a dual battery ( deep cycle ) that 3 way fridge isn't designed especially for 12v so it will run your main battery down in like an hour possibly. ( my old mans chescold did. ) So you just running off 12v while in transit ?

[drivesafe]

Hi bucketofbolts, as turbz posted, most 3 way type fridges are not very efficient when run on 12 volts and the usual operation is 240 ac power at home to cool down the fridge before travelling, 12 volt power while on the move and then straight on to gas as soon as you get to your camp site.

If this is the way you are planning to operate the fridge then unless you have plans to use a dual battery set-up for a number of other purposes, there is no real need to add a set-up just to run the fridge.

Even if you installed a fairly large auxiliary battery, again, as turbz posted, you are not going to get much operating time from the auxiliary battery if you are thinking on having it power the fridge.

For just powering the fridge while driving, it would be an advantage to the fridge to run at least 8B&S ( 7.9mm2 ) positive and negative cable from the front battery to the fridge and you might want to change the type of plug on the fridge’s 12 volt power cable and a 30 amp circuit breaker up near the battery even if you fridge has an inline fuse.

Cheers

[bucketofbolts]

yeah, thats the plans, chill it at home before we leave, and straight on to gas when we go camping,
was just curious what the best way to set it up while travelling, but if i chill it, that should be plenty
thanks

cheers ray

[gu4800]

Straight off the battery, fused, with very thick wire (I think they say 6mm2 or something). The normal wiring in your car won't be thick enough and will most likely melt the insulation - 3 ways are VERY hungry on 12V.

[j-top paj]

whats the current draw when its on 12v?

[itchyvet]

Hi bucketofbolts, as turbz posted, most 3 way type fridges are not very efficient when run on 12 volts and the usual operation is 240 ac power at home to cool down the fridge before travelling, 12 volt power while on the move and then straight on to gas as soon as you get to your camp site.

If this is the way you are planning to operate the fridge then unless you have plans to use a dual battery set-up for a number of other purposes, there is no real need to add a set-up just to run the fridge.

Even if you installed a fairly large auxiliary battery, again, as turbz posted, you are not going to get much operating time from the auxiliary battery if you are thinking on having it power the fridge.

For just powering the fridge while driving, it would be an advantage to the fridge to run at least 8B&S ( 7.9mm2 ) positive and negative cable from the front battery to the fridge and you might want to change the type of plug on the fridge’s 12 volt power cable and a 30 amp circuit breaker up near the battery even if you fridge has an inline fuse.

Cheers

As a long time user of Chescold fridge on 12 volt, I heartily endorse the above comments, however I would also suggest a RELAY be connected with the ignition, thus whenever the engine is running, 12 volts is supplied to fridge, turn engine off, 12 volt supply is cut off.
This way, there are NEVER any nasty surprises for you when you forget the fridge is left on accidentaly.

[duallux]

I run directly from my aux battery, thick cable >6mm with circuit breaker. Even with this i suggest only having the fridge on while travelling, and as you suggest straight on gas at the camp site. it is a pain in the @rse when moving on a daily basis ast they are heavy succkers to lift in and out esp with rear drawers. I left mine in over night once and it drained the 2nd battery dry and had started to thaw the freezer section. Matt.