Outer Limits 4x4 Board

wats the best and cheapest way of setting up a duel battery system to run a fridge?

ARB have got a special on at the moment with a thumper seald battery jump starter thing 24amp hour and duel battery cables for it for $400

is this a good deal?

does anyone know how long this should run a 40 engel fridge for?

any help would be much appreciated.

Hmm, I have a Waco fridge and when the compressor cuts in ti is pulling over 2 amps.

Basic maths states that at full charge, at worst case conditions, a 24 amps hour battery will keep my fridge running for 12 hours.

I would take thsi as being optimistic.

I can purchase a 100 amp hour wet cell for $150. Jaycar have a dual battery isolator capable of sinking 80amps for under $50. If you have some basic soldering skills, $200 will give you a dual battery system (oh.. plus the cost of a second battery cage) and a boot more capaity than what the battery you mentioned will give.

The difference in cost will pay (depending on the vehicle) for the battery mount.

I have recently been through the same ordel with my Rodeo. My major issue was the ability to physically put in a second battery under the bonnet. http://www.outerlimits4x4.com/PHP_Modul ... hp?t=33895

http://www.outerlimits4x4.com/PHP_Modul ... hp?t=32407

I feel that a second external battery will always be a pain in the arse as the time you forget to charge it is the time that you need it.

$400 will get you a permanent solution if you look for the right solution and you are handy with a soldering iron and / or a welder to make your own battery cage.

Cheers

Rainsey

In reality the Jaycar kit will only supply a max current of around 30 amps- down to around 2.5A if the aux is below 10.5V IIRC? The MOSFETs they use are capable of handling a lot more, but the circuit design sets the limits.

The current is limited when the aux voltage is low to prevent battery damage (mainly for deep cycles.)