FRIDGE POWER

Beth54 · Guru

FRIDGE POWER

Happywanderer · The Master

Beth, my van has the two batteries. One for the motor and one in the back for the extras. It has to be wired up properly so when you stop your engine it automatically goes to the 2nd one or else when you go to start your car again you may have a flat battery. Now once you have the 2nd battery you need an inverter that attaches to it, On the end of that is the plug to use all your equipment on. If you want to use more than one electrical item get a 4 plug extension.
Thats what I'm waiting on S in L to hook up at the moment. (the inverter)
He has one in the back of his Nissan Patrol. A 2nd battery and a fridge for camping.
The 2nd battery should be a deep cycle battery they say. Not sure if mine is but will use it for now anyway.

bill12 · Guru

You will have trouble using batterys to power a 3 way fridge as it works on a heat pencil principle. To put it simply,The thing will draw big amps on 12v , and they run much better(and cheaper ) on gas.The compressor type fridges draw much less on 12v, usually between 2.5 and 5 amps per hr.The 3 way might work when the engine is running, but will quickly flatten the battery(or batterys) when stopped.Its a case of what you want to do. I have a 55 ltr waeco, 3-40watt panels, and 2 big batteries, which will run the fridge at -2c for 5 days, and still start the diesel.Gas fridges are good as they give off no noise, and some friends get up to a month of a 9kg bottle. I hope this helps you.Icharge my laptop from a 300 watt inverter, and 12v lights all the time , which don,t seem to hurt the batteries at all.

-- Edited by bill12 on Saturday 9th of April 2011 02:30:24 PM

Beth54 · Guru

Sounds like I'd better stick to the gas when the cars not running. I guess the issue is really that I'd prefer to have the fridge in the car, instead of mounting it on the draw bar of the trailer, as planned. But the gas bottle can't be inside. So that would mean lifting the fridge out, which I can't physically do, or leaving the door slightly ajar for the gas hose, when I stop. Better stick to plan A and mount it on the frame, I guess.

I inquired at Dick Smith about how to charge the laptop while travelling. They have what I guess is what you're talking about..an inverter. I didn't take note of what it was called. It has a plug at one end for the ciggie lighter, and a normal type power point at the other end. It was about $60 I think.

Thanks Bill and Marj.

Happywanderer · The Master

That sounds like an inverter Beth. I got a 300 watt Calibre brand from Supercheap for a bit over $100.
I intend using the gas on my fridge when stopped as uses a lot less than you would on power.

jules47 · The Happy Helper

Also usually a lot colder on gas or electricity - our old 3way really only worked ok while driving - we always made sure to unplug when we stopped for more than a few minutes - but was never very cold on 12v, especially in warmer weather or climes. Also, don't know if you know, but the normal woring to a cigarette lighter isn't usually strong enough for running fridges etc., need to have heavier duty wiring fitted, we had it running from both batteries into the back of the car, with a plug on either side - we also have a solar panel to charge our second battery - or even the cranking battery if necessary.

We purchased a two way fridge after losing too much food in hot weather in the north of the country - we were lucky in that my husband was a very handy man and installed the dual battery system himself, with some advice from people on another forum. Never missed a beat, and an auto elec told us it was really well done - I do miss my lovely handy man, for more things than one.

Beth54 · Guru

I didn't think I'd ever get a fridge, as they're so exxy, but this one from Aldi was a good price and someone else I knew had one and recommended it.

I think my son will know how to do the special wiring. He's a very good handyman too. He learnt from his Dad, my ex, who is a mechanic by trade, and my brother who is also very handy. Saves a lot of money if one has someone handy around. Time is more of a problem for my son than anything.

I also like know what's going on and how to do things, hence all my questions. I like to get others suggestions, as well as my families.

If necessary, I'll go to a battery place nearby where my b-i-l took his battery issues to.

jules47 · The Happy Helper

Go to a battery place, or an auto elec - get some quotes on costings and positioning of a second battery etc., or even just the heavy duty wiring - may not be as expensive as you think - we found out about the inadequate wiring when we had our original fridge, and it was placed in the back, the lead from the fridge wasn't long enough to reach, so bought an extension, this burnt out on our first long weekend away - auto elec near where I worked at the time only charged me about $100 to do wiring - but saved us lots of anxiety re overheating wiring, burning out, losing food etc.

jimricho · Guru

Beth54 wrote:

Sounds like I'd better stick to the gas when the cars not running. I guess the issue is really that I'd prefer to have the fridge in the car, instead of mounting it on the draw bar of the trailer, as planned. But the gas bottle can't be inside. So that would mean lifting the fridge out, which I can't physically do, or leaving the door slightly ajar for the gas hose, when I stop. Better stick to plan A and mount it on the frame, I guess.
I inquired at Dick Smith about how to charge the laptop while travelling. They have what I guess is what you're talking about..an inverter. I didn't take note of what it was called. It has a plug at one end for the ciggie lighter, and a normal type power point at the other end. It was about $60 I think.
Thanks Bill and Marj.

G'day Beth,

Firstly the Laptop...check out the 12v laptop power supplies at Jaycar ... http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=MP3472&CATID=20&form=CAT&SUBCATID=922 I consider this a better option than using an inverter. This thingy takes the place of the normal power supply (that's the little box that connects the laptop to the power). I'm always "iffy" about using cheap type inverters with sensitive (and expensive) electronic equipment. A pure wave inverter is fine however.

Secondly re the 3way fridge... running these on an auxiliary battery is a lost cause due to the amount of current they draw. You have two options if the unit is mounted on the drawbar...

One... just run it on gas when camped and see if it will hold its cold sufficiently while travelling. Or..

Two... Have your friendly auto sparky install a cable from the battery via an "Anderson" plug that connects the battery to the fridge when the engine is running. Have him install a relay (he'll know what that is) in the circuit so that the power is "cut" when the engine is not running. This is the normal arrangement used by caravanners to power their fridge when on the move.

Jim

PS: Note that these units need to be well ventillated to work properly (regardless of whether on gas or not). This needs to be taken into account if thinking of enclosing it in a box of some sort.

PPS: Also note Jules47's comments on the need for good heavy gauge cable.

-- Edited by jimricho on Sunday 10th of April 2011 06:28:31 PM

Happywanderer · The Master

Sorry, should have mentioned my Calibre Inverter is a Pure Sine Wave (Recommended)

jimricho · Guru

Happywanderer wrote:
Sorry, should have mentioned my Calibre Inverter is a Pure Sine Wave (Recommended)

That's a really good price ($119) for pure sine wave...At that price you wouldn't even consider an equivalent size square wave (deceitfully better known as modified sine wave...we've been there before)

More details for anyone who's interested at http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/online-store/products/Calibre-Power-Inverter-Pure-Sine-Wave-300W.aspx?pid=222395#Description Should be fine for the laptop.

-- Edited by jimricho on Sunday 10th of April 2011 09:13:08 PM

Happywanderer · The Master

Thats the one Jim. Just waiting for my S in L to install it, hopefully in the next week.

jimricho · Guru

I guess your S in L would be well au fait with this but I mention it anyway... The closer it is mounted to the battery the better or at least the heavier the cable the better... if running at near its capacity it will draw up to 28 - 30 amps. Also ask him to check that the output is isolated from the input, he'll know what this is. (I think it would be, but better to check).

In order to conserve battery power it is still better to switch the unit off when it's not being used for lengthy periods.

Beth54 · Guru

jimricho wrote:
Beth54 wrote:

Sounds like I'd better stick to the gas when the cars not running. I guess the issue is really that I'd prefer to have the fridge in the car, instead of mounting it on the draw bar of the trailer, as planned. But the gas bottle can't be inside. So that would mean lifting the fridge out, which I can't physically do, or leaving the door slightly ajar for the gas hose, when I stop. Better stick to plan A and mount it on the frame, I guess.
I inquired at Dick Smith about how to charge the laptop while travelling. They have what I guess is what you're talking about..an inverter. I didn't take note of what it was called. It has a plug at one end for the ciggie lighter, and a normal type power point at the other end. It was about $60 I think.
Thanks Bill and Marj.

G'day Beth,
Firstly the Laptop...check out the 12v laptop power supplies at Jaycar ... http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=MP3472&CATID=20&form=CAT&SUBCATID=922 I consider this a better option than using an inverter. This thingy takes the place of the normal power supply (that's the little box that connects the laptop to the power). I'm always "iffy" about using cheap type inverters with sensitive (and expensive) electronic equipment. A pure wave inverter is fine however.
Secondly re the 3way fridge... running these on an auxiliary battery is a lost cause due to the amount of current they draw. You have two options if the unit is mounted on the drawbar...
One... just run it on gas when camped and see if it will hold its cold sufficiently while travelling. Or..
Two... Have your friendly auto sparky install a cable from the battery via an "Anderson" plug that connects the battery to the fridge when the engine is running. Have him install a relay (he'll know what that is) in the circuit so that the power is "cut" when the engine is not running. This is the normal arrangement used by caravanners to power their fridge when on the move.
Jim
PS: Note that these units need to be well ventillated to work properly (regardless of whether on gas or not). This needs to be taken into account if thinking of enclosing it in a box of some sort.
PPS: Also note Jules47's comments on the need for good heavy gauge cable.

-- Edited by jimricho on Sunday 10th of April 2011 06:28:31 PM

Okay, I've taken note of all this good info, thanks all. I don't think I'll bother with the inverter, just the other thingy for the laptop. I haven't bothered about power so far. My lighting is taken care of with my LED headlamp, I have a little gas cooker, and I'll get the wiring done for the fridge with all you've suggested.

My son is also chasing a cargo barrier for me. It will only go in when travelling, as that's the only time I put the back seats down. There's one on ebay at the moment with a bid of only $10, so a great bargain!

Beth54 · Guru

http://shop.ebay.com.au/sis.html?_nkw=CAR+UNIVERSAL+LAPTOP+NOTEBOOK+DC+POWER+CHARGER+ADAPTER

How can places like Jaycar justify their prices! They're exactly the same!

jimricho · Guru

Beth54 wrote:
http://shop.ebay.com.au/sis.html?_nkw=CAR+UNIVERSAL+LAPTOP+NOTEBOOK+DC+POWER+CHARGER+ADAPTER
How can places like Jaycar justify their prices! They're exactly the same!

Are you sure they're exactly the same? They may look the same on the outside ..BUT????? Caviat Emptor would certainly apply here!

Perhaps they will sell you a $10 Rolex watch as well!

By the way if you buy one from Jaycar (or another Local supplier) make sure you (or someone that's au fait with this) set(s) it for the correct voltage for your laptop.

Beth54 · Guru

jimricho wrote:
Beth54 wrote:
http://shop.ebay.com.au/sis.html?_nkw=CAR+UNIVERSAL+LAPTOP+NOTEBOOK+DC+POWER+CHARGER+ADAPTER
How can places like Jaycar justify their prices! They're exactly the same!
Are you sure they're exactly the same? They may look the same on the outside ..BUT????? Caviat Emptor would certainly apply here!
Perhaps they will sell you a $10 Rolex watch as well!
By the way if you buy one from Jaycar (or another Local supplier) make sure you (or someone that's au fait with this) set(s) it for the correct voltage for your laptop.

Yes, I'm always a bit iffy of buying things from ebay. My son does it all the time, and he's slightly paranoid about security and Caviat Emptor.

And yes, he also said something about voltage. So much to learn!