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Post Info TOPIC: 3 way car fridge.


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3 way car fridge.


Looking for some help here.....

I have just discovered that I have a 12 volt Cig lighter connection in the rear side wall of the 100 series Landcruiser. 

So my Q. is

Our 3 way fridge is ( Gas - 12 v and 240 ) I THINK  I can connect the fridge on the 12 v system using the car battery when travelling. But would it be advisable to then leave it connected over night. Would this run down the car battery???.

Really we can not afford to have the tow batteries not functional. Albeit it we have 2 x 12 v batteries under the bonnet. I guess that is due to the power the cruisier needs to start up?????  But then again why 2 batteries????

Also I have an Anderson plug on the tow which provides power to the van fridge whilst travelling. 

I note that other grey nomads have a lead running from fridge in tow to the van when camping. How does this work>????

Thanks in advance

Jay&Dee



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You can run the fridge from the power socket while you are traveling.

But you must remove the fridge from the power  as soon as you park, the powerdraw will run a battery flat within  a very short period, its like leaving your headlights on.

Two batteries, this is set up for extreme cold conditions in some ofthe countries where these vehicles are sold.

In Aussie you could isolate onebattery a use it as a accessory.

JC.



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The answer is no, the 3way on 12v will quickly flatten both batteries but would probably burnout the cig lighter connection first or melt the fusible link that is usually in the back of the cig lighter.
The 240v lead is usually that you see running into the back of the tug is probably running an Engel fridge I wouldn't run a 3 way sitting in the back of the tug as there is too much heat coming from the 3 way but some may do it.
Cheers
David

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Hi Jaydee...

You say: >> "I have just discovered that I have a 12 volt Cig lighter connection in the rear side wall of the 100 series Landcruiser" <<
and: >> "Our 3 way fridge is ( Gas - 12 v and 240 ) I THINK I can connect the fridge on the 12 v system using the car battery when travelling" <<

I'm unclear about the fridge as I've never come across a 3-way (gas/12/240) used in the rear of a land-cruiser...
(Not saying it can't be done... just never seen it done...)
But you mention a "van fridge", so I'm assuming that the 3-way is in the back of the LC... Is that correct..???
So my next presumption is that the 3-way fridge is an Absorption Fridge... If so, Absorption Fridges "pull" a lots of Amps...

Answering your question re the 12v cig lighter... NO... Don't connect a fridge to a 12v cigar lighter...
ESPECIALLY NOT if your fridge is an Absorption Fridge...
The wiring loom to the cig lighter was never designed to power a 12v fridge... The wires are too thin (high resistance)... And WILL get hot if you plug a fridge in...
The wires could potentially melt and BURN... At LEAST you will blow the fuse in the line...

Can you give some more info about the "3-way" fridge: Make and Model, to clarify...



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Joe and Sheila - Poms until 1987. Nissan 3L Patrol pulling a Jayco 17.55-3 Discovery.


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There are 3 way portable fridges, Aldi had them on sale a few months back.
Cheers
David

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justcruisin01 wrote:

You can run the fridge from the power socket while you are traveling.

But you must remove the fridge from the power  as soon as you park, the powerdraw will run a battery flat within  a very short period, its like leaving your headlights on.

Two batteries, this is set up for extreme cold conditions in some ofthe countries where these vehicles are sold.

In Aussie you could isolate onebattery a use it as a accessory.

JC.


 JC's right again,, power from 12 v source depending on wiring (ie too small a diameter and voltage drop) can see up to 12 - 15 amps draw on 12v if I recall. I had a 1970 version of Chescold years ago.

Great on gas.  Good on 240v. Poor on 12v due to design etc etc.



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Thanks for the info.
The fridge I speak of is an Aldi 3 way which can also be used as a fridge or even a freezer but not both at once.
It runs on gas and 240 plus and has a 12 volt connection.
I understand that you cannot leave it connected when parked. We always disconnect the Anderson plug for the van fridge from 12 volt to gas when we stop for a period of time for sight seeing. etc. etc.
So another Q.
Whilst I gather it is ok, to connect in the car when travelling, would it still be ok, as we have the Anderson plug set up which runs the van fridge when travelling.??? so is it ok for both system to run off the batteries whilst travelling.??
Hope this gives a little more infor you you to digest.
Jay&Dee


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Where are you getting the 12v for the Aldi fridge the cig lighter connection will not do it, even if the motor running they are not meant to carry the load that a 3 way imposes on the connection or the wiring, there is a chance that you will burnout the wiring or even start a fire in the back of your tug.
Cheers
David

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Roving-Dutchy wrote:

Where are you getting the 12v for the Aldi fridge the cig lighter connection will not do it, even if the motor running they are not meant to carry the load that a 3 way imposes on the connection or the wiring, there is a chance that you will burnout the wiring or even start a fire in the back of your tug.
Cheers
David


 Ok, David, thanks.. that is it. I will not be using the 3 way fridge in the tow.

Thanks guys

jay&Dee.



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No... Jaydee... NO...
Please READ what people are telling you...
DON'T - DO NOT... repeat DO NOT attempt to run the fridge through a cig lighter...
Myself - and others - have already explained to you that THE WIRING SUPPLYING POWER TO THE CIG LIGHTER is NOT ADEQUATE...
YOU ARE RISKING THE SERIOUS POTENTIAL OF A FIRE...
DO... NOT... DO... THIS...



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Joe and Sheila - Poms until 1987. Nissan 3L Patrol pulling a Jayco 17.55-3 Discovery.


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Ok, another day has arrived.
To all.... I will not, I repeat I will not be using the fridge via a cig. lighter.
Thanks guys for all the input and it is truly noted.
Ok, gotta go, as I am due on the 1st in about an hour.
by the way what an exciting win by Jason Day and it was his DAY as he collected $M1.5 for the win.
Fore!!!!
Jay&Dee

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Jedo_03 wrote:


No... Jaydee... NO...
Please READ what people are telling you...
DON'T - DO NOT... repeat DO NOT attempt to run the fridge through a cig lighter...
Myself - and others - have already explained to you that THE WIRING SUPPLYING POWER TO THE CIG LIGHTER is NOT ADEQUATE...
YOU ARE RISKING THE SERIOUS POTENTIAL OF A FIRE...
DO... NOT... DO... THIS...


A cig socket in the rear is there for accessories & is normaly a rated 15amp system,( check owners manual ) so with the correct fuse in place there is not a problem with this part of the system.Will not melt/burn wireing or car while running a fridge.

However the problem in the system is the cig plug on the fridge lead.

Most plugs these days are a fused plug. This creates up to four touch contact power points; that is the initial plunger contact to the socket & then plunger to spring, spring to fuse, fuse to wire. Some do have a couple of fuse holding clips so slightly better.

All these touch contacts cause resistance & voltage drop which in turn creats heat, then the hole thing snowballs causing the plug to melt down .

For a constant load such as a fridge, 3 way or compressor it is advisable to replace both plug & socket with a H/D plug system such as a Anderson or similar for a trouble free operation.



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Be your self; there's no body better qualified !                    "I came into this world with nothing , I still have most of it"

 

JC.

 


 

                                             

                

    

                          



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When travelling with a 3 way in the back, I just wired heavy duty wires through the firewall and connected from battery to a small inverter, switching it off when stopped or parked, just a thought, gary



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delapan wrote:

When travelling with a 3 way in the back, I just wired heavy duty wires through the firewall and connected from battery to a small inverter, switching it off when stopped or parked, just a thought, gary


 mate, hope you never have an accident while travelling, an active 240 volt system  in the vehicle the entire vehicle could end up being  240v-



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Be your self; there's no body better qualified !                    "I came into this world with nothing , I still have most of it"

 

JC.

 


 

                                             

                

    

                          

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