Depends if you are driving each day. Dual battery is the most convenient I suggest, Especially if you are going to do a lot of camping later...
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How do I keep power to the beer fridge for 7 days??
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I have a second deep cycle SLA battery for the camper and run the fridge off that once we set up camp. It is kept topped up via solar panels.(3x50W)
Longer stays I consider taking a small geny. If traveling it is plugged into the car and no issues. Will work out a charging setup for that battery when on the move, one day.
Best thing we did was get a pile of Techni ice, 5 or 6 sheets in the big fridge and it barely cycles for the first few days.
We are looking at getting a smaller fridge the one we have is huge, but allow the wine bottles and milk to be stored standing up.Chris220220 Finally a Prado owner
2004 VX 4.0lt Auto in Pearl. Sovereign bar, driving lights
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Thanks for all the feedback.
I must admit that I have been holding out - just didn't want to bias the outcome.
I currently have a second battery in a box in the rear of the car, but it doesn't hold charge like it used to. Lucky to get two nights if its cold.
So before I went down that path again, wanted to make sure it was the best option.
By the sounds of things, since the nights will be cool and the plan is to be doing a fair bit of driving then a second battery should be sufficient.
Next question would be type and size. Current one is about 70 ah's I think - so maybe go for 100ah next time.
Opportunity for a group buy maybe?
Thanks again, Nigel.
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Originally posted by fido666 View PostI'm in the same boat as Nigel, only have a primary battery at this stage. With all the talk of cracked inner guards I'm reluctant to put a 2nd battery in the front, was thinking of a battery box setup in the rear but need a way to charge it too.
This setup has worked quite well for the odd camping trip or even day trips where we have taken the waeco fridge with us. Not sure about having one in the engine bay, as all our cars have been converted to lpg so there is little room for extras.
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Fascinating to see the strong support for option 5. Clearly we are all a bunch of Greenies here.
OH of course - we don't want to release any CO2 from the dry ice.
Keep up the good work - LOLGreg - 08 D4D Prado,
Some trips done - Cape York, Fraser Island, Simpson Desert / Central Aust, Vic High Country.
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Originally posted by Nigel M View Post
I currently have a second battery in a box in the rear of the car, but it doesn't hold charge like it used to. Lucky to get two nights if its cold.
So before I went down that path again, wanted to make sure it was the best option.
By the sounds of things, since the nights will be cool and the plan is to be doing a fair bit of driving then a second battery should be sufficient.
Next question would be type and size. Current one is about 70 ah's I think - so maybe go for 100ah next time.
Most battery boxes will hold a 100-130Ah battery. I would go for the biggest battery you can fit in your box as the box is otherwise taking up valuable space anyway, so you might as well fill it up.
I don't have the battery connected in any way to the alternator but will one day connect them up but still have the battery as a portable unit - don't want to put it in the engine bay and I need all the space I can get in the cabin in my daily drive.
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To be honest, it will stay cold by itself @ night, it will be cool, not expecting real hot temps during the day either, I think you could get away with one good main battery for this event. I think a cf50ac will run for 4 days on a good century battery in these conditions. Now if your driving every day you will be fine.
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Originally posted by fido666 View PostI might need to update my battery before the trip anyway, it's only a 610CCA one (not good enough for the winch I believe). My thoughts were to get a new battery for starting and winch duties and use the old one in a box for the fridge.
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Originally posted by Nigel M View PostHey Fido, I think you have to be careful with non-sealed batteries in the back of the car. I remember reading something about them leaking and creating fumes when charging. If its sealed it should be ok.
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I've been running the dual option with one of Derek Bester's setups and it performed well. Modified the tray and mounting setup to accept a bigger battery and easily ran the fridge for 2 days/nights without a recharge (45l engel/80Ah battery). Heaps of corrugations so after reading various post regarding inner guard cracking had a few concerns but no signs of any damage yet.
Would definitely ad the solar option when the funds allow it.[B]2010 GXL D-4D:[/B] "TO INFINITY AND BEYOND"...... What?? Yeah, yeah. After I've done the mowing....
2" Outback Armour lift, dual battery, TJM bar, Winch, Fyrlyt spotties, Snorkel, Hancook RT03's or Pirelli Scorpions (depends on what I'm Doing), roof rack/awning/lights/water tank, multiple scratches and one small dent in bonnet (tie kayak down next time)
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Originally posted by Nigel M View PostHi guys,
Since this will be the first time I have camped out in the bush for a 7 nights, I have been wondering how we go about keeping the fridge running.
So I thought I would put up a poll to see what more knowledgeable members were planning to do:
1. Get a second battery and drive every day to keep it topped up
2. Use a solar setup
3. Use a generator
4. Run a long extension lead to the campsite next door
5. You don't need power, just a big esky and dry ice
Open to other suggestions.
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