Dual BCDC install and fridge wiring

[Wortho Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Wortho]

Hi Folks,
Prado is a 2015 2.8 and camper trailer with a BCDC1225 already installed. The plan is to install a second BCDC1220 in the Prado as per this link https://www.redarc.com.au/images/upl...bcdc_setup.pdf and then run a new circuit to power a 40l Fridge in the rear of the car. I have read through some of the post and it seems most use 6 B&S cable but I was wondering if 8 B&S is ok given the fridge only pulls around 4 amps. If 8 B&S is ok then is it straight forward enough to run the cable via the drivers side footwell to the rear as this is the side the Aux battery is on. Also I have read that a battery tray is not required on the 2.8 but wondering if I fit a larger 105 ah battery is a tray recommended.

Thanks
Mark

[Decka Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Decka]

Okay, not an expert on 12V systems but cable size is matched to the amps that you are running through it, so sizing your cable that size is suitable for the amperage that you are goin to push through it to run the fridge, compare it to the cable of the cig socket cable that came with your fridge and you will find it way thicker. Also the 8B&S probably would be way larger than the fitted OEM cable to the cig socket to the back of the car. The larger cable size also comes into play when you have longer runs, say to your carvan or camper trailer, you need thick cable, e.g. 6 B&S from the car battery to the tow bar to minimise voltage drop if you are charging your camper / caravan batteries from the alternator while you are driving.
A good read :
https://outbackjoe.com/macho-diverti...and-inverters/
I run an 8B&S to the back of my prado and that then plugs into a battery box that has a DC/DC charger on it. My car is a daily driver and doesn't have a fridge in it most of the time so "permanently" fixing a second battery under the bonnet didn't make sense to me lugging that weight around for no reason. It's also handy for me to have the spare battery in a battery box, albeit it's a lithium so it's allot easier weight wise to put it in and out of the car when needed.

[Gurilla Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Gurilla]

8 b&s would be perfect if just for fridge, you want larger cable to reduce voltage drop from the distance from battery to fridge

I run 6b&s to a fuse block at the rear with fridge,lights, voltage gauge,uhf,cig point and no Issues, you may get away with smaller but I’d run 8b&s to be safe

make sure you run a fuse or circuit breaker as close to the battery

[Gurilla Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Gurilla]

I have a 102amp century acid battery in my 2.8 with a n70 plastic tray and just cheap clamps does the job been there for a year done a lot of off-road work no issues

I ran mine on the passanger side

[Wortho Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Wortho]

Thanks for the replies guys! Where would I pick up an n70 plastic tray?

[Gurilla Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Gurilla]

I just got mine off eBay

sorry my battery is a 105ah n70 size don’t know where I got 102?

[money_killer Member Find all posts View Profile Close money_killer]

8 b&s will be fine. But common practice is 6 b&s i would run it for the voltage drop.