Tips for buying/installing Engel fridge/freezer

[fishtank Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close fishtank]

Hi,
I am just wondering if someone can explain or point me in the right direction of a website or post explaining the basic requirements to running an Engel type fridge in my Prado.
Have asked a few shops and have gotten a few answers but not sure if everything they are trying to sell me I actually need.

Just wondering what accessories or additions I will need to get for what I would like to use it for. I am looking at a 35-40L one. Will be used for mostly 2-4 day camping trips where the car will be run/used at least once a day so I am not sure I need a full solar recharging kit as well.

Should I get a second battery installed? Will this require the isolator kit? Or is there an accessory that will shut the fridge off if my car battery is getting too low? Or do they use their own special type of battery connected to the alternator for charging?

[Spilsy Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Spilsy]

Im new to this fridge caper too, and have worked out a few things:

1. A second battery is a must unless you have alternate means of keeping your starter battery charged.
2. A thing called a VSR (Voltage Sensitive Relay) Is probably the smartest way to keep two batteries charged.
3. Work out if you want a second battery under the bonnet, or portable. I'm going portable, which means you really need a battery box to go with a second battery.
4. For a deep cycle battery, work on approximately 25 Ah/day being required by your fridge. This isn't perfect, but it will give you a ball park battery size.
5. If you do some research, your fridge manufacturer will outline current draw etc. of your fridge. My 50 litre Evakool draws 1.5 - 2 amps.
6. If you want solar, make sure the system has a regulator.

I hope this sort of helps. My sources are varied, from the camping store I bought the fridge from, to the guys from work I head bush with, to people on this here forum. amts has helped me quite a bit in the last couple of days. Check out the posts in my build thread: http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread...l=1#post504253

[Mattfunk 120 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Mattfunk 120]

Also if you are thinking of draws in the future , keep in mind that some larger fridges may not fit .
Matt

[pete8205 Member Find all posts View Profile Close pete8205]

Gday I use to have the 40lt engel now have 60 lt
You will need dual battery 100amphr will give you 3 to 4 days pending on temp
you will need the dual battery set up properly with a voltage sensitive relay battery world sell a good basic kit (don't get the supercharge dual purpose battery)
the engels don't have low voltage cut out as they only need 8 volt to run
If you get a 100amphr battery you will would need solar when you are parked up for 2 or more days, my 60lt last 3 days
goodluck

[fishtank Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close fishtank]

Awesome thanks for your help guys. A question on a second battery. Will any old second battery work or do I need a special type? I kinda remember reading somewhere that ordinary car batteries wont do and to get a special "fridge" battery. The portable battery box seems like the way to go for now. Might be upgrading the Prado in the coming years and might be good if we ever take the corolla on a long road trip.

One last thing, is the standard Toyota 12v cigarette lighter plug sufficient? My dad thinks its best to upgrade the wiring as the standard isn't able to handle the current. Is this true?

[AussieAndy Find all posts View Profile Close AussieAndy]

Awesome thanks for your help guys. A question on a second battery. Will any old second battery work or do I need a special type? I kinda remember reading somewhere that ordinary car batteries wont do and to get a special "fridge" battery. The portable battery box seems like the way to go for now. Might be upgrading the Prado in the coming years and might be good if we ever take the corolla on a long road trip.

One last thing, is the standard Toyota 12v cigarette lighter plug sufficient? My dad thinks its best to upgrade the wiring as the standard isn't able to handle the current. Is this true?

A standard cranking battery won't last too long, if you are going a box a AGM style battery would be best. Fully sealed and good amp/hr rating, but a bit heavy.

The standard acc socket wiring will run a 40L fridge, but will turn off with acc in the car. The wiring is on the light side, but it will run it. If you are going a box you will plug the fridge into the box anyway. You will want decent wiring in the car to charge to box battery while driving if required.

[pete8205 Member Find all posts View Profile Close pete8205]

you need a deep cycle battery, a fridge will kill a standard cranking battery pretty quick
with going the box so you can remove the fridge will you actually park that far from where you set up for picnics etc I carry a cooler bag
pulling the fridge in and out does get heavy!
if you go the battery box as aussie andy said you will have a plug in on the box for the fridge, to charge it you will need a large cable ( cannot remember size) and Anderson plugs to connect it
if you install under the bonnet you can hardwire you still larger cables between batteries for charging, run a dedicated socket to the rear from the battery for the fridge.

[AK7 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close AK7]

I have both a dual battery setup and a battery box (ArkPak 730). Having the dual battery setup in the car is fantastic for when I'm doing short camping trips or picnics, or even just shopping and I don't have to rush home to save perishable foods. It's also nice knowing that I am pretty well self-sufficient in case one of the batteries goes flat. However, a fixed dual battery setup confines the fridge to the car. On a hot day this can be a bit of a bugger as the fridge will heat the cabin up when you're parked. The battery box obviously lets you remove the fridge from the car, which makes it vastly more versatile. I put it close to the middle of the camp area and run LED strip lights off it as well as the fridge. Depending on which battery box you go with, you can charge it from the car, solar and mains power. If they have a DC-DC charger with relatively low current draw, you can charge it off the existing 12V sockets in the car, and run the fridge off the battery box at the same time. When you switch the car off, the fridge still has power. You just need to be careful not to overload the car's 12V accessory circuit (rated at ~10A for outlets combined, not individually). In a sense, it's the best of both worlds, with no modifications to the car, though you still have to lug the battery box with you.

With both fridge and battery box, you need to think about securing them so that they don't tip when you turn corners or drive on a lean, depending on which fridge you get (40L Engel tips easily). It's also worth bearing in mind that they're both heavy items. Worth taking that into consideration when packing the car as that weight hangs past the rear axle.

If you haven't already got your fridge, I highly recommend checking out Tentworld. They were cheapest when I got mine. On the northside, they have stores in Brendale and Windsor, plus they do online.

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

Mate i just run 1 battery ( 105ah all rounder) this does us for a few days camping paired with a folding solar panel running a waeco 45lt.

Used this setup for weekends away exploring when we did a 18month lap of oz and was away from the caravan.

I scored a portable waeco power box for next to nothing that i use for backup now which runs my fridge for 24hrs if needed.

I agree a second battery is the go if you have the cash but for me it's a lot of outlay for something that i use a few times year.

[eddyafro Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close eddyafro]

Engel Fridge Instal - in rear seat area

Talking of Engel fridges I thought you might be interested in where I installed mine.

I removed the single rear seat on kerb side. Made a simple base board with four holes for the fridge feet and bolted this to the seat mountings using the seat mounting bolts. Screw in 4 strap holder metal loops (so you can threat the holding down straps through them) Place fridge on the board and tie down with straps.

Best part is there is now plenty of room in rear luggage area for other camping and off road equipment.
Can still keep the storage drawers in the rear and not have to mount fridge on top at a height that is prohibitive for easy access.
The fridge opens at a height low enough to look in from above (even my short arse wife can get food in and out)
Fridge in a great location for shopping trips to supermarket or quick access to cold ones!
Still has seats for 2 extra persons in the back (middle and offside seat)
Less weight, you wouldn't believe how heavy those seats are.
Not sure how to attach a photo happy to send one to anyone interested
[IMG]C:\Users\Chad\Pictures\Prado Interior
Rear\P1010724.JPG[/IMG]


Eddyafro

[Spilsy Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Spilsy]

One last thing, is the standard Toyota 12v cigarette lighter plug sufficient? My dad thinks its best to upgrade the wiring as the standard isn't able to handle the current. Is this true?

It will work. There are some concerns if you run the fridge and say a 12 deep fryer off the other outlet near the gear shift.
Ideally, you wouldn't want to use it long term (just in case).

Until I sort out my dual battery, I'll be using the outlet in the back of the console while driving, and my 2nd battery when I get to my location (saving as much charge in the 2nd battery as possible).

My second battery is a dual purpose (like the one that came with the Prado) - 97 Ah, 680 CCA

[fido666 Banned Find all posts View Profile Close fido666]

Not sure how to attach a photo happy to send one to anyone interested
[IMG]C:\Users\Chad\Pictures\Prado InteriorRear\P1010724.JPG[/IMG]

You will need to post the image on an image hosting site like Photobucket first then put the [img] code into your post. I would be interested to see your pic even though I have a Waeco mounted in the rear on a fridge slide.

[Spilsy Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Spilsy]

Talking of Engel fridges I thought you might be interested in where I installed mine.

I removed the single rear seat on kerb side. Made a simple base board with four holes for the fridge feet and bolted this to the seat mountings using the seat mounting bolts. Screw in 4 strap holder metal loops (so you can threat the holding down straps through them) Place fridge on the board and tie down with straps.

Best part is there is now plenty of room in rear luggage area for other camping and off road equipment.
Can still keep the storage drawers in the rear and not have to mount fridge on top at a height that is prohibitive for easy access.
The fridge opens at a height low enough to look in from above (even my short arse wife can get food in and out)
Fridge in a great location for shopping trips to supermarket or quick access to cold ones!
Still has seats for 2 extra persons in the back (middle and offside seat)
Less weight, you wouldn't believe how heavy those seats are.
Not sure how to attach a photo happy to send one to anyone interested
[IMG]C:\Users\Chad\Pictures\Prado Interior
Rear\P1010724.JPG[/IMG]


Eddyafro

A mate of mine has done this in his Navara, ARB fridge where the rear seat should be.
I use the image uploader (in Basic Mode) to make my photos attach.

[pem Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close pem]

more info please

Eddy

your idea sounds like something I am interested in.

Can you post some pictures and some comments on how you removed the seat.

this would be greatly appreciated

cheers