Running a fridge thru standard factory socket ?

[DangerRanger]

G'day All !


Has anyone had any problems when running your fridge thru the standard auxillary socket behind the centre console ?

Do you turn it off overnight ?

Flat batteries ?

I want to run a 50 litre Waeco on a 6 day trip I have coming up - there will be 2 nights stationary and will be driving everyday for the rest of the trip.
All of my previous vehicles have had a dual battery set up so I have never had an issue but I have yet to fit a second battery to the Ranger.

Your experiences and suggestions will be much appreciated !



Cheers


Danger

[macmanluke]

You wont get long with the fridge running stationary. Keeps the battery at a level that there is just no spare juice.

I ran a setup with a second battery for overnight (but was yet to be hooked into the power) worked well for a few nights with a CFX40

[DangerRanger]

Thanks Macmanluke

Looks like I will turn it off overnight til I get a second battery sorted


Cheers


Danger

[MadKaw]

Thanks Macmanluke

Looks like I will turn it off overnight til I get a second battery sorted


Cheers


Danger

Most of the curerent Waeco's have a battery monitor and will automatically shut down when your vehicle battery gets below a certain level, so you can leave it on.
My engel doesn't have the battery monitor in it, so I have a Redarc set at 12.7v cut off, thats only good for about 1/2 an hour without the car running.

[Thirsty]

I run by ARB 35L in the tray on the std socket fitted in the xlt tray liner.

I can select low medium or high battery protection. On high protection the fridge shuts down in under an hour. On medium i get a good 5 hours out of it and the car starts fine the next morning (I have tested this a few times, infact sometimes I just leave the fridge in the ute for upto a week at a time and never had a starting problem. If you run the fridge set a bit colder than normal, especially if its filled up with goods/drinks a bit, then it cools the goods n drinks down which help stabilze the power draw/keep you goods cooler for longer when the power shuts off. I run my fridge at -5, only bottles of water freeze at that temp, cans get icy cold but still drinkable, and i have had fruit put in the top section at that temp and its been fine. Open it in the morning after power been off a few hours and its still at normal fridge temp, ie anywhere upto 2 degrees.

[Uav]

I have my waeco set on low and haven't had the car die yet. I never turn the fridge off. I do have a second battery now though so if it dies I can jump it. I will wire the fridge to the aux battery just haven't had time....

[DangerRanger]

Thanks Guys

I had this 50 litre Waeco fridge in my Rodeo work ute ( no dual battery ) for 5 years and never turned it off and never had starting problems.
The fridge was always set at "med" which supposedly cuts out at 11.2 volts so you can start your car. ( Hi setting is 11.8 and Lo is 10.1 according to Waeco )

I was just looking for some feedback on how it would go in the Ranger - especially with the Ranger's " delicate / touchy " electrical system that has been giving some people grief.

I might just leave it on and see what happens as I am travelling with other vehicles and can get jump started should I need it !



Anyone else been running fridges in their Ranger ?



Cheers


Danger

[wdw]

I leave my Waeco in the tub on medium cut out setting and have the temperature at 4C day and night. I had it set to cut out at lower voltage and had a flat battery twice on that setting although it could have been an open door or interior light on issue. If you are travelling alone and in remote areas I suggest a good Jumper pack is a good safety measure if you dont have a dual battery system. It works for me. I replaced my Engel as the Waeco had the safety cut out option and the one I wanted fitted under the roller shutter of the Wildtrak.

[Aquahead2001]

WDW, which Waeco do you have that fits under the Wildtrak Roller Shutter? I have been looking about and can't find a largeish Waeco that will fit. I have tried an Engel 60L which fits with about 20mm of clearance and have nearly settled on that, but of course if there was something else available, I'd be interested too.

[gizmo]

I have wired in a Thumper 105 AMP battery and its awesome. Prior to this, flat battery on numerous occasions with a 40 lt Engel running on low. I got sick and tired and just bit the bullet, eBay provides good opportunities.

[DangerRanger]

G'day Gizmo

I spent all of last week looking into battery options and the thumper 105 amp was one - looked at ArkPak and the Flyer from ABR - all good kits ! But decided I'm going to fit a permanent battery in behind the drivers seat of my Supercab. I have already mounted the fridge behind the passenger seat and now in the process of building a carpeted box ( 500mm L x 360mm W x 300mm H ) to house either a Fullriver or Remco 100 amp AGM battery. This keeps the battery out of the ute space and still leaves me with a flat space to put luggage etc on when travelling. It will cost me a bit more than a Thumper pack with the Redarc DC to DC charger etc but once it's in it's one less thing to worry about. With a hinged lid on the box I can just undo the 2 wing nuts and take the battery out to jump start the Ranger should it ever be needed.

Thanks for your reply

Danger

[gizmo]

Sounds good, in the end both yours and my system do the job. I still have kids in the back so my options were limited, still very happy with what I have.

Regards

Gizmo

[trentski]

WDW, which Waeco do you have that fits under the Wildtrak Roller Shutter? I have been looking about and can't find a largeish Waeco that will fit. I have tried an Engel 60L which fits with about 20mm of clearance and have nearly settled on that, but of course if there was something else available, I'd be interested too.

Have a look at the Trailblazas, they have a few different configurations in the 60L size, so you will find one that fits under the roller shutter

[wdw]

I got the Waeco cf40 and it fits just under the lid with its protecting bag. I didnt want a huge flat unit, just something for drinks and to freeze some stuff on the odd occasion. I parked the Wildtrak in front of Anaconda and tested every one I fancied. My Engel is 1 cm too high with the rubber feet off and is now in my Pajero. The Waeco can cut out at 3 settings to protect the Ranger from flat batteries but I carry a 1800amp jumper pack for the outback.
The new Waeco cfx series looks nice but are not cheap. So I am a now a dual citizen of the Engel/Waeco world.

[Blindman]

If you intend to go remote or off the beaten track definitely get a second battery and run your fridge from this. I have a thumper 110 extreme wired into the tray near the factory socket with an Anderson plug etc. works like a dream and can run up to four appliances at once, also double up as second battery and will boost starter when required. Best of all it is portable so we can remove it to the camp site as well or into the sleeping quarters then back to the truck later. A lot of options and products available.

[Imx]

If you intend to go remote or off the beaten track definitely get a second battery and run your fridge from this. I have a thumper 110 extreme wired into the tray near the factory socket with an Anderson plug etc. works like a dream and can run up to four appliances at once, also double up as second battery and will boost starter when required. Best of all it is portable so we can remove it to the camp site as well or into the sleeping quarters then back to the truck later. A lot of options and products available.

These look to be a good "alternative" to the standard dual setup, more versatile for sure. is there much involved in wiring up for mounting in the rear of the vehicle? I have a Wildtrack with the roller cover. Be interested to hear how it fares in actual use. Any chance of some photos of the setup?

[Blindman]

I have been using it a lot. For charging work drills on site, running 40l Waco and weekend trips away. Had it out of the tray for 3 days on the fridge and running led lights etc. never missed a beat. Driving for 2 to 3 hours charges it up even on slow going 4wd tracks. Wired it from Nissan into ranger using supplied kit from thumper. Have had absolutely no issues so far. Going away for a four day trip soon. Got autoelect to wire it in. Put Anderson plug connector in tray near back tailgate and currently using std tie downs to hold battery all in place. No problems. Will do more permanent fit once have cargo kit sorted. Photos I will try to do but I'm not that good at the computer side. I like the flexibility of the thumper but it is a 30kg setup so hence why it's near the lhs rear tailgate for access in and out.

[Blindman]

By the way if you are interested in thumpers, look on eBay. They have some amazing deals, I have picked up some agm batteries as well. Genuine kit with warranties and half the price of retail outlets. I did my homework before I went to eBay.

[megaadam]

Never run a fridge off your main battery.
Unless you like being stranded.
Get a 100AH AGM battery (roughly $200) a $20 battery case and a few terminals... easy...
Don't bother with a thumper, way way way overpriced, but they are pretty.

[Blindman]

Granted they are pricey but there are some anazing deals around. I got mine for almost half the retail price of the local arb outlet through eBay. I am not a huge fan of eBay but there certainly deals to be had if you have patience and perseverance on eBay. There are lots of alternatives around and I guess it depends on how good you are with electrics and DIY. Me, I am a dum ass when it comes to electrics so I chose the easy way, it might have cost me more but I am happy so I guess that is all that matters. Good hunting.

[Blindman]

Just a follow up. Just came back from bush camping for nearly 4 days. Had engle 60l on thumper whole time, out of vehicle in camp. Ran like a dream. Put back in tray and almost fully charged by time I got back home. Great weekend, cold beer and food all the time, no problems.

[Blindman]

If you intend to go remote or off the beaten track definitely get a second battery and run your fridge from this. I have a thumper 110 extreme wired into the tray near the factory socket with an Anderson plug etc. works like a dream and can run up to four appliances at once, also double up as second battery and will boost starter when required. Best of all it is portable so we can remove it to the camp site as well or into the sleeping quarters then back to the truck later. A lot of options and products available.

These look to be a good "alternative" to the standard dual setup, more versatile for sure. is there much involved in wiring up for mounting in the rear of the vehicle? I have a Wildtrack with the roller cover. Be interested to hear how it fares in actual use. Any chance of some photos of the setup?

Have taken some photos. Hope they are clear. Also shows where I got fitted Anderson plug. Run everything off thumper when fridges etc in car. Location is temp until get cargo system sorted, still haven't found what I want. I really like the flexibility of the system, it's not a fixed in car system and I can remove it remote for up to 4 days when required. I know it's not the cheapest way but they are very good and robust, you should see sometimes how rough they are handled. Any way each to their own.

[Imx]

Thanks for that, I agree with you about being able to move it around, far more versatility.

[Reggys Ranger]

I was flat out getting 2 hrs with a small 30 l fridge when parked before my battery went flat
I did see a good pic today where someone had mounted aux battery in compartment under rear seat great idea