 | Home > Technical > Can you run a fridge from 12v in the rear? |
 
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| Caterham Member Since: 06 Nov 2008 Location: Birmingham Posts: 6264   
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numerous factors here;
is the 75W mentioned max load or typical running load? that equates to circa 6 amps so best check on the fuse size for the rear outlet you're fitting first. what condition is the battery in and again what will the actual electrical load of the fridge be (ie it should be less if the ambient air temperature is low and the fridge is set to a relatively high temp. all I can say is I have an engel fridge and the battery warning alarm often went off on start up due to low voltage but still decided to take a gamble and left the fridge plugged in / on while on the ferry for 30 ish hours - started now problem. good luck. |
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21st May 2017 11:19am |
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| BobT Member Since: 13 Jan 2017 Location: North Yorkshire Posts: 110  
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You can buy an inline cut out that turns the fridge off when the battery voltage drops beyond a certain level. The good thing is your car will start, the bad is your beer may get warm.
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21st May 2017 11:19am |
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| Sticky Member Since: 07 Dec 2008 Location: Derbyshire Posts: 245 
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As the others have said it's a 'rabbit hole' trying to work out how long you can get from running a fridge.
I would definitely use the leisure battery if you have access, but you would probably want to source a split charge to keep it topped up. Leisure batteries have capacity ratings based on Amp / Hour, a low cost deep cycle battery with a 100 amp/hr capacity will not give you 100 hours at 1 amp. The reality is that you will probably get about 80% of its capacity before it needs recharging. The 3 way fridges tend to be pretty inefficient using 12v so I would calculate 6amp /hr. The balance you will need to do is get it cold on mains power or gas and then try not to open it too often and ensure it isn't in a really hot ambient temperature in the car so it doesn't need to use power so often. Compressor fridges seem to be the most efficient and I think the newer ones are getting more efficient, my fridge / freezer draws about 1.8 amp per hour in UK summer temps. As a rule of thumb I use the amp/hr rating and then 20% of the leisure battery capacity rating as a guide to the number of hours I can get between charges. |
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21st May 2017 1:12pm |
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| Panda Member Since: 29 May 2015 Location: Essex Posts: 432 
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Hi
Have used these fridges in the past. I would recommend running on car battery (engine running) until to you arrive at your campsite and switch to gas, they work better on gas. Cheers  Monty-2015 2.2 110 XS Puma Station Wagon
Yoda Disco 3-Sold Larry Disco 1-Sold Muddly XS 90 TDCI-Sold Pearl Disco 2-Sold Larry Disco 1-didn't want too but sold |
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21st May 2017 6:27pm |
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| ARC99 Member Since: 19 Feb 2013 Location: North Yorkshire Posts: 1831 
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 for running on gas but make sure it is not in a confined area as you do not want carbon monoxide poisoning. Don't make old people mad.
We don't like being old in the first place, so it doesn't take much to  us off.
Richard |
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21st May 2017 7:08pm |
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| LandRoverAnorak Member Since: 17 Jul 2011 Location: Surrey Posts: 11240 
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I used one of these for a Morocco trip many years ago and I, too, ran on 12v whilst moving and gas when stopped. The current draw is pretty high and you'd end up with a flat battery within a day if used when not running. Darren
110 USW BUILD THREAD - EXPEDITION TRAILER - 200tdi 90 BUILD THREAD - SANKEY TRAILER - IG@landroveranorak "You came in that thing? You're braver than I thought!" - Princess Leia |
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21st May 2017 7:40pm |
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| Dieselhead Member Since: 21 Oct 2012 Location: Pulborough. West Sussex Posts: 552 |
Thanks for all the info
Will have to do some tests with it when I have more time. Its only 3 nights so will leave it for now & have never worried in the past I have only had it a couple of years & never worried about it until now  Chris
2008 XS 110 2.4 Utility. Tonga Green 1953 Series 1 for restoration 1983 Mini Mayfair 2004 VW T5 Camper 2008 Diahatsu Sirion. Thats hers Classic Bolens Garden Tractors |
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21st May 2017 10:18pm |
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