Engel 45 ordered - wiring suggestions for 100

[pnwfj]

I ordered my Engel 45 from Expedition Exchange today. Additionally, I have a dual-battery tray on order from Slee. I'm trying to figure out how to power the Engel 45 in my 100. I wish the stock 12v in the rear was always on - that would make this really easy.

I think I'm going to delay a dual-battery setup for now - running the Engel 45 off my main batter instead. I don't have plans to add a winch or auxiliary lights in the near future so I think a dual-battery setup to support the Engel 45 alone is overkill. Maybe I'm wrong.

So... on my 100 I'm planning to add a Blue Sea fuse box in the engine compartment, running an 8 G wire 15 amp circuit back to a 12v receptacle in the back compartment. Question: For safety, do I need to fuse the 15 amp main line to the back? It's fused at the fuse box obviously but do I need a fuse in the back? Question: Do I have to run a ground wire to the back as well? Or, is the ground for the fuse block in the engine compartment good enough? Question: Do I need to put a fuse between the battery and the fuse box in the engine compartment?

Thanks in advance for the feedback everyone.

[Trunk Monkey]

- No
- the 12v receptacle should have a ground at it's location
- Yes, I would

I would rewire the 12v receptacle in the cargo area always hot and then be careful about leaving the fridge on, it can kill your battery and with only one battery, you could leave yourself stranded. Then later when you add the 2nd fuse block I would move the wiring to that.

[gearguywb]

I ran a fused hot wire from the battery to a fuse block mounted where the jack is in the back. From there I put in 2 12v plugs outside the jack location and plug the fridge in there. Works great.

[SINCITY100]

Non-technical answer...




You should be ok if you`re using the vehicle`s main battery to power your Engel for a day trip or for an overnighter..

But IMO, if you`re gonna use your new fridge on a frequent basis, or you intend to "stay put" in a camp for any period of time (more than a day or so) ya might want to do yourself a favor and install a secondary power source now.

Keeping a constant, watchful eye on your battery`s condition will get you by on a short trip, but the LAST thing that I`d want to worry about while enjoying the great outdoors is the discharge rate of my only battery.
Running the engine in the middle of the night at the campground because your voltage is showing nervously low will not make you the most popular person in camp either


If you don`t want to add a full-blown dual-battery system to your rig right away, just add a deep-cycle second battery that you can charge each time before leaving.. wire and fuse it to the rear .. then use it exclusively for the fridge and/or accessories back there ( Just be sure to include a way to "tap" into the main battery if needed ) you should be able to run your fridge for several days on end with the second battery.

You have Slee`s battery tray ? ... Heck, you`re already half way there !


Regardless, I would do as many "tests" with your new fridge under various conditions ( empty, full, + or - ambient temps, use it as a fridge and as a freezer etc.. ) to get a fuller understanding of its true energy requirements.

[hoser]

If your fridge is going to permanently reside in your 100, you might want to consider wiring an on/off switch with an indicator light on the center console. That way you can control your fridge from the drivers seat or ensure that it is off.... or on.

[Landpimp]

had my ARb fridge running for 4+ years off just one Odyessy 1700, runs ALL the time, may sit for many days(even a week).......never a problem starting.

that said I have a Slee 2nd bat tray, had a Orbital in there, never did wire it up, but kept it toped off incase I had to jump myself......few months ago I robbed it for another Cruiser