ARB Fridge, Single Battery
- Thread starter SHREG
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
It depends on how hot ambient temps are, how much stuff is inside and what level you have it set for.
It draws about 2.5 amps max. But that's not usually constant. And it can turn itself off and on as needed. It depends on the conditions above. But theoretically, if you had a battery with a reserve capacity of 100 minutes, the refrigerator could be constantly running for 16 before it killed the battery under the maximum power conditions with an optimal battery and with the battery fully discharging.
However, with only one battery, I would never assume that anything left on won't kill the battery. For one thing, an older or bad battery won't last nearly as long.
I would recommend one of these. That way, power is cut off to the refrigerator before it gets to the point that you can't start your rig.
http://www.compactappliance.com/xq/.../iProductID.2793/qx/shopping/product/BS15.htm
It draws about 2.5 amps max. But that's not usually constant. And it can turn itself off and on as needed. It depends on the conditions above. But theoretically, if you had a battery with a reserve capacity of 100 minutes, the refrigerator could be constantly running for 16 before it killed the battery under the maximum power conditions with an optimal battery and with the battery fully discharging.
However, with only one battery, I would never assume that anything left on won't kill the battery. For one thing, an older or bad battery won't last nearly as long.
I would recommend one of these. That way, power is cut off to the refrigerator before it gets to the point that you can't start your rig.
http://www.compactappliance.com/xq/.../iProductID.2793/qx/shopping/product/BS15.htm
I run mine with one battery. Never worried even when the interior temp reached 120 F it would still keep everything cool and start after 12 hours. I have never left it for longer without starting, but I bet it would last a while.
- Thread starter
- #5
Thanks for the input. I purchased a new batt-tree this spring so its strong. Im going to leave the fridge on for the weekend to test things out close to home. Headed to the Black Hills next weekend and don't want to get in starting trouble.....
- Joined
- Jun 5, 2003
- Threads
- 110
- Messages
- 1,847
- Location
- Sacramento, California
- Website
- www.instagram.com
For a while I carried the fridge everywhere. During that time I took a week long work trip in the middle of the summer. Temps in Sacramento during that time of year hover around 100° F. When I got back and got into my car, I heard the fridge compressor kick in. I was really worried that my battery did not have enough umph to start the engine. Anyway, I turned the key and she started right up.
I've heard from a Norcold fridge tech (same as ARB and Engel) that if there isn't enough power the fridge will shut off, before it becomes an issue for starting the engine.
Regards
Alvaro
I've heard from a Norcold fridge tech (same as ARB and Engel) that if there isn't enough power the fridge will shut off, before it becomes an issue for starting the engine.
Regards
Alvaro
oh...how I wish this were true with my ARB.
In my experience, through the HOT HOT HOT summers in Sacramento, is if you run your engine for about 40 minutes per day (i.e. average commute travel for me) the battery recharges enough to supply the fridge with power.
If I miss a day of commute during the summer, the fridge will kill the battery.
In the winter, I can skip about 2 days of running the engine before I have a dead battery.
Drive your rig daily and you won't likely have an issue with keeping a fridge running on a single battery.
- Joined
- Jun 5, 2003
- Threads
- 110
- Messages
- 1,847
- Location
- Sacramento, California
- Website
- www.instagram.com
My experience is closer to Doug's.
Fridge: Engle 40 (2+ yo, not the new style compressor)
Primary battery: Optima yellow top (deep cycle), 2+yo
Ambient temps: Mild to hot (vehicle in garage)
Fridge setting: 1.5 (~37* with a partially full fridge)
No known battery drain issues other than leaving on the fridge.
Engine will consistently start after...: 48 hrs
Engine will not start after...............: 72 hrs
The fridge will most definitely drain the battery if left on. I have run this "test" about 5 times; partly because I have a deep cycle battery and I am not too concerned about damaging it; and partly because I have a dual battery system so restarting is not an issue; and partly because I like to "test" the system from time-to-time; and partly because I fill the fridge, take a trip, and forget to empty the fridge and turn it off. ;p
-B-
Last edited:
One thing to keep in mind is the battery type. Deep cycle batteries (like the yellow tops) are designed to handle regular deep discharges. Regular starting battteries usually don't last long under that type of use.
I tend to be like Beowoulf and I am rather slow about emptying the fridge and shutting it down after trips. However, it is in the garage so I just plug it into the 110 so I don't have to worry about it.
I tend to be like Beowoulf and I am rather slow about emptying the fridge and shutting it down after trips. However, it is in the garage so I just plug it into the 110 so I don't have to worry about it.
I've never pushed it passed 24 hrs without a start, but I run mine all summer with a single battery and have never had a problem. I have the mid size ARB and summertime temps in the 80's.
Cheers - Nate
Cheers - Nate
Killed my single battery last month on a scout outing. Hot weekend. Parked the truck mid morning Sat and Sun morning the battery was dead. Diehard Gold less than 2 years old. I've had a dual battery kit on order for toooooo long now.
- Thread starter
- #16
I just got mine fully installed with cover using the Engle mounting. Man, im gunna love having this to use. Thanks again for all the input, im gunna give it a good testing this weekend...
Hi Brent!
I see you've added a Warn M12000 to the list of mods!
I really like the Hellroaring Dual Battery system. Several here on 'Mud recommended it to me and it has worked well. Mine is wired in the "Backup Battery" mode. Basically, you keep a good starting battery as a backup & charged up all the time. *Everything* runs from the primary battery; preferably a deep cycle that can do dual duty as a starting battery. I have the Optima yellow top but, if I had to to do over again I believe a deep cycle Odyssey would be a better choice. The Hellroaring isolator keeps the backup battery charged up and isolates it unless you flip the switch to parallel the 2 batteries (self jumping, winching, etc.)
-B-
I see you've added a Warn M12000 to the list of mods!
I really like the Hellroaring Dual Battery system. Several here on 'Mud recommended it to me and it has worked well. Mine is wired in the "Backup Battery" mode. Basically, you keep a good starting battery as a backup & charged up all the time. *Everything* runs from the primary battery; preferably a deep cycle that can do dual duty as a starting battery. I have the Optima yellow top but, if I had to to do over again I believe a deep cycle Odyssey would be a better choice. The Hellroaring isolator keeps the backup battery charged up and isolates it unless you flip the switch to parallel the 2 batteries (self jumping, winching, etc.)
-B-
- Joined
- Aug 17, 2005
- Threads
- 449
- Messages
- 5,644
- Location
- Forest Falls, CA
- Website
- www.adventureduo.com
I've had mine run 3 days straight with about 5-7 hours of drivetime on the trail during the day and about 10-12 hours of down time each night off a single battery. Rig fired up fine each and everyday no problem. I wasn't too worried if it did die, we run dual batteries and can just switch over to battery #2 if #1 fails. But it never died. Did well.
If you have not purchased a fridge yet, you may want to look at Waeco. They have a variable cut off built in to keep from draining your battery:
Compressor Portable Units: What is the HIGH/LOW switch for on my CF Series unit?
The HI/LOW Switch is your battery saving device to protect your fridge and car battery. Battery protection is built into all of our compressor fridges. The fridge is not allowed to run lower than 10.4 volts because most common lead acid batteries in cars can be seriously damaged or destroyed by allowing them to become completely flat or completely discharge, not to mention the extreme inconvenience caused by not being able to start your car. Also, if the supply voltage from the battery becomes too low, electronics and motors tend to overheat. This occurs with all electronics and all motors no matter who the manufacturer is. And that is why we do not allow this to happen to WAECO products. Basically, in most situations you should run your fridge on the LOW setting - this will allow your battery to run down to 10.4 volts then the fridge will cut out. On HIGH, the fridge will drain your battery to 11.7 volts then shut off. Therefore your fridge will run for longer on the low setting.
Australian 4wd picked the Waeco 40 as their favorite small fridge. You can usually find good deals on factory 2nds at www.waecousa.com.
Compressor Portable Units: What is the HIGH/LOW switch for on my CF Series unit?
The HI/LOW Switch is your battery saving device to protect your fridge and car battery. Battery protection is built into all of our compressor fridges. The fridge is not allowed to run lower than 10.4 volts because most common lead acid batteries in cars can be seriously damaged or destroyed by allowing them to become completely flat or completely discharge, not to mention the extreme inconvenience caused by not being able to start your car. Also, if the supply voltage from the battery becomes too low, electronics and motors tend to overheat. This occurs with all electronics and all motors no matter who the manufacturer is. And that is why we do not allow this to happen to WAECO products. Basically, in most situations you should run your fridge on the LOW setting - this will allow your battery to run down to 10.4 volts then the fridge will cut out. On HIGH, the fridge will drain your battery to 11.7 volts then shut off. Therefore your fridge will run for longer on the low setting.
Australian 4wd picked the Waeco 40 as their favorite small fridge. You can usually find good deals on factory 2nds at www.waecousa.com.
Hi Brent!
I see you've added a Warn M12000 to the list of mods!
I really like the Hellroaring Dual Battery system. Several here on 'Mud recommended it to me and it has worked well. Mine is wired in the "Backup Battery" mode. Basically, you keep a good starting battery as a backup & charged up all the time. *Everything* runs from the primary battery; preferably a deep cycle that can do dual duty as a starting battery. I have the Optima yellow top but, if I had to to do over again I believe a deep cycle Odyssey would be a better choice. The Hellroaring isolator keeps the backup battery charged up and isolates it unless you flip the switch to parallel the 2 batteries (self jumping, winching, etc.)
-B-
I've had the entire dual bat kit on order from IPOR for 2 1/2 months now. It uses the surepower separator. Long story and my patience is just about out.