Running a fridge on 24v

[mulebarn]

At around 800 bucks it seems to be suited for well-heeled clients. It is certainly out of my reach.

Fair enough. REI is having a 20% off thing right now, so that did save me $170. Still pricey though.

 

[fireball]

It’s only 40 amp hours and he told you it’ll run a fridge all weekend with no charge?

 

[mulebarn]

It’s only 40 amp hours and he told you it’ll run a fridge all weekend with no charge?

40Ah, my ARB fridge pulls .87A, and the math more or less gets you there. It’s meaningless anyway, as I’ll charge the battery via 12v when I’m driving and solar when I’m camping.

 

[hoser]

I went with the Dometic PLB40, which is Lithium Iron Phosphate. You get far more charge from that than Lithium Ion.

That battery I linked is a Lithium Ion Phosphate battery (LIFEPO4). It also has 25% more rated capacity than the Dometic, 12v 40Ah... and half the price. I also suspect one would be able to set up a faster charging system going from the vehicles 24v system to 24v aux battery.

I’m not advocating that brand. It was just one that I pulled up.

 

[cruiserdan]

Fair enough. REI is having a 20% off thing right now, so that did save me $170. Still pricey though.

Something like a couple of these would be a viable alternative I think. In addition they could be split up and used in other vehicles as required. You are at 1/3 the cost, even buying two.

 

[mulebarn]

A couple


Something like a couple of these would be a viable alternative I think. In addition they could be split up and used in other vehicles as required. You are at 1/3 the cost, even buying two.

How would you run a fridge from a Noco? Not following.

Thanks y’all. I solved the problem in a way that works for me.

 

[cruiserdan]

How would you run a fridge from a Noco? Not following.

Thanks y’all. I solved the problem in a way that works for me.

I should have clarified. Run the fridge off the vehicle battery bank and use these to jump the vehicle if you draw down too far. One for a 12V bank and two for a 24V bank. I have been running around for years with my fridges running on the vehicle bank and have yet to run down far enough to keep the vehicle from starting but rarely am I stationary for more than overnight.

 

[roscoFJ73]

The solution I’m going with is simple, reliable, and portable.

At around 800 bucks it seems to be suited for well-heeled clients. It is certainly out of my reach.

I looked at buying the Waeco version (same company and products as Dometic) After some investigation, I found the amount of power from the unit wasnt very good value.
I ended up buying 140 amp deep cycle wet battery and a generic battery box with fittings and gauge for under $200. I didnt need it 24/7 so it was just recharged and stored in my shed till next time. An auto electrician set it up so once the cranking battery was charged it could be recharged from the alternator. Or I carried a 25000ma charger and plugged it into powered camp sites
I think I was getting about 2 nights out of it using a 80 litre waeco fridge and fluro lighting I had fitted around the ute
I had it on bolted to the back of my ute.
There is a lot more discussion about this on the MUD expedition forum

If you must have the PLB40 have a look for used units. Lots of them in Australia going for 1/3 the new price only used a few times maybe some near you.

 

[divemedic]

I’m running a redarc to supply power to a third battery. Currently it’s switched power from the 24v main. I can add solar in and the redarc is smart enough to switch power autonomously.

I’m very happy with the redarc’s performance so far. I will be setting up a wishlist with Wits End for fridge/solar connections. In the near future.

 

[deadhead7]

It’s already been said but I’m running a Redarc BCDC. Just run a wire from the cranking battery bank into the Redarc and it outputs 12V. Takes care of the rest by itself.