Votage/Amp Drop Montior
- Thread starter warpdriv
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/75004-low-voltage-cutoff-switch
Here is one I have: http://www.powerplanted.com/12vss.html
Although I don't use it for a fridge, it works the same way.
Here is one I have: http://www.powerplanted.com/12vss.html
Although I don't use it for a fridge, it works the same way.
What kind of fridge? Many fridges have a low voltage cut-off. Some may be able to have the low-voltage cut-out point adjusted, so you might check on that possibility, too.
A few alternate possibilities.
Replace the starting battery with a Group 31 sized one if it will fit. Group 31 batteries are on the order of 100 to 115 Amp hour capacity. That is allot more than most vehicle starting batteries have. BTW, Optima Group 31 batteries are under 90Amp hours. This is due to lack of volume of electrical storage space.
Add a solar panel of 65+ watts to recharge your starting battery. Get a solar charge controller so you don't cook your battery from overcharging.
A fully charged Group 31 deep cycle battery strapped down in back, not hooked up to your truck's electrical system, should power the fridge and some camp lights for a weekend trip. Especially if you only use it when parked, and power the fridge from your truck when moving. If the battery is inside the passenger compartment, you want gel, AGM, or some other sort of leak proof non gassing battery. Ends up costing more. Otherwise put it in a battery box and vent it outside. Some flooded batteries come with leakproof caps but I've never tested any of them. For extended trips, add a 65+ Watt solar panel on the roof plus charge controller.
Replace the starting battery with a Group 31 sized one if it will fit. Group 31 batteries are on the order of 100 to 115 Amp hour capacity. That is allot more than most vehicle starting batteries have. BTW, Optima Group 31 batteries are under 90Amp hours. This is due to lack of volume of electrical storage space.
Add a solar panel of 65+ watts to recharge your starting battery. Get a solar charge controller so you don't cook your battery from overcharging.
A fully charged Group 31 deep cycle battery strapped down in back, not hooked up to your truck's electrical system, should power the fridge and some camp lights for a weekend trip. Especially if you only use it when parked, and power the fridge from your truck when moving. If the battery is inside the passenger compartment, you want gel, AGM, or some other sort of leak proof non gassing battery. Ends up costing more. Otherwise put it in a battery box and vent it outside. Some flooded batteries come with leakproof caps but I've never tested any of them. For extended trips, add a 65+ Watt solar panel on the roof plus charge controller.
- Thread starter
- #5
Thanks for the replies. I have an Engel fridge, not sure the size. It does not have a low voltage cut off. For batteries, I have one of these, http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_02850034000P
Get a Priority Start gizmo.
http://www.zbattery.com/PrioritySta...ry-Protector?gclid=CO_rrOGnjbICFadNTAodOBIA6A
http://www.zbattery.com/PrioritySta...ry-Protector?gclid=CO_rrOGnjbICFadNTAodOBIA6A
The '97 80 series has a Group 31 and it's plenty for the Engel 45. My priority is to kill the battery over ruining the food. Still, that battery is so huge that killing it hasn't happened yet.
Last edited: