Will my ARB 50 qt fridge run off the rear 120 vac outlet?

[John E Davies]

I am sure this has been discussed but I sure can't find it...

The rear outlet says 100 watts, can I run a _precooled_ 50 qt fridge off that outlet while driving?

I normally plug into the 12 v outlet at the back of the center console, but if I can run off the 120 v one in back I would rather do that. I assume that the Toyota inverter circuit has some sort of overload protection? I don't want to fry it. Any idea on its surge rating, for when the compresser starts?

And yes, eventually I will install a dedicated always hot heavy gauge 12 v circuit in back.

Thanks for any comments.

John Davies
Spokane WA

 

[MrCWineMan]

Yep - I did it all the time, just be aware that it will not run with the engine off.

 

[tbisaacs]

It's also not very efficient. My ARB50 draws 1w when idle if I'm running "native" 12v. It draws 7w when idle if running off of an inverter.

 

[John E Davies]

Thanks for the replies. I don't care about efficiency since the engine will be running. I realize there are significant losses inverting dc to ac then converting back to dc again inside the fridge. It is for cord convenience more than anything. I don't want my wife to drop her purse on top of the 12 vdc plug sticking out of the center console. The one in back is more protected and more visible.

Has anyone ever seen the specs for the OEM inverter? Especially the surge rating.

John Davies
Spokane WA

 

[mcgaskins]

I'd just grab one of these: ARB 12/24V DC Wiring Kit For Portable Fridge (Black) - 10900027 It was an extremely easy install, and it is designed to be the most efficient way to use it in the car. Very happy with it in mine.

 

[John E Davies]

Fixed your link. ARB 12/24V DC Wiring Kit For Portable Fridge (Black) - 10900027

At $37 that is pretty darned steep for 20 feet of wire, a fuse and a power socket. I would rather flush mount it, not havie it stick out like that surface mount one.....

I do plan to do this mod. I just haven't had time yet. I've only owned the truck for a couple of weeks....

John Davies
Spokane WA

 

[mcgaskins]

Fixed your link. ARB 12/24V DC Wiring Kit For Portable Fridge (Black) - 10900027

At $37 that is pretty darned steep for 20 feet of wire, a fuse and a power socket. I would rather flush mount it, not havie it stick out like that surface mount one.....

I do plan to do this mod. I just haven't had time yet. I've only owned the truck for a couple of weeks....

John Davies
Spokane WA

Looks like both our links don't work Ya it's not super cheap, but you do get the correct plug for the fridge and you can absolutely flush mount it if you choose - the surface mount is optional. I used the surface mount on the ARB drawer which turned out nice. Here's the only pic I have from the install before I finalized the wiring:

 

[John E Davies]

Looking at that fridge pic, I have to say I would never mount the power receptacle like that. If you remove the cooler and try to carry anything heavy on the floor, you will certainly trash and maybe short it out... why not mount it flush high up in the left side trim?

Or is your receptacle mounted so you can easily move it to a protected place if needed?

I am confused as heck by your setup, but I do much admire the ARB tie downs and aircraft rings.

John Davies
Spokane WA

 

[mcgaskins]

I don't remove the fridge, so that's not an issue. I didn't want to cut into any of the plastic in the truck because I will eventually sell the 200, and I'm going to pull the drawers and fridge and put them in the next truck which means everything will be ready to go and the 200 will be back to OEM. Also, that's right where the intake for the compressor is, so putting the power there reminds me to leave space around it to let the air flow freely. I can appreciate that you don't like the setup, but there are reasons why it works and I've been using it now for quite some time with nothing but good experiences to report. Personally I would never consider running the fridge off the inverter particularly since it only gets power when the truck is running, but to each his own.

 

[vabluefish]

I'd just grab one of these: ARB 12/24V DC Wiring Kit For Portable Fridge (Black) - 10900027 It was an extremely easy install, and it is designed to be the most efficient way to use it in the car. Very happy with it in mine.

How did you run the cable for this kit to the battery?

 

[mcgaskins]

How did you run the cable for this kit to the battery?

Just pulled it through the firewall and under the driver side trim pieces. There is a lot of space under there to run wires which was impressive. I'd say the full job only took about an hour to run the wiring to the fridge.