Wiring plug for ARB fridge

[Cobound]

I just ordered a 50 qt ARB fridge and want a dedicated line to the back of my Scrambler. Right now I have just a front plug I use for multiple things, I want a line JUST for the fridge, directly off my Red Top Optima.

I plan on running two lines, not just a + and grounding to frame...I'm making certain it has a solid ground, so I'm going directly to the battery.

What size wire, fuse and sort of plug setup is recommended?

Thanx in advance,

B

 

[greentruck]

I used 10 gauge wire to the back of our 80. I've got a 15 amp fuse in it, worked fine with our Edgestar on our shakedown trip last fall (no vacation this year).

The factory 12 v plug on our Edgestar was somewhat iffy. I upgraded to a locking Marinco plug and matching receptacle. This keeps things connected when you're on the trail bouncing around. Not sure what the ARB comes with, but something to consider if it doesn't have a locking plug.

 

[Cee Fish]

I ran 10 gauge wire to the rear of my FJ as well.

I added a Blue Sea fuse box (will use for additional accessories) under the hood with a 30amp breaker.

I opted to hard wire the (ARB) fridge into the truck.
I didn't want to deal with the 12v plug and a socket.

I ran the wire through a panel in the rear with ~ 8' of wire tucked away so I can power the fridge from outside the vehicle. I generally sleep in the back.


I'm going to run an additional 110v wire from the fridge to the front of the truck so I can run off of house power when parked in the garage (my fridge is always on).
For now, I just run the AC cord out the drivers window and plug into an extension cord.

 

[Cobound]

Nice, I'll look into that box and locking plug.

Don't recall seeing how long the ARB line is...but I like the idea of adding line for an option to plug in outside the vehicle too. Might have to do that for the JK too.

B

 

[TrickyT]

I just ordered a 50 qt ARB fridge and want a dedicated line to the back of my Scrambler. Right now I have just a front plug I use for multiple things, I want a line JUST for the fridge, directly off my Red Top Optima...

Red Top's are starting batteries and are not designed for long-running loads like a fridge. You'll kill your battery prematurely if you use it to power your fridge. You should get an Optima yellow top or blue top (marine) instead. They are made to be deeply discharged and then recharged without damage.

 

[Cobound]

I know, but it's what I got. It should be fine for a week long trip once or twice, right now, no?

B

 

[Cobound]

Which Marinco kit do you have? Have any snapshots of it?

I'll have to wait for the ARB to show up to know what I'll really need, thought maybe I'd buy some stuff and be ready for when it shows up, but nobody locally carries that stuff, except for the wire.

Sounds like you removed the factory plug and wired a locking one in it's place, I'll have to see mine before I order anything. SUX waiting!

Thanx,

B

 

[greentruck]

Here's what I used:
12V Plug & Receptacle | Marinco

Part #12VPKRV

Should be commonly available, especially from marine & boating stores.

 

[greentruck]

BTW, when first installed, I installed the receptacle in the cargo side panel. Easy install, but when in use, the plug sticks straight out from the panel. Tends to catch things, just not good.

So I redid it by installing a box inside the side panel. This way, the plug is protected. I also installed an on/off switch so I didn't need to pull the plug to shut off the fridge (Edgestars don't have an on/off switch on the fridge.)

Obviously, an install in a different vehicle will be somewhat different, but the principle is the same. Better to have it rigged so that when in use the plug doesn't present problems when in the socket.

In the second pic, you can see that when the power is on, a green LED on the Marinco plug is on. Handy to have another visual check on fridge power besides the display on the fridge itself.

 

[womacje]

Green's makes a good point on the locking. Hella style plugs work as well, I sell these thru National Luna, or any Nat Luna dealer can get them for you.

I ran a fuse block back to the rear for all the Electical accessories. I think I ran 2 or 4 ga.

404

I couldn't find what your fridge's peak draw is, but the average draw is .87 amp/hour. I recommend using as large a gauge as can fit, for future items. If you run to small the risk is electrical fire in the wire harness.

All this to say, looks like 10ga should be fine with a 15amp fuse.

Jeremy

 

[Cobound]

Nice, thanx guys. I'll have to fab up a bracket as this will be in the back of my Scrambler...no interior panels. I don't anticipate having anything else back there, just the fridge. Anything else would be on my trailer, which at this point doesn't have room for the fridge. I'll post up some pix of that later, show ya what I mean.

Any more thoughts on my battery, I should be fine for a trip or two w/ the red, right? Not too excited about dropping another couple hundo on a batt right now; if I don't HAVE to.

Thanx again,

B

 

[Cee Fish]

If you have the new style fridge, set the battery cutoff to high.

This will shut the fridge down prior to draining the battery. It works.

If I leave the fridge running on (single, stock) battery power in the garage (+90 degrees) the fridge will cut off at about 30 hours. Truck will start right up...Get a battery jump pack form Harbor Freight ($40) if you want to be extra safe...

 

[greentruck]

SNIP

Any more thoughts on my battery, I should be fine for a trip or two w/ the red, right? Not too excited about dropping another couple hundo on a batt right now; if I don't HAVE to.

Thanx again,

B

If the truck still starts after the drawdown, then no immediate issue. What happens is that use like this significantly impacts battery life with batteries using this chemistry. If you're planning on replacing it soon, no big deal. Otherwise, yeah, it's hard on 'em.

The suggestion about setting the low-voltage cut-out fairly high should solve the problem short-term. Just remember to check the fridge for actual temp often if it's going to be in the heat. Overnight, not too big a deal if it shuts down and you check in in the morning, but sitting in the sun all day and it shuts down...

 

[Cobound]

Got it yesterday, missing drain plug

I picked up a Marinco locking plug and made a bracket for it, should have the wiring done today or sometimenthis week, depending where I can fit in the time. I'll get some pix up as soon as I'm done, I'm guessing this might be the first Scrambler one on here

I'm also looking into a Yellowtop...damn if they didn't get even more spendy than the last one I bought. I have limited space too, so an off brand marine battery doesn't fit the bill, they all seem damn big. I'd like to do a dual bett setup, but I'm thinking I might have to just get one for the trailer at a later date.

Anyway, off to get some work done,

B

 

[womacje]

Got it yesterday, missing drain plug

I picked up a Marinco locking plug and made a bracket for it, should have the wiring done today or sometimenthis week, depending where I can fit in the time. I'll get some pix up as soon as I'm done, I'm guessing this might be the first Scrambler one on here

I'm also looking into a Yellowtop...damn if they didn't get even more spendy than the last one I bought. I have limited space too, so an off brand marine battery doesn't fit the bill, they all seem damn big. I'd like to do a dual bett setup, but I'm thinking I might have to just get one for the trailer at a later date.

Anyway, off to get some work done,

B

try the Sears platinum battery made by Odessy, great battery. I'm having issues with my Yellowtops after a couple years, not too excited.

The National Luna Portable Power Pack is a great option for a secondary, switch it between the trailer and the scrambler... Smart Solenoid etc. I picked one up for the the Trailer, can pack plenty of gear on top, etc.

Good luck with the build.

I want to see pics of a Expo Scrambler!

 

[Cobound]

Not the best pix, but went out this weekend and hit some back roads and pitched it on a friends back 180:

Here is the Marinco plug in a bracket I made from some aluminum angle

Found a fuse block, tossed in some spares since I don't use all the lines (yet)

The fridge location in the back, still have to get the mounts in. Going to use a strap brace on the floor and just a couple simple straps to hold it in place:

My plug as I received it...still haven't gotten the replacement yet

I plugged it into the Marinco after I got it wired up, works great. However, my red CHECK light is on and I'm not sure why. I ready the troubleshooting and it might be a bad battery? My battery tests out fine tho, and it was only plugged in for like 5-10 minutes and went from 60 to 55 degrees nicely. I'm going to plug it in on the 110 after I get my plug and test it.

I only have three weeks before I head out on a 2,500 mile trip and I want it to be running properly.

Anyway, wanted to finally share some pix, don't think there are to many (if any) Scramblers done up on here.

One last gratuitous shot of my rig at home headed on a trip I took up north a month ago canoeing on the Flambeau

I'll get some more info up as it progresses. It's coming along nicely.

Thanx,

B

 

[Cobound]

Got the plug...brought it in the house, plugged it in and it's chillin!

B

 

[greentruck]

Double-check the ground for the Red Check light? I think this means low voltage on an ARB, right? Wouldn't think you have much voltage drop with your feed, plus it being new would tend to eliminate any corrosion issues.

BTW, nice rig.

 

[Cobound]

Thanx. So, to check the ground on the ARB I have to take the rear plate off...hmmm...damn blinking red light

I have it running in the house, it's held to 37-39* all night. Going to load it up w/ some water bottles, toss it in the Jeep and run it. See what happens before I get too excited about that blinking red light. Hopefully it doesn't come back.

If it does, I might see about a Yellowtop and go from there.

Thanx,

B

 

[Bogo]

To get the actual voltage it is seeing, you could carefully stick a pin through each of the wires in the 12VDC cord and measure the voltage difference when running. Just don't let the pins touch each other or short them.