Fridge running battery out

[zouch]

point is, the way the setup i described works, the Portable battery only draws off of the vehicle when the engine is running, so nothing draws down the Starting battery.
the fridge can run whenever it wants to as long as the Portable battery is charged, whether the engine is running or not.

in the ambient temps you're dealing with, you're probably going to have to use all the tricks, starting with making sure that the vents for the refrigerator are clear and unblocked to allow the proper exchange of heat from the fridge to the air in the vehicle. but it's going to be hard to get heat out of the box if it's trying to exchange it into air that's 136º.

none of this explains your original question of why your fridge is able to draw down your starting battery.

That is a great idea really ! And that is exactly what I need, to make the fridge run only while the engine is on

Sponsored

 

[AcesandEights]

...
Anyone knows what is issue please?
Thanks in advance

Yeah, it's your refrigerator.

 

[dstevens]

Get something like this and wire it into the fridge power supply

https://www.amazon.com/ANKG-Precision-Measurement-Connectors-connected/dp/B07YF393ZH/

Then see how many amp hours per 24 hours it uses. For reference my fridge uses 7 aH per 24 hours at 80F. I generally go up to 60 hours before I run the engine - about 25% discharge on the battery.

 

[JINO]

Hi there

My vehicle is a 3.6 JL 2018 with the aux battery disconnected using the neg terminal and fuse 42

The problem is that I have a refrigerator on board, and no matter how much I set it to eco mode, it doesn't turn off if the battery weakens; it just keeps running until it drains the battery completely.
I've tried several refrigerators, with them being working fine on other vehicles on eco mode but not mine.

I have noticed also that our battery gives a false reading with the engine off.
As example, when the battery charges 12.3V, it gives me 11.6v on the fridge (Or any other auxillary device). But, when I switch to RUN using the push button without starting the engine the fridge give a correct reading of 12.3V

Anyone knows what is issue please?
Thanks in advance

Why I spent extra funds for an ecoflow battery and 120w solar panel (mounted to roofrack).
The solar panel is enough to keep the 37 quart alpicool taw37 running constantly if on eco/low setting.

I never have to worry about my jeeps battery. Also have a decent battery jumper in case.

 

[tjeeper]

What brand fridge?

My ARB is 10 years old, and I have wired it directly to the battery in several vehicles. The low voltage cut off works like it should and protects the battery if it gets too low.

 

[Vanburi]

To the original poster, eco mode is not the voltage cutoff setting. Voltage cutoff should be a low/med/high type of setting.

 

[Ratbert]

Unfortunately the fridge isn’t connected to AUX switches, I run a direct fused cable from the battery

I'll try this again:

Do you have aux switches? Those will automatically shut off when the battery gets too low.

 

[Nokones]

My Dometic has a low voltage disconnect feature. I only keep my refrigerator connected to battery power when on the trail. I always disconnect the refrigerator from battery power when not in use. Prior to hitting the trail, I always connect the refrigerator to shore power to cool it down prior to starting out then switch to battery power when I start out.

I do not use any of my switched Aux circuits. I do use the dedicated 10 Amp hot battery plus aux circuit.

 

[donmontalvo]

That's food for thought. Mine is in my Jeep 90% of the time in Texas. Heck, last night it was 116 in my garage.

LiFePO4 is safe up to much higher temperatures because it doesn't 'cook off' until over 220ºC (at which point the interior of your car would already be melting!).

I had Mainline Overland in PA design and build my off grid power kit. That was one of my questions, had the work done and the LiFePO4 hasn’t had problems even when traveling through AZ and parking in the sun when the temp is 110 .

 

[donmontalvo]

I setup this with auxiliary battery, using redarc DC to DC charger that only charges the auxiliary when the Jeep is running. Fridge, starlink, extra 12v, tailgate table, and several USB c chargers are all connected to auxillary. I charge my drone and all cameras using this. Using redarc Bluetooth battery monitor to know voltage and estimated time remaining in auxiliary battery. Took me several days to wire it all up. Also, onboard air using the auxiliary battery as well.

Nice! So here is my setup.

https://donmontalvo.com/2022/03/27/main-line-overland-lifepo4-ftw/

 

[AcesandEights]

@aldwarii how has the info helped? Are you a run-by fruiting kind of guy?

 

[mwilk012]

I would run an extra battery with solenoid that charges when you are running and disconnects from the Jeep when it's off. If you kill that battery, it will still start and then recharge.

you mean…an auxiliary battery ?

 

[Jeep Wick]

you mean…an auxiliary battery ?

Yes.
Just maybe a different configuration from what the factory did.

 

[mwilk012]

Yes.
Just maybe a different configuration from what the factory did.

Repurposing the PCR and the aux battery, a little rewiring for the signal and load sides, it could be done.

Sponsored