Reply With QuoteI have been using it for the last 2 years without any issues!
I was wondering if anyone here knew if the 50 qt. fridge is ok to run on the factory JK 12vdc power plug. I ran the ARB recommended wiring to the rear of our 4 door but seem to always set the fridge in the middle on the folded rear seats. The power cord is plenty long to just use the factory outlet. I am wondering if the factory wiring is capable of carrying the load of this fridge.
Here is the outlet in question.
2008 X
I have been using it for the last 2 years without any issues!
That's awesome. Thank you. I was reading up and the fridge only draws 0.87 amps an hour. Not much at all. Looks like I'm using it from now on.Originally Posted by ramin
2008 X
Concern would not be maintaining the temp, rather how much does it draw when going from ambient temp to your setting. Full load is when it is making it cold, does not draw much at all when maintaining.
Your manual should tell you how much full load is. Compare that to the wiring of your outlet and what else runs on that circuit.
Ideally, you would prechill the fridge at home before putting it in the Jeep.
I do not have faith in the factory outlets for larger load items. I have a new dedicated circuit for my fridge.
05 LJ - Hi-Lo-2nd Lo- Stupid Lo
Herd of Turtles 4WD Society
I will go back and read up on what it draws when chilling. I do keep it plugged in all the time at home. I usually fill it and let it reach temp with all its content the day before. Thank you for the reply.
2008 X
You will be fine. I ran mine at 95 degrees for 2 days with no issues. I did find out that it did not like an extension type cord that goes from the original cord to the power plug. Kept shutting down then.
Last edited by Jkzinger; 03-12-2013 at 03:29 AM.
I received a reply to my question to the ARB guys. They said the fridge pulls around 6-7 amps when trying to reach the set temp. Once set temp is met, it pulls 1 2.5 amps to maintain temp. They also said that with the factory plug. The wire can be to small and the fridge could think the battery is low and it will shut down as it is designed. However. They did say that they did not test on the JK in particular.
I'm going to test our fridge in our JK as many of you already have.
Last edited by Serg5000; 03-04-2013 at 02:29 AM.
2008 X
I have been thinking about asking for one of these for Fathers day, however I have some concerns.
What is the longest you have been away from a wall outlet with it? Do you need to freeze water bottles to keep it from draining your battery dead? DO you unplug it at night while camping? Have you ever woke up with a dead battery? Any other concerns or experiences would be appreciated...
Thanks,
I think the basic operation and experiences of all fridge (Engle, Waeco, ARB, Edgestar, etc) is going to be about the same.
One operates the fridge much like a fridge at home. Plug it in, set it and go.
I own an Edgestar FWIW. Longest it has been plugged in was 8 days. Did not kill my battery. 3 year old Optima yellow top. Conditions over that time was several days on the Rubicon in July and a day in Reno. The Jeep ran every day though. Friends have borrowed it, and used it for a week in their Subaru. No issues with battery drain.
No need for any frozen water bottle or the like. I keep it plugged in and the temperature setting is maintained easily.
Dust can build up around the compressor and such. This can reduce performance, much like dust in your house fridge. I just blow it out every now and again with my OBA, depending on dust conditions.
05 LJ - Hi-Lo-2nd Lo- Stupid Lo
Herd of Turtles 4WD Society
No need to unplug and you wont wake up with a dead battery due to the low volt cut off switch in the fridge. I want one of these as well
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