Adding 12V to bed for Jackery & Fridge with Aux circuit

[Sweetums]

I plan to add a 12v plug to the bed to charge a Jackery type power station. The Jackery will then run a fridge and the whole setup can be easily removed and stored when I'm not camping.

I have an open 10 amp Aux circuit from some giant spotlights the previous owner put on and I removed. I had planned to just extend that Aux line to the bed, run the plug and find a good ground somewhere back there. I've heard some people saying that running a fridge off that line is too much current draw for the 10 amp, but any initial spike in draw would be covered by the Jackery power station, which would just constantly get charged by the truck; the fridge would never run straight off the 10 amp.

I could put in a relay, but that seems like a waste of the 10 amp aux circuit.

Just wanted to hear some thoughts on this setup. I want to use the aux line to make sure no power is being drawn off the starter battery when the truck is off; I can program that Aux button to remember it's setting when the truck is restarted so it resumes charging the Jackery. I don't want a fridge full of rotten food because I forgot to hit the button after getting fuel.

Sponsored

 

[Lost1wing]

I ran a 6 ga wire from a solenoid I installed at the main battery. The solenoid is controlled by one of my STech auxiliary switches that is powered from an ignition hot circuit. If I leave the switch on, the fridge comes on.

 

[sarguy1941]

I extended my AUX line ot the rear as well for the exact reason you list. I used 12G to to a 12V power port. Jackery is plugged into the PP and Fridge is in the JAckery. Drove to Yellowstone last summer (6000 miles total) and not once had an issue with fuses or dead equipment.

 

[Pliny]

What is the current draw of the fridge you are considering using? (For reference, the new Dometic CFX5 55IM we just got is rated as 8.5A at 12V DC).

What is the current draw of the DC input of the Jackery unit if that you are considering using? If it is going to want to pull 15 or 20 A from the DC input, would likely blow the fuse on the 10 A aux circuit. Conversely, if it is only going to draw say 5A max, then depending on the duty cycle of your fridge it might not be able to keep the Jackery adequately charged.

Using one fo the 10A Aux buttons to control a relay still leaves the possibility of accidentally switching it off when you want the fridge on.

I'd suggest adding as large of a fuse / relay / wiring from the battery back to the power port added to the bed as you want. Then use one of those fuse tap things on a fuse that is powered when the ignition is on to energize the added relay.

 

[Thunderspud]

I did something similar, just using the factory aux switches. Tapped into factory aux switch 2 under the hood, ran 10 gauge to the rear, 3d printed a new cover plate, and slapped in a 12v outlet and a separate light up toggle switch because I am old and increasingly blind.

I plug the Ecoflow into the 12v and use it for charging tool batteries, the fridge, a blender last weekend for margaritas.......whatever really.

I don't know about the Jackery, but the Ecoflow has a setting to adjust the draw while charging from the solar/12v input. I just set mine to 4 amp max as a failsafe. Although, since I am using the factory aux switches, that's probably unnecessary. Might be worth looking into that on your Jackery though.

Sponsored