Fridge in Truck Bed or Cab (Rear Seat) - Heat concerns

[grringle]

First time with a portable fridge in my JTR and am curious about pros/cons of having the fridge connected to a portable battery while driving in either the truck bed or cab. My plan is to have them in the cab due to better temperature control while driving. This should reduce the amount of cooling needed and extend the life vs having it in the bed under the tonneau cover and directly exposed to the heat requiring constant cooling.

Is this a logical assumption or a non-issue? I see many fridges put in the bed on slides so am not sure if my concern about the heat is valid.

Additionally, I can keep the battery connected and charged while driving and have the fridge connected to the battery if in the cab. My understanding is you cannot connect the battery to the oem outlet in the bed as it is not the correct inverter. Can still run both but would not be able to charge while driving.

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[ScottBeach]

What is the amp draw of your fridge?

 

[Aleph]

Additionally, I can keep the battery connected and charged while driving and have the fridge connected to the battery if in the cab. My understanding is you cannot connect the battery to the oem outlet in the bed as it is not the correct inverter. Can still run both but would not be able to charge while driving.

Depends on what brand of battery you have. But it’s my understanding that it won’t charge in the cab either via 115v plug. Do we even have a 115v in the cab? I can’t actually remember because I never use it.

 

[grringle]

Iceco JP30. Per website, consumption is .452kw.h/24H

 

[grringle]

Bluetti AC70

 

[grringle]

The thought is to use the cigarette lighter input to keep the battery charged while driving if in the cab. Will need an extension even to reach the back seat but thought this will keep it charged until parked and ready to unpack.

 

[KevinM60]

The thought is to use the cigarette lighter input to keep the battery charged while driving if in the cab. Will need an extension even to reach the back seat but thought this will keep it charged until parked and ready to unpack.

That's how I'm doing mine.
Bluetti 1800 with Alpicool T50.
Using the onboard inverter causes the Bluetti to warn of an inconsistent power supply and needs to be plugged into the 12v outlet.
I bought a short, heavy gauge extension cord to reach the battery from the back seat and supply throughput power to the battery while traveling. It will run the fridge for 3 days without recharging.
I do like the cab location better to keep both units stable while offroading but have been thinking about installing a 12v plug in the bed and securing the battery and cooler to the molle panels when I'm out on smooth roads.

 

[Mr._Bill]

The 115v outlet in the cab and the 115v outlet in the bed are connected to the same inverter. The total output is 400 watts. The engine has to be running for them to work. The cab outlet is always on, and the bed outlet is controlled by a switch in the cab.

It depends on the Portable Power Box being used. The one I have will charge from the 115v factory inverter. I use the 12v port to run the fridge and the power box is being charged while driving.

When kept in the cab, there are usually no issues with temperature control. When in the bed, I use an adapter to connect the 12v cord to the Tow Plug. The fridge draws more power to stay cool, and the Tow Plug is always hot.

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[grringle]

I had not considered the option of using the tow plug. Do you have an picture of this setup when connecting the fridge in the bed? Curious how the cord is routed.

 

[nanook12]

I use a goal zero 1000 plugged into the cigarette lighter to charge. I use the back seat ac plug (400W inverter) to run the refer (in back seat), when driving. When I park to camp, the refer gets plugged into the goal zero. The big refer runs all night on the goal zero. If I’m using the small refer (your size) it will run for a couple days. Solar panels, Honda 2000 or driving the vehicle will charge the goal zero and/or run the refer. Last trip I did (2000mi), I never had to use the solar panels.

 

[Mr._Bill]

I had not considered the option of using the tow plug. Do you have an picture of this setup when connecting the fridge in the bed? Curious how the cord is routed.

I just run it out near the back corner of the bed. Open the tailgate about halfway and it provides enough room to slip the 12v plug through the crack.

 

[smlobx]

Why not just plug your fridge directly into the 12 volt cig lighter When you’re driving down the road?

Your fridge runs on 12 volt so there is no need to use an inverter to go from 12-110-12. You loose about 10% efficiency at each step.

As far as noise or thermal issues it isn’t a problem. I’ve been running one off and on for years. In fact we’re leaving Monday for a month long trip to Utah and Arizona.

I'm not sure about your battery charging as I have an onboard Redarc charging system for my 100 AH BattleBorn battery.

 

[Glad Jeeper]

For the last few years I have had no problem heat or noise with my setup in the cab. Plug my Jackery 1000 into the 110 plug in the JTM it stays charged 100% while driving, the dual zone is then plugged into the Jackery. When stopped for the night I unplug the Jackery from the truck. I know you dont have to since no power goes to the 110 plug unless the truck is running, but just a piece of mind that there is not a power draw in the slightest.
Many will say not to do this setup, but as you can see on this forum, many have this setup with no issues.

 

[Bug out]

I use solar through a 2000w inverter with 100Ah lithium battery

 

[Bug out]

The whole set up In Simple terms is as follows:
400w solar to charge controller
This is connected up to 3 x 100Ah batteries.
This whole set up runs lights, water pumps, H/C shower, set power fridge and freezer.
Complete off grid ability anywhere.

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