Powering dometic fridge

[Mejiaj02]

Hello, i recently bought a dometic fridge and i havent use it yet because im still trying to figure out how im going to power it. Dometic offers a hardwiring kit that will provide constant power from the battery when in out camping and that’s the option im might go with….

My question to those running hardwiring kit is…
How long the jeep battery will keep the fridge running before it drops the jeep battery voltage low? I just want to have a rough idea what to expect from the battery itself.
I know a jackery is an option to have that extra power source. I usually camp for two nights.

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[Mr._Bill]

My concern would be draining the battery and being stranded. I would get a Jackery and a Solar Panel. If you have a plug available, use that while driving to keep it charged. Cool the fridge with house power a couple days in advance, and the Jackery should be sufficient for the trip.

 

[jnack]

In my previous build I had it hardwired to a dual battery set up. Currently, I'm using the Dometic PLB40 -- pretty compact, depending on abient temps will likely keep your fridge going for 1-2 days. If you'e going to be boondocked for > 24 hours you can get a solar panel that will plug in to keep it charged.

 

[tommyp]

Run a separate battery for sure. I have a second battery in the front of the bed. I run this kisae charger. https://www.donrowe.com/KISAE-DMT1230-Abso-30A-DC-DC-Battery-Charger-p/dmt1230.htm because it was cheap.

I would look at the redarc with the shore power option. So you could plug it in if you were at a KOA or RV spot.

My battery lasts a couple days if parked less if it is really hot. I don't have my panels on the truck yet and the fridgeis under the tonneau.

 

[kevman65]

Every time I see these questions I wonder why no one suggests a deep cycle battery like for a trolling motor. Make it stand alone, hook up a solar powered charging system.

 

[Jcsii]

Not exactly answering your question but data may be useful.After getting a jackery 290 at lowes ($250) I ran this test for a friend. I did not open and close the door and also had the insulation kit for the fridge. Secret to these fridges is pre cool/freeze everything.

 

[Jcsii]

at $250 each I bought two in case one failed.

 

[Mejiaj02]

Not exactly answering your question but data may be useful.After getting a jackery 290 at lowes ($250) I ran this test for a friend. I did not open and close the door and also had the insulation kit for the fridge. Secret to these fridges is pre cool/freeze everything.

That’s not bad for a 290 i assume i should get better with a 500w i saw harbor freight has a 400W too. Thanks for the data. Kinda gives me an idea. Was this at low settings? Or that doesnt matter when you running a jackery?

 

[Jcsii]

Just plugged in the 12v. Fridge was set to 33. When calculating the charge time of these be aware of the unit you buy’s input limit. Mine charge faster from the wall than the car. I suspect the internal charger of the jackery is current limited so the ac brick’s 19 volts gives you more charging power than the cars 12v. For solar I think the limit is 30v so would be even better (in full Sun)

 

[Mejiaj02]

Just plugged in the 12v. Fridge was set to 33. When calculating the charge time of these be aware of the unit you buy’s input limit. Mine charge faster from the wall than the car. I suspect the internal charger of the jackery is current limited so the ac brick’s 19 volts gives you more charging power than the cars 12v. For solar I think the limit is 30v so would be even better (in full Sun)

I noticed the charging time between the wall and the 12v. Ill be using dometic wiring to plug in mine since if found out i can get more juice using the DC instead of the AC

 

[Mjolnir]

Very similar here. I do have a dual battery kit (Genesis) but I did not want to touch those batteries for the fridge. So I have a GoalZero Yeti connected to solar panels on top of my GFC. Fridge connects to the GoalZero.

As stated, precooling the night before will save you big time.

 

[Mejiaj02]

Very similar here. I do have a dual battery kit (Genesis) but I did not want to touch those batteries for the fridge. So I have a GoalZero Yeti connected to solar panels on top of my GFC. Fridge connects to the GoalZero.

As stated, precooling the night before will save you big time.

I still got the stock battery and thats what ill be using until i get the jackery. I dont camp for more than 2 days i think i should be okay in medium settings for the moment. Thanks for your input.

 

[Shadowmaker]

During the summer, my CFX3 35 would run 1.5 days on the OEM Battery before it shut off. Historically, my ARB Classic 50Q would run 3 days before it shut off on an X2 AGM in my JKU.

Not sure if the Dometic is the culprit or the OEM battery for the short life.

I imagine the OEM Battery warranty is done at 12K/12months? So I will either get an X2 again and perhaps some 500Wh+ portable battery like a Jackery or GoalZero.

 

[TexasTJ]

I hardwired an ARB 63qt to my JT battery and ran it 24/7 for a couple 1-2 week camping trips. The Jeep being parked overnight for 11hrs or so. I kept the voltage cut off at medium.

I also had it hardwired to a 4Runner for a month long road trip/camping trip 24/7 and never an issue with it draining the battery.

 

[hjdca]

Hello, i recently bought a dometic fridge and i havent use it yet because im still trying to figure out how im going to power it. Dometic offers a hardwiring kit that will provide constant power from the battery when in out camping and that’s the option im might go with….

My question to those running hardwiring kit is…
How long the jeep battery will keep the fridge running before it drops the jeep battery voltage low? I just want to have a rough idea what to expect from the battery itself.
I know a jackery is an option to have that extra power source. I usually camp for two nights.

I am running an Engel 35 with the new BLUETTI Portable Power Station EB70S 800W (Peak 1400W) Solar Generator 716Wh Backup LiFePo4 Battery - 2500 cycles or so. I have the fridge running full time with a portable setup because we still need the full bed once in a while. I plug in both the AC and DC into the Engel - using the AC plut in the bed. When the AC is running in the bed, it runs both the Engel and charges the Bluetti battery (using 200 watts for battery charging and 30 watts or so for the fridge). When the truck shuts off, the Engel switches automatically to DC. I really like the setup and have done some heavy 4wheeling with it already. Here are some pics.

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