Fridge Power Connections

[MandAtaco]

The wife and I jumped on a really good group buy over on T4R for a Indel-B Fridge. Used it for the first time last weekend and can't belive we waited this long to get one, absolutely amazing!

I've got 12V in the back of both my rigs, but I want to change the standard 12v outlet to something a little more robust. I'm thinking a bulkhead style fitting that I can mount in both trucks and my pop-up trailer. What is everyone using, or is a standard 12V Cigarette plug good enough?

Thanks!

 

[Chris Arnesen]

Check out the offerings from Powerwerx (https://powerwerx.com/). Still seeing so many cigarette plug connectors on the market makes me cringe, especially when there are much better connectors like Anderson Powerpoles out there.

Anderson Powerpoles work especially well when devices need easy capability to be unplugged and moved around. The connectors are also gender-less, so it's easy to make things like cord extensions and the like. Just be sure to keep your polarity correct! :-)

 

[4xFar Adventures]

I ran my own wiring through a Blue Sea fuse block wired directly to the battery, to the rear of the truck. Blue Sea also offers a cig adapter for a panel installation. Robust wiring (for better efficiency) and constant power (not tied to the ignition) works well. When I first had the ARB, it was run fro the factory 12V in the rear. It worked well enough but the whole tied to the ignition thing meant it was powered off at night. A few large water bottles, and cool nights helped keep everything cold until morning.

 

[VCeXpedition]

Check out the offerings from Powerwerx (https://powerwerx.com/). Still seeing so many cigarette plug connectors on the market makes me cringe, especially when there are much better connectors like Anderson Powerpoles out there.

Anderson Powerpoles work especially well when devices need easy capability to be unplugged and moved around. The connectors are also gender-less, so it's easy to make things like cord extensions and the like. Just be sure to keep your polarity correct! :-)

This is the direction I finally went after providing 12V powered cig plugs, I decided that it was too sketchy of a connection, subject to vibration it could back out leaving the fridge without power.

Anderson connectors are great but a little fussy to wire up just right and use the right gage of wire, etc. I recommend soldering the connections.
Universality (I just made that up) is great, 12v extension cords are easy to make, reliability, all that make it worth your while to do it right the first time.

 

[bajatacoguy]

So you have You blue sea 12v connected directly to the battery (hot all the time) and keep the fridge plugged in? Starting the truck from time to time to assure the battery keeps charged?


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Hey Now!

#3533

 

[BigJoe1960]

Check out the offerings from Powerwerx (https://powerwerx.com/). Still seeing so many cigarette plug connectors on the market makes me cringe, especially when there are much better connectors like Anderson Powerpoles out there.

Anderson Powerpoles work especially well when devices need easy capability to be unplugged and moved around. The connectors are also gender-less, so it's easy to make things like cord extensions and the like. Just be sure to keep your polarity correct! :-)

They have it all, wiring my truck to my camper with Anderson plug now. I have two batteries in the camper and they will be hot while rolling.


Sent from my iPhone using OB Talk

 

[mitchandbuck]

Anderson seems to be the way to roll.
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B014UC9QNU/ref=ox_sc_act_image_2?smid=A1I38293STBMIC&psc=1

Can't make it through the day? Back up, and get a run at it!

 

[1Louder]

Anderson are great. I switched to a SAE plug which is cheaper but still pretty good. I have had no issues. You can't go wrong with Anderson plugs though. Just more expensive.

 

[1Louder]

So you have You blue sea 12v connected directly to the battery (hot all the time) and keep the fridge plugged in? Starting the truck from time to time to assure the battery keeps charged?


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Hey Now!

#3533

I have a very similar setup. Fridge is hot all the time but I added a switch to turn it off if I feel like it. I run solar to keep things charged up. As mentioned in another post I use an SAE connection vs traditional plug or Anderson.

 

[VCeXpedition]

So you have You blue sea 12v connected directly to the battery (hot all the time) and keep the fridge plugged in? Starting the truck from time to time to assure the battery keeps charged?

#3533

Yeah, I'm leaving out a lot of details. I have a 2-battery setup that are separated, one for starting duties, one for "house" duties. When the car is started, they are both charging.
I also run a solar panel if I will be parked/camped for long periods, but more important than that for battery life, is that when I have the car parked in the driveway, which is sometimes days or a week, I have it plugged in to a trickle charger that knows how to manage AGM batteries.
That has turned a 5 year battery into a 7 year and still going strong battery. *knock wood*

 

[MandAtaco]

Thanks for the recommendation, I really like those Anderson Connectors, looks like a clean way to go!

 

[Sean S]

Thanks for the recommendation, I really like those Anderson Connectors, looks like a clean way to go!

Anderson Connectors are great. I first became aware of them when I was starting to get interested in Ham radio. They have become the default type of power connector in that hobby due to its ease of use and ultra-reliability. After a while, I invested in a crimper, a set of different size connectors and have not looked back. I am not very mechanically inclined but with the right crimper, it's really easy to make a great connection.

The one piece of advice that I would offer is to make sure that you use the right size connector for the fridge. My set of Anderson Connectors came in 15 Amp, 30 Amp and 45 Amp.
While I have not tried other types of Anderson Powerpole connectors, I know that they come in different styles and configurations to suit various needs. Best of luck with your install!

 

[MandAtaco]

Ordered up some Anderson Connectors from Amazon and a 3D printed bulkhead connector I found on Ebay. Can't wait to see how it all works out, will post up when I get it wired, need to get it in before the Expo in May.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/172418422569?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

 

[Good Guy]

Great information here. Thank you!

 

[Sean S]

Great information here. Thank you!

I have just come across another solution, which will allow you to retain the functionality of a rear-mounted 12 Volt accessory port whilst upgrading to a more secure screw-in type connection for certain uses.

ARB have developed a Fridge Freezer DC power cord and power plug solution for the more adventurous 4WD owner who wants to minimize the voltage drop in the electrical connection and have a secure plug when traversing corrugated roads. The 12v plug tip can be removed and the special two pin plug can be screwed into the matching ARB power socket for a secure connection. The 12v plug end includes a replaceable fuse, while the threaded section has a locating pin to ensure correct polarity.



The operation of this new style of 12v power connector is probably best illustrated by watching the following short video:

 

[Scott Murray]

Engel have had this for years ;) called posi fit