Expedition Modded Jeeps - Let's see 'em!!
JK Freak
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 620
Likes: 5
From: Zug/Switzerland
I think of my days of boat ownership and using a house battery to charge and run multiple accessories (including a fridge) for a day or two at a time without charging or shore power. I'm trying to think through the ramifications/issues of doing something similar in the trailer configuration.
Thanks in advance for all your input and opinions.
Thanks in advance for all your input and opinions.
Don't have a trailer, but I do power my 35l fridge with a 75Ah battery that gets it's charge from a 100W solar panel.
I can run that fridge and charge phones and GPS for 4-5 days without sun. When it's sunny the battery is always full.
JK Super Freak
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,236
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh, PA
I'm in NE Ohio and SW PA area (and extreme Norther WVA if you want to include that) and would love to find a resource that provided information on backroads and 4wd trails in this area. Most everything I'm aware of is either a small park/playground pay-by-the-day type place that is really set up for rock crawling or the not-necessarily-recommend-or-legal areas like Wellsville. Given we have mountains in PA (or large hills for you guys out west) I would expect that there are some areas here to take an overland/expedition type trip,
JK Junkie
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,145
Likes: 4
From: Israel
Yes, they do...
Attachment 605597
Attachment 605597
That's good, because I consider the Engel, and the ARB as second in priority.
(just didn't delve into the specs/models yet.)
Everyone I know are using either the ARB or Engel, for years, without any problem. I was the only one with a cheaper fridge, which eventually quit working for good...
The way I'd use it is to fill most of the freezer with ice packs. In case the batteries run low, because of much winch use or whatever, I can pull out the divider plate, shut it off, and let the ice keep it cold until the batteries are fully charged.
Last edited by GJeep; Apr 10, 2015 at 04:11 AM.
JK Newbie
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
From: NE Ohio/SW PA
The ARB fridge is among the best, but there's also a real good alternative -- the Engel.
Instead of a regular rotating motor, it has a very simple 'Swing Motor' (An electromagnet resting on coil springs and oscillating inside an electric coil).
You may like the fact that it draws less power than regular fridges.
It is considered to be super reliable.
Link - Engel Website
Instead of a regular rotating motor, it has a very simple 'Swing Motor' (An electromagnet resting on coil springs and oscillating inside an electric coil).
You may like the fact that it draws less power than regular fridges.
It is considered to be super reliable.
Link - Engel Website
JK Freak
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 620
Likes: 5
From: Zug/Switzerland
JK Junkie
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,145
Likes: 4
From: Israel
Thanks I wasn't aware of those. Will need to read up on them both. Their upright DC fridges seem to be similar to what I mentioned from boating. But the line of chest fridges seem to be very similar to ARB from an offering standpoint. Clearly they function differently and I will research that.
Both the Engel and ARB are very popular in Australia, and not because they're made there, but because they had proven to be very reliable in the harsh outback. Offroading is a way of life there, and they seem to know know what they're doing.
The Engel fridge motor/compressor is supposed to be less sensitive to offroad shaking, but I haven't seen an ARB fail, so this may be theoretical.
As I consider the Engel too, please share what you find
Last edited by GJeep; Apr 10, 2015 at 11:59 AM.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 207
Likes: 11
From: North MS
Yes, it was on my other JK. I think it is rated for about 75lbs. I use it for camp chairs and other camping gear that is either dirty or stuff that can get wet.
JK Freak
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 647
Likes: 1
From: The Secret Land Of Inspector Gadget
You're welcome.
Both the Engel and ARB are very popular in Australia, and not because they're made there, but because they had proven to be very reliable in the harsh outback. Offroading is a way of life there, and they seem to know know what they're doing.
The Engel fridge motor/compressor is supposed to be less sensitive to offroad shaking, but I haven't seen an ARB fail, so this may be theoretical.
As I consider the Engel too, please share what you find
Both the Engel and ARB are very popular in Australia, and not because they're made there, but because they had proven to be very reliable in the harsh outback. Offroading is a way of life there, and they seem to know know what they're doing.
The Engel fridge motor/compressor is supposed to be less sensitive to offroad shaking, but I haven't seen an ARB fail, so this may be theoretical.
As I consider the Engel too, please share what you find
http://4wdx.com/waeco-cab-40-3-way-fridge-freezer/