12V Fridge without dual battery?

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Mon 3 Jun 2019 07:54
12V Fridge without dual battery? - Govard

Anyone using a fridge without a second battery? I do not have a 2nd battery fitted but want to use a National Luna Weekender for 10 days in Mabua and Kgalagadi. We have previously managed for 7 days with only a coolerbox and replacing ice regularly. The fridge would only be running while we drive. Are their any repercussions to this setup?

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Mon 3 Jun 2019 09:28
12V Fridge without dual battery? - elekie&a/c doctor
These 12 volt fridges can draw as much power as having your headlights switched on. So as long as the engine is running, can’t see it being a problem.
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Mon 3 Jun 2019 10:22
12V Fridge without dual battery? - NARU

If your budget runs to a compressor version they use a lot less power.

Some of them even have battery voltage sensing so you can leave it on when you park up, and it'll switch off to protect the starting battery.

eg. www.dometic.com/en-sg/sg/products/food-and-beverag...8

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Mon 3 Jun 2019 10:29
12V Fridge without dual battery? - Bromptonaut
These 12 volt fridges can draw as much power as having your headlights switched on. So as long as the engine is running, can’t see it being a problem.

We've just returned from a holiday where we used a 12volt Halfords branded coolbox. Simple device with only one setting and only running whilst car's engine is on. It was fine and stayed adequately cooled during overnight stops.

In UK pretty much all caravan fridges have a 12 volt setting using power from car. Theyre on a feed that's only live engine running so it's the alternator powering rather than either car or caravan battery. Again it works just fine though in that case it's on mains or gas during overnight stops.

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Mon 3 Jun 2019 18:10
12V Fridge without dual battery? - Theophilus

Daytime temperature here 33C yesterday - no problem keeping things cool (& ice frozen) using 12v fridge - we take it in overnight & run on mains power.

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Mon 3 Jun 2019 21:34
12V Fridge without dual battery? - Terry W

Rather than worry about the fridge making the battery go flat, how about buying a spare power pack for approx £50+.

May have compressor to inflate tyres, light for roadside use etc and can easily be kept in car so always available. Can be moved from car to car as required.

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Tue 18 Jun 2019 11:47
12V Fridge without dual battery? - Eddy Merlinhouse

No problems in what you are planning. If your vehicle is an easy starter even in cold weather, you could turn the fridge on say 30min to 60min before start-up, but don't push this too much. I would set the fridge to "turbo" if it has the facility and/or set the temperature far lower than what you need. This will keep it running as long as power is available. If the fridge is not full, add a couple of 500ml or 1l bottles of water to add some thermal inertia to the lot.

Edited by Avant on 18/06/2019 at 16:25

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Tue 18 Jun 2019 13:34
12V Fridge without dual battery? - Theophilus

If the fridge is not full, add a couple of 500ml or 1l bottles of water to add some thermal inertia to the lot.

If there's space, we put a couple of bottles of frozen water (ie ice!) in the 12v fridge when going away for a few days - they usually stay frozen for 3 days or so and help keep things cool.

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