Grape solar getting into the fridge game?

[SternWake]

What is the voltage at your battery terminals?  Your Ciggy receptacles sound as if they are wired well.  


Does the Ciggy plug cord disappear into the fridge cabinet, or is there another connector on the fridge for the 12v cord?

The ARB has a plug on the fridge too. I'm deciding on how to not Eff with the original cord, but get power to it over 10 or 12AWg and an Anderson powerpole connector to the back of the 12v input on the ARB.

As long as you keep those vents  for the cooling unit unobstructed, you could stuff 6 inches of added insulation around the box.  That 6 inch rule is because the marketers assume everybody is a knuckle dragging idiot incapable of applying logic to any degree, and they have to.

You need to test the 12v circuit to see if it can power the unit.  Plug it in to a running vehicle and see if it is just low voltage causing the fridge to not work properly on DC.

If it does not fire up when the ciggy receptacle is at 14+V, then send the Effer back.  You do not need a 120V fridge.  You have been there and done that already.  You bought  and paid good money for a 12vDC fridge with a 120V option.

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

The 12v cord plugs in the back, much like a small computer power cord etc. The ac cord actually looks like a computer cord. the battery terminal were 12.5 but then dropped to below 12 (forget exactly what) when the fridge tried to kick on.

My lighter socket doesnt work in the van :\ I guess i could wire to the battery.

Luckily i got it thru walmart, shouldn't be too hard to return if i gotta. Really hope it wont come to that.

edit: i could probably put my batteries on the wall charger for the same effect right? damn wish id thought of that last night....at work with their juicy electric...

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

The 12v cord plugs in the back, much like a small computer power cord etc.

Engle sells an optional cord with the correct 12 volt fridge connection on one end and bare wires on the other, for those who want to hardwire the Engle to their system.

I'm guessing Grape doesn't, but I'm wondering if they sell a replacement 12 volt cord that you could modify, since you didn't want to alter the cord they supplied?

Regards
John

 

[66788]

My ARB is running on 16 awg wire and runs fine. It draws 3 amps max, usually less. 16 awg is fine at that amperage.

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

fridge appears to be working with new battery. sun is shining, controller is blinking float. running my fan too, so all seems ok so far. i need to get some more cable and connectors/terminals to test usage more accurately, forgot i used it all getting my lights inspection worthy.
Does seem i have to set it a little lower temp to stay at or below the temp i want.

 

[highdesertranger]

glad to have a review DG. the setting the temp lower seems to be a common point brought up about all the refers. highdesertranger

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

well its 3am and battery is at 12.6 according to my battery charger. on the little volmeter its saying 12.3, so there is an accuracy issue here...looking at cabling of the 2 im inclined to believe my charger, but who knows whats real anymore. Am i real? lol

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

well its 3am and battery is at 12.6 according to my battery charger.  on the little volmeter its saying 12.3, so there is an accuracy issue here...looking at cabling of the 2 im inclined to believe my charger, but who knows whats real anymore.  Am i real?  lol

"Man with one clock KNOWS what time it is.  Man with TWO clocks never really sure."

Regards
John

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

hmm its pretty hot in here, around 90. the fridge is reading 54 even tho i set it to 20,...plenty of juice in the battery....

I lowered it to zero degrees, see if it can do anything. I knoiwits hot but this is disappointing, if i had perishbles in there they could spoil....

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

i hit the turbo button and lowere it to zero and it seems to be slowly dropping. Im just wondering why zero degrees and 20 degrees look different to the fridge, neither are near 54 [emoji14] shouldnt the compressor be on till it hits that. maybe 'turbo' means that?

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

altho it seems like a decent fridge for the money, i decided to return it. im just not confident it will keep my food safe especially as my battery ages.

ill compose a review on my blog, probably with video, later. i would have liked to have details regarding power usage, but i didnt have the moolah for wiring and connectors, especially since id like to do it right. It didnt seem to have a large impact on the battery, once you got it running anyway.

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

In depth review is on my blog http://www.vanlifecrisis.com, it links a vid i did for it too. sorry no technical data on usage, i ended up returning it before i could get setup for readings.

 

[akrvbob]

Would you be willing to briefly share your conclusions with us here?
Bob

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

pretty much what i said above bob, its a big fridge for the money but its a little unreliable, im not sure it will keep food safe, especially if battery ages. An observable 8 degree variance in temp i set and when it starts cooling is disappointing too.
I wanted it to be great but alas