As long as you remember to remove the fridge plug when stopped  there should not be a problem.

This can be eliminated by fitting a heavy  duty relay or a solinoid to the fridge circut where it is connected to the battery, this will auto disconnect when you switch of the car.

As for a backup battery pack for a jump start go the biggest one if its a diesel.

JC.

Hi,

I have a HiAce poptop and there is a solenoid that connects the house batteries (2 at 105AH each) so they can charge off the alternator as I drive and I have had no problems.  My fridge is 12VDC only, draws about 3A when running (about 50% of the time) and it is on all the time.

One suggestion I would make is a sturdier connection, Eg Anderson plugs, as the cigarette lighter connections are a bit iffy.

I will be connecting in a DC to DC charger between the alternator and house when I get back to Brisbane.  This is a smart charger that will cut out if the starter battery gets below about 12.5V, and also charges the deep cycle batteries at about the 14.4V they require.

Can't comment on the jump start packs as I am unfamiliar with them.

Dougwe wrote:

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Can someone advise what size Jump Starter I should get OR is there a better way around it for about the same cost???????

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 G'Day Dougwe, generally your battery size will tell you what you'll need.   Take a look at the label which should give the amperage etc.   This usually equates to a 'porta pack' style jump starter which (depending on the brand) will state words similar to "6 cylinder 'x' to 'y' amperage".   I bought one about 3 years back from K Mart.   Just a cheapie (MotorPro or similar name, yellow in colour) and it re charges from either 240v or 12v (as they all do).   It got one heck of a work out when She Who Must Be Obeyed's EB Falcon started having alternator problems and not charging the battery properly.   This poor little charger was getting used twice a day, for up to three days a week, for some months until we tracked down the actual cause and found the cash for an alternator replacement.  I had it for about 2 years before it collapsed  (I neglected to keep it charged when I tossed it in the boot and forgot it for for 6+ months).   You can buy much better units for much much bigger dollars and they may last much longer.   The cheapie was about $40 to $50 and your thread has reminded me to get another for the MH.   (THanks for that).   For what it's worth.

Thanks everyone for the info, as usual you are all very helpful (thanks Cindy for the forum).

I am going to Supercheap Auto today at some stage so will check out the 1900 jimricho as I was thinking along those lines.

Glad I reminded you Kieth and all those that suggested changing the plug set up, I have been thinking of that as well so will find a Mobile Auto Sparky and have a chat to him about it. I say Mobile because our local Auto Sparky has a very small and tight area to get vehicles into. I had the Prado in there a while back and that was a struggle so to have the Avan hooked up as well, well you know the rest.

With Jump starters keep charged & dont leave partly flat as they are only sealed lead acid batterys, & will die to sulphation prematurely. My current one is 6yrs old & still going & it was only a cheepy.