Power supply

Hats Lewis · Member

Power supply

jimricho · Guru

G'day Paul and welcome to the forum.

One question....with what vehicle do you intend to tow the dove? Is it a 4wd and/or a ute? The reason for the question is to look at the feasibility of installing a dual battery system and mounting the Everkool in the vehicle.

Another question.... do you intend to be regularly "on the move" or will you be staying for extended periods in the one place? If the latter a 3way fridge may (perhaps) be a better option. This choice would also affect the size of a suitable solar panel.

cheers,

Jim

Hats Lewis · Member

Hi Jim,

Thank you for taking up my question, I will be towing with a holden jackeroo diesel 4x4. We probably won't be doing free camping longer than 2-3 days at a time. I've read a lot of contrary reviews regards 3 way fridges and I must admit I had just about made up my mind against buying one.

cheers mate

Paul

jimricho · Guru

Hi Paul,

Yes, I your circumstances the Everkool or similar compressor type unit mounted in the vehicle is the way to go. You will need to install a dual battery system (ie an "auxiliary" battery and suitable isolating relay or solenoid) in order to provide 12v to the fridge that's isolated from the starting battery when the engine is not running but is charged from the engine's alternator when it is.

These systems give priority charging to the vehicle's main (starting) battery to ensure that the main battery is always sufficiently charged for reliable starting.

I'm not familiar with the Jackaroo but I do recall a diesel Jackaroo that had two batteries wired together (parallel connection) for the main battery set-up. If this is the case with your vehicle then it may be possible to modify the wiring so that one battery is the main and the other the auxiliary. Redarc http://www.redarc.com.au/products-and-services/sbi-series-dual-battery-isolator supplies an isolating solenoid that has provision for a switch to connect the two batteries together if needed to get a start, say on a cold morning or when the batteries are "past their prime".

I would suggest you run this past a sparky with both Jackaroo and dual battery system experience. Maybe there's another member of the forum who has done this and would care to comment.

A folding solar panel say, 80-120 watts would be a useful addition to the set-up. There are some relatively inexpensive ones on Ebay (I purchased mine through Ebay). If you also add a 240v 'smart' charger such as a Ctek 7 amp unit you can run the Everkool and at the same time "top up" the aux battery from this when you're on a powered site. This is the arrangement I have in my rig.

hope this helps,

Jim

PS: I'm not familiar with your technical background so please excuse me if you're more "au fait" with these issues than my response implies.

powerstream · Veteran Member

Hi Paul
Jims advice is good but if you have no fridge in the van and although you should get more efficiency with power locating your fridge in the tow vehcle it may be an inconvenience doing it that way.
I may be the best place for the fridge is in the van and with enough solar to run it 24/7.

I use a simple formula for DC compressor fridges that if you travel daily start with no smaller than a 60W panel and for every day you are stationary add 10W extra until you have between 120W to 160W to run your fridge but depending on the size of the fridge may need more.

Fridges should run 50/50 ir 60/40 at 25oC and as the ambient rises the run time will increase as the fridge has to work longer to get the heat out of the fridge wall and some in high ambient conditions can run24/7 but for starters multiply the running draw amps by say 12 hours to get the amp use you initially need to cover with solar.

I hope your Jackaroo diesel is not one dated between 1998 and 2003 as the fridge charge may be the least of your problems as the 4JX1 Motor with Hydraulic electronic Injection system does not have a good reputation.

If your Jack is dated 1992 to 1997 with the 4JG2 engine they are very good.
Good Luck
Ian

LeighW · Member

Also consider if you are going to use the everkool as a fridge or a freezer as it will consume considerably more power operating as a freezer under
high ambient temperatures than it will running just as a fridge.

Cheers
LeighW

jimricho · Guru

In my set-up I have a "Bushman" (compressor) type fridge installed in the Pajero and a Dometic 3-way in the Goldstream. I find this very convenient as I'm not dependent on solar for my refrigeration in the van. This is especially relevant if there are lengthy periods without sunny skies. The 3-way is an upright model found in many smaller vans and has a freezer compartment.

LeighW's comments are very relevant too.

I also leave the "Bushman" in the car and regularly use it, when I'm not away, for going shopping etc.

You will get different views here and you need to apply these to your own circumstances and budget.

Hats Lewis · Member

You're a gentleman Jim, thank you for the information, I'm picking up the trailer tomorrow and still haven't purchased the 4x4 yet so no doubt I will still have some questions later.

much abliged, hope to meet you out there mate

Paul

jimricho · Guru

Hats Lewis wrote:
You're a gentleman Jim, thank you for the information, I'm picking up the trailer tomorrow and still haven't purchased the 4x4 yet so no doubt I will still have some questions later.
much abliged, hope to meet you out there mate
Paul

Wait 'til you get the bill for my grossly overpriced consultancy fee! biggrin wink

powerstream · Veteran Member

Paul
If you havent bought the 4x4 yet and it is the Jackaroo with the 4jx1 motor you are contemplating please reconsider as it may break your financial bank and your heart.
Lots of people have paid thousands of dollars without a fix for the problem motor.
Please research and save money for your enjoyment not fixing a lemon.
Ian