ARB Fridge Install

Is anyone here running an ARB Fridge in their truckbed without a topper? How did you wire it up?

 

I just ran a wire from my battery and installed a 12v socket thing in the bed cubby. Then whenever I use the fridge I plug in there.

 

Run 10g wire directly from the battery, nothing smaller. Then just search ARB socket youll find that they make what looks like a standard 12v outlet but its not... its a special socket that your fridge plug can screw into so it doesnt come loose. You can use a regular 12v socket if you want but i like the ARB one so its more secure. Either way though run 10g wire for it. And make sure your fridge has the dual plug on it where the 12v cigarette plug is it should unscrew and turn into a 2 pin plug. Youll see

 

Thanks...Any concern with the connections getting wet?

 

The ARB specific plug comes with a gasket around the housing to seal the wiring against your mounting surface as well as a pretty good rubber plug for the main connection itself. Wouldn't call it "waterproof" by any means but certainly water resistant and safe enough to leave exposed. It face the plug down so not to allow water to pool up inside just incase it does get in. Thatll make it pretty safe

 

Anyone have any pics of how you wired it up?

 

I've been going to do this but so far have just been running it in the cab off the 12v in the arm rest. One of these days I'll get around to running power to the bed.

 

I have a toddler and a lab that goes with my wife and I, so I am trying to see if I can build a platform in the back behind the passenger for both the fridge and dog, or if I need to just throw the fridge in the back.

 

You'll want the fridge in the bed. Let me rephrase that, your dog, and little one will want the fridge in the bed.

 

Are you running a soft topper? I'm worried about water and the power connections on the back of the fridge.

BTW, I love my Orvis Frequent Flyer!

 

At that time I was. It's was exposed to weather, only protected by roof top tent
for the last six months before I swapped fridges.

 

@adanfon

 

Thanks for the feedback! I just don't want to kill my very expensive new toy. I'll be moving back to NC once I can find a job...meet up for some beers?

 

They're fine being sprayed/splashed, but won't take being submerged.

 

I ran wires straight from the battery to a waterproof outlet I mounted in the bed. I think I ran 10 or 12 awg wire. Added a switch right next to it. Ran the fridge for about a week and a half on our trip to Montana last summer. No issues whatsoever. Got rained on in Arizona, and heavy in Utah. I had just the bedrack at the time, so nothing at all covering it and the fridge has a insulating cover as well. It's an indel b though not an arb.

 

Thanks for all of the info guys

 

I would recommend like stated earlier, to use 10 gauge wiring or larger. 10 would probably suffice, but with wiring,
you can never go too large. If it's in the right rear of the bed, you're going to need a good 20ft.
ARB has their own kit that is 8 gauge, and has it's own plug in socket that threads in so the
connection will not jiggle loose on the trails.

http://store.arbusa.com/ARB-FRIDGE-FREEZER-WIRING-KIT-THREADED-SOCKET-10900027-P22817.aspx

You will have some voltage drop to the rear(20 ft of wire), but the larger you go the lesser the drop will be.
This will be helpful if to keep the low voltage cut off from hitting too early.

 

Related question...what size fridge are you guys running? I have a 50qt that was perfect in my Jeep, but my tape measure seems to indicate it won't fit under the bed cover of my Taco...

 

I was going to go for the ARB 50qt fridge but my wife told me she wants the new ARB 63qt all weather fridge. Who am I to argue with that?

 

I bought mine at the NW Overland Rally at Mule. Couldnt pass up 800 for the 50Qt. and transit bag.