Second battery to run refrigerator

You don’t really need a second battery. I have a smaller Dometic and it will run for at least two days on my X2 27f battery no problem. If you’ll be running it longer than that without starting the truck then you could get a small solar panel.

 

If you are going to go this way then I recommend still carrying a small lithium-ion car jumper battery pack. Most camping destinations have poor/unreliable cell service and for $80-100 the peace of mind of still being able to start your car is worth it IMO

 

We have a CFX75DZW, it's pretty massive, and has the two compartments. What we love is that we can choose how much of the fridge we want to use. Short weekend, we will throw the cold stuff in the small side, and all our ambient foods in the large side. The temps can be controlled 100% independently, so we just turn that side off. Gives us three options, small side cold, big side cold, or both cold. I've never used it to actually freeze anything yet.

 

I have the same one and love it as well. One thing to take into consideration is the fact that you will no longer be using 1/3 of you cooler space for ice, if you have a 50qt cooler now and its sufficient then you'll probably be just fine with a 35 or 40qt fridge.

 

Northstar 27f for my main and 34M for the auxiliary it fits perfectly passenger corner in the flat bed. I have bedslide and it’s not hitting it. Also I have the

$737 cfx3 35 portable refrigerator and freezer - 36L - powered by AC/DC or solar portable refrigerator, smokey gray

cfx3 35, set at 25* able to run 12hours before it drains out, or maybe longer

 

Another thing to help reduce battery draw is to make sure the fridge isn't empty. Add a bunch of water bottles or beer and make sure everything gets down to temperature before you shut off the truck. The thermal mass of a full fridge will prevent the compressor from running constantly.

 

I’ve got a Dometic CFX355IM, and I’m using a Goal Zero 500 and solar panels when stationary. I like not having to worry about wiring, and I’m pretty happy with the setup.

 

Thats exactly what I do. X2 27f main battery. Noco jump pack in the truck

Just bumped my alt voltage up a couple days ago with vf tuner

 

If i was base camping more frequently, this is exactly what i would do

 

I run a secondary battery in the bed of my truck with a 100w solar panel tied directly to it. I have my fridge, 2 usbs, and lights ran off that. (The usb and lights are not ran 100% of the time.) It runs 24/7 and haven’t had an issue.

@fatfurious2 helped me with my initial setup on dialing it in just right.

 

I just installed a voltage booster in my second gen and it seems to be making a HUGE difference in charging my batteries.

 

LOL, that just means you can fit MORE beer in the same size fridge

 

Stock was like 13.8 and I’m currently running it at 14.4-5. It definitely makes a difference.

 

This. It may work for a while but eventually (and it happened to me before I added the second battery) your battery is gonna say screw this ass hole I’m out.

 

I do lol. I’ve got a red arc sitting in my garage but I’ve heard good things about the ctek I’m not convinced I have enough to warrant my red arc and running all the cables. Especially considering I’ve ran a winch for over 7 years and have used it twice. Once to pull myself back into my driveway when our road turned into a solid piece of ice and the other to steady a tree I myself and a friend were cutting down in the back yard.

 

I used to run a dual battery setup in my old Jeep. Honestly it's more trouble than it's worth. For my tacoma I just bought a Jackery.

Jackery Portable Power Station Explorer 240, 240Wh Backup Lithium Battery, 110V/200W Pure Sine Wave AC Outlet, Solar Generator for Outdoors Camping Travelling and Emergencies. (Solar Panel Separate)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07D29QNMJ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 They make larger ones if you need them. I hold it down in the bed with one of these

$9 Attwood 9092-5 Battery Tray with Strap, 24/24M Series Battery, 7"es L x 11"es W, for Up to 10 1/2"es Tall

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001O0DEQ2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 to keep it from bouncing around. I plug it into my bed outlet and than plug the fridge to the jackery. The jackery charges while I'm driving and keeps the fridge on when I'm not driving.

Edit: After some more experience with the Jackery 240 I learned a few things about it. Make sure to read these two post if you are thinking about the 240

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/second-battery-to-run-refrigerator.673769/page-10#post-24053033

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/second-battery-to-run-refrigerator.673769/page-9#post-23905664

 

I would never run a fridge for more than "cooling while traveling" while far from home & friends, without a spare starter batt. Too many bad experiences doing stuff like that with boats.

 

Can you open the lid on your fridge all the way? Or does it hit the top of your camper?

 

Yep, I was using a 50qt Rtic for all the food, and then a small 12qt soft sided Rtic for drinks. Now not having to use ice I can pack a weeks worth of food and still have one whole side for adult beverages.

 

It opens fully if my Habitat is open. Otherwise It opens plenty far I can stick a gallon milk jug in. And i recently figured out how to pop the lids off for easier loading when it's closed, too.