*Indel-B Fridge/Freezer GROUP BUY AND BS THREAD!!!**CLOSED

Summovabish why must this be more complicated!

So if I sucked it up and went with a deep cycle, and put it in the engine bay next to the stock one since I am quickly running out of room anywhere else, I could still keep the stock one for starting, and then a deep cycle with the "expo $50 dual battery setup". My only other option would be the bed, but I would have to move and re-plumb the air tank to under the truck, which would mean quite a few more holes in the bed.

I may want to get a winch sooner than later, and at that point... I would need another battery I am sure. And the last thing I want is to be out in the middle of nowhere with a dead battery. I was going to get a jump pack, but thats half the cost of a battery....

edit: and did you have to move anything to fit your dual battery tray?

 

We need to get together and talk about this and other things. And I only had to slide my fuse block back a little bit.

 

And again I have hook ups with deka battery's so let me know. I can get a great price on them.

 

Sounds like more bad (pronounced as /ikˈspensiv/) decisions.

 

But I'm saving you money by spending money.

 

Plenty of deep cycle/starting batteries like an Optima Yellowtop, Odyssey, X2, Northstar etc. lots of good threads on Expedition Portal on this subject. Probably here as well. Everyone has preferred setups. Mine is now single X2 group 27 with solar and a Anti-gravity jump box if need be. Also have an ArkPak for longer trips where we will be stationary for days.

 

Haha like I needed help in that department!

 

@3378jakesr5
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/aero3685s-build-thread.407850/

I'll carry this battery discussion over to my lonely build thread to keep from cluttering up this thread even more.

 

No such thing as thread clutter.. until maybe 15Feb when this thing kicks off lol

 

I should rename this to the "Fridge GB and BS thread"

 

I swear the bs just fallows me!!

 

Nah this is all good information. If it pertains to running the fridge, it belongs here. I'd much rather skip over posts that may not pertain to me than have to hunt through multiple threads to find valuable info.

Personally I'm trying to decide between dual battery or Arkpak. I like the dual battery plan, but I also like the idea of my fridge being portable. Some of the campgrounds I frequent (ie gold lakes) have tables and I kinda like setting up the kitchen away from the truck. Other times obviously I'm cooking solely out of the truck, but it'd be nice to have the option...
But then there's the increased cost, plus valuable bed space cost.
Arkpak owners pitch in?

 

If I was in your situation I'd want something similar to the Arkpak as well.

 

@Baoser runs his fridge and lighting setup through an Arkpak. Perhaps he can chime in with some more info for you.

 

I have mentioned it many times. I like my ArkPak. Got it on sale during "Black Friday" I have the 715. If we want to take a road trip with my wife's Subaru it's easy to move and run the fridge.

 

While the ArkPak looks like a fantastic product and is priced pretty well I don't think it would be to difficult to build something similar that's portable for probably about half the price.

It's basically just a DC-DC charger/solar regulator and a small inverter in a box with a spot for a battery and some Anderson plugs and 12v sockets.

You guys have the gears turning in my head. I may have to try and tackle this project now.

 

Do it for half the cost of the Arkpak and I'll buy one

 

Haha. I refuse to work for a dollar an hour. All the labour that would go into it would end up making it cost more than an ArkPak if I sold it.

 

Plenty of DIY ideas on YouTube. The question is what smart charger would you use and cost? Could said charge give you the ability to charge off of DC voltage, what fuseblock would you use. Etc. Again plenty of good ideas on YouTube but if you put quality parts into the box it may not be as cheap as half the cost. Since my vehicle has a 120 outlet it might be possible to include a standard charger from NOCO or similar, but not sure if it would work properly based on amp draw. I am no electrical expert. I was going to DIY and then just decided against it. Yes, they are expensive.

Time for an ArkPak Group Buy!

 

There are a few DC-DC chargers available on the market. Most of them are also solar regulators.

The CTEK D250s Dual is a DC-DC charger and MPPT solar regulator. They can be had for just under $200 US. This would be the main component and cost to a DIY build.

Like I said, for what you get the ArkPak is priced very well. I'm actually an electrician by trade so this kind of DIY project intrigues me.