Another Fridge question

[merrick4]

I have a 2005 Freightliner Columbia and want to install a fridge. I did a search but didn't find a clear answer in the previous threads. I have a 1000 watt inverter hardwired to the batteries and also have a ComfortPro APU.

I want to remove the table next to the bed and put the fridge there. I went to Walmart and was looking for the wattage etc on the box but no info there. Under the table is a 12V plug so I just want to plug it into the inverter. However as there is an APU I won't be idling the truck and if the weather is agreeable won't even have the APU on, so can I just leave the fridge plugged in or do I need to have the truck either idling (bad) or leave the APU on?

Thanks.

[nickbtubas]

have you contacted either the APU company or Freightliner?? They probably would have more concrete answers.

[Doghouse]

Are you buying a small fridge from wally world?

[GMAN]

If you plan on installing a regular refrigerator in the truck, you will not be able to leave it connected to your batteries for too long without the engine or APU running. A refrigerator can pull the batteries down fairly quickly without power to rebuild them. If you can't find the information you need on the packaging, you may be able to check the manufacturer and do a search for their web site.

[merrick4]

Thanks GMAN. Yes Doghhouse I was looking at the fridges in Walmart. I know you just built a small condo in your truck , do you have any suggestions for me?

I'm really not looking for much. I do have two electric coolers, but for some reason the plug under the table doesn't work. So I figure I'd just get a fridge and plug it in.

Thanks

[Doghouse]

The units from Wallmart/Lowes/HomeDepot, are not designed for the vibrations from the road. I have seen quite a few of these units stop working because of this.
I am using a unit from www.truckfridge.com these are a bit more expensive, but they are warranted for 2 years, and they run on 12 volt power source. They are also designed to handle the road vibrations and also the ability to work if they are not perfectly level.

[Orangetxguy]

I have a 2005 Freightliner Columbia and want to install a fridge. I did a search but didn't find a clear answer in the previous threads. I have a 1000 watt inverter hardwired to the batteries and also have a ComfortPro APU.

I want to remove the table next to the bed and put the fridge there. I went to Walmart and was looking for the wattage etc on the box but no info there. Under the table is a 12V plug so I just want to plug it into the inverter. However as there is an APU I won't be idling the truck and if the weather is agreeable won't even have the APU on, so can I just leave the fridge plugged in or do I need to have the truck either idling (bad) or leave the APU on?

Thanks.

If your truck has a factory installed APU, talk with Freightliner, learn about the system your truck is equipped with. The cab should already be pre-wired if it is a factory APU, or the previous owner should have wires run, to points in the cab, for recepticales, if it is an aftermarket unit..

[Doghouse]

The 12 volt plug is not connected to the inverter. The inverter takes 12 volts and turns it into 115volts. A 1000 watt inverter will run a small fridge, but probably you will be very close to the surge limit when it cycles on/off.
What I would do is add another deep cycle battery and use the isolator system. That way if your fridge does kill a battery, it won't be your starter batteries.Your truck alternator should have no problem charging the batteries, and your fridge can run pretty much non-stop,...unless you get out of the truck for a few days,..then it might hit the low charge level (10.5volts=dangerzone), and hurt your battery or just shut off all together and ruin your food.

[merrick4]

Thanks for the replies, but I think I'll just stick with the cooler. Quite frankly I have no clue about this stuff, have no clue what a deep cycle battery is either. I was never good with this stuff. I'm much better with the paperwork aspect of things. I have a lot to learn as it is about the business so I'll just try and keep the mechanical things simple.


By the way, the APU was not from the factory; I bought it and had it installed. I went with Carrier but it's a little louder than I anticipated.

Hey Doghouse, are you about ready to get out there? I'm pretty much all set myself. The trailer is ready and I have the truck (man what a difference driving your own truck, I worried about every single noise). I submitted my paperwork to the broker the other day so that should be approved and I'm hoping to get out of here in the next day or two.

Well thanks again everyone for the help.

By the way, I do leave the cooler plugged in to the outlet; that Ok? Never caused problems before. The APU has some monitoring thing that I am going to have the dealer set up where when the batteries get to a certain point the APU will kick on.

[boneebone]

Here some good sound advice. Don't be pennywise and a dollar foolish, Get a fridge made for a truck, like Norcold, Truckfridge, or Panasonic. When I had a Freightshaker I bought a Norcold Fridge for it, cost me $750 but worth every penny. Better than any Thermo Electric Cooler. The truck I have now came with a Norcold fridge already from the factory. The truck is six years old and the fridge is still going strong. You can either spend the money now or spend it later. You get what you pay for, it is a little pricey, but worth it.

[merrick4]

Well I could buy one of those things but I still don't know how to hook it up, this is the problem.

[boneebone]

It is easy to hook it up. The Norcold I bought was for a Freightliner. The fridge already comes with a harness with a OEM type connector. All you have to do depending on what kind of truck it is is find the accessory plug in the bunk area, 12V lighter plug, trace the harness and unplug the 12v harness from the main harness. Than plug in the fridge lead into the lead that goes into the main harness. It was a straight plug in on my Freightshaker. No splicing, cutting, etc. You can check out the fridges at www.norcold.com. The one I had for my Freighliner Century was the Norcold DC0040, it will fit in the same space as the Columbia. Good luck.

[merrick4]

thanks boneebone but this leads me back to how do you keep this thing from not draining the batteries when truck is off? I didn't buy an APU to have the truck idling you know?

[Doghouse]

Does your APU charge your truck batteries when it's running?? most of them do. If thats the case then your batteries will charge up when the truck is running, and when the APU is running.
Its unlikely you will drain the batteries,...unless you are on a shut down for a few days and away from the truck.

[boneebone]

The fridge doesn't run all the time, the compressor cycles on and off like a standard fridge. It will not drain your batteries unless your truck is sitting for a few days. The great thing about it is if you taking some time off there is a on/off switch inside the fridge you can use so it doesn't drain your batteries.

You can also buy a Low Voltage Battery Disconnect Device for trucks, that you hook up to your batteries. When your batteries drain down to a certain level it will sound a warning to let you know so you can start your truck and charge your batteries or it will start shutting power to certain sections of your truck so you have enough juice to start your truck up still.

Here's a link to what you need:

http://truckinginfo.com/news/news-de...?news_id=58726

This will solve your problem. I have one factory installed on my Volvo and I have never had dead batteries. It will shut off my fridge before my batteries go dead, but when I start my truck up it resets everything back up again. Good Luck

[merrick4]

Thanks Boneebone and Doghouse. Yes the APU charges the batteries and like I said above I can even set it that it kicks on when the amerage I think it was hits a certain level. I have to be honest though, I clicked on those links for the fridges mentioned and I can't see myself paying that kind of money for a fridge. I can't see myself paying that kind of money for anything that isn't going to make me money. Don't get me wrong, I spent the $9,000 or so for the APU, but I plan on making that back on less fuel consumption and less wear on the motor.

But thanks again for the help I have a much better understanding of these things now.

[uncleal13]

I've known a few people that have used a bar fridge with success. The key is using a large enough inverter. The average bar fridge draws 1 amp current times 120volts equals approx 120watts. However an electric motor can draw up to ten times it's rated current draw at startup (1200 watts). So I would recommend at least 1500 watt inverter and preferably 2500 watts. You cannot plug in an inverter over 150 watts into a cigarette lighter socket, if you're lucky you'll blow a fuse, it not, start a fire. Best to wire direct to your batteries. I like to use welding cable.

[Doghouse]

A fridge can be a money saver, if you don't like truckstop food, or fast food. But, working in conjunction with an operational kitchen is the best way to make maximum use of all the appliances.
After you drive for a while you may find out that you want a fridge, then you can make the decision, and invest in a good unit. (I remember all too well,..eating at truckstops, thats why I put a small kitchen in my truck)
Just remember that 115volt units aren't built to withstand the rigors of the road,...so make sure you get a good quality RV style unit. You will save $$$ in the short term "long run".

[merrick4]

definitely won't be eating truck stop food. I was only out there 6 months as company driver and except for training I don't think I ate in a truck stop restaurant more than 1 time. I will get a Subway sandwich with the Pilot points but other than that I don't eat much anyway. A lot of salads and buy whole chickens etc.

Lost $100 while sleeping last night though, I didn't hear my phone and the police were calling to move the truck. Left a $100 ticket. I need to get on the road as there is no place to park around here. Love the weather down here but too crowded.

[Doghouse]

Where were you parked?
Usually it the code guys that make you move the truck,...if you have it at your house.