Auxiliary Battery Wiring for Portable Fridge
I have an Edgestar 43 quart portable refrigerator that runs off of a 12v auxiliary power socket (cigarette lighter type). I would like to install a battery, in line, to run the fridge when parked for ...
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18 awg for 10 amps, But you don't state the distance.
DO not skimp on wire size. you'll always get somebody telling you thin is fine or adequate and stories how it works just fine.
Do it right, once. Run a dedicated circuit for the fridge with 10 awg from the Aux battery.
I know Edgestar just uses a danfoss clone compressor, but Danfoss states to Not share a power source with other wiring, but to tie it directly to the battery over as short a wire as possible with minimal connections, and their recommended wire sizes are much thicker than any voltage drop table you can find that will say 18 awg is all you need.
In terms of charging the Aux battery, the thicker the cabling the more the voltage regulator will be able to 'see' the depleted battery tacked onto the alternator circuit and be less likely to revert to a water saving 13.6 volts prematurely but this will vary widely from vehicle to vehicle and which bean counter and laywer were in the office to overrule the engineer that day.
And a 500 mile drive might not be enough to return an Aux. battery to 100%, sadly. That last 20% takes forever regardless of charging source
DO not skimp on wire size. you'll always get somebody telling you thin is fine or adequate and stories how it works just fine.
Do it right, once. Run a dedicated circuit for the fridge with 10 awg from the Aux battery.
I know Edgestar just uses a danfoss clone compressor, but Danfoss states to Not share a power source with other wiring, but to tie it directly to the battery over as short a wire as possible with minimal connections, and their recommended wire sizes are much thicker than any voltage drop table you can find that will say 18 awg is all you need.
In terms of charging the Aux battery, the thicker the cabling the more the voltage regulator will be able to 'see' the depleted battery tacked onto the alternator circuit and be less likely to revert to a water saving 13.6 volts prematurely but this will vary widely from vehicle to vehicle and which bean counter and laywer were in the office to overrule the engineer that day.
And a 500 mile drive might not be enough to return an Aux. battery to 100%, sadly. That last 20% takes forever regardless of charging source
