How long can a car battery run medium appliances?

Mark Winer · 08-02-2008, 02:39 PM

How long can a car battery run medium appliances?
How long could a typical car battery run small appliances such as like a mini fridge using an adapter like this one here:

http://www.dcacpowerinverters.com/it...sp?ic=PW200-12

And how long do you need to let your vehicle idle to achieve a full charge on the battery?

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Phssthpok · 08-02-2008, 02:49 PM

How strong is a chain?

Need more info.

**Tofer** · 08-02-2008, 03:10 PM

200 watt inverter isnt going to run a mini fridge...... get an ARB cooler that is build to 12v systems

***Corey*** · 08-02-2008, 03:18 PM

Like Chris said, get an ARB or Engle fridge/freezer.
They are built for expeditions and camping tips, and do not draw much amperage.

They can go four to five days on a single automotive battery without starting the rig.

I ran my ARB for around four days on a long weekend with it in my rig, and I did not drive anywhere.
It started right up to go to work.

Here is a link to the ARB one.
http://arbusa.com/fridge_freezer.php

Here are two of my installations.
http://www.yotatech.com/50507834-post125.html

http://www.yotatech.com/50842556-post271.html

PS, I know these type of fridges are on the expensive side, but they are well worth it.
They have other uses as well.

Last winter we had a power outage at my home.
I had no idea how long the power would be out, so I turned my ARB fridge to freeze, and put perishables from my freezer which was worth at least a good $200 or more, and put them in the ARB out in the rig and turned in for the night.

The home fridge alone can keep the contents in the main compartment safe for a day or so, but the freezer can "warm up" to above the safe temp to keep frozen goods at a safe temperature.
The ARB fridge saved the day so to speak.

Power was out a good 24 hours or more,
When it came back on, I brought the food back inside.

I also bought my fridge from forum vendor TRD Parts 4U, and will called the fridge down at ARB since I work down the street from them.
The fridges are worth every penny.

milino · 08-02-2008, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Winer

How long can a car battery run medium appliances?
How long could a typical car battery run small appliances such as like a mini fridge using an adapter like this one here:

http://www.dcacpowerinverters.com/it...sp?ic=PW200-12

And how long do you need to let your vehicle idle to achieve a full charge on the battery?

Find out how much power your appliance uses by looking in the manual.

Say 100 watts.

Add about 30% for losses in the inverter. Now we are at 130 watts.

Typical car battery is from 50 to 100 amp hours when new.
That gives us 600 to 1200 watt-hours to use. However, you had better allocate a third of that to restarting the car. That means you have 400 or so watt-hours available.

400 watt hours will power your 130 watt appliance for 3 hours.

______________________________________...

But you are taking a big risk that you will miscalculate, or the battery is not as good as you think, and bingo! dead battery, and $100 gone.

______________________________________...

I don't know how long idling will take to recharge your battery. Depends on car. Probably about 15 minutes.

Sears Coupons

Island_Yota · 08-02-2008, 07:46 PM

I dont see whats wrong with a 5-6 day Cooler, they aren't expensive and all you need is a bit of ice.

Elton · 08-03-2008, 08:01 AM

hehe alrighty funs over you guys notice there's spammers in here ?

08-02-2008, 02:49 PM	#2 (permalink)
Phssthpok Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: The Land of Beer and Coffee Posts: 676	How strong is a chain? Need more info. __________________ There is no way to rule Innocent Men. The only power any Government has is the power to crack down on Criminals. Well, when there aren't enough criminals, one makes them. One declares so many thing to be a crime that it becomes impossible to live without breaking laws. -Ayn Rand: Atlas Shrugged *BRING FUSTER BACK!!!*

08-02-2008, 03:10 PM	#3 (permalink)
Tofer Super Moderator Staff Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Tacoma WA. Posts: 6,900	200 watt inverter isnt going to run a mini fridge...... get an ARB cooler that is build to 12v systems __________________ 94 4runenr: all the good stuff....... 89 4runner: 3.0, Auto, 5.29 lockright f/r. 31x10.5 wildcountry ATs. 81 2wd pickup: 22R \| 5-sp \| long bed \|Civic SI seats \| LockRight \| Hella 500s pacific-crawlers.com For all your Trail-gear and HID lighting Solutions Needs check out yotaworks.com Online store coming soon :)

08-02-2008, 03:18 PM	#4 (permalink)
*Corey* Co-Founder/Administrator Staff Join Date: May 2002 Location: Auburn, Washington Posts: 26,070	Like Chris said, get an ARB or Engle fridge/freezer. They are built for expeditions and camping tips, and do not draw much amperage. They can go four to five days on a single automotive battery without starting the rig. I ran my ARB for around four days on a long weekend with it in my rig, and I did not drive anywhere. It started right up to go to work. Here is a link to the ARB one. http://arbusa.com/fridge_freezer.php Here are two of my installations. http://www.yotatech.com/50507834-post125.html http://www.yotatech.com/50842556-post271.html PS, I know these type of fridges are on the expensive side, but they are well worth it. They have other uses as well. Last winter we had a power outage at my home. I had no idea how long the power would be out, so I turned my ARB fridge to freeze, and put perishables from my freezer which was worth at least a good $200 or more, and put them in the ARB out in the rig and turned in for the night. The home fridge alone can keep the contents in the main compartment safe for a day or so, but the freezer can "warm up" to above the safe temp to keep frozen goods at a safe temperature. The ARB fridge saved the day so to speak. Power was out a good 24 hours or more, When it came back on, I brought the food back inside. I also bought my fridge from forum vendor TRD Parts 4U, and will called the fridge down at ARB since I work down the street from them. The fridges are worth every penny. __________________ Corey 2007 FJ Cruiser Built for 4wheelin', expedition, camping, and overlanding use PNW FJ Cruisers ☺ Detailing 101 ☺ Join Topsites ☺ Muffler Comparisons ☺ Maggiolinas In The Wild FJ Cruiser Buildup ☺ New Roof Top Tent ☺ Video Of My Penthouse Part II ☺ Rehinge Your ARB/Engel Fridge Blog About Roof Top Tents ☺ FJC Magazines Online Review Of My Tent ☺ 2009 Specialized Rockhopper Pro

08-03-2008, 08:01 AM	#7 (permalink)
Elton Contributing Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Siletz,Oregon Posts: 10,644	hehe alrighty funs over you guys notice there's spammers in here ? __________________ My Truck 98 4runner SR5 3.4L 5spd 4x4 E-Locker Mods Mom 07 Tundra d-cab limited 5.7L 4x4 auto sister 92 pickup SR5 X-cab 3.0L 5spd 4x4 Papa 89 Pickup SR5 X-cab 4x4 3.0L 5spd/98 4runner SR5 4x4 auto 3.4L R.I.P 91 4runner SR5 4x4 3.0L 5spd Totaled 5/13/06 My Wreck

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08-02-2008, 07:46 PM	#6 (permalink)
Island_Yota Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Vancouver Island, B.C. Posts: 672	I dont see whats wrong with a 5-6 day Cooler, they aren't expensive and all you need is a bit of ice.

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