Well, living in Las Vegas, re-entries can be pretty toasty. :drum:
ARB fridge not cooling well on 12v
- Thread starter familymopar
- Start date
Well, living in Las Vegas, re-entries can be pretty toasty. :drum:
flyinhawaiian01
New member
You ain't joking! Last month I was almost incinerated coming to visit ya! And that was February!!! I knew I should have used more shiny stuff!!!
In other news, wife returned last Thursday with my ARB, so I threw it in the 4runner, set it to 32º, threw some water bottles in just for good measure, and after checking it nightly to make sure it was still running, the 4th day it finally went to 50º and the red flashing led was lit!
So, 4 full days of fridge in garage @ ~50-60º, never once starting the vehicle the whole time, opening only the tailgate, which has LED lamps for lower current draw, with the ARB set to "NED" for battery shutoff sensitivity, and a 1-year old Odyssey battery, is what it took to shut the fridge down.
Now, as soon as I noticed this, I closed the hatch, got in the front seat and the 4runner started right up, a bit slower than usual, but nothing that said "Hey, you killed the battery, ya putz"!
This tells me that I can go camping in the dead of summer, and should be able to run it at least throughout the whole day without it shutting down or draining the battery to a level that won't allow me to start the vehicle. Add on a level of protection and bring along a fully-charged battery jump pack (I have one similar to this one HERE ), and I should be completely protected from ever having a dead vehicle.
In other news, wife returned last Thursday with my ARB, so I threw it in the 4runner, set it to 32º, threw some water bottles in just for good measure, and after checking it nightly to make sure it was still running, the 4th day it finally went to 50º and the red flashing led was lit!
So, 4 full days of fridge in garage @ ~50-60º, never once starting the vehicle the whole time, opening only the tailgate, which has LED lamps for lower current draw, with the ARB set to "NED" for battery shutoff sensitivity, and a 1-year old Odyssey battery, is what it took to shut the fridge down.
Now, as soon as I noticed this, I closed the hatch, got in the front seat and the 4runner started right up, a bit slower than usual, but nothing that said "Hey, you killed the battery, ya putz"!
This tells me that I can go camping in the dead of summer, and should be able to run it at least throughout the whole day without it shutting down or draining the battery to a level that won't allow me to start the vehicle. Add on a level of protection and bring along a fully-charged battery jump pack (I have one similar to this one HERE ), and I should be completely protected from ever having a dead vehicle.
familymopar
New member
I have the fridge set up on now on the arb kit running straight from the battery (or s pod rather). I have had it running for some time to test the battery drainage. What I have noticed though is that the fridge is reading a constant 32 or 34F and the thermometer inside reads a consistent 55F or so.
<a href="http://s1292.photobucket.com/user/chuckgreenlee/media/unspecified22_zpsmfy1ksjm.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1292.photobucket.com/albums/b573/chuckgreenlee/unspecified22_zpsmfy1ksjm.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo unspecified22_zpsmfy1ksjm.jpg"/></a>
I have it hanging off the top of the basket, so it should be in the warmer area of the fridge but not THAT much warmer.
<a href="http://s1292.photobucket.com/user/chuckgreenlee/media/unspecified21_zpsx01cdfal.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1292.photobucket.com/albums/b573/chuckgreenlee/unspecified21_zpsx01cdfal.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo unspecified21_zpsx01cdfal.jpg"/></a>
Still, I have a hard time imaging that this fridge came that far off. I guess the question is, where do y'all measure the temp at to set the fridge? i know it should be coolest on the bottom, warmer up higher, and warmer yet in the rear shelf, but where do y'all think is the optimum position at which to set the fridge temp?
I have the fridge now connected through the s pod. I can already tell that I will likely be moving it straight to the battery. I just foresee it being accidentally shut off both on the in car touch screen and on the phone app.
And given the distance capability of the bluetooth on the s pod phone app I am seeing little use for it. At the distance in which it works I can walk to the truck and look at the screen faster than the app opens. So I can only see this app / bluetooth system being useful if I am in a tent, the weather is bad enough that I don't want to get out, and the truck is pretty close by. I will probably post a review of the bluetooth soon.
Jhalko
New member
Cool, I just came in from working on my truck, have my Spod halfway mounted and harness through the firewall ready to plug in. Also have the fridge wires through and sitting on drivers side floor ready to run to the back. Did you get the sill plates off? I can post a pic tomorrow night, lighting in my garage is awful at night, and I need to get some "real work" done before bed.
I have the plain Spod, no app or screen, I already have Air on Board switches and it'll be easy to connect in, I don't have any connections to the trucks factory wiring so it just means my switches only light up when on, no biggie to me. But I like switches personally anyway cost aside.
familymopar
New member
I did get the sill plates off, thank you! I took them off and then put them back on. I didn't have time to do much else tonight as I too squeeze everything in between the kids bedtime and mine. I would really like some sunlight to run those wires. I am thinking I may cut out early tomorrow to do it. Everything is run and working I just need to tuck them behind the panels, which of course means disconnecting it all at one end or the other since I think I can remove the sills and fish the wires through the other interior panels through the small space created by taking the sills off.
If I had the non-touchscreen s pod I would definitely go through the s pod for the fridge, no reason not too.
I have been watching this fridge for hours now. Fridge still reads 32, green light is still on, thermometer still reads over 50 (still at top of basket) and my brand new Odyssey group 31 has lost enough steam according to the s pod battery gauge that I have a difficult time seeing it get through the night. We will see.
I would also prefer the switches. For me the purposes in the s pod at all, besides ease of wiring, were largely having the battery gauge and being able to dim the lights and I could only get those features with the touch screen version. Otherwise I would definitely have preferred a panel of actual switches over a touchscreen hanging on to the windshield.
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chmura
New member
Your thermometer is placed way too high. In the manual it even states that the coldest temp is near the boom. So place the thermometer in the middle of the cooling element. Do not open and close the fridge too often. Close the fridge and quickly open it to take a temp reading an hour or so later.
familymopar
New member
I thought it was definitely high to match the readout but I wanted to see what the temp was up there. Where it is is supposed to be colder than the back well where meats and cheeses can stay and that area, as well as up high, needs to at least be in "safe refrigeration" zone.
I just went out and checked it. Light was finally amber and the readout said 29 (set at 33). I quickly popped the top and read the thermometer. It read 49/50. It needs to be at least 40 or less in all areas to safely keep foods.
I held the (+) and (-) to adjust the readout. I had assumed I could just put it where I wanted but it oly lets you add 2, 4, 6, or 8 degrees to the readout. I added 8 degrees and it then read 36. I then set the target temp to 29.
Obviously the green light came back on and I am still concerned about it making it through the night.
Jhalko
New member
If I run through the Spod I see two negatives. First I have to add a switch, then I have to remember to turn it on or off, which really defeats the purpose of having a constant on fridge. Second, although probably not even an issue would be potential power loss in adding more connection and going through the Spod adding a layer of complication that probably isn't needed. This is based on my intended usage, someone who will just leave their fridge in 24/7 might want a switch etc. for different control.
I hear you on the kids, my wife and daughter are out of town and I'm still struggling to find time to work with just my son.
So with the new wires your fridge still won't drop to 32? Did it work when plugged in to the house?
phillyd2
Senior Member
My dog also enjoys chasing her tail. Me? Not so much. This equation still only has three parts. Fridge. Wiring. SPOD. Maybe four if you include the battery.
You said that you plugged it into the wall and it was fine. Is this still the case? If so, it’s not the Fridge. A simple temp direct wire to the battery would be the next step which would eliminate the other parts one by one. As with all such issues the only sensible way to determine the issue is to one by one eliminate each variable until you find the cause.
You said that you plugged it into the wall and it was fine. Is this still the case? If so, it’s not the Fridge. A simple temp direct wire to the battery would be the next step which would eliminate the other parts one by one. As with all such issues the only sensible way to determine the issue is to one by one eliminate each variable until you find the cause.
familymopar
New member
I see your point. I figured you already had a switch panel and could just plug in to an empty port on the s pod. Otherwise I don't know that I would do it either as there really is just little point to having it go through the s pod to begin with as far as i can tell. For me the point was to monitor the battery through the app and be able to remotely switch the fridge off if I wanted. But that even seems a little pointless given the bluetooth distance of the app.
I definitely see your point in adding another connection between the battery and the fridge. I am thinking that may be part of my problems. I will iron it out today.
Initially when I hooked up the fridge to the stock 12v I couldn't get it to go below 40 on the readout. When I plugged it in to the wall it went down to my target readout temp of 32. Now that I have discovered that the target temp seems so far off from the actual temp I will plug it back in to the wall today and see what it does. The two changes I have made is I have set the target temp to 29 and I have adjusted the readout to +8, so that today's 32 is yesterday's 24.
Like I touched on above I need to get back in to the wall and test it with the new settings.
Since I plugged it into the wall earlier in this thread I have not thought that I had a cooling problem but rather a difference between readout and actual temp problem. That being said, it has been on since yesterday afternoon and is now still holding at 32/34 and has not gone lower, so maybe I am back to a cooling problem. But a) I am strongly thinking that having the s pod in between may be the culprit and b) the truck has not run since I plugged it in, except a quick fire up today to make sure I could - no problem.
So today I will drive around a bit going to HD to get some parts, etc. and see if that helps it drop any. Then when I get home I will plug it back in to the wall while I disconnect it from the s pod and put it direct on the battery.
As far as right now, it has been running for almost 20 hours. The truck starts just fine. The readout says between 34 and 32. It is set at 29 and I recalibrated the readout at +8 from factory. The thermometer, still at the top of the basket reads 49/50.
Have you calibrated your thermometer? Put some ice in a glass of water and wait until it is partially melted. Drop the thermometer in. Should read right around 32 degrees.
familymopar
New member
Yes the thermometer is right on.
Plugged in to the wall the fridge worked like a champ. I hung the thermometer on top of the removable divider panel and find that with the fridge recalibrated to +8 the readout matches the temp there, which is at the top of the cooling unit. Obviously below that it's cooler and above that it's warmer.
<a href="http://s1292.photobucket.com/user/chuckgreenlee/media/unspecified27_zpszdtbg0pk.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1292.photobucket.com/albums/b573/chuckgreenlee/unspecified27_zpszdtbg0pk.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo unspecified27_zpszdtbg0pk.jpg"/></a>
I will be experimenting a bit this weekend but I believe that at +8 I need to set the fridge at 29-31 to ensure that the entire contents of the fridge stay at 40 or below, but like I said I still need to play with that a bit.
While the fridge was plugged in the wall I disconnected the fridge from the s pod, connected directly to the battery, re ran my fridge (and light) wires behind and under all the panels, and installed the ARB outlet. Tested for a few hours on the outlet with the fridge having already been cooled by the wall plug and everything seems to be working great.
<a href="http://s1292.photobucket.com/user/chuckgreenlee/media/unspecified41_zpszcif02eg.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1292.photobucket.com/albums/b573/chuckgreenlee/unspecified41_zpszcif02eg.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo unspecified41_zpszcif02eg.jpg"/></a>
I am confident, again, that I do not have a cooling problem. There is simply a learning curve to get the fridge set up just right.
Now I am going camping and fishing with the boy for the weekend. I will see how it goes out there and update Monday if there is anything to say. Thanks again for all the help.
flyinhawaiian01
New member
Little late with a reply to this, but I also noticed the temp difference depending where you place items in the fridge. The sides will build up ice, so you may want to pack your frozen items against the sides, then use those items like ice packs, packing warmer items towards the middle and stacking on top.
So, steaks and other meats to the sides, drinks towards the middle, cheese, eggs and other items you don't want frozen on top of that. I use towels to isolate and insulate from the frozen stuff at the bottom edges.
Its not like a home fridge, you don't have a fan circulating the cold air around the unit, and unless you drop temps way down to the low 20's, and rarely open it (once for lunch, once for dinner, maybe once or twice to get drinks out during the day), things will vary in temps and you just have to pack them accordingly.
Brought 30lbs of salmon back from a fishing trip in Ilwaco last fall, had it vac-sealed at the port and threw them in the fridge. Dropped temp to its lowest setting and by the time I got home the next day, they were all frozen solid as a rock, even the center slabs and slabs on top! Of course, I didn't open the fridge after putting the fish in until I got home the next day, and I also ran power to the fridge in the runner that night at my friend's house.
Have fun camping over the weekend!
So, steaks and other meats to the sides, drinks towards the middle, cheese, eggs and other items you don't want frozen on top of that. I use towels to isolate and insulate from the frozen stuff at the bottom edges.
Its not like a home fridge, you don't have a fan circulating the cold air around the unit, and unless you drop temps way down to the low 20's, and rarely open it (once for lunch, once for dinner, maybe once or twice to get drinks out during the day), things will vary in temps and you just have to pack them accordingly.
Brought 30lbs of salmon back from a fishing trip in Ilwaco last fall, had it vac-sealed at the port and threw them in the fridge. Dropped temp to its lowest setting and by the time I got home the next day, they were all frozen solid as a rock, even the center slabs and slabs on top! Of course, I didn't open the fridge after putting the fish in until I got home the next day, and I also ran power to the fridge in the runner that night at my friend's house.
Have fun camping over the weekend!
familymopar
New member
Thanks! Finally getting ready to take off. I was not pre-loaded.
I will say that the only issue I foresee is exactly what you are talking about. I want everywhere to be 40 or below of course. I have sandwich meat, cheese, eggs, bacon, etc. in the back shelf area. and mainly just drinks or condiments in the main well. The problem I am seeing is that in order for the top to be 40 or below the bottom must freeze. I have nothing I want to freeze. I just want everywhere in there to be below 40. How far below 40 I don't care so long as it is not freezing everything. This is proving more difficult than I would have thought. Anyway, i will play with it over the weekend. Ok, seriously now, we're leaving....
Wouldn't be hard to mount a little computer fan in there. Surprised you haven't done that already... :rockthrow:
flyinhawaiian01
New member
Oh, don't think it hasn't crossed my mind already! I've got a billion of them sittin' in that pile 'o' wiring on the shop floor (yes, its still there).
Just haven't seen the need to do it yet, I just know how I need to pack the cooler to maximize efficiency. Let's see now...
Beer on the sides.
Beer in the middles..
Beer stacked on top...
Boiled peanuts and a plastic tub of Sal's chili on the top of that, if it fits....
Done!
Just haven't seen the need to do it yet, I just know how I need to pack the cooler to maximize efficiency. Let's see now...
Beer on the sides.
Beer in the middles..
Beer stacked on top...
Boiled peanuts and a plastic tub of Sal's chili on the top of that, if it fits....
Done!
Jhalko
New member
I like your style.
Working on my fridge wiring this weekend, hope to have cold beer in the truck this week.
It was all good until you hit "Boiled peanuts".... :wtf: I would have taken you for more of a macadamia kind of guy :banana:
flyinhawaiian01
New member
Its a hawaiian thing, you wouldn't understand!
familymopar
New member
We had a great time camping Brazos Bend. The fridge is a great addition and life without ice is great. I had no problems with starting the truck at all. I think the longest it went was 20 or so hours offline and the voltage meter was in the yellow. Truck fired right up without hesitation. I am confident in the battery / fridge system for my uses.
I will say that I still have some serious difficulty with interior temps but I think it is just a matter of learning where to put stuff. With the fridge set at 29F (and at +8) nothing froze, which was good. The beer in the main chamber was very cold. At the top of the main chamber I was hovering around 40. The back shelf was warmer than that. Unfortunately my plan, and how I initially packed, was mostly drinks in the main chamber and food - eggs, bacon, sausage, cheese, etc. - in the back shelf area. But that shelf area was definitely above, seemingly well above, 40F. I am surprised at the temp differentials with a small box but that is definitely the case. I just need to learn how to pack it I guess. But I sure was liking the idea of keeping food up there and separated from being squished or tossed round with the drinks.
I will say that I still have some serious difficulty with interior temps but I think it is just a matter of learning where to put stuff. With the fridge set at 29F (and at +8) nothing froze, which was good. The beer in the main chamber was very cold. At the top of the main chamber I was hovering around 40. The back shelf was warmer than that. Unfortunately my plan, and how I initially packed, was mostly drinks in the main chamber and food - eggs, bacon, sausage, cheese, etc. - in the back shelf area. But that shelf area was definitely above, seemingly well above, 40F. I am surprised at the temp differentials with a small box but that is definitely the case. I just need to learn how to pack it I guess. But I sure was liking the idea of keeping food up there and separated from being squished or tossed round with the drinks.
