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How To Run A Fridge In Your Car

Are you sick of eating stale sandwiches, dehydrated or tinned meals and drinking warm beer when you and your family travel or camp? The need to replenish ice in an esky can be a hassle and limit your ability to explore remote locations. Imagine being able to bring fresh cuts of meat, vegetables, milk and even power camp cooking on camping trips.

A 12V fridge is often one of the first upgrades people make to their car camping setup. This expert article covers how to run a fridge in your car while driving, and how to keep it running once you reach your campsite.

Two Ways To Run A Fridge In Your Car

1. Directly From The Car Battery

Unlike an esky, a fridge will need power to keep cold. The first, and easiest option, is simply plugging it straight into your vehicle via the 12V power socket. This solution will work well if you’re going on an overnight trip, will spend most of the time driving or will have access to a powered campsite at your destination.

Portable FridgePortable Fridge

Shauno doesn't leave home without his fridge and a few cold beers

Plugged into the 12V power socket, the fridge runs on vehicle power while you drive. Once you stop, the fridge will continue to draw power from the car battery, draining its charge.

A 12V fridge holds temperature better than an esky when the power is switched off. This means that if you’re only going away for a night or two you can run the fridge in the car on the way to your campsite, disconnect it overnight and run it with the car the next day and it should stay relatively cold in the cooler months.

Many 12V fridges have a freezer compartment and adjustable temperature settings. If you set your fridge a little colder than it needs to be to withstand not being powered overnight. Many 12V fridges also have a power cord that can be plugged into mains power, so if you are camping at a powered campsite it can be plugged into the mains power outlet when you arrive at your destination.

However, if you prefer the ultimate freedom of being able to power your 12V fridge and other accessories anywhere, you’ll need a 12V power setup. Adding a simple 12V power system is a game-changer for quick trips, extending your range and improving comfort. The biggest advantage is the confidence that you can run your fridge without worrying about the state of charge of your starter battery.

 

 Expert tips for running a fridge in a car: 

  • Make sure your portable 12V fridge has reliable seals to keep food properly insulated and cool after the power switches off.
  • Pre-cool everything you put into the fridge ahead of time to keep food cooler for longer.
  • Ensure the fridge in your car is in a location with proper ventilation so it can run optimally.
  • Keep the fridge out of direct sunlight, ideally in the shade.

 

2. Dual Battery System

If you plan to camp in a remote location for a few days, a second battery for your car can run the portable fridge without draining your main car battery. This means you can keep food cold, and be confident that your vehicle will start when it’s time to leave.

With a dual battery to run a fridge in your car, you can focus on enjoying time in nature and keep family or friends well-fed, without the compromise of seeking ice for the esky. 

A dual battery setup is the perfect solution to keep your fridge – and more importantly, beers – cold. 

Unlike a generator, you won’t have the noise, extra weight, or hassle of bringing extra fuel. Plus, National Parks may not allow a generator.

Portable FridgePortable Fridge

For the perfect 12V fridge setup, you’ll need at least one auxiliary battery. The auxiliary battery is used to run the fridge and any other 12v accessories.

Run A Fridge In Your Car While Driving And After You Stop With REDARC

With a suitable vehicle power system you can open up new experiences in the outback and still enjoy fresh food and cold beers. Adding a portable fridge and vehicle power system could be the thing that convinces your family to try a new adventure, enables you to live the van life in comfort, or allows you to undertake longer trips without resorting to dehydrated or canned food.

Explore the dual battery calculator to identify the most suitable power solution.

Frequently asked questions

How long can I run a 12V fridge in my car?

It depends on the size of your car battery, and we recommend partial discharge to ensure a long battery life. With a 110Ah battery, you could run a 12V fridge that draws 5 amps for about 10 hours. This allows the battery to discharge to about 50%, reducing stress on the battery and extending battery life. 

Do you need a dual battery to run a fridge?

To run a fridge for more than a couple of hours after you stop driving, you’ll need a dual battery system - especially in summer if you want to keep food cool. A second battery enables you to leave the fridge running without risking draining the starter battery. 

What size battery do you need to run a 12v fridge?

To run a fridge for three days, allowing for 60% discharge of the battery, the battery size will depend on the power draw of the fridge. Here’s a rough guide:

Fridge size Ah (3 days) Battery size (60% discharge)
35-52L 60 100Ah
50-65L 72 120Ah
65-85L 90 150Ah

 

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Camp set upCamp set up

A 12v fridge brings all the comforts of home into the great outdoors

BCDC chargers can be installed in your canopy right next to your fridge as they are able to overcome current drop from the longer cable. If you're looking for a budget friendly power solution, the BCDC Core range is designed for canopy installation and perfect for keeping your 12v fridge cold on any trip. If you’re not sure what battery charger will best suit your car and power requirements the REDARC Dual Battery Calculator is a useful tool. It takes into consideration your vehicle and fridge power consumption need and suggests the best dual battery charging solution.

 

Manager30

If price is no issue and you want the ultimate in versatility and management ease for your setup, the REDARC Manager30 could be the way to go. Compatible with all vehicles and alternator systems, it incorporates AC, DC, and solar inputs to achieve the best charge for your battery and keep your fridge going for longer. The benefit of the Manager30 over a BCDC or smart battery isolator though is the monitor. It comes with a monitor that lets you always know what’s going on with your battery and keeps you in control.

 

GoBlock


Sometimes a more portable solution is the best option. If you’re tight on space or simply don’t want to install a full dual battery system to power your fridge, the GoBlock is a perfect option. With a lithium battery, battery charger and monitoring capabilities all built into a unit that is no bigger than a carton of beer, it’s light enough to be packed, unpacked and moved around while at camp. With fridge and 12v accessory sockets, all you have to do is plug your fridge in when you need it. In-built AC charging means you can charge your GoBlock up before you leave home, use it all weekend and pack it back away after your trip.

GoBlockGoBlock
What about solar?

To keep your batteries charging and fridge running when the car is not on, a solar panel might be the way to go. Solar panels keep your battery topped up so that you can keep using your fridge for longer without having to worry about running the car to charge the battery. Solar panels enable you to go fully off grid or be parked up camping and have your fridge running for long stretches of time. REDARC's range of solar includes both portable and mounted panels and solar blankets, with something perfect for any application. To learn a bit more about calculating power consumption needs to figure out what solar panel wattage you’d need see our solar calculator.

 

12v fridges are one of the simple and often inexpensive ways to upgrade your camping and off grid setup. They enable you to stay on the road for longer and can take your camp cooking to the next level. For more information on choosing the right gear for your 12v setup check out our dual battery calculator

Follow how 4WD 24/7 and Shaun Whale power a fridge on their travels with this simple 12v upgrade.