ARB 50qt Fridge in a JKU?

[JIMBO]

Ya gotta getta trailer-I've been running my ENGEL for over 5 years off of the trailer battery (same OPTIMA) and a 60w solar panel-

That way I never jeopardize the vehicle battery power, there are "dual" battery setups to insure that, but I use the trailer for much more anyway-

I had some trouble with the ENGEL 12vdc, but fixed and she won't draw very much DC current anyway, especially if you start with a small block of ice inside, to help maintain the cooler internal temps--it's worked for a week in summer temps, for me-and the battery is still "AMPIN"







I carry a lot in my JKUR and the ENGEL/ARB/LUNA-etc takes up quite a bit of room, so I don't keepit in there !

Good luck

JIMBO

[Bubblegoose1]

I removed the driver's side rear short seat; replaced with a poly cutting board platform and Slide Lock. I'm 6'5", so no one can sit behind me anyway



Fridge is a first generation ARB 40qt; basically an Engel MT45. Fits and works perfectly.


Ran a dedicated, fused line directly from the aux battery. Kept the cigarette lighter plug end, with a 10' extension. This allows for the fridge to be removed at camp and placed in my teardrop trailer side tent; powered by the Jeep.

[dp7197]

I ran the dedicated ARB wiring for my fridge. It has an in-line fuse, big wire, and allows you to use the Hella feature of the plug by removing the red-tip which you need for a normal 12-volt plug. While I use to use the stock rear 12-volt plug from Jeep, it is no comparison to the ARB wiring kit and what the fridge should have.

I ran mine through the passenger-side firewall, under the door trim, and then installed the socket on a custom bracket attached to the passenger-side rear seat bracket. This keeps the plug behind my fridge where the wire is.

My fridge attached to the ARB slide, and while there is really no wasted space above the fridge, the slide does not allow me to fully open the fridge due to the hardtop.

[HillbillyfromAL]

Thanks for the responses so far! I just ordered the connector that was recommended but I was wonder what gage wire should I use and if I need any sort of inline fuse?
Thanks again and would love to see some pictures.

Get a fuse block and put it close to your battery, but easily accessible. That will allow you power multiple devices and give you a fuse to protect everything. The fridge doesn't really draw too many amps so don't put a 20amp fuse on it if it's a dedicated line. It should have a 7.5 or 10 amp fuse max. As far as wire gauge 12ga should plenty sufficient, or 10ga if you wanted to power more than the fridge or have 2 outlets. Hope that wasn't too late.

[Rock-Eater]

JIMBO,
Would love a trailer I almost bought a used tentrax on here and then it sold and I regret it now. I love those little tentrax… one day I will have one. Got to love solar I have a off road pop up (fullsize) and have a goal zero solar panel I use to charge the battery on that and so far it works great.

Bubblegoose1,
Nice set up with the seat removal! I need the seat or I would consider that option. I also read somewhere about a guy taking the large back seat section out and replacing it with another small section and putting the frig in the gap in the middle but that sounded like a lot of fab work.

Dp7197,
What a nice set up in the back of your jeep! I really like the aluminum idea some more details on it please. So I think I want to run the direct line and use a fuse block so if I want to add anything else back there I have the power and don’t need to run more wires. The people using fuse blocks are you guys getting marine grade ones? Any brands I should look at?

[Bennyhana]

The new ARB 50qt fridges fit like they were specifically designed for the JKU's. It fits perfectly in the back and even lets me open the lid.....even with the top on.

I've fabbed up a flat platform so I can secure the fridge down and have since upgraded to the ARB fridge tie down straps.

[JIMBO]

Heh Heh, yeah and when you get your trailer-getta sPOD, I've gotta 12vdc outlet and 300w inverter at the drivers side hardtop rear and the outlet will easily handle the demands from my Engle--never carried it there--just trieditout !







JIMBO

[Rock-Eater]

Such great info on here! have an idea of the way i am going to set it up and will make sure i post pictures when i am done. Thanks again for all the info.

[dp7197]

My original post is under te Storage Solutions Thread:

http://www.expeditionportal.com/foru...-system/page78

The aluminum is about 38" wide, 10" tall, and 28" (?) deep on the bottom piece. It has a 1.5" lip to rest on. It was designed to hold four Pelican cases or varrying sizes in place. The rear of it is held down by two tie-downs I mounted in the underside and then running a 1" ratchet strap through all four tie downs. The front uses tow 3/8" bolts through the plastic trim to nutserts in the floor. I wanted to bottom to remain open so I could still use the storage compartment.

The next sheet is only 4" tall to accomodate a plastic folding table and the depth is 2" shorter to accomodate the slant of the rear seat. There is no back to this and the table slides all the way through to hit the rear seat. I did not keep the sides even o this, but gave it a slight bow to help deal with the weight on top. Even though it bends down some due to the weight, the poly table slides out easily.

My ARB fridge slide is on the top and while it fills the void, it is too tall to see in or open the lid. I figured I would probably remove it anyhow. The other option is for me to remove the middle piece to lower it 4". I alos am thinking of just placing it on the passenger-side rear seat on a leveling board with no slide. We did this in a friend's Jeep for 5k miles out to Moab and it worked nice. If I do this I may sell the slide and install Mac's tie-downs on top the aluminum for the table.

The smaller rear box just fills the void and keeps things from sliding around. I installed one vertical and one horizontal strap using footman loops last weekend to keep things off the glass.

The best part are the two small trays on each side that hold two zippered bags with straps. One side has fluids and the other all my CO2 and air stuff. They are out of the way but accessible.

These were all assembled with round head bolts and acorn nuts.

[Rubicon08]

When you guys say change out the 12v plug, are you taking the one off from the ARB wire kit and replacing it with the Marinco plug?