Dual battery options and sizing

[bigdan Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close bigdan]

So I've done a fair bit of reading on this forum and elsewhere about dual batteries.

Not sure how to work out what size/type of battery and system I will need though

Main use will be to run a 50L fridge overnight. I don't usually set up camp and stay for long periods of time without driving so the majority of the time it will be run by the alternator.

What are the cheaper options of dual battery systems?

I'm currently looking at this
$219 Redarc SBI12KIT
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/REDARC-SB...-/400609348146

$195 piranha dual battery tray
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/PIRANHA-D...kAAOSwVupToP4V

already it is getting a bit pricey once you add a decent battery

How do these portable battery packs go? What sort of life do you get out of a battery and how do you recharge it?
Could I run the fridge off my 12v socket during the day then swap it to this at night?
http://www.anacondastores.com/campin...n/p/BP90033697

[fido666 Banned Find all posts View Profile Close fido666]

How do these portable battery packs go? What sort of life do you get out of a battery and how do you recharge it?
Could I run the fridge off my 12v socket during the day then swap it to this at night?
http://www.anacondastores.com/campin...n/p/BP90033697

You could but you do realise that is just a battery box right? You still have to put a battery inside it and then how will you recharge the box? You will need another 12v source or sufficient solar panel capacity to keep it topped up.

I'm sure some of our more learned members will chip in with more technical info but the dual battery thread has plenty of info in there too.

[bigdan Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close bigdan]

You could but you do realise that is just a battery box right? You still have to put a battery inside it and then how will you recharge the box? You will need another 12v source or sufficient solar panel capacity to keep it topped up.

I'm sure some of our more learned members will chip in with more technical info but the dual battery thread has plenty of info in there too.

Yeah I get that but I only really go camping for MAX 5 days and the majority of that is driving.

If i run a 120aH deep cycle battery in a battery pack it should last ~2 days. By charging it through an anderson plug while driving ~6 hrs a day would it not last long enough?

http://www.portablefridgesonline.com...charging-guide

[hawks667 Member Find all posts View Profile Close hawks667]

I originally toyed with this idea of a battery in a box method, but ended up going to dedicated dual battery set up. Its changed significantly over the years, new breakers, new cable to rear (6B&S), new fuse box at rear, adding another 130ah battery in the rear drawers, solar panels, buying more solar panels...changing everything to Anderson plugs, volt meters, etc etc etc....

Please don't ask me how much i have spent.....i don't want to know...

A battery in a box will work...driving will help with keeping the battery charged as will a set of solar panels....weather being kind with good sun, solar is a campers best friend....

I'm a big believer in more ah is better, more solar wattage output is better.....hence i now have 195ah and 220w in solar......

[topic97 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close topic97]

After living with the annoyance of having a fridge in the back running off the normal battery & rear ciggy socket, im opting for the redarc kit with second battery in the engine bay so I can run the fridge all the time.

When I go camping and want to take the fridge out of the car, im not going to drive off and leave it there, so will just use an extension to power from the rear of the car to the fridge and utilise the dual battery.