Running Engel 24/7 - fuel economy effect???

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

Hey all, just a post for discussion, I run an engel 24/7 in the back of my V6 Prado and am curious what effect it would have on fuel economy. I drive about half an hour, 20kms to work and back each day but the fridge cops a bit of work keeping the beets cold.

Any opinions??

[Symo Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Symo]

Hey all, just a post for discussion, I run an engel 24/7 in the back of my V6 Prado and am curious what effect it would have on fuel economy. I drive about half an hour, 20kms to work and back each day but the fridge cops a bit of work keeping the beets cold.

Any opinions??

Zero, put this into perspective, most here run a dual battery with diode fuse to boost the alternator output.

It makes no difference to consumption. Running a fridge just draws a small current from the vast electrical system humming all the time while you drive.

I reckon low tyre pressures would make a bigger difference.


Sent from my iPhone 6s Plus

[ozwapet2 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close ozwapet2]

I agree running the fridge will have bugger all effect on fuel economy.

I would be more concerned about your battery if you driving for half an hour then leaving the vehicle for long periods with the fridge running.
I presume you nean "beers" not "beets", why not cool them in the fridge at home ?
Do you have a second battery in the vehicle ?

[Bushbasher Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Bushbasher]

One would think that 20kms isn't sufficient enough to replace the amps consumed by the fridge running 24/7.

[MacroP Member Find all posts View Profile Close MacroP]

One would think that 20kms isn't sufficient enough to replace the amps consumed by the fridge running 24/7.

I worked this out before and 30mins of driving maybe enough for the alternator to get the battery back up to 100% though it's dependent on things like ambient temp and how often the lid is open. Here in the Pilbara it may not be ok in the middle of summer as the fridge will be working so much harder over a 24hour period but in cooler climates if might be ok.

If you want to figure it out, take a voltage reading of the battery before you start the car and car has been off for a few hours - at the same time every day for a week and see if the voltage drops over the week. If it still at say 12.8v without starting by Friday then it is all good. If it's at 12.2 by the end of the week then eventually she'll be flat if you don't use it on the weekend. Weaco say their fridges may use around 20amp hours per 24hours if the ambient is 35° and the fridge is set to 5°


As for fuel consumption, a quick calc works out, with 20% energy conversion, that a litre of fuel make around 2000Wh. So at 20Ah x 13.0V (per day) = around 260Wh per day and over 5 days this mean around 1300Wh. My calc tells me around 0.7litres of extra fuel per week extra which is not much at all.

[Bushbasher Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Bushbasher]

Or. seeing as you live up in sunny Lancelin you could fit one of these. Keeps the battery topped up.

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

Thanks for the replies guys, was sort of a curiosity thing more than anything. I've got dual batts and the voltage booster but the 2nd one cops a hammering. I try to keep the fridge down at -1 for beer so the fridge is working but even after a week of minimal driving the engel doesn't seem to bother. My current battery has put up with this for 2 years so far and although it doesn't quite perform how I'd like it's holding up well.

[Bushbasher Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Bushbasher]

One needs cold beer. I run 2 Engels in the back of my car when out bush so 320 watts of solar panels help keep things running in lieu of running the engine.