Thread: Engel fridge running in closed up car?

I used to leave mine running all day while I was at work (12 hours) in the back of a Prado in the middle of summer when I was on a job just out of Whyalla a few years ago, and never had any problems with it - Whyalla gets at least as hot as Brisbane - I'd suggest hotter.

But Utemad makes a good point about running the engine / alternator for long enough to replace the charge in the battery at the end of the day. I had a 50km drive back into town each day, and then 50km back to work in the morning (I left the Engel running in the back overnight too) - so running for long enough to fully re-charge the battery never seemed to be a problem for me. The Prado only had a single battery - an N70Z.

The one thing that I did do though was to not run the Engel from the "accessory" cigarette lighter in the back of the Prado. I ran heavier wiring directly from the battery to the back of the vehicle, with a small Anderson plug at the end - my Engel 12 volt power lead has an Anderson plug also rather than a cigarette lighter plug - the Disco is wired the same way as the Prado was. I've found that the wiring to the "accessory" outlet in the back of most vehicles that have them fitted is under-rated, and really not good enough to be running a fridge efficiently.

Originally Posted by HBWC

mate its an engel with a propper compressor not an absorption fridge


yer it will work fine but the only thing i wouldf be worryied about is the battery

Still the same principle cobber

I run an Engel in the back of my Disco, apart from turning it off once to change a battery, the fridge has not been turned off for two and a half years now, 24hrs a day 7days a week. I drive 30mins to work in the morning and 30mins home in the arvo, once a fortnight i chuck the ctek charger on the battery overnight(don't need to turn the fridge off). Battery is a 75a/h century severe service wet cell battery.

Originally Posted by Wortho

I run an Engel in the back of my Disco, apart from turning it off once to change a battery, the fridge has not been turned off for two and a half years now, 24hrs a day 7days a week. I drive 30mins to work in the morning and 30mins home in the arvo, once a fortnight i chuck the ctek charger on the battery overnight(don't need to turn the fridge off). Battery is a 75a/h century severe service wet cell battery.

What sized electrical cable do you have powering it?

I've not had a problem running mine in the car where it is permanently mounted except for the Kakadu trip, geez that was hot. I have added an extra spare battery (three all up) and not had a problem even on the cape trip. And I have it wired directly to the batteries, the fuse kept blowing when using the cigarette lighter socket on hot days.

I have the recharger permanently wired in as well and plug that into the powerpoint in the carpark once a week though. Well I did until last week when the building manager saw it and asked me not to. I was happy to pay for the electrons.


But the performance locked in a car for 8 hours has not been a problem.

Originally Posted by fender22

Hello. Going away on the weekend and was going to leave my 40l Engel running in the car during the day while I'm at work to keep things cool. We're in Brisbane and it's not really summer yet. Are they designed to run in an enclosed car? Will be on for around 8 hours in a Freelander 2 so I'm guessing It shouldn't run the battery down in that amount of time.

Appreciate any advice thanks

Visit your local Bunnings, and buy enough of the quilted foil sheet to make up panels for all of your rear windows including the tailgate windows. A bit of experimentation, and a slightly oversize panel will lock in behind the rubber seal in most cases. ( check in your state, as it may be possible to leave the panels in place permanently, for all windows behind the rear door opening ) We use this technique on our n/west trips, and it makes a huge difference to the inside temp of the vehicle. Always good the keep the direct sun off the fridge as well.

The other item worth checking, is the solar powered exhaust fan, of the type to hang off your rear window(s). Helps keep the interior temp down as well.

Originally Posted by BMKal

I used to leave mine running all day while I was at work (12 hours) in the back of a Prado in the middle of summer when I was on a job just out of Whyalla a few years ago, and never had any problems with it - Whyalla gets at least as hot as Brisbane - I'd suggest hotter.

Don't know of many 40+ days in Bissy!!!

But you're right. They run just fine.

Often open vehicle here to find internal cabin temp over 50c

As said the engle will do it easy.Not getting above 26 here at the moment.I have done it in the D2 in hotter weather.Maybe leave the windows down an inch or so if you are worried,and make sure there is nothing blocking airflow to the condenser of the engle.

As others have said,battery may be your problem.