Thread: Discovery 3 Cargo Cigarette Lighter power

check fuse, likely 15amps,

Originally Posted by Triplezed3

Hello,

I am looking to purchase an Engel Battery Box to power a fridge and lights for weekend camping. The Engel battery box charges at 7amps for DC charging and can be plugged into a car cigarette lighter. Does anyone know if the D3 cargo cigarette lighter meets these requirements?

Engel Smart Battery Box — Engel Australia

Enjoy your weekend.
Z

That is overpriced considering it doesn't even include a battery and a 300W inverter isn't much good for anything. This kickass one is much better value.

KICKASS Lithium Handy Pack - KickAss

Originally Posted by loanrangie

That is overpriced considering it doesn't even include a battery and a 300W inverter isn't much good for anything. This kickass one is much better value.

KICKASS Lithium Handy Pack - KickAss

Not sure on your fridge size OP, but i'd be cautious of the Kickass one above. 26Ah probably won't get you a weekend of fridge, and the inverter is smaller than the Engel, at 200W. Only an issue if you need 240v though. I think that battery is intended for 'devices' only.

For an equivalent to the engel, maybe have a look at this:
ARDENT Battery Box - AGM Deep Cycle Battery Box | Battery Boxes - ARDENT
I've got a lithium battery from these guys in the camper which is working really well, but i can't really speak for the battery box.

If you don't need 240v, and aren't fussed on weight (ie, it lives in the car), you can save a bit of cash and stick with a basic AGM battery and battery box:
Battery Box with Voltmeter and Dual USB Charger and Dual High Current Plugs | Jaycar Electronics

Throw a cheap 100Ah AGM battery in, charge this up at home before you leave (do you have a battery charger?), then plug into the ciggy plug in the boot whilst driving. You should get ~50Ah of usable power. If you average about 3Ah of power draw from the fridge, you'll have 16h of running without the car on, more if you let it discharge below 50% (not advisable long term)

The inverters on these battery packs are only good for small devices so i wouldn't be looking at them for that use, but yes a cheap AGM in a battery box is the cheaper solution but you still need a method to charge it if you dont have a dual battery setup. Hence a simple lipo battery pack like the one i linked may be a better solution, add a cheap 100-160W solar blanket and you will run a fridge nearly indefinitely.

As a guide, I have a 65l fridge freezer and 4x48cm led light bars (usually have 2 on at a time). In 24 hrs the usage is just under 20Ah.

Originally Posted by SeanC

As a guide, I have a 65l fridge freezer and 4x48cm led light bars (usually have 2 on at a time). In 24 hrs the usage is just under 20Ah.

Seems amazingly low for a 65l…. Winter perhaps?

Summer sees most fridges pull 3-5a when cycling for an average of 1.5-2.2ah.

If you’re getting such low draw I’m keen to know which brand, what temp and what ambient.

Originally Posted by Tombie

Seems amazingly low for a 65l…. Winter perhaps?

Summer sees most fridges pull 3-5a when cycling for an average of 1.5-2.2ah.

If you’re getting such low draw I’m keen to know which brand, what temp and what ambient.

It’s a Snomaster Expedition Series. Has the highest insulation of the Snomaster range. Draws 5amps at high speed, 2.5amps at low speed. I run in auto. I haven’t taken notice on how often it cycles. The last camping trip was a couple of weeks ago. Mid to high 20s. A well shaded site and the fridge remains in the vehicle. I have been surprised by the figures. May have something to do with the level of insulation. Figures will be higher in the middle of summer of course.

Fridge set at 2C, freezer -8C.