New Waeco Fridge with Anderson Plug

[mojo53]

Hi Guys

I have run twin core heavy duty cable from the engine bay along the L/H chassis rail and up into the rear of my 2006 TD42i wagon ready for my new Waeco and will connect it to a Anderson plug in the back as i got an Anderson/Waeco lead of ebay ready to plug it all in.
It appears most people agree on running the power cable direct to the battery via a relay or fuse, resulting in the Anderson plug on the fridge end of the cable will always be active, i have not seen anything mentioned about an isolation point somewhere before plugging the Anderson plug into the fridge as i imagine live cable straight from the battery would create a very nice spark or two or have i missed something?
It will only be using the fridge for long drives to Perth and beach trips etc so it will not be in use for most of the time and i only have a single battery so i have to be careful when it is not in use so it is not left switched on, i imagine if the Anderson plug is not plugged into the fridge it won't drain power from the battery or will it, or maybe a relay as used in spotlights could be used to switch it off.

[MudRunnerTD]

No relay is needed as a relay is a switching circuit and is designed to allow an undersized switch to switch larger power like a step up. A fuse or useable link is all that is needed. A resettable circuit breaker is perfect for this task.

There should be no current drawn from the circuit or Anderson plug when not in use. I would encourage you to install a second battery via a dual battery solenoid if you want the fridge to perform well. Or buy a a solar recharge kit for days parked on the beach.

[threedogs]

I have twin cable running to the rear seat where my Engel is with a thermo couple near the battery,
I have a switch on the dash for fridge on/off, and like you use a 50amp anderson

[mojo53]

Thanks for that MudRunner so i can eliminate the relay and not worry about a flat battery when the fridge is not connected and a resettable circuit breaker is on the way.
And the solar panel sounds like a good idea.

Cheers mate.

[mojo53]

The switch on the dash sounds like the go at least i can control the situation when it's not needed
Thanks mate

[the evil twin]

Switches just introduce more connections, longer cable runs and the enemy of all fridges, Voltage Drop.

IMHO by far the best set up for a fridge only supply in the rear is:
Min 15 amp cable from battery to an Engel socket at the rear of the vehicle,
15 Amp C/B (or fuse) at the Battery (supply fuses are rated to the wiring not the load)
Replace the Waeco ciggy plug with an Engel Plug (Battery World, Ebay, etc)on the fridge power lead (these plugs have a screw on ciggy tip if you need to use other vehicles).
The fridge is protected by it's own fusing so nothing further required.
Engel Plugs will not become disconnected due to vibes, offroading etc but Anderson Power Pole style connectors are a good alternative if you like.

50 Amp Andersons are bulky and a bit of a PIA for small wiring and elec loads.
All of my 15 amp or less equipment is plugged using Engel or Anderson Power Pole style connectors.

[threedogs]

I dont get voltage drop its only a short run, and it suits my needs atm