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Auxiliary battery and fridge

hclark

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I am picking up a new Fieldmaster in a couple of weeks. It has the auxiliary batter. I’m looking to add a fridge/freezer (Dometic CFX3) in the boot on a slider. Does anyone know if you can attach the unit to the aux battery or do you just use the cigarette lighter socket in the boot? Apologies if stupid question, I’m a novice at this stuff. Cheers.
 

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The way Ineos would like you to do it is through the cigarette lighter and then turn on the "PWR" switch on the roof so it is on constantly. This will take power from the main battery, and then the aux battery will recharge the main battery
 

hclark

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The way Ineos would like you to do it is through the cigarette lighter and then turn on the "PWR" switch on the roof so it is on constantly. This will take power from the main battery, and then the aux battery will recharge the main battery
Thank you for your reply. 👍🏻
 

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I have my fridge wired directly to the main starter battery. But the Grenadier is not wired up like a traditional system with starter battery and auxiliary/house battery with a split charge system. I think of it as a parallel battery system where the second battery just acts as a backup for the main battery and trickle charges from the second battery to starter battery as required. I’m. Considering a third lithium battery charged by a dc to dc charger for my fridge etc. when I kit my Grenadier out.
 

TheDocAUS

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I have my fridge wired directly to the main starter battery. But the Grenadier is not wired up like a traditional system with starter battery and auxiliary/house battery with a split charge system. I think of it as a parallel battery system where the second battery just acts as a backup for the main battery and trickle charges from the second battery to starter battery as required. I’m. Considering a third lithium battery charged by a dc to dc charger for my fridge etc. when I kit my Grenadier out.
My fridge is powered from the aux battery, via an added Anderson circuit. The car has an INEOS dual battery setup. The BLE battery monitors show as the fridge turns on an off, it is drawing power from the main and the aux battery - so they are operating as one battery bank - or close to it.

The solar charging is showing something similar, but it is not identical between the two batteries, but they are close.

This means both batteries will need to be replaced together, not just one. Unless you isolate them from each other using a DC to DC Charger. You cannot match a new battery with an older one in this type of setup - otherwise one or both will be damaged if they are mismatched..
 
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Jean Mercier

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This means both batteries will need to be replaced together, not just one.

Although it isn't wrong to replace both at the same time, I disagree with this statement, especially the word "need".
Batteries or other technical systems are like living beings: even if apparently identical, they die at very different moments...
  • they are used in a different way, for instance the Aux "never" starts up the car
  • they were produced at a slightly different time, with very slight different materials, very slightly, I admit
  • the quality of the materials are therefore slightly different.
  • there could be a significant "mistake" or "contamination" in either one that could shorten it's life significantly
Conclusion: it could well be that one battery dies after two years, while the other lasts 5 years.

In my case, if one battery dies after two years, I will keep the other.
If one dies after 5 years, I will probably replace both!
 

TheDocAUS

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Although it isn't wrong to replace both at the same time, I disagree with this statement, especially the word "need".
Batteries or other technical systems are like living beings: even if apparently identical, they die at very different moments...
  • they are used in a different way, for instance the Aux "never" starts up the car
  • they were produced at a slightly different time, with very slight different materials, very slightly, I admit
  • the quality of the materials are therefore slightly different.
  • there could be a significant "mistake" or "contamination" in either one that could shorten it's life significantly
Conclusion: it could well be that one battery dies after two years, while the other lasts 5 years.

In my case, if one battery dies after two years, I will keep the other.
If one dies after 5 years, I will probably replace both!
People are free to choose what they wish to do. People's needs will differ depending on where they travel. The risk in Europe is a lot lower than a battery failure in remote Africa or Australia.

I cannot risk a battery failure due to mismatched batteries in the middle of nowhere, many hours away from help - in some remote places recoveries can cost over AUD10,000. Here they recommend the batteries not be mismatched, or properly isolate the batteries from each other with a DC to DC charger (which is not how the INEOS is setup).

It is not the first time remote travel impacts my decisions. My whole build is being impacted by it, as I travel to some of the remotest parts of Australia.
NSWSA-May-2014sml.jpg
 
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ADVAW8S

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I have my fridge wired directly to the main starter battery. But the Grenadier is not wired up like a traditional system with starter battery and auxiliary/house battery with a split charge system. I think of it as a parallel battery system where the second battery just acts as a backup for the main battery and trickle charges from the second battery to starter battery as required. I’m. Considering a third lithium battery charged by a dc to dc charger for my fridge etc. when I kit my Grenadier out.
Your the reason I decided not to get the aux battery for the QM. I'm going to put in a lithium with my Ctek250SE. All the work Ineos did for the Aux panel that I ordered will remain hooked up to start battery. The accessories like fridge, aux, canopy lights, etc will be hooked up to the aux battery. Let me know if I am thinking wrong.
 

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My fridge is powered from the aux battery, via an added Anderson circuit. The car has an INEOS dual battery setup. The BLE battery monitors show as the fridge turns on an off, it is drawing power from the main and the aux battery - so they are operating as one battery bank - or close to it.

The solar charging is showing something similar, but it is not identical between the two batteries, but they are close.

This means both batteries will need to be replaced together, not just one. Unless you isolate them from each other using a DC to DC Charger. You cannot match a new battery with an older one in this type of setup - otherwise one or both will be damaged if they are mismatched..
I’m not looking to replace any batteries but to add a third possibly lithium battery for house/ auxiliary loads such as a fridge this will be charged by a DC-DC charger from the two existing batteries that operate in parallel.
 

TheDocAUS

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I’m not looking to replace any batteries but to add a third possibly lithium battery for house/ auxiliary loads such as a fridge this will be charged by a DC-DC charger from the two existing batteries that operate in parallel.
I can plug my Lithium Battery Box into one of the Anderson circuits I had installed in the Grenadier. The battery box has a DC to DC charger in it. Easy to add or remove the box. The DC to DC charger will isolate the battery box from the other two batteries, based on voltage levels.

I even plug in the battery box to give it charge during the day as the solar panel tops up the main and aux battery.
 

Jean Mercier

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People are free to choose what they wish to do. People's needs will differ depending on where they travel. The risk in Europe is a lot lower than a battery failure in remote Africa or Australia.

I cannot risk a battery failure due to mismatched batteries in the middle of nowhere, many hours away from help - in some remote places recoveries can cost over AUD10,000. Here they recommend the batteries not be mismatched, or properly isolate the batteries from each other with a DC to DC charger (which is not how the INEOS is setup).

It is not the first time remote travel impacts my decisions. My whole build is being impacted by it, as I travel to some of the remotest parts of Australia.
NSWSA-May-2014sml.jpg
I understand what you say, I have been in Australia in 2011, also in some quite remote places. My desktop picture is since many years this:
20110719 1453 between William Creek & Coober Pedy Australia.JPG


But, you can't buy new stuff every week or have a second car as a spare, unless you travel in convoy. Life has it's risks. You know that better than me!

I loved Australia, went there in first instance to visit a dying Australian friend. :cry: Australia wasn't on my bucket list, but while I was there I explored a little bit: Flinders range, Coober Pedy, Marree, Lake Eyre, Jabiru, ..., . But it filled a hidden bucket wish. :love:
 

TheDocAUS

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Great image, reminds me of what I have been missing, the red earth.

Nearly all my build decisions are based on remote travel, so it will come across in any posts. My car is built to cross the Simpson Desert, drive on the Great Central Road, visit Cape York and the Kimberley, drop in to Cape York, Gulf of Carpentaria, Arnhem Land and Kakadu even if I drive it down to the shops.

Remote part of Cape York
Cape-York-HeliTrip-Day-1-0563.jpg
 

DaveB

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Although it isn't wrong to replace both at the same time, I disagree with this statement, especially the word "need".
Batteries or other technical systems are like living beings: even if apparently identical, they die at very different moments...
  • they are used in a different way, for instance the Aux "never" starts up the car
  • they were produced at a slightly different time, with very slight different materials, very slightly, I admit
  • the quality of the materials are therefore slightly different.
  • there could be a significant "mistake" or "contamination" in either one that could shorten it's life significantly
Conclusion: it could well be that one battery dies after two years, while the other lasts 5 years.

In my case, if one battery dies after two years, I will keep the other.
If one dies after 5 years, I will probably replace both!
100%
Batteries are particularly impacted by deep cycles and heavy loads.
The auxiliary battery doesn't crank the engine or drain overnight so is likely to last longer.
Doesn't necessarily mean it will, but it should.
 

globalgregors

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I am picking up a new Fieldmaster in a couple of weeks. It has the auxiliary batter. I’m looking to add a fridge/freezer (Dometic CFX3) in the boot on a slider. Does anyone know if you can attach the unit to the aux battery or do you just use the cigarette lighter socket in the boot? Apologies if stupid question, I’m a novice at this stuff. Cheers.
Yes, you can. The only issue with doing so is that the cigarette lighter socket is a poor choice if you are likely to encounter rough conditions - they can be insecure and delicate versus alternatives.

I replaced the stock cigarette socket in the rear loadspace with a dual Anderson/cigarette socket fitting and attached the fridge through the more secure Anderson connection. This worked fine across Australia, and I particularly liked the convenience of switching the fridge from the overhead console.

It’s an easy modification to DIY and gives peace of mind that you won’t arrive at your destination only to find the fridge unplugged itself.

1715465025811.jpeg


 
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TheDocAUS

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Batteries are particularly impacted by deep cycles and heavy loads.
The auxiliary battery doesn't crank the engine or drain overnight so is likely to last longer.
Doesn't necessarily mean it will, but it should.
My BLE graphs are showing drains on the aux battery when starting the car (sometimes). Probably caused by the flaky Start/Stop function. The car starts, then quickly stops and then immediately restarts again - at this point there is draw on the main AND the aux battery to restart. INEOS says the aux can assist the main battery in starting, so it looks like that is happening.

If you separate the batteries using a DC to DC charger you can change one battery at a time, otherwise you will get a battery mismatch (if one has been in use longer than the other). If they is a decent time difference, I will replace both, but that is me with my needs in mind.
 
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Max

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Your the reason I decided not to get the aux battery for the QM. I'm going to put in a lithium with my Ctek250SE. All the work Ineos did for the Aux panel that I ordered will remain hooked up to start battery. The accessories like fridge, aux, canopy lights, etc will be hooked up to the aux battery. Let me know if I am thinking wrong.
I have the aux battery and will use the Ctek250SE in this configuration for solar and the frig will come off the aux(y)
 

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Rok_Dr

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Yes, you can. The only issue with doing so is that the cigarette lighter socket is a poor choice if you are likely to encounter rough conditions - they can be insecure and delicate versus alternatives.

I replaced the stock cigarette socket in the rear loadspace with a dual Anderson/cigarette socket fitting and attached the fridge through the more secure Anderson connection. This worked fine across Australia, and I particularly liked the convenience of switching the fridge from the overhead console.

It’s an easy modification to DIY and gives peace of mind that you won’t arrive at your destination only to find the fridge unplugged itself.

View attachment 7856619

Neat idea replacing the cigarette plug. I like it. Likewise I’m finding it’s all too easy for the plug to disconnect in the 12v socket. I was going to replace it with a merit socket but you’ve now got me thinking.

Cheers
Steve
 
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TheDocAUS

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Neat idea replacing the cigarette plug. I like it. Likewise I’m finding it’s all too easy for the plug to disconnect in the 12v socket. I was going to replace it with a merit socket but you’ve now got me thinking.

Cheers
Steve
I use an Anderson circuit and the INEOS fridge socket to power my rear power panel. The INEOS Fridge circuit powers cig/merit socket. The USB and Anderson come from the Anderson circuit. So two circuits supply the panel. Both leads can be unplugged and the panel removed, if needed. It works for me.

full

full

full
 

hclark

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Yes, you can. The only issue with doing so is that the cigarette lighter socket is a poor choice if you are likely to encounter rough conditions - they can be insecure and delicate versus alternatives.

I replaced the stock cigarette socket in the rear loadspace with a dual Anderson/cigarette socket fitting and attached the fridge through the more secure Anderson connection. This worked fine across Australia, and I particularly liked the convenience of switching the fridge from the overhead console.

It’s an easy modification to DIY and gives peace of mind that you won’t arrive at your destination only to find the fridge unplugged itself.

View attachment 7856619

Thanks for this reply. Really useful.
 
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