ARB Fridge plug

[Sotash]

Picking up my new Murranji soon and want to know if the connection in the front box will take the ARB fridge plug without modification? Also, in previous campers I have had issues with the lead catching as the fridge slides in and out, is this similar in the Tvan? Finally what are folk using to tie down 60 ltr ARB? Thanks for a great forum!



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[Lt4vette]

I have a 47l ARB in my Murranji, but I bought it used from Track, and it already had the merit plug attached (which fits the socket in the box). If your fridge doesn't have a merit plug, then you'll need to change it.
I use standard ARB tie downs, which have a plastic bracket which goes over the handle, and attached straps with cinch clips. Works well, and no problem with the cable catching - the socket in the box is mounted up high.
Only thing to watch is that the fridge can't be too far forward in the tray as the filter in the door will hit it. This may be worse with the bigger fridge.
Thanks,
Russell

[Sotash]

Thanks for that, do you have the canvas cover on the fridge ?


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[Lt4vette]

No, I don't. I do have one on a 40l Engel I run in the car as a freezer, but figured the box is pretty well insulated. It would help when the fridge is left pulled out though.
Russell

[rark]

I've got a canvas cover on my ARB 47L to provide better insulation in the warmer months/geographies. Our MK3 has the filter on the rear box wall and doesn't impede sliding with the canvas cover.

[Harry Lissimore]

Hi Russell,

I note that you said that your ARB fridge came with a merit plug attached.  The ARB fridge in my Topaz II only came with the ARB  cig lighter plug and I had to find a conversion lead to fit the Topaz merit socket.  The ARB cigarette lighter lead has a fuse in the plug.  Does the merit plug supplied with your ARB have this fuse?  I can buy a connector that will change the cigarette lighter plug to a merit plug (the cigarette lighter end of the plug unplugs exposing a 2 pin connector and a special merit fitting will plug on) but there is no special ARB fridge fuse in the merit attachment.  That fitting finally broke when the cable caught while sliding out, and now I have gone back to the  short lead converting the Topaz merit to a cigarette lighter socket and the standard ARB cigarette lighter lead.

Second question - is the ARB fridge in line fuse in the plug necessary when there is a fuse somewhere else in the Topaz,Tvan circuitry.  I assume that the circuit is fused somewhere.  Perhaps someone might know where the fuse is for this.

Harry

[Cruiser 105Tvan]

The fittings on the leads you describe are the same as the Engel lead.
You are better off changing the socket for the one that suits the 2 pin end.
The reason for the fuse in the Cig. lighter plug end, is because the plug moves about in the socket.
Moving about in the socket can cause heat to build up because of the intermittent contact.
Narva sell a socket for these two pin plugs.  You can pick them up at most auto accessory shops.
There is a key/protrusion that helps with keeping polarity correct, inside the socket.
The plug will have a screw down collar that locks it in place, once inserted.
The Narva sockets even have an LED to show you they are live.  Narva is the Brand not the type/name for the socket.
You just have to be a little careful, putting the plug in, so it lines up correctly.
I went to the trouble of fitting these sockets to my truck and my Tvan.

There should be a fuse for the power socket on the control board in the topaz.
Track doesn't hide fuses, they usually run more than one circuit off a fuse.
Like British Leyland did.

[Harry Lissimore]

Thanks for that Robert.

I think it was a NARVA merit that I plugged into the 2 pin end and I was concerned that there wasn't a special 5A slow blow fuse in it as was in the Cig lighter plug.  So it seems that I don't need that fuse.  Is that correct?

The NARVA merit plug came apart because it was placed under pressure from the constricted lead, and as it cannot easily detach from the socket, it just broke.  So would you suggest I get another one, or just stick with the standard ARB cig ligher plug plugging into a short lead that converts cig lighter plug to merit?  I have never had an issue with the cig lighter plug coming loose in the socket.

As for the fuses, I will check them out in the battery compartment.

Harry

[Cruiser 105Tvan]

Harry,
The Merit plugs do not have a fuse in them.
They have a more definite connection with the socket.
If your happy with the Merit plug idea, keep using it.
Check the instructions for the fridge.  I think you'll find a fuse in the workings of the fridge.
I use the 2 pin plug you are going to fit the Merit adaptor to, it's a 'Posifit' connector.
When I plug my lead in, there's just lead hanging out of the socket.
And I fitted an in line fuse to the power wire for the socket.
There's less bulk of connector to catch or worry about, and a more secure connection.
My lead for the Engel had a Cig. adapter, and fell out of it's socket every now and then.
So I did a little research and now I have a 'Posifit' socket in the car and trailer, just for the fridge.
http://www.engelaustralia.com.au/products_category.asp?pid=13&sid=Fridge%20Cords
http://store.arbusa.com/ARB-FRIDGE-FREEZER-DC-CORD-POWER-PLUG-10910076-P22816.aspx
Good Luck.

[weonatvan]

I reckon the Engels plug (posi-fit) is the only way to go as they can't be accidentally pulled out which could well and truly put a damper on a remote trip. 

[Alien]

I always change the factory plugs for a Merit plug after having had a few melt in the past.
The removed plug goes into the van's parts box incase it needed when out'n'about.
I add an inline fuse fairly close to the plug end, this should blow if the wiring gets damaged( cut/jambed) to protect the van or tow rigs wiring.
My latest fridge has a fuse that is only used for 240volt IIRC.

[debian]

Some years ago the plug for our fridge had worked loose from a cig socket so we changed over to Posi-fit. We have the Posi-fit sockets in the car and Tvan (we supplied one to Track to fit into the storage box when our Tvan was being built).

[three1four2]

Likewise, had the Posi-fit fitted in the fridge box during the build of our new Topaz.

[Eelezy]

I have converted my waeco fridge over to anderson plugs which I tend to use on all my electrical camping gear. I can then either plug it into the 4wd as usual, our into the front charging anderson plug of the tvan, or by using a few adapters, into cigarette or merit plugs. They dont take up much space being flat plugs and are self cleaning as you wriggle them in each time...and you can easily solder large diameter into them!
Chris

[thewelshgang]

G'day,
I gave up with plugs on the ARB fridge, tried 3 types and they all had an issue of some sort.

The fridge always stays in the back of the vehicle so I have now hard wired it and have a 3 position switch.

Up-PWR from AUX Vehicle Battery
Centre-Off
Down- PWR from TVAN Battery

It's been this way for a couple of years now and has seen a lot of KMs, works a treat and allows me to toggle from vehicle to van battery at the flick of a switch

Cheers
Nige